About Your Instructor
I am so excited to bring the amazing power of Tai Chi (Taiji) / Qigong to my clients. I have been practicing Taiji for more than 17 years and have a R.A.M.A., instructor certification. One of my greatest joys is having my students realize that this ancient system is a living, breathing force with the ability to transform lives, bringing us more confidence, stability and inner well-being.
Outside of my private practice I’ve been teaching Tai Chi / Qigong at The Camden Center, a dual diagnostic facility for over 8 years and The Newport Academy, an I.O.P for teens, both in West LA. It has been my privilege to see individuals wrestling with severe emotional and psychological pain successfully using Taiji as a wonderful tool to help reduce anxiety, stress and mental confusion.
What does Tai Chi look like?
What does Qigong look like?
What are the 3 keys of Taiji / Qigong?
How did I get into Taiji?
When I was in my early twenties I was an avid weight lifter, and severly hyper-extended my lower back doing squats. What followed was several years of extreme pain and frustration. At a certain point I was encouraged to seek alternative healing as traditional approaches were simply not working. I reluctantly joined a local Tai Chi group but within 6 months the pain had almost completely gone. Being ever the skeptic, I decided that it was 'too good to be true' and stopped the practice. Within a few months however the pain had returned and so from then on I was hooked and never turned back. I'm definitely not saying this will be the case for everyone but for me, Taiji literally saved my physical health.
What is the typical process for working with a new client?
I usually have an initial phone consultation to find out specifically what the client wants to work on. Then we determine where the client would like to meet for practice; at my house, their house or at a local park. Then we set up a date and time and take it from there.
What education and / or training do I have that relates to Taiji?
As well as Tai Chi Chuan, I have been practicing martial arts for the past 15 years. I began my training in Tang Soo Do (Korean 'hard-style' Karate) under G.M. Ho Sik Pak in Los Angeles where I earned a black belt. I then began training under G.M. David Reed and earned a fourth, degree black belt and 'kyosa' instructor certification. I presently practice and teach at G.M. Reed's studio in Reseda, CA. Besides Tang Soo Do I have studied Wing Chung, Jeet Kun Do and Wei Kun Do. I am also proficient and teach classes in personal self defense. I use a blending of styles and techniques to provide the most effective methods of defense, evasion and escape.
What advice could I give someone looking to hire a Tai Chi / Qigong instructor?
There are a million opinions on what makes a great Taiji instructor. Here are a few of my own thoughts:
- Fundamentally it's important to find someone who has a deep sense of compassion and empathy toward his / her client. - Life is often serious but Taiji doesn't have to be! Please seek out someone who is professional but also exudes a healthy degree of light-heartedness and fun. Tai Chi should be both mentally and physically stimulating but definitely not bootcamp!
- Taiji without the breath and visualization is just cardio! Find an instructor who understands the great importance of blending Tai Chi / Qigong movement with deep, belly breath and visualization. These are the essence of the art and anything else is simply exercise. Click here to learn more about the 3 essential keys to a successful Taiji / Qigong practice.
- On the technical side here's another answer: It is important to find a Taiji instructor who is proficient in both the spiritual/health and martial aspects of the art. Tai Chi was originally created as a fighting style and must be understood (at least on some level) with that in mind. The movements, no matter how beautiful, do have practical, martial, applications and I believe it’s important that the practitioner is given that understanding.
