Student Stories

When I started attending Shoshanna’s Taiji classes ten years ago, I had no idea the impact it would have on my life. Initially, I was looking to help manage my stress (as well as try something new). I noticed how much better I felt after practicing, even my husband noticed a change in me. I enjoy the physical movement of Taiji, though it is challenging at times, the strength and confidence I felt made me want to continue with it and I soon found out that knowing the whole set wasn’t the end, it was only the beginning – and I love the journey it’s taking me on! Each class is so enlightening and leaves me feeling energized yet relaxed along with wanting to learn more. Taiji has helped me to deal with stress and become a calmer person. In general, my overall health has improved, and I have noticed increased strength, endurance and muscle tone. I feel more focused, and my practice has greatly improved my confidence. It’s a process of self-discovery and I have learned for instance how and where I hold tension in my body, how the energy moves through me and so much more. I now look forward to practicing as it has become a part of my daily routine. If my energy is low, I practice and feel re-charged. If I need to get centered, I’ll do “standing in Wuji”. Taiji helps keep me healthy, calm, focused and more mindful. I am very grateful to Shoshanna for her teachings and look forward to continued learning.

Ellen P.

At first the benefits of Taiji were not noticed by me, but my son Mike saw it right away. In my 80’s I am able to take care of the house, yard, garden, a bit slower of course, but still. I am never sick, I sing in a choir, play handbells, in a recorder ensemble and knit, crochet and do decoupage. Taiji seems to create a life force in me that affects all areas of my life. I am happy to be alive and thankful for every moment. I am profoundly thankful for Shoshanna, who shares her gifts so generously.

Christine S.

The practice of Taiji over the last few months has been very rewarding. Aside from affording me the stress management benefit, I have found that practicing the movements exercises my mind and body in a disciplined way. There are new words and procedures that have broadened my awareness of the mind, body and spirit connection. Over the last few weeks, I have found that my Taiji practice has affected other areas of my day-to-day activities. The development of my balance and weight distribution has helped with adjusting in my bowling form when faced with different factors of my approach, etc. I know I still have a lot to learn but my experience with Taiji up to now has been extremely helpful in terms of health and physical well-being. Thanks for your patience & expertise.

Tom S.

I came to Taiji at a critical point in my life; one where change was inevitable. I was aware of a long-held desire to be calmer and to quiet my busy mind. I wanted to be able to put some distance between me and everything else and to feel less buffeted and battered by the world. Immediately, it gave me the gift of one whole hour where I thought of nothing else and a discipline that I could access at any time – a sanctuary if you will. What continues to unfold is a calmer me that acts more in my own self-interest which leaves me more satisfied with my decisions which brings less second-guessing, less thought of pleasing and accommodating others at my own expense. I am able to end each day and be truly done with it and to greet the new day with gratitude, joy and happy anticipation. The things I enjoy I now enjoy more because I am truly experiencing them and the things that are problematic are less so because I engage constructively in resolving them and then I move on with the knowledge that I have done the best I could. I sleep more restfully, feel calmer and my internal conversations are most often positive and nurturing. I live my life with intention, and I feel more present for myself and able to engage meaningfully with those that matter most to me. My gratitude is overflowing.

Pat L.

I began taking Taiji in the hopes that it would improve my memory and balance. It has, indeed, improved my memory. I also find the classes very calming and relaxing. Perhaps in time my balance might improve as well. You must expect that it takes years to learn and perfect the many Taiji moves. The more you practice, the more skillful you will become.

Pat J.

 I first started Taiji lessons when I was 30 years old. I was extremely tense and restrained. My coordination was so poor that I could not reliably toss a wad of paper into a wastebasket one foot away. I was easily distracted and often lost in thought. Most of my responses were automatic. In society I had so little confidence in myself that I rarely looked anyone in the face. My first course of Taiji lasted for seven years. It improved my balance and coordination. After two years, I was able to do an unassisted headstand for the first time. Doing Taiji also raised my spirits and eased my interactions with others. After five years I married a beautiful and devoted woman, and we had two fine sons. This was beyond anything I had hoped for. In 2000 the company where I worked was collapsing. My wife had lost the use of her legs to multiple sclerosis. My troubles were overwhelming me. Our counselor suggested that I study Taiji again. This led me to Shoshanna, who accepted me as a student. Shoshanna’s teaching was more precise and profound than I was used to. I learned slowly and hesitantly. I persisted. Over the years, as my wife gradually sank into paralysis, I bore up well, supporting her and helping her live her life as normally and naturally as she could. I am now 70 years old. Though my habits are sedentary, my doctor told me that I have the heart and lungs of an athlete. Arthritis runs in my family; I do not have it. My hair has kept its color. I now have a sense of my own energy. Eleven years ago, Taiji began to restore my contact with the earth, an unforgettable experience. Over the past year I have started to connect with the heaven. This is enabling me to release the tensions and restraints that I have always imposed on myself. Whenever I practice, I make new discoveries about perception and movement. Taiji has probably saved my life, and it is making my life richer and more whole.

George S.

I have been taking Shoshanna’s Zoom Taiji class for less than a year and am already noticing some positive benefits. Besides experiencing a general overall feeling of well-being, I am seeing a great improvement in my balance. Shoshanna is a wonderful teacher. She is strict but nurturing and cares about each of her students. I always look forward to my weekly session with her.

Nancy W.

Taiji has gifted me with a new sense of pride, grounded both in my Taiji practice and beyond my time in class. I have embraced being a student and a lifelong learner. I respect my ability to slow down and observe, with new awareness and knowledge of my physical and energetic self. Through Taiji, I have learned to be comfortable with challenge, and honor this new and evolving state of groundedness I have acquired through my practice. I look forward to the ongoing learnings and the growing ability to connect the physical body with the energetic.

Hannah W.

I began practicing Taiji two and a half years ago after experiencing a period of physical, emotional and spiritual exhaustion. After nearly a year of extreme self-care, which included, among others, diet reset, acupuncture and Taiji, I began running three miles two-three times a week, hiking mountains and losing 25 pounds of extra weight. Taiji has been invaluable in my return to health as the practice helped me to reconnect to what was going on within myself emotionally, psychologically and spiritually, and how each aspect affects the physical. Deeper awareness and knowledge of how to achieve and maintain this integration has been essential to my ongoing healing. From this inner Taiji foundation: I move differently, aware of how movement radiates from my dantian (core) instead of upper body; I have greater confidence in my strength, flexibility and power; I am less swayed by the daily interaction and happenings of others. I am deeply grateful for being led to Shoshanna.

Donnamarie G.

I have been a Taiji player/student of Shifu Shoshanna Katzman for about 15 years. I initially started my experience with Traditional Chinese Medicine through acupuncture and qigong. I had been learning Qigong and transitioned to learning Taiji from Shifu. I loved it from the first session, Strike Palm to ask Buddha. I had no idea why I responded the way I did, only that it felt right, and I was excited to learn more. Shifu told me I would learn one move a week and it would take me a year to learn the set. I agreed. At the time I had an emotionally demanding job and found myself frequently angry. I would show up for my individual Taiji lesson churned up and Shifu would quietly say “Put the anger/energy into your set.” Most often I would practice and practice and by the end of my lesson would feel physically tired but energized, relaxed, calm, very grateful and no longer angry. It was such a gift. I looked forward to my individual lessons like a child looks forward to Christmas. As I developed my Taiji I came to appreciate the wisdom offered by Shifu when she would point out that whatever was going on in my Taiji, whatever blocks I perceived, related to what was going on in my life. I respect my Shifu and listened intently trying to apply what I was learning to my life. If I found I was off balance practicing my Taiji set I sought to find where there was imbalance, or I was off balance in my life. 99% of the time it was an accurate mirror for me and helped me find stability. In 2013 I had a hemorrhagic stroke at the age of 56. A blood vessel in my brain let go and the space between my brain and skull filled with blood. I was fortunate to have lived through the experience, the statistics I read at the time said only 4 out of 10 people survive a hemorrhagic stroke. I don’t have a clear recollection of the 19 days I spent in ICU, it was mostly a month of amnesia, but I know that in that time I was mentally practicing the form, going over it and over it in my mind. I was doing mental calisthenics. I set off the alarms on my bed when practicing Cloud Hands and the nurses would run in to find me doing my Taiji as best I could. They would suggest I stop practicing and I would counter with the suggestion to turn off the alarm while I practiced. I did not get up or walk for 18 days. When they got me out of bed, I had a nurse on each arm holding me up. I stood and asked them to give me a minute so I could ground myself. I used my poor impaired brain visualizing grounding into the earth until I felt stable, then I walked with the kind assistance given to me. I was not their usual patient, they were surprised, I was not, I told them it was my Taiji. Recovery from my stroke was initially slow. I continued my mental rehearsal practicing the form. I don’t remember if it was 5, 6, or 7 months before I was able to visit my advanced Taiji class. It was emotional for me, I wanted to be back with my friends but knew I had to proceed slowly, so I stopped in to say hello and tell them I would be back. Shifu had me start with the beginner class and it was almost a year before I was physically and mentally able to return to my advanced class, but I felt it was a major accomplishment. Playing Taiji in the beginner class I learned to apply my challenges with Taiji to the challenges in my life recovering from my stroke using the framework of Taiji for understanding as I had previously. Taiji was instrumental in my rebuilding myself physically and mentally after sustaining a critical medical/life event. Taiji has given me an understanding of myself, an appreciation of my strengths, awareness of where I need to grow, how to respectfully move within a group and how to accept myself and my peers with grace, love and patience. I owe Shifu Shoshanna a debt of gratitude and am privileged to have learned Taiji under her tutelage and appreciate her guidance, love, and care more than words can convey.

Cindy E.

Taiji has been an incredible journey for me. I have learned how powerful the connection can be between mind and body. The exercises in the beginning of class help root and ground me in the possibility of learning and helping me loosen up. As we continue through the set, I disengage from all outside distractions and focus on movement, the connection between my energy and physical bodies, and the connection with the world. Taiji has had a profound impact on my life. As a young, tech professional, work can get stressful. In my day to day, I’m much more grounded, less reactive, and more confident in myself all because of Taiji. Taiji is not for a single type of person, Taiji is for EVERYONE. I highly recommend Taiji, and specifically Shoshanna as Shifu. Shoshanna can articulate/demonstrate any movement in any setting showing true mastering of Taiji and the set.

Bryan K.

Before I started my Taiji practice, I would say I was your typical 50-year-old businessperson -- overstressed, under-exercised, and completely out of touch with my energy body. I think I looked at well-being as something that was on my To Do list, that never seemed to get done. Then, quite literally overnight, my health changed drastically. Long story short, I joined Shoshanna's practice of Taiji when I started to feel well enough to do some gentle movement. I was completely unprepared for the role it would come to play in my life. The practice has so many benefits to mind, body and spirit which are hard to find in any other activity. I had not been successful at making meditation a regular part of my life. Through Taiji, which is like a moving meditation, I have been able to find a place of calm, centered balance, build strength, and tap into energy I was completely unaware of. The synchronicity I've experienced during group classes is unlike any other experience I have had. I will practice this for the rest of my life, and only wish I had found it in my 20s. Taiji opened my life to so many possibilities!

Virginia D.

Taiji has enabled me to restore flexibility and taught me to move in a way that I could effectively protect myself.

Lauren S.

Instead of a “bad penny”, Taiji is my “lucky quarter”. It grants me passage into the calmness, clarity, and centeredness that awaits. Though formal Taiji practice has been periodic over two decades, it always comes around and prevails in times of need. In the 70s during my formative years, I was inspired by Bruce Lee and others as martial arts became more mainstream in America. If I wasn’t in a tree, playing sports or “army” or jumping ramps with my bike, I was mimicking martial arts moves seen on TV or in the movies. With clenched fists and tightened muscles, I imagined doing real Gong Fu and dreamed of lessons with a master. Fast forward to my twenties when I had my first Karate class with Professor J.H. Kim. Soon after, I met Shifu Shoshanna Katzman, to whom I was immediately drawn. For several years I had the great fortune of an informal mentorship with Shoshanna. She remains one of my most highly revered teachers and friends. I cannot fully quantify all I have learned - and continue to learn - from Shifu Shoshanna. As her assistant director, I learned entrepreneurship and how to run a highly respected wellness center that proved foundational to my own business success. Furthermore, Shoshanna exposed me to the principles and workings of Chinese Medicine, its complimentary modalities, and disease states for which I witnessed incredible healing by her caring hand. She also welcomed me on her Qigong book journey where I learned about the material in depth, writing, editing, and publishing; in total, we called it her book “baby”. More important, she taught me through this process to hyper focus, commit, sacrifice, persevere, and celebrate such an endeavor. Then, how to move on to the next! For more than two decades Shoshanna has gifted me with welcomed opportunity for continuous learning, wisdom and insight, and a long-lasting friendship that words fail to fully express. Of all the lessons taught to me by Shoshanna, none have proven more valuable than Taiji, specifically Guang Ping Style. My practice began in the late 90s at Brookdale College where Shoshanna taught. I learned the full set twice between the college courses and lessons she offered at her acupuncture and wellness center. Since, I have continued with personal practice and learned Five Animal Qigong. In 2019, I took a course in Yang 24 Short Form, Taiji fan and Taiji sword under Master Zhang which complimented and strengthened my Guang Ping Taiji practice. Whether going through the actual movements, hands only, feet only, or doing the set in my head, Guang Ping Taiji has been a steadfast and reliable tool to calm chaos, ground a grudge, and center the sensational. It has brought joy in exercise, awe of nature, adoration practicing the set with beloved elders, and immense respect for my master teacher, generations of masters before and their collective ability, dedication, and generosity. I still love the feeling of muscle activation and movement like the 70s tomboy playing Gong Fu because it’s when I feel most alive. Taiji does this for me. At its core, whether hard or soft, empty or full, fast or slow, high or low, Taiji practice gives me the powerful gifts of moving meditation, focus, breath and body awareness, and proper body alignment. Challenging me mentally and physically, it holistically contributes to my overall physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. I especially cherish Taiji practice because it reminds me to strive for balance and harmony with and in all things. Alongside the teachings of Taiji and generations of its devoted master teachers, I am ever grateful to Shifu Shoshanna. May her legacy, and that of other master teachers, perpetuate the gifts of Taiji. May those who practice find it to be a “lucky quarter” just as it has been for me!

Kimberly W.

For many years I have wanted to learn Taiji but was unsure of the journey and steps I would need to take. By word of mouth, I found Shoshanna. I decided to take a chance and I just jumped right in. I have enjoyed my private and group Taiji sessions for the past four months. She is a wonderful teacher, patient, kind and full of energy. In my journey of learning the art and physical discipline of Taiji. I have been encouraged and supported each step of the way. Taiji has impacted my life by helping to restore my balance. In addition, I feel centered and focused during and after my sessions. My body feels stronger, and I have increased energy. When I wake up in the morning Taiji is the first exercise I do to invigorate my body and mind. It has been a joy and has become a stress reduction tool and skill I utilize to bring calm and peace to myself.

Michelle P.

There comes a time in your life when you realize the depth of your pain, your sadness your desperation. You try to find help, but medical doctors give you five minutes of their time and offer drugs. I remember the day when I found Shoshanna. I sat with her talking and crying for a very long time, I immediately felt her love and compassion. I was safe in her care. We have worked together, with Shoshanna providing different therapies that have saved my life. I’m not that woman who first came to her on the verge of disaster. I take all the tools she has taught me and use them daily in life. Almost every day I practice both Taiji and Qigong. I am called to my practice. Oh, the places that I go while in practice. It’s quite the adventure and the journey has been magical. I’m so grateful I was led to Shoshanna my teacher my healer my energy mother. It takes time, but it’s possible to heal yourself from within when you have the right teacher who shows you the right tools to use. Our Taiji community is loving and nurturing, and compassionate. We support each other. A strong bond develops. We work together in peacefulness and gentle movements. We stay focused and strong. We are Taiji warriors! Thank you, Shoshanna!! I love you and all that you are!!!

Catherine S.

Taiji gives me a deeper understanding of the connectedness between my physical and energy bodies. It provides me with a mindful meditation practice that helps release stress and tension, grounds me in my body, and strengthens my overall balance and posture. I’ve enjoyed the challenge of learning the set and look forward to this lifelong Taiji journey.

Noah K.

I was reaching out for help, mentally falling apart, smoking two to four packs of cigarettes a day when I was 25 – I knew I wasn’t going to make it. I was waking up more tired than when I went to sleep. And lying on the floor was a small newspaper with a one-line ad for Taiji. I called and started spilling my guts to a stranger, that’s how far I was gone. I know in hindsight Taiji has saved my life more than three times. I was so locked up with issues starting right in the beginning during childhood. My life took even more bizarre twists that induced a lot of stress. At one point, I lost everything and was on unemployment. I was obsessed about my Taiji in the beginning - always on my case, saying: “why don’t I get it, how come I don’t get it?” I kept reminding myself how difficult it is to do something perfectly, especially when never done before. Fortunately, after the first five years of physical effort, I “broke the horse” from running. Taiji gave my mind alternatives, freedom from the ruts and patterns; it gave my body freedom from being too tense. It made my mind healthier, go figure. When I was younger, I used the piano to escape sometimes for eight hours a day. I remember later in life when the piano sounded better because I applied some principles of Taiji. Ah, and as I wound up in one of many confrontations – I had a place where my mind and body could go while remaining present that was not pure tension. Like when handling billions of dollars in equipment making split second decisions or taking care of over 14,000 people on a base, arguing with colonels or de-briefing two-star generals at work. And having one on one conversations with “underworld” figures without back-up; including that time the police had me walking heel to toe – yes, I passed, hah. And that other time the gang member approached me at 6:50 am on Fulton Street (NYC), no one else was around; crazy kid. I had something none of them had, something internal, something that gave my mind and body an alternative, a distraction that was beneficial to my health too. This art gave me stability I never had, my will power increased, and I even know how – all from doing the development. Taiji has given me focus and something to do in every encounter without getting caught up in a situation, which is a great thing in dealing with problems in life. I’d rather be centered first so I can see an issue from the outside in lieu of being caught up in it. This is what I mean by always having something that other people didn’t have in my encounters – and it has to be developed through practice. There are many things to learn through Taiji. Even today, 30+ years later, on this path to saving myself there is something to keep me occupied and interested called “subtle energy”. Qi is a real tangible feeling, it requires developing your senses and focus, but it is there, it was always there. My background is mechanical engineering, you’d think someone in my profession would not believe in qi – I mean they don’t teach “qi” in engineering - I proved myself wrong - and it opened up a healthier world. The benefit today is that I carry the integration gained from Taiji throughout the entire day as my primary focus - never to leave the mind, the breathing and the proper state. Then from there I can communicate and deal with other people, but always keep my center first, my health. I am grateful to be learning the Guang Ping Form. It provides me with something I can keep developing and it takes a lot of rote learning, but so does every concert piano piece. No one is going to play Chopin’s First Concerto without learning it by rote first. Anyway, I have had quite a few turns in the barrel and am happy to say I’m still here thanks to Taiji. I would say now at 58 I am healthier mentally and physically than I have ever been in life.

Fred O.

As a former professional ballet dancer, the ability to learn and practice Taiji has filled a void that began when I stopped dancing, as the form connects my physical and energetic bodies in the same way ballet does for me. In fact, Taiji is known as the “Chinese ballet.” When entering a state of Wuji, I experience a sense of euphoria, vibrancy, and oneness — a feeling of fullness that connects me not only internally, but also externally with me surrounding environment. Upon initiating the first move of the set, I enter a state of stillness within movement – one with precision, grace, and power. Finally, it grounds me in the present moment, providing me the ability to listen to my intuition (instead of suppressing or avoiding the truth), pause and reflect (instead of reacting), and to be intentional (instead of living in an unconscious state). I would highly recommend people of all ages and stages of life to learn this life-long practice—it is a gift of healing that you have the power to give to yourself.

Hilary K.

Taiji is a lifeline to balance - physical balance, mental and emotional balance, energetic balance. Balance with loved ones, friends and strangers. Balance in nature and its connectivity of all living things. Balance in self-healing and self-love. Taiji gives me strength, focus, clarity and calm. It has blessed me with the joy and laughter of friendships and the wisdom and care of Shifu Shoshanna. I am most grateful for this practice.

Susan P.

Taiji has taught me how to reconnect the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of my being. This empowering practice helps me stay grounded in myself when stressed. My anxiety is diminished, and I can fully experience the feeling of my life energy inside me. I have the ability to be grounded in my body and to the earth. My Taiji practice supports me in my life's work. I know I have purpose in my life and Taiji empowers me to experience the fullness of life. As a therapist I have found doing Taiji between clients helps me remain present for my clients. My work is better, and my energy is not drained. Taiji supports all aspects of my health and has helped me know and understand myself at a deeper level than I had ever thought possible. Taiji helps me live a better life. Thank you, Shoshanna. With love and gratitude for your presence in my life.

Chris L.

When I was first introduced to Taiji I was living as a hologram completely disconnected from my body and the world around me. Illness and trauma had taken its toll and I could not imagine a future for myself at all, let alone a healthy one. In class I pushed my body to go through the motions as long as I could stand upright. Root, Center, Ground, Dantian, Yin, Yang were terms that swirled in the ether beyond me as I tried not to choke on the tension in my throat. Simply making it through a class was a victory. My state was such that it served only as means of temporary distraction from illness and isolation. But as it happened, Taiji transformed my relationship to life. With years of practice and healing, my physical body is becoming a more comfortable place to reside. At the start, I felt trapped and limited, in denial of my own physical existence. Moving through my resistance, I am beginning to tune in to my body’s alignment and structure. I feel my physical muscles re-awakening, infusing with energy as I shift awareness to them. I am gathering the pieces of myself once discarded in distress and am welcoming them back in tranquility, reassembling myself into a singular whole being. Taiji is showing me the possibility and opportunity that only a human body affords. This newfound appreciation and love for my physical self is now the epicenter of my healing. My Taiji practice is fortifying my ability to meet suffering from a place of quiet strength in lieu of panicked desperation. It is teaching me how to move and flow and be with integrity and intent, to let go of tension and hone the natural power that comes with being alive. I am learning how it is possible to deflect undesirable on comings, be them physical or energetic, with soft diligence and without personal loss. I am learning how to empty and listen deeply with compassion while remaining strong and protected from unwanted outside influence. Simultaneously, I am learning how to navigate the inevitable permeation. Taiji nourishes my innate abilities. As a filmmaker, I am becoming a more intuitive storyteller and a stronger director. I approach my productions with a calm clarity that enables me to flow with circumstance, better connect with my subjects, and compose a powerful influential end product. As an artist, my precision is improving. I find I can better unite my eyes, hands, and intent to manifest works as I see them in my mind. As a writer, my words are more deliberate and abundant in substance. Most of all Taiji has rehabilitated my relationship with myself. My anxious judgmental impatience is being replaced with compassionate acceptance. Confidence in potential is superseding fears of limitation. That which is superfluous is receding allowing space for growth, wellness, and joy. There is nowhere to hide in Taiji. Physical, emotional, energetic, and spiritual imbalances relentlessly make themselves known. It is a mirror of awareness I at first met only with rigid obstinance. As I practice letting go of false perfection and allow my foundations to shift, I see my development ripple through every aspect of my life. After years of perpetual lateness, I am now always on time. Superficial success is no longer indicative of my self-worth. Taiji is an ego neutralizer. I am prideful in my demonstration of a move only to discover yet a hundred more improvements to be implemented to that same move. Every step forward shines a light on the next ten steps ahead. As a child I often dreamed of touching Infinity. Taiji to me is a physical manifestation of the infinite, the boundless bounded. It is a roadmap to infinite growth. At first Taiji was a means of filling a void in my life. Health struggles left me unable to progress in other areas of my life, so Taiji became my purpose and direction. It soon grew to be the unrelenting central axis of my new life. Learning the 64 movements has made me a vessel for this sacred ancient set. I feel at once a sense of humility and profound responsibility. The seed of ever-growing vitality has been planted within me. I bow my head in gratitude for the wisdom Taiji is bestowing upon me. Taiji has not changed my life. It empowers me. It offers me a choice to connect with its teachings and change my life for myself. My hope is to live as a perpetual humble student, to nourish and heal my being, and ultimately to embody the principles of Taiji so that I may live a life of the purest earthly intent.

Jenna B.