T’ai Chi

Myriads of people practice T’ai Chi Ch’uan as a gentle exercise, poetically dubbing it “meditation in motion” due to its emphasis on measured breathing and movement. Yet many of its enthusiasts are unaware that T’ai Chi Ch’uan literally means “the Grand Ultimate Fist.”  Beyond being effective exercises for the development of mental and physical health, the T’ai Chi movements are also fully functional bone breaks, punches, open hand strikes, and kicks! These classes will combine the meditative with the martial.  Training will begin with basic Ch’i Kung exercises and postures, and then continue on to include T’ai Chi form training, T’ai Chi Push Hands, Blindfolded Push Hands, and more.  So begin your training in this rare and unique art today!  No experience necessary.
Kung Fu / Self-Defense Shao-Lin

Kung Fu is a 1500-year-old Chinese martial art developed by the monks in Honan Province for health, mental and physical conditioning, and self-defense.  Its long and rich history has left a legacy of empty hand, weapon, and animal styles, each with a unique focus and character. These beginner’s classes will include basic self-defense holds and techniques (Chin Na), an introduction to several Shao-Lin fighting styles (Tiger, Crane, Praying Mantis, Southern Fist, Lohan Fist, etc.), one-step sparring and takedown techniques, and some basic free sparring concepts and strategies.

Instructor for both classes: Robert Gardner

Robert Gardner began his Shao-Lin training 1996 at the Chinese Shao-Lin Centers and is the only one in the Phoenix area certified to teach Shao-Lin Kung-Fu by a Shao-Lin Grandmaster. Sifu Robert attained the rank of 3rd Degree Black Belt in 2007 and continues to train and advance toward 4th Degree Black Belt with new, more complex, and more challenging material! His goal is to pass on the knowledge, enthusiasm, and love of the Shao-Lin art the way it is presented to him by Elder Masters David and Sharon Soard of Denver, Colorado, and Grandmaster Sin Kwang Thé himself!

**Please check the website prior to attending class in case of unforeseen emergencies. Dance FX Studios reserves the right to cancel a class at any time for any reason.**