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Expert: Ken Gullette - 11/14/2008


Question
I am already taking Chen Tai Chi, and while the Tai Chi exercises itself are great (especially the internal principles), I find the stretching is not that advanced.  I want to compliment it with either Yoga or Pilates, but I'm not sure which will benefit me more.  I want diversity!

Answer
Hi Martin,
Diversity is great! I believe in cross-training.

I think I would try Pilates first. There's nothing better than a strong core. I worked with a personal trainer last year who ran me through some tough core training and it improved everything! Your balance is especially improved, but I believe Yoga could do that, too.

As for stretching, there's new evidence that everything we've been told about stretching is wrong.

Go to my blog and scroll down a few posts to see a link to a good article about that. The blog is at www.internalarts.typepad.com.

Good luck!

Ken

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Ken Gullette

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I am a senior level (black sash) instructor in the American Tao System of Internal Arts. We study and practice the internal arts of Chen Tai Chi, Hsing-I Chuan, and Baguazhang. I also study and teach Chi Kung (Qigong) and Chin-Na. I began studying martial arts in 1973. I was 20 years old, a college student, and was inspired by Bruce Lee and the Kung-Fu TV show. My first teacher was Grandmaster Sin The in Lexington, Kentucky. I studied Shaolin with him. During the 1970's I also studied Taekwondo with Master Randy Chambliss. In the early 80's, I studied Tien Shan Pai Kung-Fu (wushu) with Karen Vaughn in Cincinnati. I met Sifu Phillip Starr in 1987 when I moved to Omaha, and earned a black sash in his Yiliquan system. He taught me the basics of Hsing-I, Tai Chi and Bagua. In 1998, I began studying Chen Tai Chi with Jim and Angela Criscimagna. They are indoor disciples of Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang. I've also learned from Grandmaster Chen and his brother, Grandmaster Chen Xiaoxing, the head of tai chi training in the Chen village, Henan Province. Their ancestor, Chen Wangting, created tai chi about 350 years ago. I have also learned from Mike Sigman and other very good instructors. I have a website, www.internalfightingarts.com, where I teach all three internal arts online to students around the world. The site is very video intense. Eastern philosophy, especially Zen and Taoism, are very important to me. I am developing a means of explaining these philosophies to Americans in plain English so they can apply them to daily life in the 21st Century USA. I call it American Tao. I am 55 years old and enjoy competing in tournaments, often sparring young black belts (and even winning occasionally). I can answer questions about the internal arts, chi kung, tournament competition, philosophy, and keeping fit after the age of 40 or 50.

Experience

I've taught tai chi for 11 years and studied much longer. I've learned from some of the world's best. My DVDs are praised by martial artists around the world. I teach online through my new online school at www.internalfightingarts.com. I have competed in many tournaments. I won two national titles at the 1990 AAU Kung Fu Nationals.

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