What we’re about
We take a holistic approach to wellness, practicing mindfulness exercises through traditional tai chi chuan (taijiquan) martial arts training. Professor Dong (PhD in cell and molecular biology; currently doing experimental research on regeneration, in the context of aging and muscle degeneration; founder of a new startup drug company focusing on pediatric diseases and aging), former US Internal Styles Grand Champion with over 25 years of teaching experience, blends and demystifies Zen mindfulness practice, Daoist philosophy, and Hunyuan qigong with modern concepts and innovative teaching approaches to help students enhance their senses, cultivate a clear and alert mental spirit with intent, and find peace, awareness, grace, and harmony, in stillness and in movement, with one’s self and one’s environment. Traditional/authentic Chen and Yang styles of tai chi, including barehand, push-hands, and weapons, will be taught, as well as mindfulness meditation, breathing, relaxation, strength training, theory, and philosophy.
All levels, especially beginners, are welcome. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced tai chi or meditation practitioner, you will likely find that our instruction covers new details, depth, techniques, and practical and scientifically grounded theories that are useful for all levels.
I have asked some of my recent and longtime students to comment on my teaching in the discussion section. Please take a look and feel free to ask questions to me or any of my students. My goal here is to have a group of beginners to join in with some of my local students for our meetups so that we can learn and progress together. Experienced martial artists and mindfulness/qigong practitioners are also welcome to join also. Come early and stay later to socialize. We will eventually have some social events such as hiking, movie nights, beach parties, and potlucks once we have a consistent group going. Although we are non-competitive, I can help those training for tai chi forms, longfist forms, and push hands competitions.
A little more about my martial arts background: I started with Tang Soo Do (instructor was a former Navy Seal) and then shifted to WuShu (Shaolin Long Fist, Yang and Chen Style Tai Chi Fist, Bagua Palm, and several other Chinese styles; teacher was a disciple of Tian Shan Pai who had also studied under the famous Beijing WuShu coach, Wu Bin), and dabbled with Escrima, Eagle Claw and Mantis Kung Fu, Jujitsus, and my current favorite to further explore Xing Yi Fist. While I continue to practice Long Fist, I am focused and specialized in Chen and Yang Styles of Tai Chi and Hunyuan Qigong. I also apply in my training and teaching the philosophies and practices of Chan (Zen) Buddhism and Daoism (Taoism), hence ‘ZenDao’, which are integral to most Chinese martial arts styles. I have trained with renowned Chen Style Masters as well as their disciples/students including Chen Style Tai Chi family standard bearer Grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang and his top disciple Master Ren Guan-Yi and the late Grandmaster Feng Zhi Qiang and his top disciples including Master Chen Xiang, from whom I also learned Hunyuan Qigong. I continue to learn from other masters and experts when opportunities arise, most recently with Master Chen Zheng Lei. Any Xing Yi Fist experts out there?
My academic research background in biology, as well as my interest in psychology, has led me to take a scholarly, philosophical, and scientific approach towards learning and teaching martial arts practice and theory. As is often the case with many martial artists, my goal is to utilize traditional martial arts mindfulness training as a parallel path to develop vital spirit and approach enlightenment. I welcome and am grateful for students, fellow practitioners, and teachers to join me in this enlightening and joyous journey.
I leverage this process as a metaphoric platform to gain insight into life and to build and balance the intellectual/empathetical self with the sensorial/sensual self.
Classes are free to attend. However, I would appreciate optional donations to help cover costs for Meetup organizer fees, equipment, my continuing education… I recommend $1 - $40 a month, based on what you can afford, the value you place on this class, and what you pay for comparable introduction. And for those who are instructors for other classes and plan to apply the contents learned from our practices, please donate at least the amount that that you are charging.
We generally meet weekly on Tuesdays 5-7pm, but sometimes will shift to Thursdays if there is a scheduling conflict. So please keep checking details on meetup event page for the most updated schedules, especially before heading to each practice.
We hope to have additional events in the near future, such as social events and more practices, as this group evolves. Some of us currently stay after 7pm to practice Chen Style Tai Chi, push hands, and traditional weapons. I also teach longfist basics on Saturdays in which we work on conditioning, HIIT, strength, flexibility, balance, speed, self defense, and traditional weapons. Please inquire if interested in these practices or private lessons.
