NSKF News

We're being extra careful as New York City enters a critical phase of the latest pandemic. Like many New Yorkers, we're staying on top of the news, and doing what we have to do to stay safe. Here's a snapshot of our Sunday morning class. We're here for the holidays, and have a range of offerings. We're exploring new classes and options including private online classes. Call us to learn more. 

And before the end of the year, we held a few more sash tests. We congratulate Ari and Franklin who, respectively, earned their Blue and Green sashes. They worked hard and showed art and spirit in their performance. We congratulate them.

Students progress with ongoing practice, and they test themselves with periodic sash tests! This year, we've been doing small groups. Here's a photo of some of our students who recently took their test. Sam took his blue sash test, and brothers Danny and Amir who got their orange sashes, respectively. Our tests are not easy and our students demonstrated forms, techniques, and kung fu basics and self-defense.  We congratulate them!

We just added two weekly Tai Chi class.  You can join us Wednesdays at 5pm and Thursdays at 2pm. We're flexible, and are adjusting times as students request schedule changes, but this is where we are right now; the theme in 2021 is flexibility!  We'll have more pictures soon, but if you're always wanted to try Tai Chi or Qigong, join us! We're focused on balance, core strength, and relaxation, and getting centered and back to ourselves. Everyone is welcome, we're at 115 West 28th. And, yes, we're vaccinated, and we're keeping it safe!

Last weekend we held a sash tests so our hard working students can measure their accomplishments in Kung Fu and martial arts. Cleo and Val are now officially red sashes; they are truly on their way to black belt. Wally and Petra took their blue and green sash tests respectively. This is not easy. Each level requires students to show kung fu forms, techniques, and self defense moves. We congratulate our students on this accomplishment!

On another subject...SUMMER! Yes, it's just about time (and it feels like it, here in NYC, at 90 degrees). We are working on our summer schedule and some special programs. Call us if you'd like to put in time and effort to start your kung fu journey. Sifu Julie and SIfu Dario will help you get started. Email us or call (917)657-6104.

As of today, New York City is lifting almost all guidelines. We've managed to stay open during most of the pandemic, and we've done it by careful planning and attention to what works best for our students. In other words, we are open, we're teaching, and we will be slowly adapting new guidelines, but keeping classes small. We've got great ventilation, plenty of room, and time to accomodate various schedules and new students. We'll be enlarging our small group classes over the next weeks and  months. Take a look at our first steps!

As you know, we've been soldiering on during Covid, teaching students one-by-one. The city has now allowed us to teach up to 33% capacity, and little by little we are adding small group classes. Still, we enjoy the focused training time with our students, and are keeping scheduled training program for now. 

Meanwhile, we are so excited Sifu Williy Pang is teaching a special sparring basics class called "Foundation and Drills for Sparring", every Friday at 4pm. It's for Members only, but we hope to be adding other sections for non-members soon. Read more here. This class is an add-on to our curriculum, $20 for members.

Remember, we're still  focused on following all safety guidelines, so do what you can by following recommended safety practices.

It's been an incredibly busy few months, as little by little, students return. At the same time, we've met people around the country, and will continue to offer online classes even as we return to group classes. We're adding a new beginner class, Saturdays at 10:30. See our schedule and give it a try. 

We're still  focused on following all safety guidelines.  Please help us by following recommended safety practices: Wear your mask and stay home if you don't feel well.  More news soon!

Though our schedule is curtailed here and there, especially on holidays, we're here most days as always. On December 27th we'll be out of the studio, holding online classes only. But all other classes are as per our usual schedule. 

We've continued to have great attendance, since no one is going anywhere, more or less. We even have new people who have decided it's a great time to improve their life, and learn Eagle Claw Kung fu. Life doesn't stand still.  Meanwhile, here are some snapshots from our classes - never more than one or per people in each.

We so enjoyed working out in the park every Thursday. In particular it was so great seeing the young people working out together. With the time change, it's dark at 5pm so we're now back in the studio. We're making Thursday at 5-7 pm a self-guided open house. Members can book time to come in and work on their forms. We are observing strict safety guidelines, and limiting attendance. With that, Sifu Dario and Sifu Julie are doing everything they can to create an opportunity for members to work  on their kung fu and stay healthy.

We often have people who want to visit us. For those who can't swing by weekdays, we set aside Sunday afternoon 12:30-2:30 for drop in time. If you're a member and want to work on your curriculum, the floor is open. If you want to try a free class, stop by. We observe all Covid-19 rules and restrictions so we recommend you let us know you are planning to come by. Everyone works separately in the front or back studio, with plenty of social distancing. Call us at (917)657-6104.

We've really been enjoying our outings in Chelsea Park. Our routine has involved into a short group class followed by demo practice, where we watch everyone performing a form. We've seen impressive improvements as people get use to doing their forms this way. Most importantly, being outdoors allows us to practice as a group again, something we definitely miss.

We're so pleased we can allow students back in our kung fu studio. New York city has disallowed group classes, but we can still teach private classes and trial classes, either one-on-one or small family groups like brothers and sisters, etc. We offer all members a free private session weekly in the studio. We wear masks at all time and follow all studio protocols for a safe space. Please call us if you'd like to know more about our program. There's nothing like being able to exercise, run, play, and practice Kung Fu, especially for kids.

We had a great outdoor workout last week, in nearby Chelsea Park. We are now there every Thursday, 5-7pm. Look for our yellow banner; we are close to the 27th Street and 10th avenue corner of the park. Beginners and novices welcome. 

We brought a staffs and some sabers, and joined the other runners, boxers, and martial artists practicing outside. It's a huge park with plenty of space for group forms and long weapons. We highly recommend it, there's nothing like practicing under the big New York sky.

News continues below

We recently learned martial arts schools will not be allowed to open until after Labor Day. That means we'll continue our online program for the time being. see our tenative blended opening schedule.  We await permission to open. Beyond that, there is an issue with physical contact in martial arts. Grappling, hand-to-hand combat, locking and more are a part of many martial arts including Eagle Claw Kung Fu or Ying Jow Pai. Happily, Kung Fu is a many-layered art form. While we cannot practice joint locking, even after re-opening, we can practice forms, weapons, combinations, drills, and many interesting techniques. Kung Fu is nothing if not adaptable, and in adversity is opportunity. For example, partner weapons forms will allow us to build skils like timing, speed, power and coordination while keeping a healthy distance. We look forward to  our re-opening. Meanwhile, "like" our Facebook page, northskykungfu, so we can stay in touch, or subscribe to our email list.