Wushu

("Wushu" is the Chinese word for martial art)

I began studying Tai Chi with Bow Sim Mark (a living treasure if ever Boston had one) at Boston University, and followed her back to her school in Chinatown - The Chinese Wushu Research Institute.  That was about 16 years ago, and I've only learned a portion of what she has to teach!

Between lessons on improving techniques, "Sifu" (a sifu is a type of teacher) likes to throw pieces of new forms at us from time to time, and see what we can manage.  As a result, I have been introduced to a variety of styles and weapons.  Through all these tangents I have concentrated on tai chi and (my absolute favorite) leung yi.  Other joys include jien (straight sword), and tong bei (an ape style).

At the urging of Sifu Mark I have performed, lectured on, and taught some of what she has taught me.

In addition to giving private lessons, my teaching experience includes:

• Youville Rehabilitative Hospital - Designed and repeatedly taught a special Tai Chi course designed for seniors.
• Boston University Physical Recreation & Dance - Substitute for and Assistant to Bow Sim Mark for her beginning and intermediate Tai Chi classes.
• Boston University Gerontology Center - designed and co-taught an annual, full day seminar on the applicability of Tai Chi to Gerontology.  (Seminar was part of the Center's "Summer Institute" certificate program and earned qualified participants CMEs).
• Wellbridge Health & Fitness Center - designed and taught a Tai Chi class.
• Newton Chinese Cultural Programs - taught Tai Chi with Bow Sim Mark

My performance experience includes:

• Choreographing and performing pieces with local instructor Leda Elliott.  Tai Chi, Leung Yi, Pa Kua, and Wu Dang Jien
• Choreographing and performing the show Monkey King Tales with international Beijing Opera star Ghaffar Pourazar, Leda Elliott, and Behind The Mask Theatre.  Tong Bei (a monkey form), quarterstaff, broadsword, and movement techniques of Beijing Opera
• Several years on Bow Sim Mark's school performance team.  We performed at theatres, colleges, and festivals around Boston, and collaborated on other shows (for example, we opened for China's Shaolin monks when they first came to Boston in 1992).

Watch a clip from Warrior's Shadow (quicktime file, 2.9MB)