About Yongnian Taiji Martial Arts Center

The Yongnian Taiji Martial Arts Center (YTMA) was developed by Ted W. Knecht and his wife, Yifang for the promotion of authentic Chinese Wushu (martial arts) and the Chinese culture. The YTMA Center has been a leader in the exchange of Chinese culture and martial arts in the Cleveland, Ohio area since 1992. Below is a brief summary of activities conducted by YTMA:

• Published over 40 documents on Chinese culture and martial arts in such magazines as TAI CHI, Karate/Kungfu Illustrated, Qi Journal, Wushu/Kungfu, Han Wei Magazine, Han Wei Newsletter, Irish Fighter Magazine, and others.
• Published several books and videos on Chinese Martial Arts and qigong
• Translator for various visiting Chinese masters from China. Including Fu Zhongwen, Cai Hongxiang, Wu Chengde, Wang Jurong, and others.
• Internal Martial Arts judge for regional and national tournaments such Kuo Shu Tournament, Baltimore, MD.
• Head Referee for Internal Divsion for Han Wei National Martial Arts Tournament, 1995.
• Demonstration of Chinese Martial Arts at the Cleveland Museum of Art, John Carroll University, Cleveland State University, Rockwell Automation, and others.
• Conducted Taiji and qigong workshops throughout Ohio

About Ted W. Knecht

Ted holds a masters degree in Geology and is certified through the Ohio Board of Education in the field of Chinese language and science. Ted has been studying Chinese martial arts and the Chinese language and culture since 1981. While living in China, Ted became an assistant Taijiquan and qigong instructor and was certified in Taijiquan and qigong by the Shenzhen Qigong Health Institute of mainland China. Ted is a member of the National Chinese Taiji/Wushu Association, Shenzhen, China.

Ted was a gold and bronze medalist at the USA All-Taiji Championships (A Taste of China ) in Winchester, Virginia in 1993. In 1994, Ted also won a gold several bronze medals in Taijiquan at the US National Chinese Martial Arts Competition held in Orlando, Florida.

Ted has studied with some of the top Taiji and Wushu instructors both in China and USA. The following is a list of teachers he has studied with:

Mei Ying Sheng (Yang Taiji)
Nick Gracenin (Wudang)
Fu Zhongwen (Yang Taiji)
Yu Wen Mei (Wu Taiji)
He Wei Qi (Sword)
Wang Jurong (Sun Taiji)
Di Guorong (Xingyi)
Zhang Fahe (Qigong)
Cai Hong Xiang (Qin Na)
Zhu Xingming (Wudang)
Cheng Kejin (Xinyi)

The Yongnian Taiji Martial Arts Center, located in Cleveland, Ohio, offers a wide range of Chinese martial art styles. Primary focus is on Yang style Taijiquan; however, classes and private lessons are offered in other Chinese styles such as Xingyiquan, Baguazhang, Qigong, weapons and others. The following is a listing of the programs that are offered:

Programs

32 and 54 Posture Straightsword (Jian)
13 and 40 Posture Broadsword (Dao)

Anyone interested in finding out further information about these and other styles of Chinese martial arts should contact Ted at the following email address [email protected]




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