THE 20-WEEK FALL / WINTER SESSION WILL END ON MARCH 21, 2026
SIFU CHING BRODSKY WILL BE TEACHING TWO 14-WEEK COURSES IN THE SPRING SESSION FOR BOTH BEGINNERS AND EXPERIENCED PRACTITIONERS. THE EVENING CLASS IS MONDAYS 6-7:00 PM, MAY 18-AUGUST 24 (NO CLASS MAY 25). THE DAYTIME CLASS IS THURSDAYS 12-1:00, MAY 21-AUGUST 27 (NO CLASS JULY 16). ONE CLASS PER WEEK IS $265 FOR THE SESSION. TWO CLASSES A WEEK IS $280. THE DROP-IN FEE (FOR CONTINUING STUDENTS ONLY) IS $15/CLASS. ALL CLASSES ARE HELD IN DOWNTOWN SANTA CRUZ. TO REGISTER OR GET FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT SIFU BRODSKY AT CHINGBBRODSKY@GMAIL.COM
“T’ai Chi is feeling…passion…expression.” – Grandmaster William CC Chen
YANG STYLE SHORT FORM
The class explores the entire 60-posture Yang style short form developed and taught by Grandmaster William CC Chen. This is his modification of the short form taught by his teacher, Cheng Man-ch’ing. Each class contains beginning, intermediate, and advanced students. Learning this art is a life-long process and most students repeat the form class many times. As students develop skill with the form, they shift focus to inner work, the energetics of T’ai Chi, and self discovery and development through continued refinement of their physical movements and application of the T’ai Chi principles. These internal aspects may be additionally addressed through instruction in Qigong, Zhan Zhuang (standing meditation), specific breathing and visualization practices, Master Huang’s Song Gong exercises, and other stretching and body “opening” approaches depending on the instructor, class composition, and student interest.
“The purpose of the Form is to perfect you…to train your body, your chi and your mind. It’s not for you to perfect the Form. Form is just an exercise. It is there to serve you.” – Sifu Adam Mizner
PUSH HANDS
THERE WILL BE NO PUBLIC PUSH HANDS CLASS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Among its many other benefits, practicing the Form develops balance, stability, and ease of movement within our own personal sphere or space. Push Hands extends that awareness in a two-person investigation of the interaction of that sphere with another’s. The name, “Push” Hands, is really a misnomer. “Sensing” Hands is more descriptive of our focus and interest. The purpose, as we practice it in our school, is not to overpower our partner with force but to investigate, test, apply, and strengthen the attributes learned in our Form practice in order to solidify those attributes and enhance our understanding and internal development. It demands we become more sensitive to another person’s actions and, even, their thoughts and intentions, as well as our own internal signals. Our partner (not opponent) helps us explore our ability to “listen” and yield, yet root (hold our ground), and, yes, uproot (overcome) our partner, ideally without muscular effort or force. Push Hands is only appropriate (but highly recommended) for students who are able to demonstrate the complete 60-move Short Form on their own.