Past News Posts
"My name is Chris and my first experience with Tai chi was in Michael Dotson’s class at MCTC. I needed a physical education credit for the degree I’ve been working towards and I had read about the health benefits of Tai Chi. As the semester came to a close, I asked Michael where would be a good place to continue as I was enjoying his class. He brought up Chinatown Tai Chi Center. I looked up the school and discovered it was ways from home. I chose to look into other schools that were closer to home.
"After my research, I decided that the drive to Chinatown Tai Chi was worth it. The lineage of our past masters makes this school feel more 'legit' than other schools. When I finally get properly rooted into a form, it is obvious that this art has been around a while. I also like that there are multiple instructors--the more ways I’m told to keep my elbows down the more likely it is to sink in. One aspect of Chinatown I didn’t realize until I had been here a while is that Sifu Calph’s happy spirit brings joy to every class. Thank you, Sifu.
"Getting Erika and Sarah to join me in this exercise took some cunning. My daughter, Sarah, likes the exercise and body strengthening she gains from Tai Chi. She also enjoys the company of adults who treat her as part of the group, and not like a kid. However, I’m pretty sure that showing her some of the 'intention-follows-your-eyes’ exercises was what really captured her attention.
"Erika, my wife, was pretty skeptical at first. I showed her the brocades, which she liked, but the whole idea of standing on one foot had her worried. I finally convinced her to attend a class to just watch; our wonderful teachers got her to join in - and yes, she can balance on one foot. Erika’s glad that I encouraged her to join me and is feeling the health benefits. She also enjoys the community and laughter in learning.
"One of my favorite parts of Tai Chi is after the forms become internalized; there is a very calming aspect to practicing this art."
Our seminars with Richard Wong were exceptionally good and very tiring. I felt like a beginner again working on the forms he taught us. Now comes the real work of committing it to memory.
Thank you to all who took the meditation challenge. Please send me some feedback about your experience. I will be issuing a new challenge soon.
In China there is a martial arts proverb "To learn is easy, but to correct is difficult." Practice and Patience make perfect.
Tai Chi Chuan will change your life!
Are you wanting more flexibility, more freedom of movement and less stress in your life? Practicing the solo forms of tai chi, both empty hand and traditional Chinese weapon forms, will help with all those things.
Added benefits from practicing tai chi chuan include:
- promoting circulation
- developing balance and coordination
- strengthening bones and muscles
- increasing awareness and sensitivity
- improving your endurance and patience
- improving your posture to reduce chance of injury
- promoting and increasing internal energy
Tai chi chuan is a Life Art. Continued practice of tai chi with a qualified teacher can improve every aspect of your life.
Here are a few tips on the Basics of Good Meditation:
- Environment: Find a quiet, comfortable location.
- Get stretched out: Spend a few minutes stretching or doing tai chi, making sure to loosen your spine and neck.
- Breathing: Deep meditation is only possible when your breath is deep, long and slow. Breathe as slowly and deeply as possible but without tension. Rest your tongue lightly on the roof of your mouth.
There will be no classes Wednesday, December 23, and Saturday, December 26.
Have a Happy Holiday!
We are now holding classes in our new space at 1658 W Lincoln Ave, St Paul, Mn. It is a great space but there are a lot of activities going on in the building, so it may take a few weeks to work out all of the snags.
Plan now for our Holiday Celebration to be held on December 12th from 3 to 5 p.m. It will be pot luck so think of some tasty morsels to bring and be sure to sign up before or after class. We will have maps and directions to the party place in the Members section.
Pictures taken at the seminars in September with Grandmaster Doc-Fai Wong are up.
Special notice: Monday evenings, December 7 and 14, we will be meeting in the Crossroads room, downstairs. Follow the signs.
Check the Directions tab for directions to and pictures of our new space. We will have our first class in the new school space on Monday, November 2, 2009. We can arrive as early as 6 PM so please do not enter before that time. We will have our sign visible on the door and by the building so you will know you are in the right place. Thank you for your patience during the move.
We will be moving to a new space soon. It is only a few blocks from our current location. Keep an eye on this space because we will announce the address and date in the next week. We will also have an address and maps. For the remainder of October we will be in our current space. Saturday, October 31, will be our last day in the gym at St. Thomas More Church.
Current students of Chinatown TCC can check the Members-only section to learn more.
Class times and location will stay the same through October.
The word that comes to mind when I reflect on this weekend with our Grandmaster Doc-Fai Wong is "Spectacular." Grandmaster was in good spirits; his teachings, reflections, corrections, and humor made for some very memorable hours of training.
We are in the process of looking for a new space for students of Chinatown Tai Chi Center to train in. After five years in our present space it seems there is an insurance glitch that will prevent us from continuing to stay here. While there have been some challenges, the location is a very good one and the size of the space is excellent. Hopefully, we will be able to make this transition with little or no loss of student body. After this weekend with Grandmaster Doc-Fai Wong, there is a renewed energy and excitement for the art of tai chi chuan that we practice every day.
Stay tuned, more to come in the very near future.
No class Monday, September 21. Regular schedule resumes Wednesday, September 23.
Chinatown Tai Chi Center presents an exhibition with one of the most well-known and well-respected Tai Chi Grandmasters.
Grandmaster Doc-Fai Wong and the students of Chinatown Tai Chi Center present a
to demonstrate several tai chi empty hand and weapon forms.
Where: 1550 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN. in the gymnasium upstairs
(follow the signs)
When: Saturday, September 19, 2009, at 11:30 a.m.
There is a flyer about this event under "Current Events" on the right side of this page.
Directions for Saturday night are in the member's section.
If you are in town, be encouraged to come and practice. New students are always welcome. Click the "Where do I sign up?" link at the right for more information. We have a beautiful, clean space. We consistently provide the the highest quality training. Call for information about classes and fees (651) 699-2863 or check our web site to send an e-mail using the link below.
Detailed information about the fall seminars is now posted in the members' area. There's a flyer about the seminars and a sign-up form to fill out and give to Sifu or one of the advanced students.
It's mid-July and soon we will add information to this site regarding content and cost of the seminars to be held 18-20 September with Grandmaster Doc-Fai Wong. To attend these seminars you must be a member in good standing at either Chinatown Tai Chi Center or any Plum Blossom Federation affiliated school.
In the meantime we are continuing with our regular scheduled classes. If you are in town be encouraged to come and practice. New students are always welcome. We have a beautiful, clean space. We consistently provide the the highest quality training . Call for information about classes and fees (651) 699-2863 or check our web site to send an e-mail\ www.chinatown-taichi.com.
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