Biography: Daniel Guidara
Instructor: Tai Chi Chuan, Taijiquan
Daniel Guidara is a Chicago-based Tai Chi master who teaches at the Hamlin Park Fieldhouse and other locations around Chicago. His website has the most recent class updates: fireonthelake.org. He is also a photographer whose work and rates can be seen at: danielguidara.com
Mission Statement
My intention is to develop a modern expression of traditional Internal martial arts (Taijiquan, Baqua Zhang, Hsingyiquan) that is both practical and versatile in its application while consistent with what I believe to be one of the original intents of these arts, the cultivation and discovery of prime skills simpatico with Taoist ideas.
All martial arts begin as a means to resolve external conflict and as the practitioner progresses they become more a means to resolve internal conflict. The classics say “The martial will teach the civil and the civil will teach the martial”. A child, lacking vision or experience is immediate in its needs both in time and space. With time we see ourselves as part of a larger community, human and natural. We are all greater than are perception of each other. If you want the new childhood you have to be willing to give up the old childhood.
Taijiquan is not slow, Taijiquan is not fast, Taijiquan is not soft, Taijiquan is not hard. It is all these and more. Taijiquan is “Grand Harmony Boxing” or “Boundless Fist” Embrace the splendor.
An Interview with Daniel Guidara
April 22, 2010 - Chicago Teachable Moments - Examiner.com - by Dan Godston
CTM: How would you describe what Tai Chi is?
Guidara: Tai Chi is a living art. It is not just slow, fast, hard, or soft; it is all of those things and more. Tai Chi Chuan means "boundless fist" or "Grand Harmony Boxing.” In my opinion, contemporary Tai Chi has become too focused on learning a lot of forms and not enough on content. The movements are prime structural paradigms which can be used in a variety of ways. With Tai Chi we try to use our total strength and intelligence in the most fluid and "real time" manner, which is as applicable to the special situation of defending against an attacker as it is to the broad spectrum of life in general. The martial will teach the civil, and the civil will teach the martial.
CTM: How would you describe your Tai Chi teaching style?
DG: We are all going up the mountain, and the people further up should help the people below. In Tai Chi Chuan, perseverance is more important than talent. If the student doesn't give up, then neither will I.
CTM: What is a particular movement that you have focused on, during a recent class?
DG: The Brush Knee Twist Step is one of the three "signature movements" I focus on. It is almost a little martial art all by itself.
CTM: What are you anticipating will happen this Saturday, on World Tai Chi and Qigong Day?
DG: I will be at Cloud Gate (the Bean) at Millennium Park at 10:00 a.m. All are welcome to join, and that Tai Chi class is free. We will begin with simple movements, and then we will work on more advanced movements if the participants are comfortable with that. I believe a new surge of interest and appreciation for this exercise is happening, and World Tai Chi and Qigong Day will help. Many cities all over the world are participating. The idea is that everyone does Tai Chi at 10:00 a.m. in their time zone, creating a wave of peaceful energy that travels around the world.
For more info, email fireonthelake@hotmail.com.