Monthly Newsletter – January Dear Friends,
From seminars, to competitions, demo’s and other activities, you won’t want to miss out on the action!
School Closings Holiday Dinner Party Recap Movie Night Recap Sash Test Master Ching Yin-Lee (2 x USA National Team Member) Seminars Junior Instructor Leadership and Teaching Program The Benefits of Wushu Qigong (Chi Kung) Documentary Incredible Wushu Kungfu Demonstrations! Chinese Community Center Kungfu Performance Life Lessons From a Shaolin Monk CMAA Class Photos
School Closings CMAA Kungfu Classes will be cancelled on Weds 25th, Thurs 26, Fri 27th, Mon 30th, Tuesday 31st, and Wednesday 1st. Kungfu is open Saturday the 28th. Tai Chi and CrossFit will be held as regularly scheduled.
Additionally, with the winter weather looming, please stay tuned to inclement weather closings. I will post school closings on Facebook and the website’s homepage. However, it might not display on certain mobile devices which automatically default to the mobile site. Please call (518) 755-7512 if you are not sure!
Holiday Dinner Party
What a special get-together. With delicious food and good company it was a wonderful evening of eating, drinking and being merry. Although not everyone could make it, it was wonderful to get our long time students together with the new generation just beginning at CMAA. In the spirit of the holiday season, it was very special to spend our time together with our other family – the CMAA family. I look forward to celebrating with you all again next year.
Movie Night Recap In 20 years of martial arts I've learned countless empty hand, and weapons routines from Karate, Kungfu, Tai Chi, Qigong. I've trained BJJ, Judo, Wrestling, Muay Thai, Boxing, Aiki-jujitsu, Kali and JKD. I practice everyday to refine old techniques. I am also fortunate to be able to continue learning from great people on a daily basis. I always share all that I know and to help students better understand techniques and connect the dots.
As a "Shifu" I try and impart as much of my technical knowledge as possible. However, since I began teaching about 6 years ago, I have come to greatly value the non-technical aspects of martial arts training. "Healthier and happier through martial arts" has become my mantra. I love to know CMAA can be a positive force in people’s lives and that students will form friendships that will last a lifetime.
I was legitimately excited to hang out with my kids last night. They are so much fun to be with. It's awesome watching them grow up.
Kungfu Sash Test Please note that we will be holding our quarterly Sash Test on Sunday, January 8th, at 10:30 am.
You know exactly what we will be testing but if you have any questions, check the Sash Requirements page on the website and feel free to clarify things with me during class. http://www.martialartsalbany.com/kungfu-sash-requirements/
If you are unsure whether or not you (or your child) are ready to test, please speak with me before or during class, via email at AlbanyCMAA@gmail.com or by phone (518) 755-7512. Remember, you will not “get” your sash at CMAA – you will EARN it! There is a big difference. It’s important you (your child) learns the value of their sash- the value of hard work! Let’s stay focused and step up our training so we’re fully prepared for the test!
White/Yellow/Green/Blue: $25, Red/Purple/Orange: $50, Light Brown/Dark Brown/Gold: $75 Black: $100.
Master Ching Yin Lee Seminars
CMAA is proud to announce a weekend full of exciting martial arts action with Master Ching Yin Lee! Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to diversify our training experience and enhance our general knowledge of Chinese Martial Arts.
Saturday, Jan. 14th 9:15-10:15 Bagua 10:15-11:15 Xing Yi 11:15-12:15 Kungfu Animal Styles for Kids 12:30-2 Wushu Kungfu Advanced Combos and Jump Kicks 2-3:30 Kungfu Applications (Techniques, theories and drills)
Sunday, Jan. 15th 10-11 Individual Forms Correction/Refinement 11-12 Individual Forms Correction/Refinement 3-4 Individual Forms Correction/Refinement 4-5 Individual Forms Correction/Refinement
Learn more about each of the seminars below!
Baguazhang is an internal martial art rooted in Taoism and these Chinese Classic: "The Book of Changes." The art features body movements and twisting as well as circular footwork that improve the strength of the body, the health of the organs, and brain activity. From a martial arts standpoint, Bagua prefers elusive, sidestepping footwork and usage of different fight angles. Many martial artists consider Bagua to be the most difficult to learn out of the three main internal martial arts: Taijiquan, Xingyiquan, and Baguazhang. This seminar will focus on the fundamentals of Baguazhang.
Xingyiquan is an internal martial art that was created as a military style for Chinese officers to end a confrontation as quickly as possible. It is seemingly the most aggressive and direct between the three internal styles: Taijiquan, Baguazhang, and Xingyiquan. The art is based around five elements and twelve animals. Each element (metal, water, wood, fire, and earth) strengthens each of the five major internal organs. From a martial arts standpoint, Xingyi was patterned off of spear movements and always aims to move forward and attack (compared to Taiji, which tries to neutralize or redirect, or Bagua, which tries to sidestep or elude). The main fundamentals of Xingyi will be emphasized in this seminar.
Kungfu Animal Styles for Kids! Chinese Martial Artists have a long history of imitating animals in nature to improve their fighting abilities. Both Tai Chi and Wing Chun were purported to have been inspired by a fight between a snake and a crane. This seminar will cover some of the classic animal styles of Chinese Martial Arts, including the monkey, eagle, and praying mantis. The seminar will include animal movements as well as theory and application.
Advance Longfist Kungfu Combos and Jumps! The advanced Longfist seminar will cover advanced combinations and principles including open and closed body movements, vertical transitions, and how to refine postures. Next, advanced jump kicks and combinations will be covered as well.
Kung Fu Applications! This seminar will cover theory and principles universal to most Traditional Chinese Martial Arts. This includes discussion of the root, bridge hand, fighting angles, jing, and developing sensitivity.
Private Small Group Training for all levels. The individual forms small group sessions/private lessons will be geared towards giving students individual feedback based on their body types and will focus on refining movements and improving the expression and power of the forms.
$30 for one seminar, $55 for two, $75 for three, $90 Unlimited (Including Individual Forms/Small Group Session!
(*Classes limited to 6 participants per class. Participants have unlimited access to Saturday’s seminars and 1 Private Group Training or 2 Individual Group Session if not attending any seminars on Saturday! *Preference: Please arrive 15 mins early to warm up!)
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Ching Yin Lee is a 2 x USA National Wushu Kungfu Team member, Pan-American Games Medalist and head instructor at GOSU Institute of Chinese Martial Arts. With over 20 years in Traditional Kungfu, Modern Wushu, Amateur Kickboxing and Internal training, Master Lee brings a wealth of knowledge to CMAA!
Junior Instructor Leadership and Teaching Program The Chinese Martial Arts Academy is proud to present the Junior Instructor Leadership and Teaching Program. Developing group management and interpersonal communication skills are the cornerstone of the programs agenda. In addition, the study of learning theory and education play a pivotal role as the students become teachers and take theory to practice.
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care” – Theodore Roosevelt.
To find out more about this program please come speak with Shifu about how to qualify for this select program!
The Benefits of Wushu Kungfu
By Lucas Geller
Why do people practice Wushu (Chinese Martial Arts)? Do martial arts still serve a purpose in contemporary society? As someone who’s life has been so greatly affected by the martial arts it is easy for me to say ‘Yes’. While the purpose of training martial arts has changed, the benefits remain as numerous.
Continue reading here! http://www.martialartsalbany.com/the-benefits-of-wushu/
Qigong (Chi Kung) Documentary Very interesting and informative documentary about Chinese Qigong (Chi Kung) health practices. I feel so lucky to have trained with Master Duan 15 years ago when he visited our school. Enjoy!
Incredible Wushu Kungfu Demonstrations! Two incredible Wushu Kungfu Performances. Here are two examples of the styles we practice at CMAA – Chang Quan (Longfist) and Nan Quan (Southern)! Which style do you like more?
Longfist
Southern
Chinese Community Center Kungfu Performance
So proud of these kids for volunteering today to showcase Chinese martial arts at their community center! Check out some of these great action shots!
Life Lessons From a Shaolin Monk
1. Don’t take anything for granted
2. Passions – not possessions – make you happy
3. Don’t fear death, live
4. Stopping will help you go further
5. Meditate every day
6. Don’t be afraid of silence
7. Wake early and embrace the day8. Find your goal, find yourself
9. Give 100% every day
10. Responsibility gives you purpose
11.Find your ‘why’
Get more insight here!
CMAA Class Photos
Just a couple of great shots of the CMAA kids in action!
Summary
As usual please stay tuned for more exciting action at CMAA!
Best,
Shifu