Before I extol the virtures of Tai Chi instructor Terry Li, the founder of Universal Taoist Arts, let me give you a little background to put this review--and reviewer--into context.
I took my first Tai Chi class back in 1976 and have studied with various senior students of Grand Master Chen Men Cheng, who created the 37 posture Yang Style Short form that is the most widely practiced Tai Chi form in America today.
Most notably, I worked with senior students from the New York school, including Tam Gibbs, Ed Young, Maggie Newman, and Fred Lehrman. I also studied for some time with Benjamin Lo, who came to America after the death of Professor Cheng and started teaching in San Francisco.
After Professor Cheng, Mr. Lo is probably the most advanced Tai Chi practitioner to arrive on these shores. Terry Li, my current instructor, studied for thirty years with Mr. Lo. I can tell you from my own experience that Terry Li is the real deal. Terry Li would never refer to himself as a master of Tai Chi, but the fact of the matter is that he has mastered this art at a very high level, and can demonstrate a level of kung-fu that I have only seen duplicated by his teacher, Mr. Lo.
So what a pleasure and delight for me when I discovered that Mr. Li, in addition to his classes in the East Bay and San Francisco, offers classes once a week at the Community Church of Mill Valley, on 8 Olive Street at Throckmorton.
If you are looking for expert instruction in Tai Chi, from a teacher whose lineage links directly back to Yang Chen Fu, founder of the modern Yang style form so widely practiced today, you could not make a better choice than to take classes from Mr. Li.
Mr. Li, like his teacher Benjamin Lo before him, emphasis correct posture and alignment, which are critical to achieving the benefits of relaxation, robust health, limberness, strength and longevity that are the rewards of a consistent Tai Chi practice. Mr. Li also will guide your practice to the correct state of mental awareness--or meditation--that contributes not only to realizing good form but will help you in your everyday life when it comes time to concentrate, make decisions, or just appreciate the beauty of the present moment.
I can tell you that after two and half years of study with Mr. Li, my health and vitality has improved immensely. I used to be an avid cyclist, but began to notice that while my cardio-vascular system was highly developed, my muscles were tightening up and my range of motion was decreasing. Not good. So over time I have cut way back on the cycling and practice Tai Chi every day. To my great surprise, my heart rate and blood pressure are as good as they were when I was doing the intense cycling, and my daily energy levels are even better.
And that's been accomplished with 10-20 minutes a day of regular practice, and the helpful weekly guidance offered by attending Mr. Li's Mill Valley classes. Check it out for your self, and good health to you! read more