"My name is Chris and my first experience with Tai chi was in Michael Dotson’s class at MCTC. I needed a physical education credit for the degree I’ve been working towards and I had read about the health benefits of Tai Chi. As the semester came to a close, I asked Michael where would be a good place to continue as I was enjoying his class. He brought up Chinatown Tai Chi Center. I looked up the school and discovered it was ways from home. I chose to look into other schools that were closer to home.

"After my research, I decided that the drive to Chinatown Tai Chi was worth it. The lineage of our past masters makes this school feel more 'legit' than other schools. When I finally get properly rooted into a form, it is obvious that this art has been around a while. I also like that there are multiple instructors--the more ways I’m told to keep my elbows down the more likely it is to sink in. One aspect of Chinatown I didn’t realize until I had been here a while is that Sifu Calph’s happy spirit brings joy to every class. Thank you, Sifu.

"Getting Erika and Sarah to join me in this exercise took some cunning. My daughter, Sarah, likes the exercise and body strengthening she gains from Tai Chi. She also enjoys the company of adults who treat her as part of the group, and not like a kid. However, I’m pretty sure that showing her some of the 'intention-follows-your-eyes’ exercises was what really captured her attention.

"Erika, my wife, was pretty skeptical at first. I showed her the brocades, which she liked, but the whole idea of standing on one foot had her worried. I finally convinced her to attend a class to just watch; our wonderful teachers got her to join in - and yes, she can balance on one foot. Erika’s glad that I encouraged her to join me and is feeling the health benefits. She also enjoys the community and laughter in learning.

"One of my favorite parts of Tai Chi is after the forms become internalized; there is a very calming aspect to practicing this art."