From the Ground Up: Why I Created the Lakeside Tai Chi Workshop Series

There’s something I’ve been wanting to offer for a long time.
Not just another class…
But a space to slow down. To listen. To really understand our bodies in a deeper way.
Over the years of teaching Tai Chi and Qigong in Clermont and Central Florida, I’ve seen a pattern—both in myself and in my students.
We come to Tai Chi for many reasons.
Stress relief. Balance. Pain. Curiosity. Healing.
And while the movements are beautiful and accessible, what’s happening underneath… that’s where the real transformation begins.

🌊 Everything Is Connected
In Tai Chi, we often say:
“Everything is connected.” And it’s true.
The body works as a kinetic chain.
Where you feel discomfort isn’t always where the issue begins.
Tight shoulders? It may start in the spine.
Unsteady balance? It may come from the feet or ankles.
Knee discomfort? The feet or hips often have a say in that.
This is something I’ve come to understand more deeply over time, not just through study, but through practice… and through watching my students’ journeys unfold.
And I found myself wanting to create something that helps people feel that connection for themselves, through mindful movement, body awareness, and Tai Chi principles.

🌱 Why This Series
The Lakeside Tai Chi Workshop Series in Clermont, Florida was created to explore the body from the ground up, one layer at a time.
Each workshop focuses on a specific area of the body, while gently weaving in Tai Chi fundamentals, breathwork, and functional movement for joint health and mobility.
We begin with the foundation—the feet, ankles, and knees—and gradually move upward through the body:

• The hips (kua), often called the body’s “commander”
• The spine, where movement becomes more integrated
• The shoulders, where so much tension is held
• The neck, arms, and hands, where awareness becomes more refined
• And finally, bringing it all together as one connected system

This is where Tai Chi begins to feel different.
Less like choreography… and more like understanding.

🌿 A Different Kind of Learning Environment
I also knew I didn’t want this to feel like a typical class setting.
These 2-hour in-depth workshops are held in a private lakeside setting in Clermont, on beautiful Lake Minnehaha, surrounded by nature, where the pace naturally slows down.
With only 8–10 participants, it allows for something I value deeply as a teacher:
The ability to offer personalized Tai Chi & QiGong instruction, meet you where you are, and support your individual goals.
There’s time for questions.
Time for exploration.
Time to notice the subtle shifts that make all the difference.
🌬️ It’s Not About Perfection
If there’s one thing I gently remind my students of often, it’s this:
This practice isn’t about doing it perfectly.

• It’s about becoming aware.
• Aware of how you move.
• Aware of where you hold tension.
• Aware of how your body supports you… or asks for support.
• And when that awareness grows, something shifts.
• Movement becomes easier.
• Balance improves.
• Posture aligns more naturally.
• Breath becomes deeper.

And over time, that carries into daily life—supporting stress reduction, mobility, and overall well-being.
🌸 An Invitation
Whether you’re brand new to Tai Chi or have been practicing for some time, this series is an invitation.

• An invitation to slow down.
• To reconnect.
• To build a foundation that truly supports you.

We begin on May 23, 2026, with our first workshop focused on the root: feet, ankles and knees, where everything starts.
From there, we continue the journey… one step at a time.
If you’ve been searching for Tai Chi & QiGong workshops in Clermont, FL, or a more personal way to experience Tai Chi and Qigong, I would love to have you join us.
With gratitude,
Sifu Sonya ☯️💗

Sifu Sonya Dumas