Patrick King and Allison Newby Raise Our Ranks!

Patrick King and Allison Newby have recently elevated all their sister and brother classmates by achieving the rank of Senior Student and earning their red sashes!

Patrick King performed the entire Wudanghan 108 taiji form on May 3rd, 2025.  Patrick’s focus has been fastidious from the first day he started classes and the hard work showed up in the accuracy of his form - what a delight to see all the hard work his classmates poured into him during class time on such bright display!

He was cheered on by his partner, Kiesha LaPorte. 

Allison Newby followed closely on Patrick’s heels, completing her red sash test on May 19th, 2025.  Allison’s attention to detail and consistent focus on counts and function in her form meant that her performance was completed at a high level.  Advanced and beginning students have benefited in working with her, both by teaching her and learning from her.  Inquisitive minds elevate us all!!  

My heart is always so full when one of our number make it to this important milestone.  And it was (and is) doubly so with these two sashes.  As we all know, once learning a form’s choreography is finally completed, it is just the beginning of the journey.  

Many of us come to taiji to learn form - a set of pretty motions that are renowned for their ability to teach us balance, meditation and calmness.  That journey often is fraught with teeter totters, aggravation, frustration, confusion, distractions - sometimes muscle pain - and so many other things that don’t spring to mind when we think of calming mindsets.  But working through those spots with persistence and perseverance is part of learning the balance and calmness - after all - what good is calmness in the middle of a peaceful spring day!  We benefit from learning to stay balanced and calm in the middle of the nastiest storms on the deepest oceans. 

Patrick and Allison have made the first step towards learning the art of taijiquan - there is so much more to learn and be inspired by!  This step allows them to open the toolbox!! So many treasures in there!

Congratulations to Allison and Patrick.  We ALL are elevated and encouraged by your growth.  And we all are excited to see your art form develop!