The School of T'ai Chi Chuan, Spokane
Why Choose Us?
We believe we are unique in Spokane in our meditative schooled approach to teaching the Tai Chi form, and that our uniqueness will attract some and not be right for others. We teach Tai Chi:
- as a moving meditation
- for deep relaxation
- grounded in Tai Chi principles
- for physical, emotional and spiritual well-being
- as a path to inner awareness and/or self-realization
While our School teaches pushhands and sword, beginning pushhands classes in Spokane come only after our students have embodied basic form principles. While pushhands is taken seriously, it is always a play among friends. We sometimes answer an inquiry, "if you want to kick-ass, we are not for you".
Tai Chi is much more than a hobby for each of us—it is a path we expect to follow for a lifetime. Teaching is the way we can share our experience, and is also very important to our learning.
We regularly attend summer and winter trainings often on the East Coast and/or in Europe to increase our skill and to have fun. Each of us work a full time job in addition to our teaching of Tai Chi. As such, our pricing can be reasonable—without surprises or contracts.
Here is our teaching team:
Birgitt Krause began Tai Chi in 85 and was approved by our founder Patrick Watson in 90 to begin her Tai Chi teaching apprenticeship. She is our most senior teacher and has taught since 92. Birgitt brings to Tai Chi a background in depth psychology, Zen Buddhism, Arica meditation, and jujitsu. She is a licensed massage therapist with a focus on Chinese acupressure. She has studied several languages and is a professor leading the German program at Gonzaga University.
Scott Richter moved to Spokane in 94 and immediately saw our flyer and joined a class. With a body and mind well suited to Tai Chi he moved through basic classes quickly and a couple of years later began his teaching apprenticeship. Scott's background includes forestry, professional gardening, and outdoor recreation. A few summers ago he hiked 500 miles in Colorado. While in Spokane, Scott has worked at Aunties Bookstore as their used book buyer. He also maintains his own business selling rare books on the internet.
R. Alan McFarland started Tai Chi in 88 and first taught in 97. His background includes physics & math, work as a lay psychotherapist including primal, meditation & breath-work, photography, and mountaineering. He is a programming consultant for Spokane Neighborhood Action Programs. Alan's goal is to bring Tai Chi awareness to all parts of his life.
Noel Bormann began Tai Chi in 95 to create a balance in his life and to increase his awareness. He arrived with an interest in Filipino martial arts and modern combatives. Noel is a full professor in the Civil Engineering Department of Gonzaga University where he has taught for many years. He began teaching with us in 2001 after an apprenticeship in Europe. Noel has also studied Reiki and like all of us has a love of the outdoors. Noel is currently on sabbatical from Tai Chi teaching.
Geoff Glen is the newest addition to our teaching team. Scott and Geoff are currently teaching a Tai Chi class twice a week at 8:00 in the morning for Gonzaga.
The School of T'ai Chi Chuan® and The Arica® School were brought to Spokane in 1984 by Gil Milner, M.D. Later Pam Hunt arrived from Florida to support the teaching. We thank them both for their beginnings which have allowed the teaching to continue since then. We also bring in senior teachers from time to time to enhance our program.
Please give us a call at 509-747-3715 so we may further answer your questions.