Tai Chi Punching Bag Drill Video: 1 Inch Power Generation

This morning a new Tai Chi punching bag drill instructional video posted.  This video will teach you how to use a punching bag to generate good striking power over a short distance, which is a very important skill to have in Tai Chi, or any other martial art.  A new video for this free instructional series will post on my YouTube channel every Saturday at 9:00am until this series is complete.  We hope you find this video very useful in your practice and wish you the best in your training.  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.    

13th Move of the Chen Tai Chi 27 Form (Video)

Here's the most recent upload for the Chen Tai Chi 27 Form instructional video series.  We hope you all enjoy it!

Pan Gen Qigong Video Series (23 videos)

After several weeks of working on this series it is finally finished and available for everyone to enjoy.

As with the other video series we have posted, the first several videos in this series walk you through each stationary and moving posture of Pan Gen Qigong.  The last 6 videos are follow-along videos that contain no instruction and are simply meant to make it easier for you to schedule a video into your day, to make practicing easy to time and accomplish. 

Pan Gen Qigong (roughly translated as "Turning Foundation" Qigong) is for developing internal power and a strong root for internal martial arts training (such as Tai Chi).  However, the benefits of developing internal power and a strong root extend beyond martial arts training into everyday life.  It is believed in traditional Chinese medicine that ailments are a direct result of imbalanced energy flow through the body.  Because this Qigong set places a great deal of importance on developing your internal energy and circulating it through your body, and the postures aid in directing the energy to break up blockages, this Qigong set can easily be used for health purposes, as well as martial purposes. 

For the internal martial artists, the stationary postures aid in developing your root while stationary and the moving postures help you maintain that root while walking in a particular pattern.

I hope you all find this series and this Qigong set useful and I hope you enjoy practicing it as much as I do.  Enjoy! 

Foot & Ankle Strength, Stretch, and Balance Qigong Video

Here is a video of a short, simple exercise that helps strengthen and stretch the feet and ankles.  It's usually practiced after an extended standing Qigong session, but it is excellent for those who wish to improve their balance, loosen up first thing in the morning, or cool down after a run/standing workout.  We hope you all find it useful and enjoy it immensely as you practice.

Seated Meditation/Qigong Video Series

Good news!  We just posted another follow-along Qigong video series.  This time it is a seated Meditation/Qigong video series for those of you who want a break from the standing Qigong sets every now and then.  We hope you all enjoy this series and find it very useful and beneficial.  Enjoy!

Chen Style Tai Chi 27 Postures Form Videos

Here is another set of videos showing the Chen Style Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan) 27 Form, from the front and rear views.  This one is up at the request of those students who are currently learning this form in the morning Tai Chi classes at New York Fitness in Jackson, CA.  We hope these videos are very helpful as you all practice in your spare time.  Enjoy!


This video is a demonstration of the Chen Tai Chi 27 Form, from the front.




This video uses "line recognition" effects to help reduce distractions in the video and focus more on the movements only.  It is the same video as above, except for the added effects.




This video is a demonstration of the Chen Tai Chi 27 Form, from the rear.




This video uses "line recognition" effects to help reduce distractions in the video and focus more on the movements only.  It is the same video as above, except for the added effects.

Yang Tai Chi Traditional Saber Form Videos

We have been working hard this summer to put up a lot of instructional, follow-along, and demo videos for our students and fans.  We just posted another video set on you tube and this time it's a demo for the Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Saber Form, filmed from a front view and a rear view.  We hope you enjoy this little demo of one of the many fun forms Yang Style Tai Chi (Tajiquan) has to offer.  These videos were filmed in Pine Grove, CA at the KSW Karate dojo.  If you are interested in learning Tai Chi, please have a look at our class schedule to see which classes work for you.  Enjoy the videos!


This video is a front view demo of the form.




This video is a repeat of the above video in a "line recognition" format that helps remove some of the distractions of the room and draws attention more to the movements of the form.




This video is a rear view demo of the form.




This video is a repeat of the above video in a "line recognition" format that helps remove some of the distractions of the room and draws attention more to the movements of the form.

8 Pieces of Brocade (Ba Duan Jin) Qigong Video Series

We just posted another Qigong video series on YouTube and this time it's for a Qigong set that is considered to be one of the most popular Qigong sets practiced around the world.  There are many versions and variations of the movements in this set, but they all work on the same principles and are considered very beneficial for health.  It is believed by many that this particular Qigong set was developed by the legendary Chinese General, Yue Fei, to keep his troops strong, healthy, and battle ready.  People all around the world now enjoy these exercises to stay fit, strong, and flexible.

In this video series the first video gives you an introduction and explains how the series works.  The next 8 videos each describe one of the 8 movements in this Qigong set.  The last two videos are follow-along videos that are silent, except for quiet chimes that alert you when it is time to change moves.  We hope you all find this series very helpful and useful in your daily exercise routine.  Enjoy!

A Tai Chi Year in Review (2013)

As this year comes to a close we wanted to take a moment to review some of the time we have spent together in 2013.  As you look through this post, we hope you are reminded of fun and memorable moments from classes, workshops, or even posts here on this site.  We look forward to the physical and mental development, personal growth, and enjoyable memories that we will all enjoy as we train together in the new year.   Happy New Year to you all!


January 2013
We were honored to host two Qigong workshops in Pine Grove, including a workshop on the "8 Pieces of Brocade Qigong Set."  This was also the month in which we posted a video of the 2nd part of the Yang Style Tai Chi Traditional Long Form as an aid to students practicing at home.

February 2013
Other than a Qigong workshop on a section of the "Five Animal Exercises Qigong Set," this was a fairly uneventful month, full of the consistent, dedicated training that produces the health benefits and skills that people seek in Tai Chi and Qigong training.  Bravo to the students who understand the rewards that only come from perseverance in training!

March 2013
More weekend Qigong workshops were held this month along with the regularly scheduled classes, but two events that set this month apart were the publishing of Andrew Plitt's first Qigong Workshop Manual and a post with information and helpful tips for students who wish to train in China.

April 2013
One of the most exciting month of the year, April is the month in which World Tai Chi and Qigong Day takes place.  We had a blast celebrating this day with our community!

May 2013
Another great month of steady training and overall improvement.  A big thank you to all of the dedicated students that never give up!


June 2013
This month was an exciting month for many of our students!  Two students earned their 3rd Level Orange Sashes and two students earned Their 1st Level White Sashes!  A very proud moment for all involved. 

July 2013
In July we posted the names of the postures in the Yang Tai Chi 24 Form and uploaded a video of Andrew Plitt going through the Qigong exercises we use as a cool down in class, which can be used as simple exercises at home for overall health.




August 2013
This month was mostly a regular training month, but we did post videos Andrew Plitt performing the Yang Tai Chi 24 Form and the 3rd part of the Yang Tai Chi Long Form to aid students practicing at home. 

September 2013
A month of diligent practice and Mind-body improvement.

October 2013
This Month we hosted our first "Open Tai Chi Night" in which anyone who wanted to attend was welcome to come enjoy Tai Chi with us, free of charge.  A big thank you to everyone who attended!  (stay tuned for future Open Tai Chi events)

November 2013
Another blissful month of Tai Chi and Qigong practice

December 2013
A wonderful month of practice with some time off for the holidays.  Along with the enjoyment of family, friends, and training, we posted a 6 video series of basic exercises to help beginning Tai Chi students develop a good root and sense of balance, as well as posting a video about Tai Chi vs. Arthritis.
 

Now we bring this year to a close with much gratitude to all of the wonderful people that train with us, shop at Amador County's Online Health Food Store, and seek self and community improvement through the practices of Tai Chi and Qigong.  Thank you for all that you do, thank you for all of your support, and we wish you the very best New Year!

Basic Tai Chi Videos for Balance and Rooting

I have good news for my students.  I have just finished uploading a video series to Youtube, that covers the basic balance and rooting exercises that are among the first things students learn in class.  If you need to work on your balance, the exercises in these videos will be invaluable to you.  I hope this will be a helpful resource while you are practicing at home.  Enjoy!

Video #1


Video # 2


Video #3


Video #4


Video #5


Video #6

No Class on the 4th

This is just a reminder that there will be no morning Tai Chi class at New York Fitness on Thursday, July 4th 2013.  This class will proceed as usual starting Tuesday, July 9, 2013.  We will miss seeing you all in class and we hope you all have a safe, fun-filled 4th!

Happy 4th of July! 



 

A Fun World Tai Chi and Qigong Day 2013 Celebration!

Yesterday was "World Tai Chi and Qigong Day" (WTCQD), a day where people all over the world gather at 10:00am in there time zones to practice Tai Chi, share ideas and skills, and teach others about these amazing arts.  In Pine Grove, CA at the KSW Karate Dojo we celebrated WTCQD with our Amador County community and enjoyed the incredible talent and knowledge of Sensei Rodney Peoples, the head Sensei and KSW Karate, as he led us through a ten-step breathing and energy cultivation exercise;  the sweet spirited, relaxing and flowing Tai Chi movements taught by the wonderful Marilyn Nutter, Tai Chi instructor in Sutter Creek; awesome chair massages from the talented Andrea Newman, the massage therapist at KSW Karate; and the fun and informative Tai Chi and Qigong workshops led by Andrew Plitt.

There was also free ice cream available to those who attended workshops, and we had smoothies for lunch made from the Pure Trim Wellness Shakes to keep everyone energized and ready for more celebration.

Unfortunately we did not take very many pictures of this event, but we will post the pictures we did take; mostly between workshops.  The good news is, we took a lot of video of the workshops and we will be posting video segments in the very near future.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this event happen and to everyone who attended!  You all made this "World Tai Chi and Qigong Day" an incredibly fun, enjoyable and memorable event!

This is nearly everyone who attended, gathered with our celebration poster made by Samantha Hoarau. :)

 

Some of the wonderful people who attended, sipping on Pure Trim Wellness Shakes, grabbing a bite to eat and enjoying each others company between workshops.

More of the lovely people who attended enjoying a chat between workshops.

In this picture Marilyn Nutter is beginning her wonderful Chi Movement workshop by explaining what we will be doing and the benefits that come from the exercises she will be showing us.  

(Awesome workshop, by the way!)

 And, of course, the fun-stance photo.  :)

We hope you all enjoyed this event as much as we did and, if you were not able to attend this year, we hope you will join our celebration next year on April 26, 2014.  Check back soon for video clips and check out our Workshops and Seminars page for upcoming events.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Happy Chinese New Year from Ancient Wisdom for The New You to all of you! 

A Video of the Yang Tai Chi Long Form Part 2

Here's a video of me performing the second part of the Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Long Form.  I hope you all enjoy it.  If it looks like something you would enjoy learning check out my Class Schedules and Locations page.

January 2013 Qi Gong Workshops in Amador County

In January of 2013 two, weekend Qi Gong workshops will be available in Amador County.  The focus of these workshops is to teach as many people as possible simple Qi Gong routines for health that have been used in China for centuries to maintain healthy, strong, flexible bodies. 

The first workshop will be held on Sat. Jan. 5, and will be focused on "Deer Qigong."  This form of Qi Gong is part of the "Wu Qin Xi" or "Five Animal Playing" Qi Gong set.  The Chinese developed the Deer Qigong routine to mainly focus on balancing and strengthening the kidneys, but many of the exercises are also good for balance; coordination; and back, core, and hip flexibility.

The second workshop will be held on Sat. Jan. 12, and will be covering the "Ba Duan Jin" or "8 Pieces of Brocade" Qigong set.  This set is very popular all over the world for its simplicity and the safe nature of all the exercises.  This Qi Gong set can really be viewed as a whole body tune-up, with exercises that help improve range of motion, strength the body, improve balance, improve circulation and balance the body's energy flow. 

More information about these workshops and their location, time and price of attendance can be found on the new "Workshops and Seminars" page.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Pine Grove Training Room Face Lift

Because of the Summer Weight Loss Boot Camp sessions and Tai Chi classes we decided to give the training room up at the Pine Grove Dojo a bit of a face lift.  Here are some of the pictures we took during the face lift.  It's still not completely done, but we thought you all might enjoy seeing the progress made so far.  If you're interested in joining us for any Tai Chi, or Weight Loss Boot Camp Classes in our newly refreshed room check out our Class Schedules and Locations.

This first picture will give you a feel for what the room looked like before.  Grey floor and white walls.  In this picture Andrew Plitt is reinforcing a post that will be used for fist conditioning.

This is one of the wall scrolls that will be used to decorate the room.

A Yin Yang symbol with the Ba Gua that we painted on one of the walls.

Our product display for Amador County's Online Health Food Store.

Here is the new entry-way into the training room with benches made from recycled building material and a shoe rack.

When you walk into the room and look to your right this is what the room looks like after its "face-lift."

This is the view from the other side of the room. 

There is still more to be done, but we're very happy with how it's turning out so far.  :)

Lunch Time Qi Gong Classes

For the Months of June, July and August I will be offering a lunch time Qi Gong class at the Motherlode Holistic Center in Jackson.  This class is designed to give people a break from their work day and better equip them to cope with the stresses they may experience at work.  Each class is only 30 minutes long to allow time to get to the class from work, recharge your mind and body in class, grab a bite to eat for lunch, then return to work with a calmer mind and better focus with which to face the second half of your work day.

These classes will be on Mondays and Fridays, from 12:10 to 12:40.
The classes are either $7 per class or $25 for the month.

Click here to Register for the Lunch Time Qi Gong Class