Overview

Volunteer senior instructors teach our curriculum, drawing on years of specialized experience in the Cheng Man-ching tradition.

To ensure a high standard of training, all instructors follow a unified, established curriculum focused on the 37-posture form and its core principles. Our teaching emphasizes:

  • Accuracy: Precise adherence to traditional movements.

  • Consistency: Uniform instruction across all classes.

  • Clarity: Clear communication of complex internal concepts.

    "Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned practitioner, you belong here."

Shifu Francisco E. Alvarez, Senior Instructor


Training: Began November 18, 1995, in the 37-posture short form
Location: Tai Chi Center of Fresno
Teacher: William “Bill” Dryden

Background
Francisco explored many martial arts before finding his martial arts home in Tai Chi Chuan. He is dedicated to the complete art of Tai Chi Chuan, Form, Philosophy, and Function, and is well-versed in the history of his lineage of Tai Chi Chuan. He is passionate about teaching and preserving the Tai Chi Center of Fresno’s 50-plus-year legacy by training the next generation of teachers.

Workshops with

  • Grand Master Benjamin Pang Jeng Lo (Luó Bāngzhēn 羅邦楨), direct student of Professor Cheng Man-ching

  • Grand Master William C.C. Chen (Chen Chi-Cheng 陈志诚), direct student of Professor Cheng Man-ching

  • Saul Krotki, direct student of Professor Cheng Man-ching

  • Dr. Charles Ettner, PhD, lineage holder and direct student of Dr. Wang

  • Dr. Hong Yang, PhD in Chinese Traditional Medicine, Tai Chi Master Trainer, and International Champion in Tai Chi Chuan form, sword, and push hands

    Teaching

  • Tai Chi Chuan Beginners Class | Tai Chi Chuan Refinement Class

  • Tai Chi Chuan Jian (straight sword) | Tui Shou (push-hands)

Direct Lineage Certification

A man with a long white beard and glasses, dressed in black, standing in front of a bright blue patterned background, holding a traditional Korean sword with a decorative handle and red tassel.

Shifu Jim Furnas, Instructor

Training:
1985: 24 posture Yang Tai Chi and Wu Shu fundamentals from Julin Chen.

2018: Yang style 37 posture form developed by Cheng Man-ching under the instruction of Chris Marie Brown.

2024: Further training of CMC 37 form, T’ui Shou, and Jian Sword under Shifu Francisco E. Alvarez.

Teachers:

  • Julin Chen

  • Chris Marie Brown

  • Francisco E. Alvarez

Background:
Early training focused on the 24 Posture Yang-style Tai Chi Chuan and Wu Shu fundamentals. As of 2018, training has focused on the Cheng Man-ching 37-posture form, Tui Shou, and Jian.

  • January 2025: started student teaching

  • December of 2025: became a lineage-certified instructor

Teaching:

  • Tai Chi Chuan Beginners Class

  • Tai Chi Chuan Refinement Class

Direct Lineage Certification

A smiling middle-aged woman with short gray hair standing in front of a blue cityscape backdrop.

Shifu Chris Marie Brown, Senior Instructor


Training:

Teacher: Charles Ettner

Background:
Training has focused on the Cheng Man-ching 37-posture form and its underlying principles. Instruction emphasizes accuracy, consistency, and clarity.

Teaching:

  • Tai Chi Chuan Refinement Class

Direct Lineage Certification
Founding member of the Tai Chi Center of Fresno

A middle-aged man with curly gray hair, glasses, and a goatee smiling outdoors, surrounded by green plants.
Image contains a text biography of Richard Parker detailing his training and workshops in Tai Chi from 1984 to 1992, including his instructors, camps, workshops, and founding of the Tai Chi Center of Fresno.
A smiling man with glasses, a goatee, and a shaved head outdoors with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.

Laoshi Jeff Tannen


Training:
2025: Yang style 37 posture form developed by Cheng Man-ching

Location: Tai Chi Center of Fresno

Teachers:

  • Jim Furnes

  • Francisco E. Alvarez

  • Richard Blak

  • Chris Marie Brown

Background:
Jeff Tannen has trained in various martial arts, but he was drawn to the 37-posture Cheng Man-ching style of Tai Chi Chuan and its underlying principles as a "soft and internal" martial art. He also studies Mandarin, Qigong, and Traditional Chinese Medicine to deepen his understanding of Tai Chi Chuan. 

Direct Lineage