Our workshop of the March 4-5th week end was well attended. A new date has been set which will match the World Tai Chi Day celebration on April 29-30th 2006. You can read more about this wonderful event here.

March 4-5, 2006

The day will start by gathering at the Castillo De San Marco on the 29th at 10:30 am. After that we'll congregate for the workshop at the Integral Retreat for the two day Cloudy Day Tai Chi workshop. I will be posting more information as it becomes available.

I have also added one extra hour of instruction per day. Thus Saturday's workshop will be from 12:00 till 5:00 pm and Sunday's from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. As in previous workshops, a free DVD will be included along with reading material with photos of each posture.

Please keep in mind that this workshop is only an introduction to Tai Chi. A solid introduction that will help the participant make a well informed decision as to whether or not to pursue further study.

During the last thirty years Tai Chi has gained a tremendous following in America. Classes are taught in wellness centers, ymca, health clubs, health food stores, church basements, and parks. One reason for Tai Chi's popularity is the ease and grace with which adept practitioners move through the postures; a seasoned Tai Chi player makes it look easy, effortless, and flowing. It is this apparent ease of performance that lures men and women of all ages into their first tai chi classes.  The fact is, that Tai Chi is not easy.

I have been studying martial arts for nearly thirty years. I have studied Korean Hap-Ki-Do, Tai Chi Chuan, Hsing-I and Qi Gong. I have also been exposed to Indonesian arts such as Kun Tao Silat through Willem deThouars, Tae Kwon Do and Kempo. During the last 18 years I have focused my studies on the Chinese martial arts with particular emphasis on Tai Chi and Hsing-I.

I have entered and won a number of tournaments including the prestigious events by the International Kung Fu Tournament held in Baltimore, MD in 1999 where I won the National and International Tai Chi Push-Hands (Tui-Shao) competitions.

I am also a student and practitioner of Chinese Medicine. I'm licensed to practice acupuncture in the state of Florida and hold national board certification by the NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine). You can see my practice's site here. Along with acupuncture, I practice Shiatsu, and Chinese herbal medicine. I have also completed postgraduate training on Acupuncture for the treatment of drug addiction at Lincoln Medical Center in the South Bronx, New York.

I have a broad range of interests including photography. You can view some of my work at my site StockLance.com. I'm a jazz aficionado and operate an online jazz radio station, JazzRadio247.com and also host a weekly jazz show at WFCF, 88.5 FM in Saint Augustine, FL, on Friday from 5pm to 7pm. My show is called Jazz@5.

I live in Saint Augustine, FL with my wife Beth and our two children, Dito and Sebe.

Fernando

ps. Did I forget to tell you about this wonderful incense I hand make? So sorry. Find it here at OldCityIncense.com