Spring Demos

1) World Tai Chi and Qigong Day

Date: Saturday, April 27th

Time: 10am - 12pm

Location: Yang's Andover - 5 Dundee Park, Andover MA

Free event open to all. Click here to view the flier.

2) Yang's Andover In House Tournament
Date: Sunday, May 19th
Time: ~12:30pm. Tournament starts at 12 noon.
Location: Yang's Andover - 5 Dundee Park, Andover MA

3) International Night
Date: Wednesday, May 22nd
Time: 6 - 8 pm (demo between 6:45-7:30pm)
Location: West Elementary School - 58 Beacon Street, Andover MA


4) Lantern Festival
Date: Saturday June 8th
Time: 7 - 9 pm
Location: West Parish Garden Cemetery - 129 Reservation Road, Andover, MA 01810
More info: Westparishgardencemetery.org
Fair weather event

Based on an ancient Asian tradition, this spiritual lantern floating festival is a way to honor living friends and family and honor those who have departed. Each of the inscribed lanterns sends a message of eternal life, peace, hope and faith into the world. Decorate your lantern shade and then at dusk, participants light the candle inside their lantern and in unison, float it onto the pond behind our cemetery chapel. Dr. Robert Atwood will play peaceful bagpipe music during the launching ceremony.  This is a collective spiritual experience where people extend warmth, compassion and understanding.

Guests will be invited to bring a picnic supper and enjoy the entertainment provided. Included will be Chinese Singers from the Andover Chorus, a Children’s production from the Chinese School of Andover, a trio of Chinese Drummers from Odaiko of New England and a martial arts presentation by students from Yangs Martial Arts in Andover. A Lion Dance will be performed prior to lighting the lanterns.

This unique lighting event will prove to be the beginning of a new annual tradition at the West Parish Garden Cemetery. A donation of $10 is requested. Proceeds will be used to support the replacement of the Chapel roof.   Please bring a chair, blanket and flashlight in addition to your picnic supper!

5) Charity Fundraiser Demo
Date: Saturday, June 15th
Time: 1pm
Location: YMAA Boston - 6 Cummins Hwy, Boston, MA 02131

CNY highlight video

Chinese New Year highlight video is up!

Featured Student: Cato

Cato is one of our junior kung fu students and a member of the Demo Team. In addition to kung fu, he is also into wrestling, guitar, football, and baseball. He's one of the most hard working, dedicated, and humble students in the school, and great to work with as a student and fellow classmate.

Green Belt Essay - Tell how Kung Fu has taught you to be safer in your everyday life

By Cato

I have never had to use Kung Fu to keep me safe and I hope I never have to. If I were to be attacked, Kung Fu would help me because I would know how to use and apply the moves. Practicing has made some of the moves automatic which would help if I ever got attacked.

Bully Awareness Week and Street Awareness Week have helped me to learn how to deal with physical bullies and verbal bullies. It is very useful to know how to deal with them. Kung Fu has taught me to be safe from anyone that would try to hurt me.

Kung Fu has made me more confident. Knowing Kung Fu has made me less vulnerable. I know that people won't want to bully or attack me if I have confidence. Kung Fu has taught me to be safer in many ways.

Chinese New Year Demos

February was a busy month with 4 Chinese New Year Demos in 4 weeks!

The first demo was held on Sunday, February 3^rd at the Boston Children’s Museum.

Some of our students have performed at the BCM for 6 years in a row.

Tara & Piper performing lion dance

One week later (undeterred by Blizzard Nemo), the Demo Team performed in North Andover at

China Blossom for the Andover Chinese Cultural Exchange (ACCE) celebration.

It was a short demo and the students were able to perform some new material for the first time.

The program consisted of: group kicks, Lian Bu Quan, Gong Li Quan, Qi Mei Dui Gun,

Chai Shou (bare hand vs. bare hand), Short Defense, and Short Rods.

Afterwards, the students enjoyed a nice meal at the buffet.

Tara & Piper performing lion dance
(Chi-Sun Chan Photography)

Piper's scissor kick
(Chi-Sun Chan Photography)

Ethan and Alex performing Short Defense
(Chi-Sun Chan Photography)

On Saturday, February 16^th, Taiji and Shaolin adult students performed at the

Andover/North Andover YMCA. Each group had 30 minutes to perform and teach a workshop.

Preparation

Taijiquan Demo

Young audience members participating in the Taijiquan workshop

 On Sunday, February 24^th, we performed at Brooks School in North Andover for their Culture Dinner.

A highlight video will be posted in a few weeks. Stay tuned!

Belt Essay - Lauren J.

Red Belt Essay - Explain what self defense means to you

By Lauren J.

Upcoming Demos

On January 5^th, Yang’s Andover hosted a YMAA 30^th Anniversary Celebration with the Amesbury and Boston schools. The studio was packed and the audience was treated to 3 hours worth of demos and workshops. Workshops included: Intro to Taiji and Qigong Workshop (led by Meg), Qin Na (led by Scott), and White Crane (led by Ben).

A raffle was held to benefit the YMAA Retreat Center. Prizes included: water bottles, YMAA banner, t-shirts, a Yang’s Andover hoodie, Shaolin Long Fist book, and Yang Tai Chi for Beginners DVD and Kung Fu Body Conditioning DVD (courtesy of YMAA Publishing). We raised $100!

Thanks to all who participated and came to watch!

Preparing backstage

Taiji demonstration

 Andover students will be very busy with demo performances in upcoming Chinese New Year events:

#1
Boston Children’s Museum

Date: Sunday, February 3^rd

Time: Two shows at 1pm and 2pm

Performers: Demo Team

Location: 308 Congress Street, Boston MA

Museum Entrance Fee: $14
Parking Info: http://www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/plan/parking.html

#2

Andover/North Andover YMCA

Date: Saturday, February 9^th

Time: 3-6pm

Performers: Adult Kung Fu & Taiji students

Location: 165 Haverhill Street, Andover MA

Cost: YMCA Members ($2 per person or $5 per family of 3 or more), Non-Members ($4 per person or $10 per family of 3 or more)
View flier here

#3

Andover Chinese Cultural Exchange (ACCE) / China Blossom

Date: Sunday, February 10^th

Time: Two shows at 4pm and 6pm

Performers: Demo Team

Location: China Blossom – Route 125, 946 Osgood Street, North Andover MA

Banquet Costs & Info here: http://www.chinablossom.com/chinese-new-year-celebration/

Make reservations here: http://yearofthesnake.eventbrite.com/#

Belt Essay - Daniel I.

Green Belt Essay - Tell us how Kung Fu has taught you to be safer in your everyday life

By Daniel I.

Kung Fu has taught me to be safer in everyday life in the following ways. First, it taught me how to back up from bullies at school correctly. It also taught me how to defend myself without hurting the other person. Doing jumping competitions in Little Dragons (class), I now can jump higher than how high I would've without them. That helps me jump over bullies' kicks. That is how Kung Fu has taught me to be safer in everyday life.