Donald Alf

Donald Alf started his study of the internal martial arts in 2001 with an interest in alleviating lower back pain and improving overall fitness, both of which are being realized. After a year of study of the Yang 24 form, he was asked to instruct classes.

In addition to teaching Yang, Donald has continued to broaden his knowledge and skills in the internal martial arts by taking classes and workshops offered in the area. He now knows several open hand Yang forms, several sword forms, as well as open hand Wu, Chen, Wudang, and LiuHeBaFa forms. Currently, Donald’s principal instructors are Master Liu Xiao Ling of Wudang Martial Arts, Paul Ramos of Wu Shen Tao, Paul Rischard of Peaceable Dragon, and Pat Rice of the Yang Chang-fu Center Winchester.

Qigong has also been an area of interest for Donald since 2005, and he has had the good fortune to study with Master Li Jun Feng, Francesco Garripoli, Nianzu and Peggy Li, and Roger Jahnke. As a routine practice, Donald includes qigong exercises in his classes as he finds they are relaxing and help promote total body involvement in movement.

Donald principally instructs tai chi for the INOVA Health System and has also led tai chi programs for various health clubs in the DC metropolitan area. While teaching was not an initial objective, Donald has found it very rewarding and feels that he learns as much from his students as, hopefully, they learn from him.

Donald Alf's Classes:

Donald's Post Archive