AFC 716

07/27/2026

A lot of people enjoy working out by themselves at the gym.

They put their headphones on.
The outside world disappears.
For an hour, it's just them and the work.

We enjoy the hard work too...

And we also love doing it alongside other people.

There's something powerful about training with a group that encourages you, challenges you, and celebrates your progress.

There's an old saying:
"A rising tide raises all ships."

When everyone around you is working to improve...
it's easier to improve yourself.

Some days, you show up because you're motivated.

Other days, you show up because everyone else is expecting to see you.

That's the power of community.

We keep showing up because you keep showing up.

And you keep showing up because we do.

That's what a fitness community is all about.

07/24/2026

Principles of a Good Push-Up

Whether you're doing push-ups on your knees or on your toes, the principles stay the same.

Keep a straight line from your shoulders to your hips to your ankles (or knees). Think of your body as one solid plank.

As you lower yourself, keep your elbows stacked over your wrists. This helps distribute the force properly and reduces unnecessary stress on your elbows and shoulders.

Doing a good push-up isn't about doing more.
It's about building strength while preventing injuries.

07/23/2026

One of the things I enjoy most about sparring is that it's a lot like chess.
I'm constantly trying to figure out what my opponent is doing.
How can I shut it down?
And where is the opening I can take advantage of?

There's a principle we use:
"Follow, don't lead."

Rather than forcing an attack that isn't there, I'll follow my opponent's movement and intentions until they create an opening...
Then I attack.

07/21/2026

I was watching another video online about why in Traditional Karate they chamber their fist. That got me thinking about when we punch in Traditional 8 Step Preying Mantis Kung Fu, we leave our punches out and don’t retract them right away… Here’s why.

07/18/2026

We had a moment in Kung Fu Fundamentals this morning… We think there’s a new T-shirt born. Thanks Sheila Wyant Brown, Ken Brown & NM Connolly!
Thoughts?

07/17/2026

How do you spend a great Sunday morning with some new friends?
We shared a cup of chai tea, practiced some Tai Chi, and enjoyed a glass (or two) of mead together.
There was plenty of laughter, great conversation, and a whole lot of fun.
We hope you'll join us the next time!

07/06/2026

We were watching TV yesterday and saw a Tai Chi commercial that looked like a complete scam. We wanted to share this with you guys.

This commercial was showing how people do these 5 “tai chi moves” for 9 minutes a day, lost up to 100 lbs in 28 days. They showed them before overweight, and after 28 days they had 6-pack abs.

If it seems too good to be true, then it is!

We have had to deal with weight loss and weight management our entire lives. We’ve been up and down on the scale for decades. We have been involved in the communities locally and on the internet/social media too. Losing that much weight, that quickly is unheard of. All From 9 minutes a day.

I won’t even get into how these “tai chi moves” were not even close to Tai Chi. I just want to let you all know of how these scams end up ruining what real Tai Chi offers.

Tai Chi helps build balance, maintain and increase your level of activity, helps us stay mentally active by learning something new. Tai Chi will help our flexibility & our range of motion. It is an active way to recover from tougher work outs.

Be careful of anyone promising some amazing results… They are most likely a scam.

07/05/2026

Did you know we send out a monthly email, which provides:
Upcoming classes & events��Kung Fu training insights
Tai Chi tips to improve balance
Healthy movement ideas
No spam.�Just useful information to help you move better and live stronger.
Join over our growing AFC716 community.

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07/04/2026

Couldn’t have said it better… oh wait I said it..
Happy Fourth of July 🇺🇸 🎆❤️

Happy Fourth of July! 🇺🇸 🎆🐝🍯 May your fingers survive the fireworks and your mead horn stay full!

07/02/2026

The other day I commented on a post about “Tai Chi” exercises not being actually Tai Chi.

Let me help you not waste your money.

The exercises they show are exercises. They move the body and help you get active. That’s great. Most of the exercises are or have some basis is Qi Gong which can be helpful. Qi Gong, if practiced regularly is wonderful and very helpful. It’s not Tai Chi.

Most of these videos or programs are a waste of money and time. They promise you fitness and balance and 6 pack abs with little to no effort…. Do this hop 100x and swing your arms 100 more times.., etc… 1. When was the last time you hopped? 2. Can you shoulders tolerate that swinging?
If the answers are I’m not sure and oh I don’t think so… then these online “tai chi” programs aren’t for you…

Do you know what is for you? An actual Tai Chi class with real people. Real people just like you, who really need to work on their balance, but maybe their knees hurt. Real people who want to learn something new but maybe they are nervous. Real Tai Chi class with real instructors who help you learn, repeat things as many times as it takes to help you learn and keep you from over doing it and hurting your self.

For the record, Tai Chi is based on a martial art. It is meant to be practiced slowly and fluidly. It’s multiple moves learned in sequence to help you improve balance, and stability in your body, but also challenge your memory by learning new things.

It is ALWAYS better to go to a live class with live instruction.

Please don’t waste your money on another program that will just sit on the shelf after you tried it once and it failed you.

You are always welcome in our school but if we are not right for you, please find a school or class near by that is for you. We are Daniel and Kate from AFC716 and this is a hill we will die on!