Tai Chi

[elisheva-miriam.livejournal.com]

Hi everyone. I've recently moved to the vicinity of Davis Square from out of state, and I find myself lacking the local connections to discover which martial arts teachers are the good ones. My previous dojo taught Chinese-style kung fu, and as much as I enjoyed it, the practice was sometimes too demanding for my damaged joints. Now that I'm settling in, I'd like to take up tai chi in a more meditative atmosphere.

Who would you recommend, and where do they teach?

(I did read the archive, but the most recent post on this topic was dated Dec. 2003. :) )

Comments

[lauradi7.livejournal.com]

I strongly recommend Davis Square Martial arts
http://www.davissquaremartialarts.com/

I don't know what counts as a meditative atmosphere, though. The studio is in a basement, quite basic, and the summer Saturday classes are outdoors, near the T stop, where there are lots of distractions.

[elisheva-miriam.livejournal.com]

I mean "atmosphere" more in the tone that classes take on. My old dojo had a fairly aggressive atmosphere - they taught tai chi to the first-degree black belts as a combat art (and it can be brutal at full speed) rather than as a form of moving meditation, which is what I'm looking for.

Thanks for the recommendation!

[eredien]

Davis Square Martial Arts will let you sit in on a few classes for free. It's pretty mellow although the more advanced classes do more sword form, etc. Call up Mark at Davis Square Martial Arts and chat w/him a bit.

[dcltdw]

If you're willing to go clear across town, I highly recommend Brookline Tai Chi.

[neuroacorn.livejournal.com]

I second Brookline Tai Chi. It is a bit of a hike but it is T accessible.

[eclectician.livejournal.com]

The Chen Zhao Kui taiji group (http://www.taijigongfu.com) meets in Harvard Square on Wednesdays but may not be as quiet as you're looking for. Very good, detailed instruction, but also probably more focus on practical tai chi than you're thinking. You don't have to spar, but he encourages you to think about sparring. Would suggest giving it a shot for the attention to detail, though. If you just focus on doing things really right, that's pretty meditative.

Wu Dao

[julinho.livejournal.com]

You should definitely shop around the choices listed here before deciding on which school is best suited for you.

That being said, I definitely think you should try Wu Dao Kung Fu and Tai Chi: http://wudaokungfu.com/

They're located on 675 Concord Ave in Cambridge (about a mile from the Alewife Station, less than a 1/2 mile from Whole Foods).

The instructors there are incredibly knowledgeable, and are very responsive and accommodating to your ability level and training goals. They concentrate a lot on form and application, as well as moving your body correctly (rather than looking pretty and destroying your joints).

I'd also argue that their Kung Fu is the best I've come across in the Northeast.

[benndragon.livejournal.com]

I've been thinking about taking classes at the Tree of Life Tai Chi Center (http://www.treeoflifetaichi.com/index.html), just outside of Davis, when the fall quarter rolls around. I can't recommend or disrecommend them yet though, since I haven't done any classes there, but sounds like the sort of thing you're looking for.

[jadelennox]

Tree of Life is wonderful. I've been there for 10 years, and I can't recomnend Peter Wayne enough. The classes adapt to student need
and desire: injury; meditation; martial aspects.

[temvald.livejournal.com]

Another recommendation for Tree of Life. It's actually closer to Union Square than Davis (http://www.treeoflifetaichi.com/locations.html) (well, and in Watertown Square), but depending where you are/how much you're willing to walk/if you're willing to hop on the 87 bus, it's quite convenient.

[bex77]

My sister adores Yao Li
http://www.taichi.com/programs_kungfu.htm

Here's a fluffy article about his business
http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/articles/2009/06/11/kung_fu_master_to_the_stars/