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.  

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.