As a complete newbie to the world of qigong and tai chi, I feel incredibly lucky to have found this studio on my first try. The location on Queen Street W is a bit of a trek for me, but it is absolutely worth it.
The instructor, Paul, is a true master of his craft and exudes a calm, welcoming energy that immediately puts you at ease. His experience shines through, and honestly, he gives off major Avatar Aang vibes. From the first class, I felt like I was channeling my inner airbender, gracefully manipulating the elements... though let's be real, I was mostly fumbling through the movements and probably looked less like a bender and more like a confused flamingo. The key is, it didn't matter. The environment is completely no-pressure.
A few practical notes: The studio is up a steep flight of stairs, which could be an accessibility issue for some. It's also located directly across the street from my favorite stationery shop, which was mercifully closed after my first few classes, saving my wallet from certain doom. The same can't be said following this Saturdays class when it was open.
I jumped on the excellent newbie deal for 14 days of unlimited classes and have already become a fixture at the 7 pm sessions this week, plus went again today to an awesome Saturday class. The slow, rhythmic instruction is exactly what the doctor ordered, leaving me feeling like I've had a genuinely good, gentle workout. I also tried a meditation class after one of the tai chi sessions, and it was equally impressive.
Despite the journey, I can easily see myself making the trip a few times a week. If you're looking for a fantastic, non-intimidating place to start your tai chi journey with a truly gifted teacher, I can't recommend this place enough. read more