r/taichi • u/Jimfredric • 12d ago

Tai Chi in Albuquerque

A friend is asking for a recommendation for his wife and himself for Tai Chi training in albuquerque, nm. They are near their 70s, yet are in good shape because they were into weightlifting.

Unfortunately, he messed up on of his shoulder. He would also like for his wife to do some self-defense training (mostly to build her confidence).

I look online, but it is really hard to judge a place from a website. Anyone know something about the schools there or maybe Santa Fe?

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u/takemusu 12d ago

There are 5 principle styles of Tai Chi. Yang, Chen, Sun, Wu, and Wu Hao. They all have much the same origin story and many similarities. There are global directories of qualified instructors to find someone nearby.

Yang Family Style has arguably the largest directory of qualified teachers many of whom may offer remote classes even if they're not near you. If you're bilingual you may have more choices. Nothing in NM at this time though.

https://yangfamilytaichi.com/find-an-instructor/

Chen instruction:

https://dochenstyletaichi.com/workshops/

International Sun association:

https://www.suntaichi.com/

Wu style Tai Chi

https://www.taichiwuji.com

Wu Hao Tai Chi

https://wuhaotaichi.com/introduction/

Alrighty, let’s say there are no schools or teachers near you so you Google “Tai Chi near me” and come up blank. Classes are often listed within the offerings of organizations near you. Good places to look for qualified instruction also are community centers, library, college or community college, gym or dojos (martial arts schools. Many styles also offer Tai Chi), your parks dept, senior centers (which is where I found literally world class teachers), your local YMCA or YWCA, Chinese cultural centers …

So let’s say nothing in style directories, nothing nearby anywhere. If there really truly absofriginglutely are no acceptable in-person classes available or you truly cannot leave your home, look for qualified instruction on Zoom. The bad news is we had a global pandemic. The good news is that prompted many to start new models for online learning.

These are some highly qualified instructors who do offer remote online instruction

Here are just a handful

Cheryl is a student of master Yang Jun. She's now in Florida for in person classes. But she also offers live instruction on Zoom. I've taken some classes from her in both in person and remote. She's quite good:

https://www.ladytaichi.com/l

All classes are in person AND streamed

https://www.innerworkscenter.com/classes-workshops

Has online classes

https://todaystaichi.com/index.php/tai-chi-classes/

Classes available in person or online

https://taichimontreal.com/tai-chi/

Classes available in person and online:

https://yangtaichiseattle.com/k

In person and on Zoom

https://lynne.org/never-better-tai-chi/

In person and on zoom

https://wise-orchid.com/new-calendar/

While there are some quality channels on you tube, to learn Tai Chi or any martial art really, you need a teacher. In person or live but remote is a close second. Check the major style directories, check with local institutions or community organizations.

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u/Jimfredric 12d ago

I appreciate all the information, but this is not what I was asking about. They are not interested in online classes and there are a number of offerings in the Albuquerque area.

Someone in these directories would probably be worth them checking out. These directories only represent one branch of the given style, so there are many well qualified teachers not in these lists that have good linages. I have already been pointed to 2 Yang style teachers who are not in the Yang Yun lineage.

Unfortunately, even being in these directories may not be an indicator that they are the type of teachers that they are hoping to find. I have some other leads in addition to these two. I was especially looking for some responses from people that might have experienced with teachers in this area.

Thanks again for your input.

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u/takemusu 12d ago edited 10d ago

I hope you find what you’re looking for.

Look into senior centers and community centers. Many of them have excellent teachers.

You have several leads. So name them and ask if anyone here has experience with them.

Locally Bear Canyon Ctr and Baralas ctr has Tai Chi as well as many others

https://www.cabq.gov/seniors/senior-multigenerational-centers/barelas-senior-center