Tai Chi and Chinese Martial Arts Classes

Tai Chi is a unique system of health and self-defense that is considered one of the treasures of Chinese culture. Based on the philosophy of Daoism, Tai Chi was designed to develop inner balance between the body and mind, and external balance between the individual and nature. Tai Chi is practiced throughout the world by both young and old.

Classes have been held since 1993 in the Cleveland, Ohio area. Ted Knecht offers a wide range of Chinese martial art styles which are suitable for all types of personalities and physical fitness levels. Primary focus is on Tai Chi; however, group classes and private lessons are offered in other Chinese styles such as Xingyiquan, Baguazhang, Qigong, Long Fist, Praying Mantis, Combined Styles, and Weapons (spear, steel whip, sword, staff, fan). The following is a partial listing of the styles you can learn:

Yang Style Tai Chi 杨式太极拳

• 36 and 108 Posture Open-hand Routines
• 54 Posture Straightsword
• 40 Posture Broadsword
• Push Hands/Da Lu
• Applications

Wu Style Tai Chi 吴式太极拳

• Wu Style Basic Training
• 30 and 85 Posture Open-hand Routines
• Weapons Training
• Push Hands
• Applications

Sun Style Tai Chi 孙式太极拳


Standardized Tai Chi 规定太极拳

• Basic Techniques
• 8 Posture Tai Chi
• 16 Posture Tai Chi
• 24 Posture Tai Chi
• 32 Posture Combined Tai Chi
• 42 Posture International Compulsory Tai Chi
• 16 Posture Tai Chi Straight sword
• 16 Posture Tai Chi Spear
• 32 Posture Tai Chi Straight sword
• 35 Posture Combined Tai Chi Straight sword
• Taiji Gongfu Fan

Xingyiquan (Form and Intent Fist) 形意拳

• 5 Element Fists
• 12 Animal Shapes
• Linking Routines
• Creation/Destruction Routines
• Combination Fist Routine
• Xingyi Straight sword/Broadsword
• Fighting Applications

Baguazhang (8 Trigram Palm) 八卦掌

• Basic Training
• 8 Basic Palm Changes
• Continuous Palm
• Bagua Weapons

Qigong 气功

• Basic Theory and Practice
• Beginner, Intermediate, & Advanced Stretching
• Xianggong Qigong
• Eight Pieces of Brocade
• Tai Chi Qigong
• Therapeutic Exercises
• Wild Goose Qigong
• Spiraling Force Exercises
• Various Hard Qigong Skills

Anyone interested in finding out further information about taking lessons should contact Ted at the following email address twk901@gmail.com

About the Instructor

Ted Knecht, twk901@gmail.com, a sixth generation Yang style Taijiquan lineage holder, is a leading proponent in the advancement of Taijiquan and other forms of Chinese martial arts in the USA. 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 is a professional Chinese language translator/interpreter with many years of experience. Ted has been studying Chinese martial arts, Chinese language, and its culture since 1981. Ted travels to China on a continued basis to advance his studies in Taijiquan, Qigong, Chinese culture and philosophy.

While living in China in 1992, 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 and the US Wushu Union.

Ted was the USA All Around Internal Martial Arts Grand Champion in 2003 by winning seven gold medals in Tai Chi, Tai Chi Weapons, Xingyiquan, and Baguazhang at the US National Chinese Martial Arts Championships. Ted had the highest overall average score for the entire tournament. Ted was also a gold medalist at the USA All Tai Chi Championships (A Taste of China ) in Winchester, Virginia in 1993. Ted was also a gold medalist in Tai Chi at the USA National Chinese Martial Arts Competition held in Orlando, Florida which ranked him number one in the USA. Ted was also ranked in Baguazhang and Xingyiquan that same year.

Ted has studied with some of the most prominent world-class Tai Chi and Wushu instructors both from China and USA. Ted is one of Mei Ying Sheng's top disciples. The following is a list of teachers he has studied with:

Mei Ying Sheng (Yang Style Tai Chi)
Dr. Curtis Merida (Shaolin Wushu)
Nick Gracenin (Wudang & Shaolin)
An Tian Rong (Bagua/Bagua Straightsword, Xingyquan, and Tai Chi)
Fu Zhongwen (Yang Style Tai Chi)
Yu Wen Mei (Wu Style Tai Chi)
He Wei Qi (Sword)
Wang Jurong (Sun Style Tai Chi, Qing Lung Sword)

Ted 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 the center:

• Authored over 50 articles on Chinese culture and martial arts in magazines such as TAI CHI, Karate/Kungfu Illustrated, Qi Journal, Wushu/Kungfu, Han Wei Magazine, Han Wei Newsletter, Irish Fighter Magazine, Wulin, Chinese Taijiquan and others.


• Competed in national and international tournaments such as US Wushu Union Nationals, A Taste of China, US Wushu/Kungfu Nationals, Great Lakes Tournament, and others.


• Author of 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.


• Head Referee and Internal Martial Arts judge for regional and national tournaments.


• Active demonstrator of Chinese Martial Arts throughout the USA.


• Offers a variety of Tai Chi and Qigong workshops.