The exciting accomplishments were surprises. After several months of classes, I found that I could lift previously dauntingly heavy objects, such as my tack box, without much exertion. And then it was the 44-pound bags of dog food...again, I used to never touch them, being barely able to move them around. Now I can actually pick them up and carry them where they need to be.
And muscles! In my upper arms...suddenly I had them without knowing it. Even my pharmacist commented when giving me my flu shot in November. All very promising and just what I wanted from class.
The practice of Taiji (Tai Chi) has improved my strength, balance, flexibility, and overall health and peace of mind. Specifically, I have problems with one of my knees, dating from old injuries. The Taiji (Tai Chi) moves have helped strengthen that knee and to make it more stable and balanced. I also occasionally experience pain in the hip area, and a Taiji (Tai Chi) class always makes it feel better while allowing me to stay active. I have exercised all of my life, but Taiji (Tai Chi) is one of the most beneficial forms of physical activity that I have ever done. Mickey and Melody are gifted teachers who exhibit both patience and enthusiasm during every class and activity. They are also wonderful performers of Taiji (Tai Chi) , with Mickey recognized as a national champion. They create a supportive yet challenging atmosphere so that every student performs at his or her best level. I am grateful to have found such great teachers and a form of exercise with unparalleled benefits to both body and mind.
I improved my balance, I strengthened my knees. Shifting from one leg to the other in slow motion is the real challenge. Coaches Melody and Mickey will make sure that the movements are performed as they should be. It is a peaceful moment of focus, concentration and energy.
Taiji (Tai Chi) classes are moments for me to simply STOP. Stop to think about my small versus medium versus large movements; or the placement of my foot and let’s not forget to tuck in... This for one hour not only removes me temporarily from the chaos of work-home balance, it gives me much needed energy, a dose of rejuvenation every time I go, no matter how rushed I feel getting there (or late). Once I am there, I am in the moment of Taiji (Tai Chi) and I feel the dedication of coaches Mickey & Melody towards my individual needs. Thanks!
Through their own advanced skills Melody and Mickey make great models for the class. But more importantly, they coach each student in great detail but at the student's own pace. They are firm but gentle, work us hard but with a sense of humor.
Sun Moon is the best Taiji class in town! You get two teachers for the price of one. With two teachers, you get individual attention in every class. The teachers often split up so that students can practice at their own level and their own pace.
Sun Moon is not restricted to just one style of Taiji. They teach both Yang style and Chen style, and also give instruction in the Taiji sword form and other weapons.
Coach Mickey Lee is the 2011 NASKA World Grand Champion in martial arts, the first winner to compete using Taiji. But don't be intimidated -- he is a gentle and supportive teacher, and so is his mother, Melody.
With small classes, you get to know both the teachers and the other students well. Come for fellowship in addition to exercise!
A few years ago I suffered a medical problem that, after a great deal of therapy, exercise, and effort, left me with elevated blood pressure, overweight, proprioception/movement disorders, and severe acute pain. Simple tasks I could not perform included balancing on one leg, touching my nose with my eyes closed, and standing from a seated position without looking at my legs. My weight/fluid retention problem was so stubborn I simply named my protruding abdomen a “huggy bear”. Because of my sense of being fatigued I normally drank 4 cups of coffee (the whole pot) to get the energy to get into the shower in the morning. I feared becoming hopelessly addicted to the pain medications that made each day a tolerable fog.
Although I appreciate the great value of the medical care I received and am receiving, I still hoped to make a fuller recovery than I had achieved. Because of the progress I had made in physical therapy, I knew I would not be able to make further progress without personal instruction and coaching. I had taken a Tai Chi class decades earlier as a graduate student, and decided to attend the Taiji (Tai Chi) course offered through Grand Master Rhee’s martial arts school. I selected this course simply because of my high opinion of Master Rhee and his family. My simple personal commitment was to follow the instruction I received and practice whatever I was taught morning and evening.
