"The legitmacy of one's Kung-Fu will is evidence itself in the presence of the Kwoon in the community. I suspect as deficient or even perhaps fraudulent anyone whose mastery of Kung-Fu has not naturally grown into ongoing acts of beneficence."
-Sifu Steve Cottrell

The traditional Kwoon does not exist only for its members. Following Confucian ideals, the Kwoon sees itself as existing as a part of the community and not separate from it. As a result, the school participates in many activities for which it receives little in remuneration but much in personal growth.

It was in such a spirit that Sifu Steve Cottrell began a class in T'ai Chi Ch'uan for senior citizens. He has trained consistently in the short Yang form and the Ba Dun Fa for decades. The fact that he has a health studies background and participated as a research assistant into the affects of silicone on neurological and immunological systems was enough to encourage some medical personnel in the area to recommend persons for his class. The class was not ever large but was lively and consistently attended. The health benefits and stories of regained mobility, strength and balance as well as challenging activity for all involved could be echoed by T'ai Chi classes everywhere.

Later, as a result of this work becoming known, The Wellness Center of Fort Worth, a medical facility whose doctors encourage health maintenance as a lifestyle contacted Sifu Cottrell. They offered an opportunity for classes working with both clients of the organization and patients undergoing treatment for various ailments. Soon both he and senior students in his school were holding classes there.

Then Harris HMO Arlington, TX. Requested classes for its employees, (upon the recommendation of the Wellness Center) whereupon Sifu Cottrell and his students started another class.

Still later GAINSCO of Fort Worth requested a class, (upon the recommendation of the Wellness Center)...

Since then no less than seven separate classes in T'ai Chi are being taught in the Metroplex by students at Authentic Kung-Fu. Many of these are "profitable" in the monetary sense and provide for the time of the instructors. The interesting facet is how all this comes about by simply honoring the responsibilities incumbent upon an Authentic Kung-Fu School. The style of T'ai Chi taught is the Chen-Man Cheng Yang short form. T'ai Chi at Authentic Kung-Fu covers the range of this art.

Noi Kung Chi Kung
Wai Kung Chi Kung
Wai Chi Liao Fa
The Short Yang form
The Long Yang form
The Two Person Set
The Straight Sword (Gim)
Fixed Step Push Hands
Free Step Push Hands
San Sho (self defense)
Chan Su Ging (Combat Power)

At Authentic Kung-Fu T'ai Chi takes its place alongside the other combat arts such as Praying Mantis and Wing Chun. In fact, they regularly compete against each other, serving to mutually sharpen their respective Kung-Fu skills.

Though the training at Authentic Kung Fu moves inexorably towards the martial expression of the art and seeks to preserve the entirety of the art the health benefits of T'ai Chi Ch'uan cannot be underestimated. For example:

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T'ai Chi
. . .is recommended for the reduction of stress even if you do exercise regularly.
-Hypocrites Magazine

. . .done for 20 minutes produces 80% of the benefits created by aerobic activity.
-R.M. Family Magazine

. . .is one of the best forms of exercise for people suffering from Arthritis.
-Arthritis Foundation

. . .is a superior method of developing or regaining balance and strength.
-American Geriatrics Society

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Chi Kung

Sifu Steve Cottrell is a member of the National Chi Kung Association. He has been a practitioner of Chi Kung in both its martial aspects and for health for over thirty years. He teaches both Noi Kung and Wai Kung Chi Kung methods. All classes, Tang Lang, Wing Chun or T'ai Chi Ch'uan begin with the appropriate Chi Kung exercises in every class.

In recent years, Sifu Steve Cottrell has increasingly been teaching martial artists and health services personnel the Wai Chi Liao Fa. Though skepticism was great at first, the sheer numbers of those claiming to have been helped by this healing method through Chi has caused many in the health profession to look again.

Sifu Steve Cottrell was, in fact, a featured speaker at a medical retreat on the topic.

Combining Western scientific fact, Eastern Philosophical wisdom and a passion for what is possible, Sifu Cottrell and his students are spreading the beauty and benefit of these distinctly Chinese arts. There are notebooks outlining this popular and Western-friendly approach to teaching under development now which will be available through Authentic Kung-Fu's Martial Arts Association.