Tiger Crane Kung Fu provides excellent Tai Chi instruction. Through a series of classes, their…read moreexpert-level instructors have taught me the correct way to do a Tai Chi "form," or dance-like sequence of coordinated upper and lower body moves. They point out and demonstrate martial applications, discuss related philosophy and welcome questions. In addition to the form, we have learned "Tai Chi walking," two-person "push-hands" practices, standing meditation, various "qi gong" movements, diaphragmatic & related breathing techniques, and unique and interesting warm-up exercises. Tiger Crane's studio is well-lit, spacious and inviting in a sparkling new location. Overall, Tiger Crane is a great place to learn Tai Chi. I highly recommend this establishment as well as Tai Chi, in general, for people of all ages and body types to enhance physical fitness and mental ability. As Tiger Crane's full name indicates, they also teach Kung Fu (and they do a good job here, too, as their Kung Fu students win regional tournaments.)

From the owner: Kung Fu -- Self-defense and effective practical applications are the emphasis of Hung Gar, a style…read moreof Kung Fu that originated at the Shaolin Temple in Southern China. The Hung Gar practitioner combines internal and external power, while strengthening the body, bones, tendons, and ligaments. Tai Chi -- Tai Chi is a moving meditation that aids in relaxation and improved health. In addition, the movements have the extra benefit of self-defense applications. The Mayo Clinic states, "Tai chi helps reduce stress and anxiety. And it also helps increase flexibility and balance." Lion Dance -- Lion dance involves the coordinated effort between the performers and musicians. Lion dances are performed during Chinese New Year and special occasions such as festivals, weddings, and business openings, bringing good luck wherever they go. We also offer classes in Weapons and Qi Gong

Fred has been my teacher for over a decade. You will not find a more knowledgeable or experienced…read moreteacher in the area. He is also a kind teacher who truly cares for his students. Tai chi is something that takes quite some time to master- Heart Mind Tai Chi can guide you on this long journey.

A dangerous cult, housing discrimination, exploitative practices, troubling child neglect,…read morefraudulent charities, unsafe housing. I lived there for several years and below are my observations and experiences. - I've seen over a dozen suitable tenants ask to live on property and be given the run-around over the past 3 years and did not even get to the application process. This amounts to housing discrimination. Some people are required to do a "Panj," which is an extensive, hours-long interview process; it entails 5 of the most senior in-crowd asking invasive and inappropriate questions about one's sex life and medical status, among other things. Yes, they discriminate against both medical and lifestyle in housing applicants. More popular people, or those in the "in crowd" (wealthy) are not required to undergo this scrutiny. - Housing conditions didn't meet state minimum standards and they would not make repairs unless I threatened to sue. Leaks, mold, violations of ADA, Massachusetts health, and fire safety codes. Violations too numerous to list. - They don't have an innkeeper's license, which is required by state law to accept guests in shared housing. They can't get that license without meeting fire safety codes, which include automatic sprinklers and installing fire doors. They refused to get the license/meet the codes and are not legal to accept guests- They insisted on accepting paying guests anyway. Also they didn't conform to health codes about sanitizing shared bathrooms and while I was in guest housing, and I landed in the hospital for a CONTAGIOUS SKIN INFECTION. - Rampant child neglect. One unattended 7 year old routinely (more than 10x) harassed me outside of my apartment door while I was working from home. The parent is in a position of power there and refused to address it. After complaining, I was effectively bullied and blackballed. I do not recommend bring children here for activities. I witnessed unsupervised resident children bully and abuse other/guest children. Who insists on a 7 year old going around unsupervised? Grossly negligent and unsafe. - While I was working for one of their charities, I observed fraud, misappropriation, missing donations, and soliciting donations under false pretenses (making it sound like donations were going to one charity and funneling them to another). When I brought it up, they would not address these issues unless I threatened to make it legal. Who has time for that? They survive on "seva" or folks donating their time and labor while Yogi Bhajan made over a BILLION dollars from fleecing his students and exploiting their labor in just this way. His abusive ways live on in this organization. Nothing has changed despite their rebranding and claims at reform. I do not recommend donating or volunteering for this organization. - Beware of the men! I was sexually harassed, pursued, cornered, followed, or otherwise abused by every male resident except one on the property. This is tacitly condoned by the administration: I complained when an employee of the ashram cornered me in my apartment. In short, they did nothing. The employee still works there and has done worse to others. Not a safe space for women in my experience. - They need to keep a percentage of apartments turning over to meet their bills, which won't be met if folks stay because of "rent control," so less established residents may be/are driven out. Part of this is about rigging the elections for their board, (after a # of years, residents are allowed to vote). This results in less popular (poorer) residents being bullied and hazed out of their housing, among other things. - Gatekeeping, discrimination, hazing, and unevenly applied rules make it impossible to cut through red tape and are the definition of cult abuse. - They persecute the poorer members of community who cannot or will not sue or move out. - All major (and most minor) decisions are made by a cabal of off-site elites who almost never step foot on the property. - There is MUCH more in the way of cult abuse. - Watch HBO's documentary series called Breath of Fire discussing the cult abuse perpetrated by Guru Jagat and the rampant sexual and financial abuses by Kundalini Yoga's founder, yogi bhajan. Yoga at the Ashram still runs on this abusive patterning.

I have been coming to the ashram for over two years. the studio is beautiful and the teachers are…read moregreat. I've been to multiple workshops there, look at the schedule for something that interests you I hear they are bringing on more diverse programming in the future. Great place, great people. Bill

I initially found this place from a suggestion of my acupuncturist to help recover from a separated…read moreshoulder. I have to say I recovered in some pretty record time! A great place to do tai chi, meditation or any martial arts. They have kids martial arts as well as adults and the instructors are very knowledgable and offer an environment that is comfortable and easy to learn in. They offer Tai chi (many styles), qigong, bagua, nagong, dao yin (Chinese yoga), do yee (Korean yoga), kempo, Kung fu, shaolin karate, Ching I, and probably some more that I don't know about. My son does the kids shaolin and loves it! I do the qigong, Thai chi (yang and Chen), bagua, daoyin, doyee and meditation. VERY BENIFICIAL for your internal health and strength! Give it a try, first class or two is usually free to get you started.

It's rare that people find something that they are truly passionate about and rarer still that they…read morehave the ability to effectively share that passion with others. The Taoist Arts Center is a rare example of just such an instance when a passion and teaching of that passion are perfectly united. Sloane Franklin, the master instructor and owner, deftly wields a knowledge of that entertains and draws you in as the student, and leaves you rejuvinated and eager for the next class. His explanations are well-informed and articulately delivered and his deep belly laughs are contagious. As someone, who has never been terribly interested in martial arts training, I can whole heartedly endorse this center for anyone interested in improving their health and physical and emotional well-being.

First of all .....Sifu Gary is "the man". He has spent the last 20 years building and developing…read morehis talent and reputation in the business and martial arts community. He is a genuine person and excellent teacher. Sifu Gary teaches Thai chi and chi gong at local senior centers around Worcester county in addition to running his school. By the way, did I say he was "the man", if you don't believe me stop by the Millbury, Sutton or Holden senior centers,the people LOVE him. In April he hosts world Thai Chi day, which is an incredible event. Stop by the school, bring your son, daughter, better half or grandmother. The floor is usually filled with all types, shapes, sizes and off course personalities LOL .

I wish everybody could attend this school. When I joined, I had been thinking about learning…read moremartial arts for a long time, and finally got the guts to set up a free trial class here. That was almost three years ago. I still remember walking in the door and seeing the big smiles on everybody's faces -- that wasn't what I was used to seeing on Main Street in Worcester. The atmosphere is fun and we laugh a lot, which is amazing considering how intense the training can be. The community is super welcoming and everybody helps everybody -- that includes the black sashes, who go out of their way to draw you in and help you succeed. Sifu Gary is a natural teacher, and meets everybody where they are at, while challenging them to become better. Basically the school is a huge part of my life now, and at 30 years old, I'm in the best shape of my life so far, and I feel more comfortable in my skin than I ever have. It's a wonderful place.

While on a cruise in China, I experienced very bad breathing problems. Being an asthmatic, my…read moremedications couldn't keep up with the conditions. It necessitated my going to the ship's Doctor, who emphasized the most important thing that I could do was to practice Tai Chi every day for 1 - 1 1/2 hours . While living in Florida I" learned" Tai chi through videos. Realizing that there was no one to tell me if I was doing it correctly, I felt that I needed to find a class with a teacher who could give me guidance. When I came back to Boston for the summer, I did quite a bit of research and based on the reviews decided to go to Randy's class. Randy is a TEACHER. He shares his extensive knowledge not only about the forms but also the why. It is important to him that his students maximize the physical and mental benefits of Tai Chi. This is exemplified by his individual attention that all of his students receive. He consistently moves around the class encouraging and correcting. Through his efforts I feel that I have begun the steps (baby steps) to really learn Tai Chi and have grown not only in the physical but also the importance of the mental aspects. Randy is truly vested in the success of his students. If you truly want to learn, Randy is a TEACHER

I have attended two classes with Randy thus far. My wife and I enjoy his classes thoroughly. Randy…read moreis obviously passionate about his art and his attention to detail stands out. I have found my investment in Randy and his classes to be money well spent and will definitely refer friends and family to him.