James Strider – Fulltime Training Blog Wk4 2019
PRACTICAL METHOD IS AN INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY!
As part of my new role as the International Liaison Officer for Master Chen here in China, I’ve already had the pleasure of meeting and greeting Massimo Giorgianni from Toulouse as he arrived in Beijing for an 8 day stay in Rizhao, as well as the lovely Bruno, Catha and Kaleo (only 16 months old!), who have stopped off to stay for a while (at least a month) en route to a new life in Argentina!
(L-R) National Full-Time student Wang Jinshun (Xilinguole League, Inner Mongolia), Instructors Wong Kai & James Strider, Kaleo, Sifu Bruno, Catha, Director Zhao, Head Instructor Chen Xu
Bruno and family have opted to stay in the accommodation available at the Canadian Wellness Institute itself (the building in which “Really Don’t Move” is situated) as it allows direct access to the training facilities, plenty of safe, spacious areas for Kaleo to run around in, an awesome lagoon view and it’s just a two floor lift journey to the room so that mother and child can get some rest anytime they want. It also means that Bruno has no excuse not to train! Breakfast and lunch is also available on site for only ¥20 per person (little people eat for free!). Please check out the updated Fulltime Training Program page and contact me for more details on this option as rooms are limited.
A Family Room available at the Canadian Wellness Institute
Next month we have David from Australia (staying for an indefinite period of time), Made from Indonesia (6 months) and Javier from Spain (3 months), all joining the ever growing Fulltime Training Program here in Rizhao.
As you may have read in my previous posts, we have everything set up for International guests to come and have an immersive, full-time training experience in authentic Chen Taijiquan here in Rizhao. With four training slots available to you every day (see here for details), you will have access to Head Instructor Chen Xu and other top International and National Instructors who live and train in the Practical Method full-time.
International Instructor James Strider taking Sifu Massimo of France through the first 13 movements of the Yilu
At our “Really Don’t Move” facility we have crash matts laid out for a permanent Tuishou (Push Hands) area, where you can test yourself against some of the best in the game, along with indoor and outdoor areas to improve your Taolu (Forms). As spring is slowly arriving I’m loving being able to move around in the fresh air (we’re on the coast so the air is decent most of the year round) and get some sunshine on my skin, even if the mornings are a bit fresh!
Head Instructor Chen Xu taking Sifu Massimo through some techniques in our dedicated Tuishou area
Newly arrived Sifu Bruno practicing Fetch Water at sunrise on a brisk spring morning
That’s it for now, next week I’ll give you an account of my trip to Beijing to meet Massimo, the two nights I stayed there and the deliscious vegan food we ate with my beautiful and talented Taiji Sister Jayne Zizhen and her husband Yuan at their Zizhen Taiji Academy!
International Instructor James Strider, Sifu Zizhen and Sifu Massimo outside of the Zizhen Taiji Academy, Beijing
Until then, as Master Chen would say “No excuses…practice more!”
