American Karate rank evaluation from a few years ago - Recognize anybody?

Sensei Kratz handing down the art to the next generation

Skyler C. practicing her Round House Kick to a focus pad at a recent class

Recent training at The Studio - Skyler C. practicing her Round House Kick to a focus pad. So much fun when you hit it correctly it makes a loud smacking sound!! Guess how long has Skyler been training at The Studio?

New Smyrna Beach Tai Chi Associate Horace B.

Horace has been living and running the NSB beaches for 60 years!! Guess his age? He is still running marathons and has run the Pike's Peak marathon (he says is the toughest race) TWICE!!

We talked about the additional benefits that one gets from exercising on the beach.....There's many, from the softer surface to the breathing in of the 'sea air' to the overall energy of the ocean and becoming 'one' with nature. 

Can you guess his age?? 

New Smyrna Beach Tai Chi Associates John and Maria - Healthy Walking!!

Impromptu Healthy Walking conversation with the newest members of the New Smyrna Beach Tai Chi Association.

New Smyrna Beach Taiji Associate Teryn C. practicing a movement for the Hua To's 5 Animal Frolics.

Surprise visit from AKS Black Belt Teryn C. - He was in Orlando for a conference and came over to NSB to visit family friends. Newest member of the New Smyrna Beach Taiji Association, we talked about and worked on a few ideas and exercises to help heal the foot injury that he sustained last year. He's doing well and is working towards a full and complete recovery. Always a treat to have long term students visit NSB;^)

Happy Chinese New Year! The Year of the Dog...

Wishing you and your family and friends abundant health, prosperity and inner peace in this Year of the Dog!!

New Smyrna Beach Tai Chi Associate Jack F. and Sifu Roy practicing on the beach......

New Smyrna Beach Tai Chi associate Jack F. practicing with Sifu Roy on the beach at the 22nd Avenue boardwalk. We worked on ideas around the 10 exercises, qigong walking meditation, bagua zhang, tai chi solo form, jian sword form and two person exercises and modern arnis' tapi tapi. Great to have a long term student to practice with and bounce ideas off of!!b

New Smyrna Beach Tai Chi Associates Wayne and Marge

An impromptu lesson on the beach: Qigong Walking 
I talked about selecting a walking pace that feels effortless, rhythmical and fluid. With proper head position (chin back slightly), feel the torso gently turning and twisting, as in cross country skiing (right shoulder forward - left hip forward).
Forward momentum is articulated in the mid spine and translated up the body to the shoulders, arms and hands. It's fun and it feels great and it's good for you too!! Win/Win/Win!

New Smyrna Beach Tai Chi Associate Wayne H. from Austin TX - working on proper head position during Qigong practice

A recent training with Wayne H. working on proper head position by using a single finger to assist the head straight back an inch or two, so that the neck rubs the collar. The ear, shoulders, hips and balance point on the feet are all in a vertical line, follow gravity down the body from the head to the feet. Imagine you're standing on a mirror, your mind goes down into the earth as far as your imagination will allow.

Another shot of Paul Curran and Sifu Richard practicing push-hands at the 22nd Ave boardwalk in NSB, FL

New Smyrna Beach Tai-Chi, Qigong and Bagua Association - Push Hands Training on the beach

Visiting Tai-Chi instructor Paul Curran and Sifu Richard practice single hand push-hands at the 22nd street boardwalk in New Smyrna Beach, Florida (NSB).
Paul teaches the Cheng Man-Ching short form that he learned from Wolfe Lowenthal.
Really fun training with Paul on the beach.
Paul is a charter member of the New Smyrna Beach Tai-Chi, Qigong and Bagua Association. We've had a training session (or two) every season for the past 3 years.

Cheri and Mike working on Monkey Staff form

Motion is Lotion

Keep moving, because Motion is Lotion!