I came across the ChiFusion course as I was researching Tai Chi and Chi Kung (Qigong). As I looked through the information, like most people I was skeptical. Because I am already a teacher, I wondered what it was that this course could offer to help me improve my skills.

Once I received my Level 1 Instructors material, I was bowled over by the amount of information. By looking at the video clips and checking the information at any time of the night and day, it was like having your own teacher at hand. I also found that if I had a question, I could email Al Simon, and he was very punctual and thorough in his reply. The fact that I could ask the question at 7:30 in the morning or 10:30 at night was great!

I found the feedback I got from my first video evaluation of my performance was very helpful. I could see that it had been watched very thoroughly by Al and Carole.

For the second evaluation, I chose three of my existing students to help me with the teaching exercises. I have to confess, I thought it would be easy for them, as they had already been practicing for some time. I can remember saying that I didn't think it would take them that long to pick it up, as we had already practiced a different version of the 8 Brocades. How wrong was I!

It did take a full 8 weeks, as recommended in the course. As the students practiced in between the sessions we had together, they said that they were working harder than the previous set they had learned, paying more attention to detail. They reported that the level of concentration needed was a lot more, and after finishing the completed set, they felt that they had really worked at a higher level.

They felt that their muscles and joints had been worked more, but in a good way. They felt stronger, and they reported feeling chi like running water down their limbs. One student's hairs were standing up on her arms, their breathing lung capacity had improved, and they had an overall feeling of calm and bliss.

They are all still practicing at home, and I am planning to start teaching the ChiFusion material as part of my classes in January. I have also just received the Level 2 Instructors Certification course, and the same three students have already put their names down for the "trial" classes.

From my experience as a teacher - and having the benefit of being taught by many prestigious teachers and having trained in China - I have no hesitation in saying that ChiFusion Tai Chi and Qigong is a very well researched and presented program. Anyone interested in either using it for themselves or to teach would have great difficulty in finding anything better.

Best wishes and Happy Wednesday,
Karen

I have just completed Level 1 and wanted to let you know how beneficial and invaluable it turned out to be to my practice - and ultimately to my health.

I have been doing the Eight Pieces of Brocade Qigong [from another teacher] each morning for the last two years, but until I completed Level 1 did not realize that I had been performing some of the movements incorrectly, and further, was perhaps causing myself injury due to the incorrect placement of my knees while in the Horse stance.

I always felt some pressure in my knees, but thought (as unfortunately we are so ready to do in the West) that this was just part of it ... that 'no pain, no gain' thing. I am so pleased that I have caught this error in time and most likely saved my knees!

I am just beginning Level 2, but wanted to let you know that at this point, just learning the correct way to practice and knee placement in Level 1 alone was more than worth the "price of admission" I paid for the whole course! I have also felt the benefits in my Tai Chi practice since implementing correct posture and knee placement. I can't wait to see what Levels 2, 3 and 4 hold.

And yes, posting my email is fine. I want to let you know that in over 40 years as a consumer I have never written a letter about a product or service - good or bad - and I have already written two about the ChiFusion Program. It's just that it has proven so far to be such an invaluable program; I hope other students of Tai Chi that haven't yet discovered this amazing program will be encouraged to give it a go.

Thanks again, Al, to you and Carole.

"About seven weeks ago, I had a fall down some stairs that resulted in my shoulder socket becoming disengaged twice. I lost all movement in the socket except for minor movement, and was very painful. I reviewed your site and the videos and I determined that ChiFusion just might be what I needed to start the mending process.

Today I have moved from 0% recovery to about 70% recovery, and I can say without a doubt, that Hold the Sky with Both Hands [from ChiFusion Level 1] has played an extremely important part of that recovery. So, for this, I owe you gratitude. "

Highly recommended - we still go back to it to brush up on the basics."