Dear Friends, From seminars, to competitions, demo’s and other activities, don’t miss out on the action! School Closings Kungfu Sash Test 4th Annual Kungfu Wushu Competition Recap Qigong Grandmaster Li Jun Feng Seminar Recap CMAA Black Belt Brandon Liu 1986 Taiji Gathering – Masters Demonstration Mind Full or Mindful? Connecting Mindfulness and Tai Chi
School Closings
Please note that CMAA will be closed Monday July 4th.
In addition, CMAA will be closed for one week of Summer Break from Friday July 29th –Thursday Aug. 4th.
We are OPEN Saturday July, 2nd (July 4th Weekend!)
Sash Test Please note that we will be holding our quarterly Sash Test on Sunday, July 17th, 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/Black: $75
4th Annual Kungfu Wushu Competition Recap
Congratulations to the competitors who represented CMAA this weekend in Hadley, MA. We were awarded "Best Kungfu School 2016"! I hope we can organize more students to participate next year to defend the title! Thank you to Shifu Binh Nguyen for putting together such a great event. It may be smaller than some of the other tournaments we've participated in, but I have heard more positive feedback about the organization, and overall positive spirit/atmosphere of this event than any other.
Qigong Grandmaster Li Jun Feng Seminar Recap Where do I begin? What an amazing evening. I had been worried about Master Li’s plane arriving as scheduled. I wasn’t fully sure what to expect from a style, or an approach, to Qigong that I haven’t personally practiced. However, I couldn’t have been more pleased with the entire event. Master Li spoke of practicing love and happiness, and projecting that love out to the universe. Over the course of the three hours, it became clear that he not only talked the talk, but walked the walk… To read more about the event and get links to videos of Master Li in action, links to the Sheng Zhen Qigong website, and the Eastover Estate website, please visit: http://www.martialartsalbany.com/master-li-jun-feng-seminar-recap/
CMAA Black Belt Brandon Liu Congratulations to CMAA Black Belt Brandon Liu. You are the 2nd student to receive their black belt through our program and you have done it in record time (only 2.5 years). You are a prodigy, but you have succeeded because you have combined your natural talent with focus and hard work. CMAA will be sad to see you moving to Michigan this summer, but we are proud of you and all you have accomplished! Can't wait to see where you go and all the greatness you will achieve!
Looking back exactly one year ago I discovered that Brandon “the Ninja” Liu was student of the month. To time travel back one year, read that interview and see what else was happening then check out the newsletter from July 2015, here: http://www.martialartsalbany.com/monthly-newsletter-july/ 1986 Taiji Gathering – Masters Demonstration Here is an interesting old video jewel. The Masters Demonstration at a Taijiquan Gathering in China dated in 1986. Footage includes Wu Tunan (Wu Style), Chen Xiaowang (Chen Style), Yang Zhenduo (Yang Style), Wu Yinghua (Wu Style), Yao Jizu (Wu(Hao) Style), Sun Jiayun (Sun Style), Gu Liuxin (Yang Style TJQ), Li Tianji (88 Set simplified taijiquan), Sha Guozheng (2-man Taijiquan Set), Fu Zhongwen (Yang Style Saber) and MaYueliang (Wu Style Sword).
Mind Full or Mindful? Connecting Mindfulness and Tai Chi
It is extremely difficult to bridge the gap between actually doing the tai chi form and improving your meditative-mindful state. On one hand, doing the form feels good and we definitely feel better afterwards. But how do we answer the questions from students, classmates, and ourselves such as: What should I be thinking about when I do the form? Does your mind race? Are you concentrating on something?
I will admit to you dear reader that I have historically been at a loss for providing a concise response that was satisfying. But I found a really solid answer. I was reading on Mindfulness and forgot I was reading on Mindfulness because I read this: http://taichibasics.com/connecting-mindfulness-tai-chi/
Summary As usual please stay tuned for more exciting action at CMAA!
Best,
Shifu