As we transition to a new, permanent location, we continue to meet in our very lovely parking lot (no, really, it is a fantastic place to work out)! All Classes Santa Cruz Bible Church Parking Lot 440 Frederick St, NE corner of parking lot All classes Monday-Saturday Enter at Broadway and Frederick Streets, next to Arana Gulch Trail, turn left at the end and parallel Arana Gulch. We will be in the NE corner.
Continue reading →Temporary Time Change for Tai Chi Classes Long Form Class: M/W 5:15-6:15 (shorten to an hour) Intro to Tai Chi-Short Form Class: M/W 6:15-7:15 (15 minutes earlier) We will soon be back to our regular schedule. ***************************** Well, movement is what we do at the Academy, so that’s not much of an announcement. However… After 35 years, the building we called home sold. We have yet to find a permanent workout space, so our classes are currently being held in a very nice tree-lined parking lot where Frederick and Broadway meet; see below for details. What you need to know: … Continue reading →
Sifu Ted and Sifu Nick sat down a little while back to discuss the nature of Longfist Kung Fu, and how we teach and approach this treasure at the Academy. Click the image below to watch the discussion.
Continue reading →Here is a nice sit-down between Sifu Ted Mancuso, director of the Academy, and Sifu Nick Hancock, one of our senior instructors. There is also lots of information for people considering studying at the Academy about how we approach teaching. Enjoy! (If you want to see the individual chapter breakdown, watch on our youtube channel)
Continue reading →New Series Begins August 10, 2026 New to Tai Chi? Get started, deepen your skills, or join and try it out! This 3-month series introduces the beautiful art of Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan). We will begin with the proper structure and biomechanics that give this ancient martial art its well-deserved reputation as a health and longevity practice. We will teach you a Yang-style short set that Sifu Ted Mancuso specifically designed to follow authentic and traditional principles. It is also learnable within three months. The class is oriented to beginners, but more experienced students who want to refresh their skills … Continue reading →
Comes a moment in every martial student’s practice when their focus shifts from attaining perfect posture to one effecting meaningful transitions. Or, better to say: There SHOULD be a moment in each martial student’s practice when their intent moves from picture-perfect postures to efficiently applied transitions. Don’t get me wrong: the pre-structure of postures — from the correct weighting of the stance to the lowering of those shoulders around the ears to the intentional bend of the elbow and wrist — are all important. But I have seen teachers who put way too much emphasis on attaining these perfect mannequins … Continue reading →
Tai Chi for Health Get started or deepen your skills Meets twice a week for 3 months Tuesdays & Thursdays 9-10 a.m. Sept. 6 to Nov. 24 (we may adjust the final class date to accommodate Thanksgiving) Academy of Martial & Internal Arts 1570 Soquel Dr. (across from Dominican Hospital) (We will meet in the parking lot in front of the school) taught by Narrye Caldwell, AMA instructor and 40 year practitioner Tuition: $285 (paid in advance for full 3 months) or $120 per month This 3 month series is an introduction to the beautiful art of Tai Chi. We … Continue reading →
We’re starting to open up classes to new students! Interested in trying a class at our world-recognized Academy of Martial & Internal Arts? Click HERE to let us know.
Continue reading →Wow, it has been a loooong time since we have been able to add a class to our schedule and welcome new students to our school. So, we are excited to introduce our newest 12 week series, Longfist Kung Fu Fundamentals, taught by Nick Hancock. Nick is a professionally trained teacher in both Chinese medicine and traditional martial arts, bringing his particular expertise and talents to training movement as well as principles and theory. The fundamentals of Longfist Kung Fu establish the basics of Northern Chinese martial arts. This series of classes will not only introduce you to moves, health … Continue reading →
Update, March 26: Hello dear friends, Well, we thought we would check in with you, see how you all are faring, and update you on our classes. These last couple of weeks have been difficult for so many people—really, all of us, even those introverts among us! Pieces and parts of our normal lives have been upended, and something which for many was a distant concern came suddenly to the forefront. I think we have all spent at least a few moments treasuring our communities and friendships, big and small. We’ve heard from a few of you how much … Continue reading →
We are once again offering our ongoing course in the fundamentals of Qigong. This survey style course will offer diverse Qigong principles and methods. For instance, one routine will give you the feeling of practicing Tai Chi (or enhance the Tai Chi you are already doing). Another is a seated method from Daoist temples that can be done walking or lying down. A third is an ancient form based on Five Animals. This extraordinary class will be led by Narrye Caldwell. Having practiced Qigong for decades, as well as being a licensed Chinese medical doctor and teacher, Narrye gives a … Continue reading →
If you have always wondered what authentic Kung Fu feels like, this is a great place to find out. This workshop, will teach you a Kung Fu Linked Form designed by one of the world’s top teachers, Adam Hsu. An extraordinary practice, the Linking Fist comes out of Long Fist Kung Fu, the mother of such styles as Shaolin and Xing Yi. This form is simple to learn, fun to practice, and it is geared toward modern practitioners with no moves repeated, adaptable to either side of the body, or alterable into a form twice its initial size. After learning … Continue reading →
Qigong. Long before most people had heard the name, martial artists incorporated it into their training. This unique seminar introduces Qigong routines gathered from diverse martial arts styles. Surprisingly simple and direct, these exercises can be practiced by anyone, from people with no previous training to advanced martial practitioners. Emphasizing health and conditioning, Martial Qigong is a highly effective method of movement. It brings external power and internal sensitivity to a new space where progress will dawn. Sunday, February 21, 1:00 – 3:00 pm$30.00 Location: Academy of Martial & Internal Arts 1570 Soquel Dr (directly across from Dominican) 475-1429 Registration … Continue reading →
What you should know before you start a Tai Chi class
I love teaching Tai Chi, and I especially love introducing this beautiful health promoting martial art to beginners. But many people start out with some ideas that are not only wrong, but prevent them from sticking with the practice long enough to benefit from it. This is not their fault. Unfortunately, bad teaching and popular but misleading ideas abound. So here’s my attempt to set a few things straight and get people started off on the right foot (sorry for the pun.) 1. Tai Chi is a martial art. Yes I know, that sounds obvious. But many people come to … Continue reading →
Until the end of April, the Advanced Internal Arts class on Monday night, at 8pm, will be on hiatus. The other advanced Tai Chi and internal arts classes will still meet as usual, so see you there!
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