For more information, please contact:

Sonya L. Dumas
Sifu - Pai Lum Tao Martial Arts Family
Board Certified Tai Chi for Health Instructor
TaijiFit International Certified Instructor
SilverSneakers | FLEX Instructor

321-303-9804
Email: SonyaL.Dumas@gmail.com

About Sonya:
Sonya is a 6th Generation Florida Native, born and raised in Winter Garden, Florida, and a graduate of Rollins College. Since 2007, she has called Clermont home . She is a full-time Realtor and leads Tai Chi and QiGong Classes in her local community as well. Tai Chi and QiGong help keep her balanced, centered and calm in her everyday work and home life. In her spare time,  you'll find Sonya swimming, kayaking or stand up paddle boarding on Lake Minnehaha in Clermont where she has lived since 2016 with her husband and three (3) fur babies (cats): Neko, Juno and Koko.

Sonya's journey into Traditional Chinese Martial Arts began over 15 years ago when her husband (fiancé at the time) introduced her to Kung Fu classes to get fit, reduce stress and protect herself. In the beginning, she didn't have the stamina, muscle strength, or coordination and wanted to quit after every class, but she persevered.

Around the same time, she also began her Tai Chi and QiGong training to augment her Kung Fu. The Gong Yuen Chuan Fa - Pai Lum Tao Family of Martial Arts, where she attended, encouraged external and internal training, which tremendously improved her life. Over time, Sonya was physically stronger, had agility, discipline, coordination, and inner peace. It did not happen overnight, but it did happen, and she owes it all to her experienced and compassionate instructors for always encouraging and believing in her. Sonya also competed in Pai Lum Tao's International Conference, where she won Gold for her Tai Chi Chuan Forms in 2007; and Silver in the 2009 and 2010 competitions.

Sonya is currently a 1st level black sash and Sifu in the Pai Lum Tao Martial Arts Family.

As a lifelong student and always aspiring to improve, she trained to become a Board-Certified Tai Chi for Health Instructor in Dr. Paul Lam's evidence-based Tai Chi forms, teaching over 1,000 hours and countless participants since 2014. She has certified in six of the Tai Chi for Health evidenced-cased Forms. The participants who attend her classes come from all walks of life with various health challenges. As an instructor, her goal is to improve her participants' health and wellness and teach with safety in mind at all times. She adapts / and modifies the movements as needed.

In 2019, Sonya completed her 150-hour certification training to become a certified TaijiFit International and Tai Chi for Veterans Instructor under Tai Chi expert David Dorian-Ross and continues her ongoing training throughout the year. As a Tai Chi for Veterans Certified Instructor, she is a network provider under the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Community Care Network (CCN), which provides eligible Veterans to participate in the program at no charge through a referral from their VA provider.

All of Sonya's training and certifications require ongoing coursework and Continued Education Credit's (CEC's) to remain active in the systems she teaches.

Sonya is passionate about helping others and spreading the health benefits of Tai Chi and Qigong to as many people as possible. Firsthand, she knows how much this Ancient Art can benefit a person's mind, body, and spirit.

Her students describe Sonya as, "caring, kind, patient, authentic, dedicated, and encouraging. She listens to their concerns and always greets them with a smile and a positive attitude."

"Anyone who would like to reduce their stress, improve their health, well-being, and balance, learn something new, and have some fun too would enjoy this class."

The Tai Chi for Health Institute and Dr. Paul Lam's motto is "Empowering people to improve their health and well-being,” which I believe in as well. I know from my experience. Tai Chi & QiGong has helped me tremendously with my Psoriatic arthritis pain & fibromyalgia. ~ Sonya
 
Education:
B.A. in International Affairs, minor in Business Administration | Rollins College

Board Certified Tai Chi for Health Instructor in Dr. Paul Lam's Tai Chi for Health Programs | Tai Chi for Arthritis 1 Instructor, Tai Chi for Arthritis 2 Instructor; Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention Instructor, Tai Chi for Energy Instructor, Tai Chi for Heart Conditions Instructor, Tai Chi for Rehabilitation Instructor.

Certified TaijiFit International Instructor | Tai Chi 4 Veterans Certified Instructor

SilverSneakers® | FLEX Instructor
Tai Chi, SilverSneakers® Enerchi and SilverSneakers® BOOM™ Mind, SilverSneakers® Fall Prevention Education Series