Alan practiced martial arts (Kung-Fu, MMA, BJJ, and more) for many decades, and had experiences with actual street fighting. For the last ten years taiji has been his main martial arts interest. Being a retired heavy industrial construction foreman he finds a lot of similarity between taiji principles of movement and heavy work body mechanics, and he describes those similarities in this video. He also credits taiji practice with helping to overcome stage 4 cancer, and keeping in good physical and emotional condition to enjoy life afterwards.
Nykee is a songwriter, artist, and CEO of The Rebel Music (formerly Blk Anjel Music Production). She practiced with us for over 15 years. Her path in martial arts intertwined with her life, growth, and empowerment. She talks about her class experiences after her black belt test. Nykee started our program when it was a joint kung-fu/taiji class, before we split the program into two separate taiji and kungfu programs. She does not take our classes anymore but stops by from time to time, shares her news, and learns the latest and most exciting things we can teach her in a short time.
Joe Wathen is a long time martial artist and a successful real estate agent in Maryland. He is also a committed taiji practitioner and has taken our class at BMAA since the beginning. In the interview he describes how he has used taiji for self defense, healing after a surgery using QiGong and taiji methods, and whole life balancing. He explains how it has centered him and helped him create a positive, present being lifestyle. Within the class environment he has experienced many breakthroughs which he shares. Watch the interview for his insights.
Yocelin and Sergio are the top level dance teachers traveling the world and helping people to enjoy the art of dance. They never were students of our taiji program. I took their bachata workshop in Virginia. During the break I had a conversation with them showing taiji wave principles of moving, sensitivity drills, moving from the center, and joint manipulations. They quickly recognized the same movement foundations as they practice and teach for dancing, and did a short demonstration of taiji movement principles in dance.
Sifu Mike is a retired law enforcement officer currently working as a private investigator. He also a long time martial arts practitioner and currently taiji and kung-fu instructor while continuing as a student in our taiji class. He talks about taiji as a self-defense art, about influence of taiji on other martial arts, and taiji helping with his hip pain (he recently had hip replacement surgery).