From Ancient Wisdom to Downtown Pittsburgh: Free Tai Chi Session with Master Bao
Written by Sherry Hao
Downtown Neighbors Alliance is collaborating with Win-Win Kung Fu Culture Center on the upcoming free Tai Chi event on Saturday, March 21, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at UFC Gym, located at 236 Fifth Avenue.
Confidence, discipline, and strength are the core values of Win-Win. Founded in October 2009, Win-Win has been an active participant in local events and performances, showcasing the beauty of authentic Chinese martial arts and the top-notch training the center has to offer. Over 2000 local practitioners, ranging from 4-year-olds to seniors in their 80s, have been trained at Win-Win under a team of professional and award-winning instructors (masters).
The director and founder of Win-Win, Hesheng Bao, PhD, is a man of strength and of the brain. Aside from his day job as an engineering and IT professional, Master Bao runs the day-to-day operation of Win-Win in the evenings and weekends, as well as instructing some of the lessons himself. He is also a USAWKF-certified coach and judge and an ICMAC-recognized senior Kung Fu master.
Master Bao has over 20 years of training in Tai Chi, starting his martial arts training early in his childhood, when he practiced in the local park with masters in the community, before receiving training in professional martial arts institutions. “Tai Chi is not about brute force or sheer strength,” Master Bao said in the recent interview with the team, “The key is about smooth, precise movement, and deflecting your opponent’s attack instead of confronting the force. Tai Chi can also build a good foundation of skills for those who practice it. Our students learn other sports or even dancing with ease when they have a good fundamental skills set.”
When talked about the benefits of practicing Tai Chi consistently, Master Bao shared that some of the dedicated students had seen big progress in their weight loss journey. “And the best part is, Tai Chi really is for anyone. We have students who had severe health conditions in the past also participating regularly. Tai Chi has a low entrance barrier because of how slow it is. Yet despite its slowness, it effectively trains the body and the mind, as well as coordination.”
Before Win-win was established, Master Bao taught martial arts in Pittsburgh Chinese School. After the initial popularity and growing demand, Master Bao decided to establish a space dedicated to offering a variety of martial arts lessons, a place where Kung Fu lovers continuously returned to. “I have a young student who has taken classes here since she’s four. She moved away for eight years, and the first thing she did when she moved back to Pittsburgh was to contact me and ask to be back for more lessons.”
Image Courtesy of Win-Win Kungfu
Image Courtesy of Win-Win Kungfu
Image Courtesy of Win-Win Kungfu
Image Courtesy of Win-Win Kungfu
Master Bao values authenticity in martial arts and takes pride in the community he has built. “Speaking of Kung Fun, many people still perceive it as the flashy movements in movies, like those done by Bruce Lee. But that’s not what Win-win is about. We focus on the fundamentals and teach the real thing, the kind that professional martial art students and practitioners do back in China.”
Come join us on March 21, Saturday, and learn Tai Chi from one of, if not the best, martial arts masters in Pittsburgh!
The Tai Chi Event is part of DNA’s Living Well Initiative, a wellness movement that promotes healthy and happy lifestyles for the Downtown community. An important aspect of the initiative is its goal to provide affordable fitness programs and encourage learning and social connection through its events.
