About
Tai chi, as a practice, is popularly regarded as a health and wellness exercise and martial arts technique. In our class, we place an emphasis on health and wellness to help our students improve their physical abilities and manage daily stress through moving meditation and exercises.
For the advanced or ambitious students, we also offer opportunities to deepen your understanding of tai chi as a martial art. This varies across weapons, unhanded combat techniques, and soft energy skills.
We welcome all students, regardless of prior experience, age, or physical aptitude. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner, you will find a place in our community.
The National Chinese Wushu Association of America, headed by Bryant Fong, traces its origins as an established association to 1978, while its official 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt nonprofit status was formally issued by the IRS in July 2008. It is one of the oldest recorded Wushu associations in the United States, dedicated to traditional and modern wushu promotion.
Our taiji program was established in 1969 as part of the University of California Martial Arts Program (UCMAP) at the University of California, Berkeley. As such, we have also assumed names such as CalTaiji or UC Berkeley Taiji to represent our affiliation.
Schedule
In person practice is held at the Recreational Sports Facility (RSF) on the UC Berkeley campus. All skill levels are welcome! New members can try out their first week of classes for free.
Upcoming Events
FAQ
Instructors
Bryant Fong
Head Instructor
Sifu Bryant Fong is a 2nd generation Chen Hunyuan Taijiquan master and a 5th generation Bagua master. Sifu Fong has competed nationally and internationally, and served as the coach for the US Wushu Team at the 1st World Wushu Championships. Currently, he is the coach for the San Francisco Wushu Team and head instructor of both CalTaiji and CalWushu at UC Berkeley.
Sifu Fong is proficient in both traditional as well as modern Wushu. He is a graduate of the San Francisco Jing-Wu Academy, under the instruction of the famous Grandmaster Jackman Wong, a master of Taijiquan, Xingyiquan, and Northern Shaolin, well known for his fight with the legendary Bruce Lee. Sifu Fong also studied with his uncle, Master Quentin Fong, whose specialty is the Tibetan White Crane System.
Sifu Fong was one of the few Americans to perform with China's top Wushu Team, the Beijing Wushu Team, under the direction of Jet Li's coach, Wu Bin. Sifu Fong has also authored many articles for Inside Kung-fu, Tai Chi Journal, Tai Chi Kung-fu Magazine, and Reader's Digest. He is a recognized authority on the history, culture, and techniques of Wushu, both modern and traditional.
Mason Tong
Assistant Instructor
In 2010, Mason began formal instruction with Sifu William Dere at UC Berkeley in taijiquan (taiji/tai chi) and is currently on staff as an instructor for the UC Martial Arts Program. Mason developed under his Neigong coach, Frank Lum, deepening his understanding of soft energy work. In April 2019, Mason Tong was accepted as a disciple of Sifu Bryant Fong, becoming a 6th generation legacy holder of Li Ziming Baguazhang.
In 2019, Mason was invited to train in Beijing at the Baguazhang Wushu Culture Museum, Renmin University of China, and the Capital University of Physical Education and Sports Medicine, meeting his teacher's Baguazhang master, Zhao Dayuan, the 4th generation grandmaster of Liang style Baguazhang.
Mason became a Certified Trainer of Medical Taiji under the US Collegiate Taiji Federation (USCTF) in 2022 and has since served as a teacher for the USCTF at the behest of Dr. Daniel Chi-Hsing Weng, in their ongoing training courses for therapists and instructors.
Today, Mason pursues Taiji, Bagua, and Xingyi with a keen interest in health, wellness, and tradition. He has found a focus in sharing these treasures with the larger community through the UC Berkeley Martial Arts Program.