Classical Tai Chi of Buffalo

Stephen Hwa Ph.D. with 2 of his senior students in the making of DVD "Tao of Martial Applications" (Sifu Jim Roach, Sifu Tom Kostusiak, Master Stephen Hwa).  Please see http://www.wutaichi.com.cn/ for Mandarin translation and http://www.classicaltaichi.com for English.  Visit us on Facebook at the blue/white link bottom page and https://classicaltaichi.blogspot.com/ as well. 

For all of 2019 and starting in January, we really ramped up our efforts to teach new students to pass this on to the next generation.  We are offering absolutely free classes for beginners starting on Sunday of this week.   Please see our "Live Classes" page for more information and how to register:

As the notice appears in the Buffalo State College Bulletin: "Classical Tai Chi of Buffalo is offering free introductory Tai Chi classes every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. in Rockwell Hall 302. Classes are taught by Sifu James Roach, who has more than 40 years of experience in the practice of Tai Chi Chu'an. More information is available on the Classical Tai Chi of Buffalo website."

Here's a link to what we will be using as a free video reference in our class: "New to Classical Tai Chi, start here"

A typical article on our Facebook page: Let's talk a little more about "Large vs. Small" or sometimes called "large vs. compact" for instance:   Pushing with the leg is a natural move in large forms. Pulling with the core, however, is a learned technique only developed in the compact form. Many natural moves also act extraneously compact as well so most students have difficulty keeping parts of the body stationary that should not move. Yet one can also learn to delineate and control what should be moving and non-moving with the Classical Tai Chi-Square Form then one learns Round Form.

To learn about our online classes: https://classical-tai-chi.teachable.com/

In the meantime please take time to read the Blog:  The Classical Tai Chi Blog  (classicaltaichi.blogspot.com) written by Sifu James Roach was selected by Feedspot as one of the "Top 25 Tai Chi Blogs And Websites in the World To Follow in 2018".

 For information about our online classes only:   Contact Master Stephen Hwa at https://classical-tai-chi.teachable.com/ 

 Taken in 2005, Master Instructor Stephen Hwa, Ph.D. with his student and 1st certified teacher of Classical Tai Chi, Sifu Jim Roach.  

 Dr. Stephen Hwa Ph.D. is the 2nd generation disciple of the legendary Tai Chi Master Wu Chien Chuan, founder of Wu Style Tai Chi. Hwa learned from the 1st generation Master Young Wabu shown in the photo below. Sifu Jim Roach studying "Small Circle or Small Frame Tai Chi" with Dr. Hwa since 2003 and is Dr. Hwa's 1st certified teacher.  Sifu Roach was also an "indoor" advanced student and 4th generation disciple of the Wu Family when he studied the "large frame" forms at the Academy in Toronto, Canada. Master Hwa was fortunate to be taught the advanced “Small Circle, or Small Frame Tai Chi Form” where every movement originates from the core of the body. Because of the depth and subtlety of learning this art in addition to the early Master’s desire to pass on this art to only a few selected students, few Tai Chi practitioners now know about these exercises. Yet, the ultimate objective of learning Tai Chi is to learn the totally internal Small Frame, while other "large frame" exercises practiced by most Tai Chi practitioners today are simply preparatory in nature. During his forty five years of practicing and teaching this art, Hwa has been able to utilize his advanced scientific training (Ph.D. in Engineering) to deconstruct the art to come up with new teaching methods to break through obstacles in learning, so more people can learn these advanced movements quickly. He has written a book, Uncovering the Treasure: Classical Tai Chi’s Path to Internal Energy & Health, and created an online course about Classical Tai Chi available on his website at classicaltaichi.com or at  https://classical-tai-chi.teachable.com/