An interview with Master Chen Xiao Wang

The video below is a clip from a CCTV (a Chinese television station) show called "Journey of Civilization", in which Chen Xiao Wang (A direct descendent of the creator of Chen style Taijiquan who has never been defeated at push hands) discusses many of the principles upon which Tai Chi is founded.  He discusses some of the martial concepts of Tai Chi briefly and offers historical information, as well as tips on how to better practice Tai Chi.

Because it is a Chinese television show everyone is speaking Chinese, but if you can read fast there are English subtitles that allow you to follow along with the discussion.  The whole clip is a little over 40 minutes long, but if you are interested in learning more about Tai Chi from one of the greatest masters in China, it's well worth your time.

Enjoy!

2 Students Earned Their White Sash in Tai Chi Today

Today at 5:00pm two students began the test for their White Sash rank.  One student has been training with me for about 10 months and the other has been training with me for nearly two years.  Both have put an incredible amount of time and effort into their training and it was very obvious during the test. 

During the test they were required to show proficiency in the following:

• Yang Tai Chi 24 form
• 5 directional stepping
• Zhan Zhuang Qi Gong
• Tai Chi Qi Gong set
• and more...

At about 6:30pm the test was complete and both students had passed.  Below are some pictures of them receiving their sashes.

Laura receiving her White Sash after the Test.

Laura receiving her certificate.

Rhonda receiving her White Sash.

Rhonda receiving her certificate.

Learning to tie their new sashes with a little help from someone who has done it before.

Laura showing the new certificate with me.

 Rhonda showing her new certificate with me.

Congratulations, ladies!  You did an excellent job earning this rank.  Keep up the good work!

Fundraiser for a Shaolin Master's School

While I was training in China there was a Shaolin master at the school who was unbelievably skillful and powerful. His passion for his training and his heart for his students were inspirational. He had the admiration and respect of every student, whether they were training under him or not. His dream is to start his own school and while I was in China he did, with the blessing of his headmaster. Recently, however, his business partner has left him in a lurch and he is about to lose his school. This school is the life dream he has poured his heart and soul into since he was a child training at the Shaolin Temple and it seems a great injustice that he should lose it because of another man's greed. Below is a link to a fundraising drive put together by his students who don't want to see their master lose his dream. Whether you are an avid martial artist or simply believe in people realizing their dreams any contribution you can make is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 To find out more about this master and his school, or to donate, click here.

 A Picture of Shifu Shi Xing Long and four of his students in China.

2 Students Earned Their Yellow Sash Ranks in Tai Chi

It has been over 6 months since they tested for their white sashes.  Six months filled with hard work, sweat, perseverance, and dedication to  practicing the same things over and over..... and it has paid off.  The two students who earned their Yellow Sashes today have truly earned this new rank and I'm very proud to have helped them reach this point in their training.

The skills that are required to earn a yellow sash include:

• Knowing and being able to perform the first part of the traditional Yang Style Long Form
• Learning 10 basic Tai Chi stepping sets that enforce many basic moving patterns of Tai Chi
• Rocking Qi Gong Sets that begin to prepare a student many aspects of pushing hands and sticking hands practice
• New stance practice routines that help strengthen the legs and coordinate body movements
• The 8 Doors, or fundamental moving concepts, of Tai Chi.
• And more...

Both of these students have been training with me since the beginning of 2011 and I'm very pleased with the progress they have made and the hard working attitude they have diplayed in their training so for.  It has taken them more than a year and a half to reach their second rank in our sash system.  This is not because they have not worked hard, on the contrary, it is because of their hard work that they have been able to reach this rank so quickly.  It is so important to make sure each skill is truly learned and not just briefly touched on and it can take a long time to get these things down.

Below are some pictures of the sash promotion ceremony.

In this picture my dad is giving me his old white sash and receiving his brand new Yellow Sash.

 Here my dad is receiving his rank certificate.

 

Here Kathy is receiving her new Yellow Sash.

Kathy looking over her new Yellow Sash rank certificate.

Dad and me showing off his new yellow sash and rank certificate.

 Kathy and me showing her new yellow sash and rank certificate.

Congratulations to you both!