Chen Taijiquan Practical Method in the Bay Area

The information on this blog is intended to serve the Practical Method taijiquan community of the San Francisco Bay Area. The Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method was developed by Hong Junsheng, disciple of Grandmaster Chen Fa-Ke. We practice the form as taught by Hong's disciple Chen Zhonghua (Joseph Chen).

Special workshops and private lessons on Taijiquan theory and practice are available. Check out the calendar or the classes section of the website (chenstyletaiji.org) for specific class times and information. Or email nathan.heintz(at)gmail.com.

Nathan Heintz is a student of Chen Zhonghua, the International Standard Bearer of the Practical Method art. Through this blog I will be sharing training notes, relevant videos, photos, and reflections on taijiquan practice and theory. I also intend to provide a bit of a portal into the vast world that Grandmaster Hong's art has spawned. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy.

For more on the Practical Method, check out the main website at practicalmethod.com

Monday, June 28, 2010

Map and Directions for This Weekend's Oakland Workshop With Master Gordon Muir

This weekend's Workshop with Gordon Muir will be held at Lakeside Park on the North Shore of Lake Merritt. To get there, Take Grand Ave to Bellevue and turn towards the Lake. Bellevue is the "Children's Fairyland" entrance. And before you ask, NO, we are not holding our martial arts workshop at "Children's Fairyland" (Although this would provide a nice Yin Yang balance).

Pass the Kiosk at the entrance (you may have to pay $5 for parking - but it's worth it, because all you can find anywhere else is 2 hours only) and continue until the road curves around to the left. Park and look for us near the fence to the Garden on the left side of Bellevue. If you can't find us, please call Nate at 510.393.3705.

Also the cost has changed. The Workshop will be $120 for both days (instead of $150); $90 For just Saturday; and $30 for Friday evening. (it is more important that you come to the workshop than that you pay for it ... so if the price is a dealbreaker, come early and we'll work something out!)

Please click on the map below for a larger image:

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Upcoming Chen Taiji WORKSHOP with Master Gordon Muir in Oakland CA



The Chen Taijiquan Practical Method community in the SF Bay Area is very lucky to welcome Master Gordon Muir of Victoria Chen Taiji Academy to Oakland. On Friday and Saturday July 2-3, Gordon Muir will lead a Chen Taiji workshop at Lakeside Park on the shores of Lake Merritt. We will train foundational exercises, moves from the yilu, applications and push hands. We may also get into some Hunyuan Qigong if there is interest. It will be wonderful! So don't miss it!


Location: Lake Merritt, Oakland CA (at the pagoda at the NE corner of the lake)
Times: Friday July 2nd 5-8pm & Saturday July 3rd
Cost: $150 Both sessions included (limited discounts may be available in cases of hardship)
For more information contact Nathan Heintz: nathan.heintz@gmail.com 510.393.3705


About Master Gordon Muir:

Gordon Muir is the head instructor of the Victoria Chen Taiji Academy. In 1996 he was introduced to Chen style taiji with Master Zhang Xue Xin. From him Gordon learned silk reeling, the Chen 48 form and push hands. In 2001 Gordon met his current teacher, Master Chen Zhonghua who is the International Standard Bearer for Chen Style Practical Method.

Gordon Muir is currently a disciple of Master Chen Zhonghua, the international standard bearer for Chen Style Practical Method.Gordon Muir also studied Yang style tai chi with Yang style Master T. T. Liang. Gordon was a student of Liangs for more than 14 years and learned the complete Yang curriculum.