Kirk Talbott has been studying t’ai chi since 1982 when he was fortunate to study intensely under Robert W. Smith. Mr. Smith, the first Western student of the renowned master, Cheng Man-ching, passed away this past summer and was widely considered the dean of the internal martial arts in the West. Mr. Smith taught thousands of students in Bethesda, Maryland, as well as wrote several instructional books, many still considered classics today. Kirk, who has also studied yoga and modern dance, as a former student of Carla Perlo’s, practices the short Yang style t’ai chi form as well as “push hands’. He emphasizes t’ai chi for enhancing relaxation, balance, coordination, health and meditation as well as the martial arts applications. Above all else, Kirk hopes that in sharing this wonderful art with young and old, he can give back to the community and join others in finding a path towards a gentle, joyful and considerate way of life.