In the kick of things


Sprinkle it over yourself, like a bird bathing its wings. Then
exhale, bend over and gather some more. Slowly cross your hands
like you’re dipping them into water.

Sifu Michael Shaman paused inside his Gilroy studio, then
flapped his arms and cawed like a bird. Full article
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“Sprinkle it over yourself, like a bird bathing its wings. Then exhale, bend over and gather some more. Slowly cross your hands like you’re dipping them into water.”

Sifu Michael Shaman paused inside his studio at 7440 Monterey St., then flapped his arms and cawed like a bird.

“Fluff your feathers and make a crane sound,” he instructed.

It sounds like interpretive dance, but this is Tai Chi Chuan: A Chinese martial art Shaman says corrects how you carry yourself, how you move and how you breath so that it accentuates the development of chi, or, energy flowing through the body. Just observing its practice has a soothing, hypnotizing effect, like watching a person move underwater: Silence and motion.

Shaman’s been teaching internal martial, healing and transformational arts for about 30 years. He’s studied in the United States, China and the Himalayas under world-famous healers and grandmasters including Geshe Gyeltsen, a Tibetan human rights activist who founded the Thubten Dhargye Ling Buddhist Center in Los Angeles.

The California native explained his title, “sifu,” is effectively the Chinese equivalent of the Japanese “sensei.” It translates to “father,” or “teacher.”

In other words, he’s the wrong guy to ambush from behind.

Years of studying, teaching and traveling abroad have landed Shaman in Gilroy, where the sandy-haired Sifu recently opened the Taiji Dojo downtown.

“I feel like it’s a real good fit. Being on Monterey Street gets a lot of visibility,” he said, taking a break to chat during one of his evening classes. Shaman sported white shoes that read “Tiger Claw” in black lettering on the side.

He added, “I also find the cultural diversity here makes it very attractive to me.”

Not only that, but renting a space in the Garlic Capital doesn’t drop-kick the checking account such as real estate in San Francisco. Shaman commutes all over the region teaching classes in San Francisco and Marin, but took root in Gilroy as “the price here is reasonable for the square-footage.”

Each of the disciplines Shaman teaches encompass distinct fundamentals, including Tai Chi Chuan, Kung Fu, Qigong and Tui Shou/San Shou. But for the martial arts inept, it clarifies a little when Shaman likens Kung Fu as “a mixture of yoga and martial arts,” and Tai Chi as “a moving style of yoga.” Most people identify Tai Chi as slow motion exercise, he says, but it’s actually a form of self-defense training.

The interior of his studio is minimalist and free of clutter, save for a few items of interest dotting the lair: Vases filled with swords, faded photographs taken with past instructors, a giant paper fan, a life-size skeleton.

“The late, great grandmaster,” Shaman noted, standing next to it.

Images posted to his online biography depict a colorful past – Shaman meditating on a mountainous hillside near what appears to be a monastery, Shaman hurling an opponent through the air, Shaman wielding a sharp sword, Shaman sitting on a couch next to a possum.

He’s a pretty interesting guy.

Settling into a chair to watch his protege Philip Willis lead a meditation exercise during a children’s Kung Fu class, the Sifu observed “getting one minute of stillness and quiet out of kids is very, very tricky.”

It proved to be challenging for Christian Lopez, 4, who couldn’t resist opening one eye and making a funny face at Alezay Rodriguez, 8.

Shaman said Willis’ wife is expecting, “so I suggested teaching the Kid’s Kung Fu class would be a good way get introduced to children.”

Willis led the students in a side stretch, asking them to inhale and extend their arms overhead.

At this, Christian lost his balanced and flopped onto the floor.

Later came a sequence of movements including “rooster step” and “jaguar stance,” the focused 4-year-old shadowing his instructor so closely he almost toe-kicked Willis from behind.

Shaman said there’s no age limit for kids wanting to participate, but, glancing at Lopez and chuckling, joked “there should be.”

The children engaged in movements mimicking baby ducks, dragons and other creatures – a mnemonic device incorporated into the Kung Fu curriculum that associates certain character attributes, said Shaman. He indicated to some of the parents and noted, “this is their entertainment.”

Afterward, Rodriguez said she couldn’t decide what she liked best about the classes. Rather, “all of it” is her favorite.

“I keep sweating and sweating. I’m so sweaty,” said the 8-year-old. “I think if you sweat too much, you might die.”

Ever the pillar of patience, Willis maintained a sense of seriousness throughout the class but occasionally let slip a laugh.

“They’ve really come a long way, as far as being able to follow direction,” he said.

The adult sessions are as relaxing to engage in as they are to watch, as attendee Byron Bakker pointed out he always departs feeling rejuvenated. Newcomers, on that note, are encouraged to check it out – such as the curious passer-by who ended up participating after randomly wandering in.

“I have to say, it’s more of a happening place than I thought it would be,” Shaman said of Gilroy. “I enjoy the friendliness of the people. The people have been very kind, very interested and very honest with me. I like those things.”

Taiji Dojo

– Located downtown at 7440 Monterey St. in Gilroy

– All levels welcome

– Qigong & Tai Chi Forms class: 6 to 7:20 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays; $120 per month

– Interactive Tai Chi Chuan class: 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays; $120 per month

– Kung Fu for Kids: 5 to 5:50 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; $120 per month with 50 percent discount for families who enroll two children

– Contact: Michael Shaman at 847-5600 or email

ta****@mi***********.com











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