Woodlands Tai Chi

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  Practicing Tai Chi has been one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve made for my overall wellbeing.  It has greatly improved my balance and flexibility   I feel more centered, my stress levels are lower and I’ve gained strength without strain.  The sense of community is strong and I’ve made meaningful friendships along the way.  The instructors are knowledgeable, patient and dedicated. I highly recommend Tai Chi for anyone looking to improve their health, find inner calm and connect with others in a positive setting. –  Lessley C (member since 2017)

  My name is Mickey, I started with Woodlands Tai Chi in my late 70s. The first two attempts didn’t stick with me, but on my 3rd attempt, I was successful, and I’ve been at it for about 4 years now. I find it very stimulating and challenging, and it helps with my balance. I’ve also learned that Tai Chi is a lot more than just waving your hands around; it requires commitment and focus as it’s a continuous learning experience. The Woodlands Tai Chi is blessed with a dedicated and patient director who is supported by a team of skilled instructors who are always willing to help.  If I can do it, you can too. – Mickey C (member 2021)

  Tai chi is subtle – one doesn’t even realize how the slow movement builds strength, develops my balance and keeps my brain ( fairly)  sharp. The best part is the friendships that one develops . Love Tai Chi class.  – Laurie A. (member 2015)

A Beginner’s Journey to Balance

I recently completed the Beginners Tai Chi course, and it was such a rewarding experience! The instructors were not only experts, but also extremely patient and highly disciplined. I appreciated how they guided us step by step, making sure we understood both the movements and the purpose behind them. Along the way, I met some amazing people who have been practicing for many years. This was not only inspiring and encouraging, but also a wonderful bonus to the experience. Personally, Tai Chi has helped me become more focused, balanced, and present in my day-to-day life. I’ve also noticed a real improvement in my sleep—it has been more restful and restorative. My husband even noticed the positive changes in me! I am truly grateful for this experience and look forward to continuing the journey.                           Renea Shree’ R. (2025)

  Starting Tai Chi was a bit intimidating, but Woodlands Tai Chi classes led by Sesco have been very rewarding. In addition to the group instruction, multiple instructors provide one-on-one guidance that really makes a difference. They patiently work with me on my form and technique, answer questions and provide tips to help me progress. Learning Tai Chi with this welcoming group has been relaxing, enjoyable and a lot of fun! Suzanne F. (2025)

 

Ever since I joined Woodlands Tai Chi and practiced tai chi my mental, physical,
emotional, and spiritual well-being have altered in a positive way. Prior to learning tai chi I had
internal struggles consuming my thought, behavior, and action and I needed to find a way to
address and correct these struggles. Life sent me the answer when I fortunately and
coincidentally came across a post on Facebook feed about Woodlands Tai Chi. Without any
hesitation I enrolled in the school. As one of the younger tai chier in the class, my initial
impression of tai chi was just like any ordinary group exercise class in which you do a routine
“exercise” from start to end and that was it; however, that impression ended the first 15-
minutes on my very first day of tai chi. Fast forward to now, I very much still enjoy tai chi and
attend class as often as I can. Practicing tai chi has lowered my stress level, cleared my mind,
and softened my day-to-day muscle tension, in additional improved my balance. Aside from
the self-improvements the best part of joining Woodlands Tai Chi is the many smiles and faces I
see when walking into that dojo. It is an experience that I cannot describe to my family and
friends because I know they would not understand; but I will attest that I am blessed to
incorporate tai chi into my life.

Chanthy G (5/2/24)

  I searched for a place to get instruction in tai chi in the Montgomery County area and found Woodlands Tai Chi.  I started in November of 2023.  For the next 7 months I was taught ɓy Sifu Sesco Saegusa and his group of instructors.  These men and women are highly professional and take time and care to work with each of us.  My balance has been improved as well as muscle control, information retention and movement.   I had tried other groups but they didn’t have the technique as good for learning as Woodlands Tai Chi, and some were expensive. There is no cost for instruction.  In June of 2024 I broke my femur at the hip.   My recovery from the break and surgery was rapid, and my doctors credited my conditioning  in Tai chi.  I am 85 years old, and still participating and learning Tai chi from Woodlands Tai Chi. … the BEST.   Susan N. (member since 2023)

  I just started Tai Chi, with WTC, with a friend of mine and my husband and we love it! I have wanted to do this for a long time and I am glad we are now doing it. It’s great for the brain and body connection, balance and coordination. It can be challenging to learn in the beginning, but once you get the hang of it, things come easier. It is very relaxing and fun and you meet great people! Sifu Sesco has been teaching this for many years. He is an expert.  There is also a lot of help from the senior students. My favorite part is when we all do the form together with music, like a little school of fish swimming!       Lori W (member 2025 )
    I have only been going to Woodlands Tai Chi for 2 months.  I have already seen a notable improvement in my balance, core strength, and memory.  The instructors a very patient and understanding.  I hope to make Tai Chi a lifelong commitment.  Thanks, Margaret M (2025)

      The instructors are very knowledgeable and highly dedicated. Moreover, they are patient and kind. The practice of Tai Chi itself helps you keep calm, relax and focus. The high quality and dedication in teaching of this valuable practice to people of all ages at no cost at all is a precious gift (of a lifetime) to the residents of this community. Take advantage of it while you can. Vinh D (2025)

    I  joined Woodlands Tai Chi to work on better balance & to do something different, something that would make my brain work a bit harder. I’ve been attending the Woodlands group for over a year now. The instructors are very accommodating & patient; they are very dedicated in helping each individual to learn the movements & to achieve personal goals. I recommend Woodlands Tai Chi to my friends & to anybody who is interested in knowing how to do Tai Chi the proper way.  Steve G. (2024)   

The Woodlands Tai Chi (WTC) group is amazing!  What has so impressed me is that it is led by a dedicated team of volunteer instructors under the direction of Sifu Sesco, and it is completely free of charge to the community. I began with no prior knowledge of Tai Chi and have benefited so much from the experience. The instructors are absolutely wonderful at welcoming newcomers and gently guiding you through the various forms you will learn.   The Tai Chi taught at WTC is specifically geared towards exercising to improve overall health.  Since starting my journey, I have seen a significant improvement in my balance, flexibility and strength.  The gentle, flowing movements combined with breath work help calm my soul and bring me a sense of inner peace.  But best of all, I get to meet each week and share smiles, laughter, and a spirit of playfulness with fellow students.  It’s such a great way to start my day. I am deeply grateful for the selfless time and energy that Sifu Sesco and his team devote to enriching the lives of so many in The Woodlands community. A heartfelt thank you – Cathy P (2024)

    Woodlands Tai Chi has been a wonderful addition to my life.  The individual physical benefits to participating in Tai Chi are well-documented in studies by major universities and medical specialists.  I have seen improvements in my balance, flexibility, strength and memory.  But learning and performing in the group setting provided by Woodlands Tai Chi brings its own additional benefits.  Performing in a group requires attention to pace and breathing that add another element of difficulty that brings additional benefits.  There is also a camaraderie in the group that results in forming friendships reaching beyond just the practice room.  The entire year builds to our performance on World Tai Chi Day, which provides the opportunity for family and friends to see what Tai Chi is all about and to even participate in the event.  After over 4 years in the group, I wholeheartedly recommend Tai Chi to anyone looking to improve their health and Woodlands Tai Chi as the place to get the training and practice that bring great results. Tom G (8/5/21)

   Since joining Tai Chi, my balance and coordination have improved greatly. I am also using a side of my brain for memory that I was not using before. I have met some wonderful, supportive people and I am learning more with each class. Tai Chi is something that I do to better myself overall. It is not a competition, which I love. Everyone helps other people to continue to improve. Even after over two years, I am still loving this. Jenette C (5/3/23)

    I had a bad bicycle accident resulting in a spinal cord injury four years ago.  As a result, it took me 4 months to learn how to walk again, and I have serious balance issues still. In the last 4 years, I have fallen 13 times.  I now use my walking stick wherever I go to prevent more falls. I have tried many things to help me balance better.  I tried Pilates, yoga, stretch lab,  acupuncture, and chiropractor, all to no help at all.  I also tried getting two steroid shots in my back, also with no help.  
Then I tried Tai Chi.  After two years of Tai chi, my balance is much better, and I can now do most of the moves without falling or losing my balance, which I couldn’t do when I started. I would strongly recommend tai chi to any person who has a balance problem or a posture problem. Thank you, Mark D (8/10/23)

   If you are looking for a way to improve your health, physically and mentally, then you should check out Woodlands Tai Chi. I have participated in various martial arts over the years and thoroughly enjoy Yang style tai chi. The best description I have heard is ‘moving meditation’. The teachers and participants at Woodlands Tai Chi are also very welcoming and helpful. Come and give it a try!      John W (9-1-18)

   I joined this Tai Chi class two years ago, and it has been one of the most enriching commitments I’ve made. The sessions are completely free, yet they are run with the kind of professionalism and care you would expect from a top-tier program. The senior instructors are experienced and passionate volunteers who clearly love what they do, and their dedication shines through in every class. Tai chi may look deceptively simple from the outside, but practicing it gently tests your patience and resilience — and in return, it offers balance, calm, and a profound sense of well-being. Over time, I’ve noticed real improvements in my stability, focus, and overall health, both physically and mentally.
It’s also common for beginners to feel discouraged by the slow pace of progress, and class sizes often shrink as a result. But for those who stay the course, the benefits unfold gradually and leave a lasting impact. Beyond the practice itself, what makes this class truly special is the community it fosters. People come together not only to learn Tai Chi but also to connect, encourage one another, and share in the joy of movement. It’s rare to find something so well-organized, inclusive, and genuinely uplifting, all provided by volunteers who are doing this out of passion and goodwill. After two years, I can wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking to learn Tai Chi, improve their well-being, and become part of a supportive, inspiring community. Kala G. (5/2/23)
   ” Practicing Tai Chi under Sifu Sesco and his team of instructors at Woodlands Tai Chi has significantly improved my flexibility and reduced stiffness. In just over one year my everyday movements feel smoother and more natural. As a bonus, every one I met has been great. I’ve connected with a diverse group of people while doing something that benefits”     Sanjiv D. (8/7/24)

        Joining the Woodlands Tai Chi group over two years ago was one of the best decisions my husband and I have ever made. Not only has it helped maintain the physical balance control needed as you age but another benefit that is not as often mentioned is the emotional balance associated with being with a group of people who share the same goals of being physically and mentally healthy. It is indeed a very enriching experience! Lise H. (2-2-23)

        Tai Chi to me:    A practice of mindfulness and focus.  It creates a type of calm energy that carries over into my daily life.  A very welcoming group that makes we want to continue to improve! Julie D (2024)
   My name is Leslie and I want to tell you that the practice of Tai Chi has allowed me to discontinue my blood pressure medication.   Not only that but it has also improved my balance and provided me with a calming, meditative space to breathe.  Leslie C. (4-6-22)
Tai Chi is great. It grants me ancient, mystical powers — specifically, the ability to gracefully overpower unsuspecting old people… in slow motion. I particularly enjoy our annual performance, where we unleash our silent fury upon the general public. Nothing says “inner peace” like a synchronized wave of seniors casually summoning chi while wearing matching silk pajamas.
Vincent  B. (4-02-22)

      I have been a Tai Chi enthusiast and practitioner for 3 years. It is not hyperbole to say that it has been a great 3 years for helping to maintain my physical health and well-being. Practicing Tai Chi has improved my balance and my flexibility. I make a point of checking my blood pressure after each class and I am always pleased with the results.  Woodlands Tai Chi team consists of smart, talented and patient instructors. Our Tai Chi team leader, Sesco – and his team – exhibit their passion for the art and it’s contagious. I also cherish the friendships that I have made, some of whom will be friends for life. If you’re looking for a fantastic experience, I encourage you to join e Woodlands Tai Chi program. You will not regret it!  Janice W.  (member since 2/2/23)

  Besides all the proven health benefits of Tai Chi, what I am really enjoying as a member of the Woodlands Tai Chi group is a sense of community and camaraderie. There is no greater feeling than practicing tai chi as a group. Frederique K. (member since 2/1/23)

Being part of the Woodlands Tai Chi Group has been such a rewarding experience. The practice gives me a deep sense of tranquility and has noticeably improved my balance. I love how the movements feel meditative and grounding.  The teachers are outstanding—knowledgeable, patient, and truly committed to helping each of us grow in our Tai Chi practice.  I feel grateful to be a member of such a committed and welcoming community.

I have been out of the Tai Chi group mainly due to problems with my ankles and legs.  The words above truly represent how I feel.  You guys are incredible for your patience, helping attitude, and commitment to teaching Tai Chi.  Not sure when I will be back, but thank you for all you have done for me.

Raul C. (2/1/23)