Discover the inspiring testimonials of our students and their journey to success with
Tai Chi!
Barbara S.
I started Tai Chi in Pennsylvania at the Senior Center in the hope to improve Arthritis & Joint Pain that comes with age. When I moved to Florida in 2020, I was hoping to find a location that could offer the Tai Chi Class to me once again. I Googled and came to the Clermont Arts & Recreation Center in 2021 and discovered again a very serene calming environment of Friendly People enjoying a Tai Chi Class.
Carmen A.
After I retired, 4 years ago, I was looking for seniors’ activities in my community, and I found the Tai Chi classes. What have been the benefits, physically, mentally, spiritually, and socially of taking Taichi classes? Honestly, so many in all these areas.
Chris L.
Studying tai chi has helped me broaden my experience in martial arts. As I get older, I can't expect to have the same flexibility and quickness that I had in my 20's but tai chi enables me to exercise my brain and body in a very beneficial way.
Donna K.
I started tai chi classes about 7 years ago after dealing with chronic hip pain. Since then I am pain free. Tai chi has help me increase my muscle strength and balance. I feel stronger and more flexible than I did 10 years ago. The movements also produce a calming and somewhat spiritual effect on my whole being.
Jimmy M.
While I am, and have been from a young age, a fan of Chinese martial arts, I didn't start tai chi until May of this year. I was looking for a martial art that would accommodate my health conditions and this is it! It's slow enough that my heart can handle it but just rigorous enough to be a good workout. I love TCA and do recommend it for anyone.
Joanne S.
I have been taking Tai Chi at the ARC for 4 years this November. I love Tai Chi - I love learning new forms and teaching Tai Chi.
Liz S.
First of all, I really love your class and the people I’ve met. I went in thinking I would not like such slow movements…. But I do! I’ve been taking your Tai Chi classes for 2-1/2 months.
As you know I had a total hip replacement and worked with John for PT for a year. Once I stopped with PT, I felt like I still needed to work on my balance. Since taking Tai Chi I have noticed some improvement. I have always had a hard time meditating or quieting my mind. I find that Tai Chi is helps me with this.
Mona A.
My tai chi experience started about 2 1/2 years ago. At that time, I had been experiencing neck and shoulder pain. I had tried acupuncture with no success.
Nancy S.
“I have been taking Tai Chi classes at ARC for 2-1/2 months.
Pat P.
I was blessed to be able to join your tai chi four years ago. I began the class looking for exercise and socialization. But I received many more benefits.
Sandra S.
You know that I love Tai Chi. I like being able to learn new things (keeps my brain going), you are always coming up with new ways to torture us, woops I mean challenge us. Ha Ha!!
Sarah C.
Here are my thoughts on what Tai Chi has done for me in these two short months:
I have been taking Tai Chi for two months and loving every minute of it.
Shirley P.
I started Tai Chi class in 2015. I thought I would like to learn Tai chi as it always looked so calming and beautiful when it was being performed. The benefits attracted me as well as I have arthritis (old age). I thought it was something that Dan and I could do together, and that it might help with his Dementia. He really liked you, as you know, and so he did in fact keep coming for a good while. Thank you for your kindness to both of us.
Love Shirley
Tammi H.
I met Sonya on World Tai Chi and Qi gong Day at a park. We signed up for her classes. I could only go during the summers for a few years. Now that I'm retired, I can go regularly.
Victoria B.
Thank you for asking for my reflections.
Vivian J.
Since doing Tai Chi my flexibility and balance have improved. Whether in class or practicing at home it always puts me in a good mood. No stress. Learning all the different forms and moves keeps us on our toes. Couldn’t be possible without you. You make it fun. Thank you so much.
Love our Tai Chi family.
I started Tai Chi in Pennsylvania at the Senior Center in the hope to improve Arthritis & Joint Pain that comes with age. When I moved to Florida in 2020, I was hoping to find a location that could offer the Tai Chi Class to me once again. I Googled and came to the Clermont Arts & Recreation Center in 2021 and discovered again a very serene calming environment of Friendly People enjoying a Tai Chi Class.
- Tai Chi has helped me greatly both Physically and Mentally from improving my Balance and Stretching to help with Joint Pain to a very calming mental state of my mind to expand daily life to the fullest.
- I Thank everyone in Class and Especially a wonderful Teacher who has worked with everyone to be the Best of the Best they can be every day.
Carmen A.
After I retired, 4 years ago, I was looking for seniors’ activities in my community, and I found the Tai Chi classes. What have been the benefits, physically, mentally, spiritually, and socially of taking Taichi classes? Honestly, so many in all these areas.
- I have more flexibility, improve my balance, learning new things improve my cognitive ability, focusing on my breathing reduces stress and help me to be in the present moment.
- Tai chi is like a form of meditation where I can feel the energy of my body and be in peace, which I loved.
- I found a family in my Tai Chi group, they are very supportive, caring, good listeners, and make you feel loved.
Chris L.
Studying tai chi has helped me broaden my experience in martial arts. As I get older, I can't expect to have the same flexibility and quickness that I had in my 20's but tai chi enables me to exercise my brain and body in a very beneficial way.
Donna K.
I started tai chi classes about 7 years ago after dealing with chronic hip pain. Since then I am pain free. Tai chi has help me increase my muscle strength and balance. I feel stronger and more flexible than I did 10 years ago. The movements also produce a calming and somewhat spiritual effect on my whole being.
Jimmy M.
While I am, and have been from a young age, a fan of Chinese martial arts, I didn't start tai chi until May of this year. I was looking for a martial art that would accommodate my health conditions and this is it! It's slow enough that my heart can handle it but just rigorous enough to be a good workout. I love TCA and do recommend it for anyone.
Joanne S.
I have been taking Tai Chi at the ARC for 4 years this November. I love Tai Chi - I love learning new forms and teaching Tai Chi.
- When we moved here one of the things that influenced our choice of areas was the availability of a Tai Chi class nearby. I have really enjoyed the community you have created with the class and getting to know my fellow Taichians.
- I think Tai Chi has helped my balance improve and has kept my arthritis from getting worse. Between riding my bike every week and taking Tai Chi I feel I am in better shape now than I have ever been. Who knew you could get older and be fitter?
- I also appreciate the way Tai Chi challenges my memory and keeps my mind sharp.
Liz S.
First of all, I really love your class and the people I’ve met. I went in thinking I would not like such slow movements…. But I do! I’ve been taking your Tai Chi classes for 2-1/2 months.
As you know I had a total hip replacement and worked with John for PT for a year. Once I stopped with PT, I felt like I still needed to work on my balance. Since taking Tai Chi I have noticed some improvement. I have always had a hard time meditating or quieting my mind. I find that Tai Chi is helps me with this.
Mona A.
My tai chi experience started about 2 1/2 years ago. At that time, I had been experiencing neck and shoulder pain. I had tried acupuncture with no success.
- After my first 1-hour tai chi class, I was mostly pain free. It sounds impossible, but it’s true. Now, whenever I overdue something and my issues arise, I immediately do my tai chi exercises.
- Also, if something is causing me to worry, tai chi is a great stress reliever. I am so thankful for my introduction to tai chi and the wonderful new tai chi friendships.
Nancy S.
“I have been taking Tai Chi classes at ARC for 2-1/2 months.
- I love the social aspect as well as the physical/mental aspect. I am a senior; and even though I have much to work on, I know my balance has already improved.
- Tai chi has made my very aware of my posture and am working on it daily as I go about my activities. I consider myself spiritual and in tune with nature and feel that tai chi is a way to connect with that part of my life as well.”
Pat P.
I was blessed to be able to join your tai chi four years ago. I began the class looking for exercise and socialization. But I received many more benefits.
- My balance, memory, and movements all improved. Not only that but I gained serenity and peace through the breathing and movements.
- I feel I have found a new family. Tai chi brings people together in a caring, in a nonjudgmental and peaceful environment under the leadership of Sonya Dumas.
Sandra S.
You know that I love Tai Chi. I like being able to learn new things (keeps my brain going), you are always coming up with new ways to torture us, woops I mean challenge us. Ha Ha!!
- I like the atmosphere in the class, you always give out very up-beat vibes. I like and appreciate the friendships I have formed. Physically, I know that if I don't do Tai Chi my balance is affected for the worse. I know the things that I need to work on and try to work on them every day I practice.
Sarah C.
Here are my thoughts on what Tai Chi has done for me in these two short months:
I have been taking Tai Chi for two months and loving every minute of it.
- After being away from teaching yoga for these last 5+ years, it has reminded me of the importance of breathing again and its effect on the body. I continue to work on coordinating my breath with each movement (got a way to go on that)!
- I'm thankful to be back with a group where we are made aware of and feel the presence of the surrounding Universal Healing Energy as it touches us physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. That energy in the class is most prevalent as I carry it out of that room.
- And, to be conscious of the need to practice, practice, practice. It takes discipline!! I treasure the idea that Tai Chi is not exercise alone, but a way of life.
Shirley P.
I started Tai Chi class in 2015. I thought I would like to learn Tai chi as it always looked so calming and beautiful when it was being performed. The benefits attracted me as well as I have arthritis (old age). I thought it was something that Dan and I could do together, and that it might help with his Dementia. He really liked you, as you know, and so he did in fact keep coming for a good while. Thank you for your kindness to both of us.
Love Shirley
Tammi H.
I met Sonya on World Tai Chi and Qi gong Day at a park. We signed up for her classes. I could only go during the summers for a few years. Now that I'm retired, I can go regularly.
- At first, I was just trying to learn the forms. Now due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I appreciate the social caring group being able to get together again. It is good for me.
- Tai Chi helps me relax and just be in the moment. To let go of the stress for a while. I enjoy the flowing movements that are my own art in motion that keeps me grounded with nature.
Victoria B.
Thank you for asking for my reflections.
- Due to a confluence of turning 65, obtaining a Silver Sneakers membership, a lifting of COVID restrictions, and a desire to continue to improve my healing from 3 recent knee surgeries, I looked for an exercise program. After trying the Silver Sneakers class at LA Fitness and the yoga class, tai chi was the next option. Neither of the first two were a good fit for my level of activity nor did they complement my ongoing Pilates training.
- When I came to your group about 6 weeks ago, I found gentle acceptance and encouragement not only from you and Joanne as instructors but also from the other participants. I also found my body was not stressed when trying these new movements. The repetition is beneficial for understanding both the exercise and my reactions to it but also underscores the development of progression. And it is fun. I look forward to many more hours, days, weeks and years of slowly moving...forward.
Vivian J.
Since doing Tai Chi my flexibility and balance have improved. Whether in class or practicing at home it always puts me in a good mood. No stress. Learning all the different forms and moves keeps us on our toes. Couldn’t be possible without you. You make it fun. Thank you so much.
Love our Tai Chi family.
