Tai Chi Bag Drills Video Series - Elbow Strikes Video

Here is the most recent video to go up on Youtube in our "Tai Chi Bag Drill" series.  This is the first video of the elbow strike section of this series and it focuses on elbow strikes that are directed forward.  We you you all find this video useful in your training at home.  Enjoy!  :)

Settling Into the New KSW Karate Dojo

We have been holding our Tai Chi classes are the new KSW Karate Dojo in Jackson, CA since March of 2015 and we are absolutely loving the new location.  Each week there are little improvements made here and there as both the Tai Chi and Karate classes are settling in to their new training environment.  Today we took a little time after class to put up the Tai Chi students' rank certificates and a few old pictures.  :)

A Beautiful Training Guide

We came across this picture today and had to share it.  It is a beautiful reminder of the proper mind set with which to approach any type of training, but most especially Tai Chi training.  There is a vast difference between mentally understanding how a technique should be done and actually being able to do it.  One of the most common things we hear from new students who are learning a new technique is, "I understand what I am supposed to be doing, but I can't seem to get my body to do it..."

The good news is, such a difficulty can be overcome through repetition, repetition, repetition......with a little extra practice in between.  You will receive little or no benefits from only understanding a move mentally, but if you do that move over and over and over, your body will be strengthened to perform the move more powerfully, you will begin to naturally understand how to do the move more efficiently, you will become more aware of your body's position and gain much better control over your body (which will not only improve things like balance, but will allow you to learn new movements more easily).......simply put, you will begin to actually experience, in a very deep and profound way, all of the benefits of Tai Chi that you have heard about.

Even more importantly, you will begin to experience the benefits that you don't often hear about, because they are not easily expressed in words and in most cases can only be experienced through determined practice and lots, and lots, and lots of repetition.

So, if you are waiting to hear the deepest, darkest, most profound, game changing, secret of the ancients that will catapult your Tai Chi training to the next level and help you realize all of the benefits that attracted you to Tai Chi in the first place......here it is....."Follow the advice in the picture below and don't ever stop following that advice."  ;)

New Dojo Pictures

This month the Pine Grove Karate Dojo moved to Jackson and began holding classes.  Today's morning Tai Chi class completed the first week of Tai Chi training at the new dojo location and we would like to share some pictures of the new facility with you.  :)

Here is the sign that we have up on Hwy. 49

This is the driveway leading up to the new Karate Dojo

Heading up this driveway, turn in the second parking lot on the right.  We are very excited about the large parking lot for training outside on days with nice weather.  We've had two classes outside so far and it has been amazing.  :)

The smaller portion of the building in front is the indoor training area.

Here is what it looks like on the inside.  

We are thrilled to have this new training area and we hope you will come join us for classes here. 

There have been some rumors that the Karate Dojo in Pine Grove closed, but the truth is, we just moved the Karate Dojo to Jackson and we are continuing to offer Tai Chi classes at the new location.

Help us spread the word about our new location, and stop by to try out a Karate or Tai Chi lesson if you live in or near Jackson.    

EUSAIMAA Black Belt Hall of Fame Induction

On November 10, 2012 at a reception held in Pittsburgh, PA, Andrew Plitt was inducted into the Eastern USA International Martial Arts Association's Black Belt Hall of Fame along with five other members of the KSW Karate Dojo.  During their time in Pittsburgh they had the privilege of attending several seminars taught by masters from around the world including seminars in Wing Chun, Kendo, Hapkido, White Crane, and many more.  Below is a picture of all six inductees with their awards at the award ceremony. 

(left to right) 

Clarance and Andrea Newman both received special recognition for their dedication to the martial arts, Andrew Plitt, Sensei Rodney Peoples, Sensei Will Laskbrook and Sensei Rhonda Lashbrook all received inductions into the EUSAIMAA's Black Belt Hall of Fame.

The KSW Karate Dojo (located in Pine Grove, CA), where Andrew Plitt teaches evening Tai Chi Chuan classes, is a family oriented martial arts school that offers Karate classes for adults and children.  The instructors at the KSW Dojo put a great deal of emphasis on the importance of personal development and offer classes that are not only focused on martial arts training, but also provide  excellent training for physical fitness and coordination that can help improve performance in on other sports activities.

If you would like to learn more about the classes offered at the KSW Karate Dojo, please Click Here.  

New Evening Tai Chi and Qi Gong Classes Starting in January 2012

I just wanted to let everyone know that starting in January 2012 at the KSW Karate Dojo in Pine Grove, CA evening classes in Tai Chi and Qi Gong will be made available. The classes will be held on Monday and Wednesday evenings starting at 6:00. If you have further questions please feel free to contact the KSW Karate Dojo at (209) 296-4200 or Contact Me.