Tai Chi more than what it appears to be

Sifu Jack Yan, a 12th generation Chen Tai Chi inheritor and disciple of Grand Master Chen Zhenglei, came to the Canadian Martial Arts Centre in Port Elgin March 26 to teach a Tai Chi seminar. Hub photo

Hub Staff

The Canadian Martial Arts Centre (CMAC) of Port Elgin explored the oldest form of Tai Chi, Chen Tai Chi, during a March 26 seminar taught by Sifu Jack Yan, a 12th generation Chen Tai Chi inheritor, one of just 18 inheritor disciples of Grand Master Chen Zhenglei, a direct-line successor of the Chen family style.

Owner and instructor at CMAC, Stacy Kremer, said the Tai Chi seminar works at getting back to the roots of martial arts while working on application and a routine.

“A majority of Tai Chi and Karate, etcetera, that you see now-a-days is so far left-field from what it really was or how it really developed, that you're missing all the personal development, all the conditioning and the being a good person aspects,” said Kremer, while taking a break after working on a routine developed by Yan.

Kremer said there are three pillars to martial arts: the physical, self-defence and personal development; and that he tries to focus his teaching on every aspect of learning including history and discussion lessons. He said having Sifu Jack Yan teach at the club was a great privilege and having someone expose students to different thoughts is a good thing, as great martial artists cannot have a linear view.

“It exposes us to different thoughts, different ideas or different ways of doing things, and that’s a good thing. Being close minded is a bad thing, so this is just an opportunity for us to expand and grow ourselves.”

Canadian Martial Arts Centre will be hosting Tameshigiri (Japanese Sword Cutting) fundraiser June 18. Attendees will have the chance to slice through bamboo stalks and other objects. Kremer said money raised from the event will go towards new conditioning equipment for the centre.

Participants in the Canadian Martial Arts Centre’s March 26 Tai Chi seminar included, back row from left, Sensei Sifu Yan, Carsyn Cassidy, Curtis Cassidy, Cathy Cassidy, Graham McMillan, Linda Hodkin, Rosanno Catalan, Instructor Stacy Kremer. Front row from left, Joscelyne Atchison, Jessica McCandless, Patty Bowman, Tan McKeay, Katie Croft. Submitted photo