"Sweet Qi" - Profiles in Qi and Reviews

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In 2015, I started out with going to a Tai Chi demonstration by Margaret Miller at Soleil Laurel Canyon.  I was quite impressed by what she was showing us and telling us about Tai Chi.  On December 1, 2015, I had surgery and was feeling quite low.  Margaret was starting classes in January 2016 and I wasn’t quite sure I wanted to go.  But I did go and was very surprised to feel my spirits lifted.  I know that my balance has improved and I am more focused.  That is not why I returned.  I can honestly say the main reason was Margaret and the comradery of the class.  It’s amazing when you enter a class and automatically feel welcome.  We are all individuals and yet we are a unit.    

So far I have taken TCA 1 and 11,  Tai Chi for Rehab,  Tai Chi for Energy,  Sun Style 73 Form, Yang 24,  Fan 18 and now Kung Fu Tai Chi Fan (who knew there was such a thing)?  I’ve walked like a tiger or panda (depending on the day)  done minute to win it and am looking forward to learning sword (my husband not so much).  I can honestly say that the journey in Tai Chi has been wonderful.  Knowing there is more to learn is what keeps me going.  You are never bored in Margaret’s class. in fact we look up at the clock and we’re all surprised how fast an hour can go.  

So if you haven’t tried Tai Chi I implore you to think of doing so.  You can only gain balance, flexibility, focus, serenity and friendship.  Thanks especially to Margaret.

During a very sad period of time, a friend encouraged me to come to Tai Chi class taught by Margaret Miller. Almost immediately I knew this was going to  help my spirits.   

When you learn the forms your mind is forced to focus on the moment and be in the present. The movements and exercises are tailored to your ability and it's not long before you feel stronger and steadier.  

It became a priority to keep taking the class, I couldn't imagine stopping. I actually find myself leaving class with a smile on my face. I've been taking Margaret's class for two years now with wonderful benefits. My balance, strength and inner peace are all improved. I would recommend this class to anyone of any age!

Physical fitness and the study of the Martial Arts has always been important to me since playing college sports and later as a Navy and commercial airline pilot. I have been interested in martial arts for some time and have taken classes in Aikido, Judo and Krav Maga. As I got older and felt those styles were getting too demanding on my body. I looked into Tai Chi as I had heard of its many health benefits. My first exposure was several years ago and I have had the great fortune to study and learn from some very knowledgeable instructors. I have studied the Yang, Chen, sword form 24 and the Sun styles.  

Since taking Tai Chi it has increased my flexibility, balance, and increased over all muscle strength and endurance. It also helps reduces the occasional joint stiffness and aids in keeping the body healthy.   

Plus the quieting of the mind and an increasing body awareness is a major attribute of Tai Chi.  Moving meditation seems a fitting description.  

Taking classes with Margaret Miller I have found a home to continue my Tai Chi Journey. She provides a perfect environment to practice and learn the art and perfect the forms. Her knowledge, positive attitude, unbridled enthusiasm and encouragement make taking a class with her a pure delight. She has exposed me to several different Tai Chi styles with an emphasis on Dr. Paul Lam's teachings.  

With Margaret's guidance I have increased my knowledge, awareness and appreciation for the practice of Tai Chi and its positive influence it has on my life.   

I try to practice Yang Tai Chi and qi gong every day.

Last year, when Soleil Laurel Canyon's fitness director shared with our aerobics class that she was hoping to add Tai Chi to the fitness program, I was curious.  I wanted to learn more about it so I signed up for the demonstration being put on by Margaret Miller of The Ladybird Group.  I was intrigued with the dance-like quality of Tai Chi and pleased to learn that this ancient martial art form had many health benefits, especially for people with arthritis.  Being optimistic that Tai Chi might ease my own arthritic discomfort and maybe even help me avoid a hip replacement, I signed up for the first class that was offered at Soleil, Tai Chi for Arthritis, Session 1.   

Margaret's patient style of teaching, her constant encouragement and timely interjections of humor made learning the Tai Chi forms easy and very enjoyable.  Even the most difficult forms could be mastered as Margaret  broke them down into simpler parts for us to learn.  As the year progressed and we've moved on through Session 1 and Session 2 of Tai Chi for Arthritis, Tai Chi for Rehab, Tai Chi for Energy, and Yang 24, I've reaped the benefits of increased muscle strength and better balance.  

Tai Chi didn't prevent me from having hip replacement surgery, but the benefits I'd gained from it helped to make my recovery from surgery last May remarkable.  With stronger muscles and good balance, I could easily do the exercises at physical therapy after surgery, so much so that they cleared me to resume Tai Chi after only one week.  I was both delighted and amazed to be back in Margaret's class doing Tai Chi just 9 days after a total hip replacement.      

Tai Chi has been described as meditation in motion.  After my first year of Tai Chi with Margaret Miller as my instructor, I can truly say that it promotes a sweet serenity through its gentle, flowing movements.