Below are several testimonials that document the experiences of our students. We’d love to hear what you have to say and add it to our page, so please contact us with your testimonial.
“Anne Plyler,for some strange reason, I have searched for what I refer to as “super teachers” since my early high school years. Not merely “good” teachers, but teachers who range monumentally higher than “good” teachers. I found one in college, one in medical school, and then no more until I had the tremendous good fortune of meeting you.
I must tell you that I was completely stunned on the day that you first instructed me, for I thought that I would never again meet a “super teacher.” Yet I indeed did meet one when I met you.
You are an expert in your teaching, so calm, and a master in using the words with which you teach. Somewhere inside you there is a powerful magnet which draws others close to you. I thank you for your enormous help to me. I shall never forget you. To do so would be impossible.”
-ERSW, MD. Former Chief of Staff, St. Joseph’s Hospital.
“Anne Plyler has been one of my main Tai Chi teachers for the past four years. I started taking my first class approximately seven years ago and have worked with at least half a dozen other leaders. Anne is outstanding. She is cheerful, gentle, and powerful in ther Tai Chi leadership.
She encourages us to be faithful in our practice. Anne encourages others to begin Tai Chi. Anne helped me organize a class at my church home. It has grown steadily.
Anne helps spread healther life skills by expanding locations and times of classes. She advocates training and encourages other members to become teacher and mentors them. She continues to explore teaching strategies to improve her teaching and our learning. Anne builds team teaching , helping students to help other students. This helps the student who is guiding as well as the student being assisted.
She encourages students with positive feedback and develops activities that help each of us work together. She is open to suggestions. She asks qquestions, listens to students, sets an example for acts of kindness. Anne has a wonderful, healthy sense of humor. She is fair but encourages hard work. We are frequently reminded to be cautious about our movements and our personal health issues. She provides alternatives for participants if students face challenges of new injuries or other health problems, by modifying moves to enhance their safety.
Anne embraces an open, inclusive approach to students. The class provides a positive atmosphere. We understand that hard work is a positive but everything is guided by what is safe and healthy. Anne provides a welcoming atmosphere with her own warm personality.
My interest in Tai Chi is embraced and encouraged. Tai Chi has filled my life with gratitude and profound peace. My interest in Tai Chi and my Tai Chi skills have grown with every class I attend because I learn something new. Anne has used teaching strategies that support me and challenge me to learn.
She has touched and is touching many lives in our community. I testify to this based on my own life and what I see in others. Through my Tai Chi experiences and Anne’s influence, my philosophy of life which had previously been: Each day be kind, be wise, be safe NOW includes floss and brush your teeth and PRACTICE TAI CHI. It is a life skill that will make us healthier and stronger. After a class with Anne, I am renewed. I’m deeply grateful to have Tai Chi in my life. Tai Chi is a game changer!”
-EMM
“I have studied with Anne since 2010 for each of her sessions. I am a testament to her ability to engage students and encourage them to continue with the study of Tai Chi. I am a retired educator who has observed many teachers in diverse environments and clearly, Anne is one of the most positive teachers I have ever seen.
Her classes are well organized for both content of teaching and learning, as well as the safety of her students. She is cognizant of the different learning styles of her students and attempts to reach each in their most comfortable style. She also has a wonderful sense of humor that relaxes the class and encourages a sense of camaraderie that increases our sense of enjoyment and allows us to accept our own mistakes without feeling discouraged.
Anne is also exceptional in her own behavior as a student. She is always learning new concepts that she brings to her teaching. After years of her classes, I still look forward to a new session with great anticipation, like a new student. She integrates the experience of new and experienced students skillfully so that no one feels left out.
In summary, I can say with great integrity, that Anne is a superb teacher. She explains and demonstrates the moves carefully and then teaches, using the methods that Dr. Lam has developed. I feel blessed that I have had the opportunity to study with Anne, for I am truly inspired to continue my learning under her tutelage.”
-B.H.S, PhD.
“I have been a student of Anne Plyler for 3 years in a variety of classes. I have taken classes in Tai Chi for Arthritis I & II and Tai Chi for Energy. Anne is a wonderful teacher who uses a number of teaching strategies in her classes. She has a tremendous amount of knowledge which she willingly shares with her students. She has a number of students who have remained with her since she first started teaching 10 years ago, which I think is a testament to her. She is continually a student herself, taking a number of classes with Dr. Lam’s association each year. She has encouraged a number of her students to become instructors, including myself, and she encourages and mentors them. As one who co-teaches with Anne, I have been withess to the wonderful outcomes from a number of her students. She is comfortable working with both standing and seated and wheelchair confined students. I am always in awe how far these students come in their practice. Students leave with better balance, more range of motion, better flexibility, less pain and an increase sense of confidence. “
-DB
“Seven Years ago I was first introduced to Tai Chi in a class that combined several different styles. I enjoyed it enough to know that I wanted to continue studying Tai Chi but also knew I needed to find a different instructor. Finding Anne Plyler a year later was a godsend for me and I know many of my fellow students would say the same.
I’ve been studying Tai Chi with Anne for six years. During that time, I have received instruction in Tai Chi for Arthritis Level I & II, various Qi Gong forms including the Five Elements and Shibashi, the beginning movements of Tai Chi 24, and many others. Through Anne, I have also been exposed in workshops, to the expert instruction of Bill and Linda Pickett (Master & Senior Trainers) and even Dr. Paul Lam himself.
Anne’s teaching style is such that I have been able to learn not only the basic points of all of the above but also many nuances that allow me to gain a better understanding of the practice. She is long on patience and breaks down a form to one or two movements at a time in order for her students to feel confident about what we’re being taught. Anne’s emphasis on taking the time and effort to ensure that her students truly understand the meaning and purpose of each movement makes a tremendous difference.
Not only is Anne a knowledgeable teacher, she is thoughtful, thorough, patient and kind – all of which enables her students to develop a good comfort level and confidence in our abilities.
Personally, I can say without question that Tai Chi has transformed my life, and I must credit Anne’s ways for much of the joy that it has brought me.”
-Maria E. Juarez
“Having been learning from Anne Plyler for almost nine years, I am grateful to be her student. She has led me from monkey mind and mouth and a broken body to a place of calm, peace and better health. I will forever be appreciative that I began studying Tai Chi with her.
Anne has a great knowledge and passion for Tai Chi and she eagerly shares any new education she acquires with her classes. She relays the knowledge by expertly communicating on a level we can all understand and always with the patience and respect for the skill level that our diverse group needs.
Not only does our group practice TCA 1&2, but Anne continually introduces us to Tai Chi related techniques such as meditation, qi gong, and other Tai Chi forms which allows us to go deeper on our own if we choose. She encourages us in our study and is consistently prepared for each class even as her classes continue to grow and expand. And she listens when we want to be heard.
I am pleased she plans our occasional get-togethers outside of class including a recent incredible Tai Chi Retreat to Pawley’s Island, SC in November 2018. This has further bonded our group and led to a stronger and deeper Tai Chi experience.
I am grateful for a chance to say how blessed TCA is to have Anne. She is the perfect ambassador for this wonderful body mind practice that she introduced into my life.”
-SHL
“So last week after I worked too hard in a yoga class, I started to have some lower lumbar/sacral twinges upon rising which would resolve during the day. But this morning I was barely able to stand any weight on my spine and was afraid of moving. My hubby got me down on my hands and knees to stretch out my spine a bit which allowed me to be able to stand up and bear weight, but not move. Then I remembered I should try Tai chi and was able to do parts 1and 2 even slower than the music and 3 or 4 more times flowing through it! Now I’m moving, sitting, standing and only feel like I’ve been bruised in my lower back, but totally mobile! This is exactly why I thought Tai Chi would be a good tool for me! So I thought about you and knew you’d be proud of me!”
-Judi B.
“Anne and Bob, Thank you for allowing me to participate in your classes while visiting from Raleigh. It was relaxing, invigorating and renewing! The healing power of Tai Chi is evident in all your classes!”
“As a physical therapist, former Tai Chi instructor and participant in Anne’s classes, I thoroughly recommend Anne’s Tai Chi classes to anyone willing to learn from her gracious presence, physical therapy expertise, and style of teaching.”
“Instructor was very patient and willing to repeat sequences.”
“Improved my balance a lot – strengthened my weak ankle so I’m closer to weight bearing equally.”
“I’m getting to understand the practice now and developing more energy…happy with the entire course.”
“Most beneficial part of training were the slow methodical demonstrations.”
“I can put on my pants safely now standing up with good balance – before I hopped around all over the floor about to fall.”
“Thank you for your great introduction to Tai Chi. I am using the DVD in several ways, probably the most important is the evening cooldown before sleep. I am sleeping better, and my back and legs are less painful.”
“I love the classes and the pace is excellent. The patience of the instructors is phenomenal”
“I’m getting to understand the practice now and developing more energy…happy with the entire course.”
“Relaxing – both the moves and the music….The class accommodates everyone’s learning style and physical needs….well planned, excellent instruction”
“Happy to have a system which I know affects me in healthy ways.”
“Helps me release muscular tension and improves my posture dramatically.”
“Smaller motor muscles stronger, balance & leg strength improved, focus, energy and movement improved.”
“More awareness of foot loading….I can stand longer – a big change!”