The Peach Blossoms Are Blooming (Symbolic of Spring) - A Silly Chinese Song about waiting for someone until they return - enjoy!

Dear Friends,

Spring is here! From seminars, to competitions, demo’s and other activities, don’t miss out on the action!

School Closings Sash Test Wudang Tai Chi Class Series Tai Chi Sword Class Series Chinese New Year Celebrations Recap! Student(s) of the Month - Clifford "The Monkey" and Ariel "The Crane" S. Success Train for LOVE Tai Chi and Alzheimer’s Disease Follow CMAA on Instagram! Shaolin Monk Uptown Funk Kungfu at The Chinese New Year Festival in China

School Closings All classes will be held as regularly scheduled.

Sash Test Please note that we will be holding our quarterly Sash Test on Sunday, April 10th, at 10:30 am.

You know exactly what we will be testing but if you have any questions, check the Sash Requirements page on the website and feel free to clarify things with me during class. http://www.martialartsalbany.com/kungfu-sash-requirements/

If you are unsure whether or not you (or your child) are ready to test, please speak with me before or during class, via email at AlbanyCMAA@gmail.com or by phone (518) 755-7512. Remember, you will not “get” your sash at CMAA – you will EARN it! There is a big difference. It’s important you (your child) learns the value of their sash- the value of hard work! Let’s stay focused and step up our training so we’re fully prepared for the test! White/Yellow/Green/Blue: $25, Red/Purple/Orange: $50, Light Brown/Dark Brown/Gold/Black: $75

Wudang Tai Chi Class Series CMAA is proud to present a 6 week course centering on the Wu Dang 28 Movement TaiJi form. This short form is based on one of the crown jewels of Wu Dang Internal Martial Arts - the Wu Dang San Feng 108 Movement TaiJi form. We are blessed here at CMAA with amazing teachers who teach amazing forms and skills. This 108 form has been taught by Dashi Jianye Jiang here at CMAA on Saturday mornings at 10:00 for years. This 28 form offers an excellent opportunity, particularly for beginners but for the more advanced practitioner as well, to learn the original movements in a condensed format. The postures will be presented in accordance with the way Dashi performs them so this will provide a strong stepping stone in learning and refining the 108 form.

For more information please get more information here: http://www.martialartsalbany.com/wu-dang-28-movement-tai-chi-seminar-series/

Tai Chi Sword Class Series CMAA will be offering a 6 week intensive seminar series on the 42 Posture Tai Chi sword routine. With regular opportunity to train in the 42 sword every Tuesday and Thursday morning this seminar series will help those who would like to get a better understanding and familiarity with this routine for continued practice.

For more information please read more here: http://www.martialartsalbany.com/tai-chi-sword-seminar-series/

Chinese New Year Celebrations Recap! Every year we go out and do our best to showcase one of the most exciting elements of traditional Chinese culture- martial arts. My goal has always been to not just put on a good show, but to perform better than we did the year before. I can say without a doubt that we have done so every year since we first began performing as a team. I am so proud of this team and how they continue to improve. This year was awesome and I can’t wait to see what they are capable of next year!

Student(s) of the Month - Clifford "The Monkey" and Ariel "The Crane" S. Another brother sister duo. Clifford and Ariel joined CMAA just several months ago and while they have just earned their yellow sashes, they are doing exceptionally well. Not only are they fast learners, with impressive physical skill sets including awesome balances, back handsprings, aerials, and splits, they are also just super nice kids. It is a real joy to work with them and I am proud to announce March’s students of the month, Clifford and Aerial. If you're curious to know about how they got their names "Monkey" and "Crane" just watch Clifford do 5 back handsprings in a row, or Ariel lock in to her balance and only come out of it after I yell at her for not having time to hold it for the whole practice!

Shifu: Why did you start Kungfu? Ariel: Because I wanted to get stronger, like more solid muscles. Clifford: Because I was really interested in broad sword and staff, I wanted to learn them.

Shifu: What is your favorite thing about Kungfu? Ariel: Everything! Clifford: Flipping and tumbling.

Shifu: What are your goals in Kungfu for this coming year? Ariel: To turn into a blue sash. Clifford:To master a backflip.

Shifu: Do you have any advice for anyone looking to get better at Kungfu? Ariel: Make sure you have good stances. Clifford: More power and better focus.

Shifu: What is your favorite food? Ariel: Any kind of greens, fruit, Taiwan food, sushi, taro root bun, edamame, soda. Clifford: Salmon, hot dog, broccoli, Indian curry, triangle seaweed wrapped rice, hamburger.

Shifu: What are your favorite marital arts movies? Ariel: All the Kung Fu Pandas! Clifford: Kung Fu Kids---Young Dragons (from Taiwan).

Shifu: When you guys fight at home is it like a kungfu movie scene with spears and swords? Ariel: No, we fight with bodies and pillows! Clifford: No, we fight with bare hands.

Shifu: When you’re not training at CMAA what do you like to do in your free time? Ariel: Playing board/card games (Sorry, Monopoly, Scrambled States of America), reading Raz-Kids, drawing and playing piano. Clifford: Cubing (rubiks cube), practicing flips at home and playing piano.

Shifu: Are you guys teaching Owen (2 and a half) any Kungfu at home? What’s he like as a little brother? Ariel: He comes to wake me up in the morning: he calls my name and plays with me in my bed. Clifford: He follows me around and is even trying to do flips. He is great at basketball, soccer and bowling. And he is riding a tricycle.

Shifu: Anything else about yourself you’d like to share with everyone? Ariel: I love Kong Fu because you make it so fun. I love staff, five stance and long fist. And the thing I really love about Kong Fu is there is so much to learn. Clifford: I think you've been a great teacher and I think your students are amazing!

Thanks for sharing guys! Look forward to seeing you all in class soon!

Success On the surface things may seem straight forward but go deeper and realize there is always more to being successful!

Train for LOVE When you think of a martial arts school you might imagine individuals training to fight, sparring or breaking boards. You might imagine some people with inflated egos who take pleasure in possessing greater skills than newer classmates. At CMAA nothing could be further from this image. The people who train at CMAA are interested in pursuing the highest quality of martial arts training, but they are able to do it from an incredibly positive place. Everyone is training for different reasons, but I think for most of us at CMAA, the motivation to practice is coming from a source of love. Great insight from Bruce Lee’s senior student, Guru Dan Inosanto.