Teachers
Overview
Our curriculum is taught by volunteer senior instructors with 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.
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
Founding member of the Tai Chi Center of Fresno
Shifu Francisco E. Alvarez, Senior Instructor
Training: Started November 18, 1995, Training in the 37-posture short form
Location: Tai Chi Center of Fresno
Teacher: William “Bill” Dryden
Background:
Francisco dabbled in many martial arts throughout his life, including Japanese Karate, Filipino Arnis (also known as eskrima/escrima or kali), and Chinese Kung Fu. It wasn’t until he found Tai Chi Chuan that he knew he had found his martial arts home. He has dedicated his training not only to the form itself but also to the complete art of Tai Chi Chuan, focusing on Form, Philosophy, and Function. Well-versed in the storied history of his lineage and that of Tai Chi Chuan. Today, he is passionate about teaching this great art and keeping the Tai Chi Center of Fresno's 50-plus-year legacy alive and well for generations to come by training the next generation of teachers. For over 30 years, his Training has focused on the Cheng Man-ching 37-posture form, Tuishou, Jian, and its underlying principles.
Workshops with:
Grand Master Benjamin Pang Jeng Lo (Luó Bāngzhēn (羅邦楨)), a direct student of Professor Cheng Man-ching
Grand Master William C.C. Chen (Chen Chi-Cheng (陈志诚)), a direct student of Professor Cheng Man-ching
Dr. Charles Ettner, PhD, Lineage holder, a direct student of Dr. Wang
Dr. Hong Yang, PhD in Chinese Traditional Medicine, Tai Chi Master Trainer, International Tai Chi Chuan Champion in Tai Chi Chuan form, Sword, and Push Hand.
Teaching:
Tai Chi Chuan Beginners Class
Tai Chi Chuan Refinement Class
Tai Chi Chuan Jian (straight sword)
Tui Shou (push-hands)
Direct Lineage
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 of 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
Shifu Richard Blak
Training:
Teacher: Chris Marie Brown
Location: Tai Chi Center of Fresno
Background:
Training has focused on the Cheng Man-ching 37-posture form and its underlying principles. Instruction emphasizes accuracy, consistency, and clarity.
Direct Lineage
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