Instruction Video for "Grasp the Sparrow's Tail: Left" is Now Available

Here is the latest upload in our free Yang Tai Chi 24 Form instructional video series.  This video features instructions for the seventh move of the form, called "Grasp the Sparrow's Tail - Left."  For a complete list of all the moves in Yang Style Tai Chi 24 Form visit our Chinese Terminology page.  We hope you all find this video helpful.  Enjoy!

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.    

Pine Grove Tai Chi Classes are Moving to Jackson

The classes at the KSW Karate Dojo in Pine Grove will be moving to the new KSW Karate dojo location in Jackson in March 2015.  The classes at the Pine Grove location will continue through Friday, Feb. 27, 2015.  They will be put on hold until the move to the new location is complete and they will resume again on March 12, 2015.

There will be a schedule change at the new location.  The Friday evening Tai Chi class will be cancelled as of Feb. 28, 2015.  

The new schedule as of March 12, 2015 is:

Thur. & Fri. mornings from 9:00 to 10:30

The address of the new location is:

1510 S. State Hwy. 49

Jackson, CA 95642

Specific Dates Available for Private Lessons

Due to a heavy schedule, private lessons have been suspended indefinitely.  However, there are a few specific dates coming up on which private lessons may be scheduled.

The dates are as follows:

• Sun, Dec. 21, 2014
• Mon. Dec. 22, 2014
• Tue. Dec. 23, 2014
• Mon. Jan. 12, 2015
• Tue. Jan. 13 2015
• Wed. Jan. 14, 2015
• Thu. Jan. 15, 2015
• Fri. Jan. 16, 2015
• Sat. Jan. 17, 2015

For more details about private lessons, please visit the "Classes" page.

Or Contact Us

Congratulations to Our New Purple Sash!

On November 8, 2014 Kathy spent 5.5 hours testing for her first intermediate sash.  She worked so hard and earned every bit of her new rank.  Congratulations, Kathy!

Two More Chen Tai Chi 27 Form Videos

Here are the two most recent Chen Tai Chi 27 Form instructional video uploads.  Enjoy!  :)

Move 14 of the Chen Tai Chi 27 Form (Video)

Here is the 14th move of the Chen Tai Chi 27 Form.  We hope you find this video helpful in your training.  Enjoy!  :)

Pine Grove Tai Chi Class Schedule Changing Soon

The schedule for the Tai Chi classes in Pine Grove is going to change soon.  Starting the week of Monday, August 25, 2014 the new schedule will be as follows:

Thursday mornings 9:00 - 10:30

Friday evenings 6:00 - 7:30

Classes will continue on their normal schedule until August 25.  Thank you all for your feedback on the time slots that would work best for you.  Have a great weekend and we'll see you in class on Monday!  

Tai Chi Class Warm-Up Video

I have had some students request a video of the warm-up we do in class so they can use it at home to warm up before training.  It took me a little while to get around to it, but I've finally finished it and I hope you all find it very helpful.  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!

Stepping Sets/ Line Drill Videos

Here is the latest video series we have put together.  It covers all of the Stepping Sets that our students are required to know for their 2nd level yellow sash.  These sets are also very popular exercises among students who are looking to improve their balance and coordination.  Enjoy! 

Video 1 of 11 "Intro"



Video 2 of 11 "Parting the Horse's Mane"



Video 3 of 11 "Wave Hands Like Clouds"



Video 4 of 11 "Diagonal Flying"



Video 5 of 11 "Brush Knee and Push"



Video 6 of 11 "Rooster Stands on One Leg"



Video 7 of 11 "Circle Fists and Twist Step"



Video 8 of 11 "Kick with Heels, Push with Palms"



Video 9 of 11 "Snake Creeps Down"



Video 10 of 11 "Repulse the Monkey"



Video 11 of 11 "Maiden Weaves with the Shuttle"

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

Holiday Class Schedule 2013

This announcement is to let everyone know which training days will be skipped during the holidays. 

November 2013
At the KSW Karate Dojo, Tai Chi classes will be skipped on the following dates:
Wednesday, Nov. 27
Friday, Nov. 29

At New York Fitness class will be skipped on the following date:
Thursday, Nov. 28 (Thanksgiving day)


December 2013 -January 2014
At the KSW Karate Dojo Tai Chi classes will be skipped on the following dates:
Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013
Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014

If any classes will be skipped at New York Fitness in December 2013 we will post that information asap.

We wish you all a wonderful, safe holiday season!