Northwest Tai Chi Chuan and Qigong Studio

Today, I attended classes at the Northwest Tai Chi Chuan and Qigong Studio in downtown Vancouver, Washington.  It has also been called the "Vancouver Tai Chi Chuan and Qigong Studio" in the recent past.  It was founded by Sifu Brian Knack.

The classes are as follows:

Tuesday Mornings:
Qigong       9 am
Taijiquan  10 am

Tuesday Evenings:
Taijiquan      5:30 pm Advanced
Taijiquan      6:30 pm  Beginning
Push Hands  7:30 pm

Saturday Mornings:
Qigong and Taijiquan  10 am - 11:30 am

The main senior teachers now are Bill and Sandy.  They are both very knowledgeable instructors.  Sifu Brain Knack now lives in rural Goldendale, Washington, (121 miles east of Portland) and comes to the Vancouver Studio occasionally.

Classes are held at the Vancouver Health and Wellness Building at 202 E. Mcloughlin Blvd., Vancouver, 360-607-8240. Also, some information on Facebook, but no website information in 2/2019.

All classes cost $40.00 per month per student.  A very reasonable price for so many classes.

Today, Bill led us in performing the Five Animal Frolics during the Qigong class.

I did not stay for Taijiquan - I was a bit tired and overcoming a chest cold.

Vancouver Tai Chi and Qigong

Sifu Brian Knack recently informed me by email about the reconfiguration of his local Tai Chi studio. It is now called "Vancouver Tai Chi and Qigong."

Sifu Knack is also back to teaching nearly all of the classes.

Classes are scheduled as follows:

Tuesday Morning
9 am Qigong,
10 am Tai Chi

Tuesday Evening
5:30 pm Advanced Tai Chi
6:30 pm Beginning Tai Chi
7:30 pm Push -Hands

Thursday Morning
9 am Qigong
10 am Advanced Tai Chi

Saturday Morning
10 am to 11:30 am Qigong and Tai Chi

Check beforehand about the content of the "Advanced Tai Chi" sessions.

Fees vary depending on levels and frequency of attendance.

Classes are held at the Vancouver Health and Wellness Building at 202 E. Mcloughlin Blvd., Vancouver, 360-607-8240. Also, on Facebook.

As long as my stamina and conditioning improves, my time permits, and my money permits, I plan to attend these classes on Saturday morning and Thursday evening.  Maybe we can meet there?

Tai Chi Training at Northwest Tai Chi and Qigong

This morning, I joined the Northwest Tai Chi and Qigong Studio in downtown Vancouver, WA.  I believe it is now called the "Vancouver Tai Chi and Qigong Studio," run by students of Sifu Brian Knack and, this far, by Sifu himself.  

I am uncertain about whether or not the studio is "closing" in the Spring of 2018.  Nevertheless, I will join now and see what happens. 

I attended a one hour Taiji class.  We did gentle warmups and then the 108 Yang form.  The room was quite warm.  Naturally, I was tense and anxious.  Performance anxiety when doing the Yang long form after not doing it for the last year, and adjusting to the slight variations in angles and hand movements by this group. I sweated a great deal and got a bit woosy and weak.  I had to sit and drink water offered by Sandy.  Sifu went over principles of movement in legs, gua, waist, emptying weight, etc..; all good information.  I was very tired afterwards, and slept for 1.5 hours when I came home.

Sifu Brian Knack and his senior students operate this Tai Chi training center in the Vancouver Health and Wellness Building at 202 E. Mcloughlin Blvd., Vancouver, 360-607-8240. Also, on Facebook.

Taijiquan and Qigong Class Schedule:

Tuesday
Qigong
Tuesday – QiGong @ 9:00 am 
Tai Chi @ 10:00 am   

Advanced Tai Chi @ 5:30 pm
Beginning Tai Chi @ 6:30 pm
Advanced Tai Chi and Push Hands @ 7:30 pm 
Saturday 

Qigong and Tai Chi  10:00 am - 11:30

Master Shanti will be back for another workshop - continuing on with our Wuji exploration moving more into form work and partner work. It will be Saturday Oct21st @ 10am - 1pm. Cost will be $45 (cash only).  I plan to attend.  

"Bryan Knack was inducted to the U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of Fame as "Chinese Martial Arts Master of the Year" and "International Sifu of the Year"
Sifu Bryan Knack began studying martial arts in the mid-70's, begining with the external martial arts of Goju-ryu (Okinawan karate) and Siu Lum Kung Fu in the 1980's. Then he turned his studies to TAI CHI and QI GONG and had a training center in Portland, Oregon.
He returned to his hometown of Spokane to open his own studio, NORTHWEST TAI CHI FOR HEALTH in 2000. Sifu Knack returned to the Vancouver/Portland in 2011 area to be close to family.

Sifu Knack offers study in many disciplines:

* Tai Chi Yang Style * Tai Chi Chen Style

* Qi Gong * Zhan Zhaung * Chin Na

* Push Hands * Weapons

Tai Chi is fun. We offer an affordable program for multiple section classes for a monthly charge or a small fee for each class you attend."

Currently, on Thursday afternoon, a small group is studying the Chen broadsword form by invitation.