Certified Tai Chi Teachers

William Cranstoun - Sacramento, CA

William Cranstoun began studying Chinese movement arts in 1982 with a teacher who taught free qi gong classes in the park in Tucson, Arizona. He also started learning a popular Yang family style, with a feeling that something was missing. The fact that the teacher was constantly traveling and studying with different teachers and then coming back saying something to the effect, "now I’ve got it" did nothing for confidence in him as a teacher. In 1990 he studied Yang style with Chan, Kwok-wah, in Stuttgart, teaching him a large frame form. Bill learned that there was more to tai chi chuan than what he had learned so far.

Through browsing on the internet - Bill discovered Classical Tai Chi four years ago, and has been motivated to practice tai chi like never before. Last year he helped organize a workshop with Master Hwa in Sacramento, California.

Bill has been a Spatial Dynamics teacher, which is an unique approach to Physical Education used in the Waldorf Schools, using games and movement exercises to teach children and adults agility, balance and posture.

At the moment, and mostly in the last 25 years, he has worked in construction, and had to prove the benefits of Classical Tai Chi in his everyday life, as self-defense against stress, succumbing to gravity, and health issues.

Bill states: "Primarily though, through practice we gain an unshakable joy and sense of well-being in life. What can't we manage with that as a foundation? There is a lot of talk of gaining rootedness in Tai chi practice but I would also emphasize lightness and buoyancy, even an enhancement of the sense of humor."

Sifu Cranstoun can be contacted at: taiji55@comcast.net

Gerry Shea - Rochester, NY

Gerry Shea has been a student of Master Stephen Hwa's Tai Chi class at USA Karate at Fairport, NY for approximately eight years. She first became interested in Tai Chi for health reasons. She had constant and relenting lower back pain for two years. She was under a physicians care and had worked with a physical therapist, a chiropractor, as well as an acupuncturist. All had given her some relief but she was still having constant pain in her lower back. After two weeks of taking Tai Chi classes with Master Hwa, her lower back pain disappeared. Ever since, she has been a regular in Master Hwa's classes.

She has been a teaching assistant for Master Hwa for several years. She is a patient and meticulous teacher with a true understanding of the principles of internal discipline in Classical Tai Chi. Students enjoy working with her

My name is Ike Kenzo Schultz, born August 4, 1992. I have been a Tai Chi practitioner for about five years. As a young child, I had constant knee problems, which after a year of Tai Chi practice, have since gone away.

I will always believe that Tai Chi greatly improves health as well as improves your own body. Tai Chi shows you the ability to use different muscles inside the abdomen and back. It teaches you to know your body and use it efficiently. I also take Karate and have done Karate since I was four. Last year,. I earned my black belt.

After seeing Master Hwa explain the internal aspect of tai chi to some students of his, I decided that it would be something that I should do to expand my martial arts knowledge.

At the time when I started tai chi, I was ten. At first it was strange to me being in a class with people at least twice my age. But once I began learning with the Classical Tai Chi community, that discomfort was soon long gone. I now know that tai chi is for children as well as adults and I am glad I was able to start young. Tai Chi was so interesting to me, it is such a unique martial art in the way it utilizes the internal muscles in the body and explains how to use them. After regularly doing tai chi for a year, I began to notice the blending of the three martial arts I was practicing at the time. Tai Chi did not only benefit my knees but my Karate as well. Tai Chi is not only for health purposes it also has many martial arts applications that some people do not realize. Because of tai chi I learned to turn and utilize my lower abdomen which transferred into many of Karate's teachings. The internal abdominal muscles are used in Karate in many of its Katas as well as various techniques. The problem is that the way to use your internals is never fully explained or taught through dojo Karate classes. Because I now knew how to use the internals, it became much simpler to execute moves using the abdomen. Tai Chi has helped me with Yamani Ryu, a form of weapons training where the abdomen is used through turning motions and finding the body's center for balance.

Tai Chi has become a part of my life and its training helps with people's health but it is also a martial art that has countless martial arts applications.

I am currently assisting Master Hwa in teaching his Classical Tai Chi classes.

Adele Stockmaster - Macedon, NY

My name is Adele Stockmaster, I have studied and taught Wu form for six years. My goal is to share with others what Master Hwa has shared with me. I am very honored and blessed to be able to study under Master Hwa. Tai-Chi lessons were a birthday gift from my husband Jim and son Jacob. I always tell them it was the best birthday gift I ever received. I do not see my life without Tai-Chi in it. Tai-chi has enhanced my health and reduced stress. For many years I had lower back and shoulder pain due to an accident in 1985, pain is something I no longer have.

As Master Hwa's teaching assistant for the past 4 years I have worked with numerous new students ranging for 10 up to 70 years old. I try to make their first session a positive experience and create a desire to come back for more. My teaching experience has reached outside the Tai-Chi studio. I have taught a six-week course at Macedon Recreation Center. Also held workshops at Macedon Public Library and Macedon Methodist Church. I enjoy sharing my knowledge and passion with others.

You may contact me at a_stockmaster@hotmail.com