I was overworked for many years and my body got to the point of feeling tired everyday from head to…read moretoe. For some time now, I have stopped working and I've been trying to rest/heal myself. During this time, I have tried meditation, yoga, swimming, etc. None of them got me very excited. I found Uplift Yourself through a meet-up website and decided to give it a try. I learned that they are a non-profit organization, so anyone is welcome to join their class, regardless of the tuition. Also, I was fortunate to spend some time alone with one of the Qigong teachers, Kathy Fogarty. The individualized attention I received from her was truly a blessing. I also noticed that I have had less stress and tension in my body whenever I am in this place. I think I finally found something that I will enjoy doing and gives great benefit to myself mentally and physically.

Uplift Yourself was a gem to find! The practice of Qi Gong has helped calm my mind, relaxed me and…read moregiven me tools to use when I begin feeling stressed. The group of teachers and staff at Uplift Yourself are incredibly welcoming, friendly and intelligent. Their monthly Open House events are an easy "in" to learn more, and wonderful that they are free for the community!

Tiger Dragon was very dedicated and knowledgeable in his practice of Chinese herbs and acupuncture…read more He was very focused on my daughters issues and I highly recommend him to those that want to heal naturally and live a clean natural better quality of life. Its was a little odd as he practised out of his home and I had always been in more of a traditional setting of a business type office....but the trade off is he is well worth it ! Plan on seeing him time and time again

I have been taking Vadim's Chen Tai Chi classes for several months now and have benefitted greatly…read more The class is two hours and gives students quality time for learning and practicing. It amazes me that the gentle movements work my entire body and gives me strength and flexibility that had been diminishing, not to mention the mind and spirit connection. Being outdoors and exercising is a refreshing experience and contributes to the enjoyment of learning this ancient art. Vadim is a kind and thoughtful teacher and really knows his stuff. I always leave the classes happy that I made the commitment to my health and well-being with Vadim's help. I am so thankful to have found Vadim and that he is in Woodinville, available to share his many talents with us!

Knowledgeable instructors teaching a variety of classes for both beginners and advanced students…read more Atmosphere is caring and supportive.

I am a Qigong/Tai Chi student and have been looking for a local place to practice, I've found that…read morehome here. The teachers are knowledgeable, patient and dedicated to their practice. The Center is located in the Merlino Arts building and the energy of the place contributes to the welcoming atmosphere of the center. I highly recommend it!

Andrea has been a God send for me and I mean that literally. My spine is fused and I have other…read morehealth issues. Her specialized Tai Chi that she will format to your health is so wonderful and she listens and cares and will continue to make changes as things change with your body. She has also been helping me with pain management through visualization & other relaxation techniques for my blood pressure, it is now 124 over 78. Thank you! Namaste Andrea Diana N.

Andrea was a great teacher! I had four virtual lessons with her, and I learned so much. She helped…read moreme with balanced posture and taught me some new forms. She coached me through the most healthful body positions for core, and arms and legs while doing forms. With a focus on smooth flow and breathing, she offered ways to modify forms for my individual needs by being aware of what feels right for my body. Her encouragement made me feel very positive and optimistic about my continued journey forward into learning more tai chi. She's a great person to reach out to if you need some expert guidance in confidently undertaking tai chi.

I cannot say enough good things about TSI! The qigong…read moremethods have been transformative for my health, and I have seen them benefit everyone in the community. The space is fantastic and is always a perfect space for training. Don't forget to visit the forest monastery connected to the school! It's in Snohomish and is the most peaceful spot on Earth!

I've been training at the Taoist Studies Institute since 2018, and it has completely transformed my…read morelife. Under Shifu ZhiCheng's guidance, I've learned sitting, standing, walking, and lying down meditation, Taiji, Qigong, and practical Taoist psychology. These teachings have not only helped me release physical tension--already life-changing on its own--but have also deepened my understanding of the mind-body connection and how to move through stuck emotional and mental patterns. What sets Shifu ZhiCheng apart is his ability to meet each student exactly where they are, guiding them toward profound insights experientially, not just intellectually. Through his mastery of internal cultivation and transmission, I've realized that life can be incredibly simple when we stop carrying unnecessary baggage. This isn't just theory--it's something I've come to understand through practice, thanks to his teaching. Because of this school, I'm a healthier person with better relationships and a more genuine version of myself. I truly wish everyone in the world could access these teachings. On top of his skill, Shifu ZhiCheng is also the most inspirational person I've ever met--his dedication to these arts is so deep that he even founded a monastery for full-time training. To say this school is 5/5 stars is an understatement. If you're looking for authentic internal cultivation, there is no better place.

I've been training here for about three months now and I highly recommend it…read more Everyone here is so helpful and very friendly! Shifu Zhou is an awesome instructor. If you have questions, everyone is eager to help. The location is tucked away in between several car dealerships so it can be easy to miss, but usually there is a sign out by the road advertising the free trial class. I really wish more people knew about it! It's my favorite part of the week. :)

It is with great pleasure I write this recommendation for Shifu Zhou…read more For the past many years, I have been looking for some form of exercise that focused on mind and body wellness. I searched and searched and tried many Yoga and martial arts teachers. Most people I met are either out there to purely make money, or even with the best of intentions, are clueless and not properly trained to be masters. Finally ran into Shifu Zhou about a year ago and I consider it my extremely good luck. In the plethora of martial arts teachers, Shifu Zhou, stands above all like a titan. He is a truly authentic Kungfu and Qi-Gong master who came to Seattle on a mission to teach the mysterious and powerful arts of Shaolin. I go to the academy 5 times a week and learn both Kungfu and Qi-Gong. My health has improved tremendously. My allergies are significantly down. My gut issues are under control. And I have found a life-long sport to play. When I was doing hot yoga, I was having at-least one muscle or joint injury a month. Frankly I was expecting lot more injuries while playing Shaolin. Interestingly enough, and knock on wood, I have had zero major injuries since I started. A lot of credit goes to Shifu Zhou. He knows each of his student's condition intimately. He is very patient and kind and takes extra pre-cautions to make sure that people are safe while practicing. I absolutely recommend Shifu Zhou without reservation to anyone who wants to improve their health and learn a life-long skill of Shaolin Kungfu.

I've been training at Wudang Kungfu for the past 3 years so far. If you are looking for a place…read morewhere you can train forms AND application, within the same gym, this is the best place in Seattle to do it. I have explored lots of different martial arts gyms in the greater Seattle area, and lots of them have different things to offer. However, it was difficult to find traditional Chinese gungfu that is rooted in the culture and practice of Chinese martial arts that also teaches real, effective, full contact application. This is the place to do it! Lu Laoshi and Chang Laoshi are both incredibly knowledgeable, but also down to earth and humble. They really know their stuff, through the historical lineage and practice. There are many amazing non-Chinese instructors of the Chinese martial arts, but I personally appreciate that both head instructors are ethnically and culturally Chinese while also being attuned to western culture and the norms of western students. This is not a school with Japanese style belt progression, or a very hierarchical student culture. Both Instructor Lu and Instructor Chang expect students to think critically for themselves, and for the instruction to make sense because it works, not just because "they say so." If you approach it with an open mind, there is much to learn at this school, no matter your training goals. Chang Laoshi has many years fighting in the ring, testing his application skills in ring fighting, to complement his deep understanding of the traditional forms, and Lu Laoshi has a rich knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine in addition to her martial arts practice. Whether you want to learn internal martial arts for demonstration, cultivate qigong, learn about the culture and history of Chinese martial arts, or spar and compete in sanda full contact ring fighting, this is a place where you can do some or all of those things. There are many places in Seattle where you can learn traditional Chinese gungfu, and internal martial arts. There are also many places that will teach you full contact grappling and striking, for muay thai/BJJ/MMA etc. However, if you are trying to learn both of these dimensions of the martial arts and not just one or the other, this is in my opinion the best place in Seattle for it. You can learn forms, qigong, application, open hand, and weapons, all under one roof and with two deeply qualified instructors. There are places that are probably more "affordable" if you are just looking for the cheapest place to train and get a workout, but in this case, I think the expertise and thoroughness of instruction is more than justified, especially considering the generosity of both instructors when it comes to time and answering questions after official class hours.

After attending Wudang academy for over a year I can confidently say that I was in the best shape…read moreof my life! My flexibility dramatically improved but also overall body connection/fitness. The chronic pain in my knee completely resolved. If you want to live a long, happy, and healthy life this is the secret! They have many different classes/styles of martial arts that can be practiced, and the masters are amazing at helping you choose the best style to fit your goals. If I had more time I would study as many styles as possible. During my time there I practiced Baguzahang (Circular Boxing), Taijiquan (Tai Chi), and Qigong. A memory that particularly stands out to me was a student who had come from New York just to study at the academy. He told me that he originally heard about it after climbing the Wudang mountain in China looking for a master to train him in the original Wudang Sword Style. He was able to find a master, but the man told him to come to Seattle, WA and study at Wudang academy. This demonstrates the authenticity to their teachings which draw direct lineage to the old masters of Chinese Kung Fu. I originally attended the academy several years ago, before my life became extremely busy and I moved to Chicago. I plan to move back to the area some day and Wudang academy is at the top of my list for activities to prioritize. If I have kids someday, I plan on taking them to the academy. I hope that in the future I will be able to make time to attend again. If my review piques your interest, please attend, and learn more in person. I am a humble student and am no doubt not fully representing the amazing nature of this academy so please go check it out for yourself! -Steven

I decided to take this class on a whim ( a friend had been taking Tai Chi lessons) and I have not…read moreregretted my decision. This has been one of the most enjoyable activities I have done and it is because of Chris, the instructor. He is so fluid and graceful and still demonstrates how this can be a martial art. He breaks down the movements into simple steps so what looks to be confusing because it appears so complex becomes easy to repeat. He points out nuances in position and movements and explains why they are important so that I don't feel that I am doing pointless movements. He is patient and supportive so that no one in the group feels uncomfortable. I know that I often look awkward but Chris always helps. I plan to continue doing this with Chris indefinitely.

From the owner: Learn the world's most popular, healthy and accessible martial art. Currently offering private…read morelessons by appointment. Beginners welcome!