Congratulations to Dan and Judy

Dan Barbatti, Shifu Ming Busalaki, and Judy Zhao

Both Dan Barbatti and Judy Zhao have made a major milestone this year receiving certification as Standard (Full) Taichi Instructors by Taichi Healthways.

Judy started to learn Taichi from Shifu Ming Busalaki in 2003 at the St. Louis Chinese Language School. Early on, it was obvious that Judy was very talented, learning the complicated sequence of the Chen Style 45 Move Form very quickly with little difficulty. Judy’s challenge was that her Taichi was soft without inner strength. She works hard and practices every day. As an accountant, her work life can be demanding and stressful. Sometimes, she uses her lunch break to practice in a nearby park or an open space. Nowadays, Judy’s Taichi (especially Taichi Fan) is beautiful to watch because she has coupled her gentleness with strength.
 

Judy teaches Children at St. Louis Chinese Language School

Dan Barbatti was a Missouri State weight lifting Champion. He has always been fond of martial arts and has studied various martial arts prior to picking up Taichi five years ago. Dan is also a student of Shifu Busalaki. Dan takes Taichi extremely serious. His appetite for Taichi knowledge is insatiable. Not only does he study and practice Taichi daily, he also collects Taichi books, DVD’s, magazines, and Taichi weapons to understand the Taichi philosophy and principles. To Dan, Taichi is a treasure of the ancient Chinese arts and is fascinating. He wants to learn more than just the forms,he wants to know why and how each movement benefits health and/or self-defense. Dan’s challenge was the opposite of Judy’s. Coming from a hard style martial art background, Dan’s Taichi tended to be characterized by brute force. By engaging his core (Dan Tian), he has made the transition. His Taichi Dao (or Board Sword) is powerful. His movements are swift and crisp. He jumps agilely. He also demonstrates smoothness and good intend (Yi) during the form.

Shifu Ming does not offer any certification. Dan and Judy have searched for a qualified program to receive certification. Master Tsao, a national Wushu Champion in China and master of Chen Style, Yang Style, Sun Style Taichi, Wu Style Taichi, and Chi-Gong, offers a comprehensive training and certification program for Taichi Instructors, which includes both the Taichi form techniques as well as Taichi knowledge.
 

Dan demos Nimble Dragon Descending

Dan has been teaching a few Taichi classes at Bally’s health club in Maryland Heights. To him, getting certified gives him the confidence and credentials as a Taichi instructor. He wants to ensure that he is providing quality training for his students.

Judy enjoys Taichi immensely. She likes to share this art with others by teaching it. Judy has been assisting Master Busalaki, leading the adult classes and teaching young children for a couple of years at the St. Louis Chinese Language School. She would love to teach more but with three young children and a full-time job, her time is limited. To her, getting certified is a personal goal which confirms her level as a Taichi practitioner and instructor.