Chi Kung: short sets of movements designed to build energy (chi). You will work on centering, balance, and unifying movement. A medium tempo class that will focus on the duality of "soft and hard" and "slow and fast". 

     Unifying Movement: unifying movement occurs when the dual aspects of hard/soft, internal/external, and fast/slow are applied to your movement and breath. Unifying movement develops grace, power, and rythmic timing 
     Centering: centering yourself, also know as rooting, is a technique that will embed itself into all of your movement. Compressing and expanding  your core, rooting will develop in your stances even when you are not touching the ground. 
     Balance: balance also has a dual internal/external aspect. External balance is the physical act of not falling down. Combined with rooting, balancing will develop into impressive single leg stances and lofty jumps. Internal balance is something that we all strive for. The balancing of work, life, family, exercise, and recreation is a struggle we all face each and every day. Simple meditations done regularly help balance emotions and reduce stress. 
     Meditation: we end each class with a brief meditation designed to help center the mind and balance the spirit. There are many types of meditation; we "empty the mind and fill the belly."            

       Self Defense: basic techniques to help individuals avoid conflict and physically protect themselves when needed. Twisting, sliding, and compression are developed to enhance proper punching, kicking, grabbing, and blocking. Self awareness and the awareness of your surroundings are two of the most crucial elements of safety.      

 

   Student Level: exercise and self defense as stated above which will be enhanced through the training in traditional animal forms: Tiger, Dragon, Monkey, Snake, Crane, Eagle, and Phoenix. Beginners will start with basic Tiger, Dragon, and Crane forms. Focus will be on stances and curling rotation of the limbs. From there, each student will learn the other forms in a personalized order, as decided by the instructor. 
 

Spirit Fist Kung Fu is more than learning how to defend yourself. With roots in Taoism, it is about longevity, being a master of yourself, and finding that mystic connection to the universe.