testimonials
Cheryl Lynn Yonker
Movement Therapist & Certified Chen Taiji Instructor
San Francisco, California
USES TERMINOLOGY AND
CONCEPTUAL PATTERNS THAT WESTERNERS CAN UNDERSTAND...
I’ve practiced Tai Chi for more than fifteen years and have benefited greatly from my studies with Michael Shaman over the past three. His able and patient teaching has guided me to more clearly recognize my strengths as well as my weaknesses. His in-depth knowledge of Tai Chi/ Qigong and high-level of personal cultivation have enriched my understanding of this most complex of arts.
As his student, fellow Tai Chi teacher, and a Western movement analyst/practitioner I have deep appreciation for the elegance of the curriculum underlying his classes. Through his teachings Michael is passing on essential practices from a wide range of high level practitioners of Qigong and Tai Chi which is highly refined - and a far reaching, multi-faceted and very effective developmental process.
Because he uses terminology and conceptual patterns that westerners can understand he provides a power of access and understanding to the inner workings of the 5-Elements I haven't found elsewhere. Reading through these personal accounts of Sifu Michael Shaman’s students, one really can get a taste of the quality of teaching and enjoyment experienced in his classes. But to really benefit one needs to try it.
Movement Therapist & Certified Chen Taiji Instructor
San Francisco, California
USES TERMINOLOGY AND
CONCEPTUAL PATTERNS THAT WESTERNERS CAN UNDERSTAND...
I’ve practiced Tai Chi for more than fifteen years and have benefited greatly from my studies with Michael Shaman over the past three. His able and patient teaching has guided me to more clearly recognize my strengths as well as my weaknesses. His in-depth knowledge of Tai Chi/ Qigong and high-level of personal cultivation have enriched my understanding of this most complex of arts.
As his student, fellow Tai Chi teacher, and a Western movement analyst/practitioner I have deep appreciation for the elegance of the curriculum underlying his classes. Through his teachings Michael is passing on essential practices from a wide range of high level practitioners of Qigong and Tai Chi which is highly refined - and a far reaching, multi-faceted and very effective developmental process.
Because he uses terminology and conceptual patterns that westerners can understand he provides a power of access and understanding to the inner workings of the 5-Elements I haven't found elsewhere. Reading through these personal accounts of Sifu Michael Shaman’s students, one really can get a taste of the quality of teaching and enjoyment experienced in his classes. But to really benefit one needs to try it.
Michael Greenly
Landscaper/Home Maintenance Specialist
San Rafael, California
GONE OFF ALL MEDICATIONS SUCCESSFULLY...
RELATIONSHIP WITH GIRLFRIEND HAS GROWN PHENOMENALLY...
Study with Michael Shaman has changed my life universally. When I came to class the first time about 5 months ago I was on multiple medications for a variety of problems I had been suffering from for over 5 years. I have since gone off all medications successfully and feel much better and am noticeably healthier.
The practices of qigong, taijiquan, and meditation as taught by Sifu Michael are very good for me in other ways as well. The martial arts self-defense aspect has given me greater confidence for dealing with life in the world. My social life has improved and my relationship with my girlfriend has grown phenomenally as my Qi vitality has strengthened through these practices.
Sifu Michael teaches this very complex system so patiently and generously. I have learned more about love, life, and the ways of the universe over the past few months than through any other activity I have engaged in in my 30 years.
Landscaper/Home Maintenance Specialist
San Rafael, California
GONE OFF ALL MEDICATIONS SUCCESSFULLY...
RELATIONSHIP WITH GIRLFRIEND HAS GROWN PHENOMENALLY...
Study with Michael Shaman has changed my life universally. When I came to class the first time about 5 months ago I was on multiple medications for a variety of problems I had been suffering from for over 5 years. I have since gone off all medications successfully and feel much better and am noticeably healthier.
The practices of qigong, taijiquan, and meditation as taught by Sifu Michael are very good for me in other ways as well. The martial arts self-defense aspect has given me greater confidence for dealing with life in the world. My social life has improved and my relationship with my girlfriend has grown phenomenally as my Qi vitality has strengthened through these practices.
Sifu Michael teaches this very complex system so patiently and generously. I have learned more about love, life, and the ways of the universe over the past few months than through any other activity I have engaged in in my 30 years.
Swami Brahmavidyananda
Vedanta Monk
President - Temple Universal Publications
Ramakrishna Monastery
Hollywood, California
FROM SLEEPY MONK
TO ENERGETIC SPIRITUAL TEACHER
I studied with Michael Shaman in the mid 90's for some five and a half years. These were extraordinary years full of heart warming experiences. I could list a number of skills that Master Shaman has regarding the martial arts, because in many respects, that is what he is, a true, passionate martial artist. His range of understanding is vast. Yet what's so important is how he makes these ancient, esoteric, abstract Chinese ideas understandable to the Western mind.
Moreover, Master Shaman teaches an added skill which I've valued the most. He knows the the healing power of nature along with the healing power of the human body. He's very sensitive to the play of chi in the human body. Doing Tai Chi at sunset with Michael, breathing in and out, was in itself enormously rewarding. As a teacher of Chi-gong and Tai Chi, Master Shaman gave me highly valuable tools which I continue to use every day of my life.
He lays great imphasis on areas or centers of power within the body and how to use these centers to control and distribute chi throughout the nervous system. This information stays with me in a profound way. Dantien is central to what he does. I don't think that the idea of the Dantien is clearly understood by many Tai Chi instructors. But Michael understands it clearly.
And once you tune into this reality, which he emphasizes so strongly, your life changes. You can actually govern your own healing, and stave off the likelihood of cancer and other diseases. A marvelous achievement in itself. There are a number of Chigong forms which he gives. There's the Eight Brocades, the Animal Forms and Swords, however, he's fully conversant with the various Tai Chi sets that are practiced today. So, there's a lot that he's able to teach.
Nevertheless, with all the marvelous skills, I would definitely say that for me, his great contribution is in his centering technique on the Dantien. This seems to be Master Shaman in essence. For it's from the focal point of the Dantien that everything else, healing, composure, the martial arts and inner strength, makes sense.
Vedanta Monk
President - Temple Universal Publications
Ramakrishna Monastery
Hollywood, California
FROM SLEEPY MONK
TO ENERGETIC SPIRITUAL TEACHER
I studied with Michael Shaman in the mid 90's for some five and a half years. These were extraordinary years full of heart warming experiences. I could list a number of skills that Master Shaman has regarding the martial arts, because in many respects, that is what he is, a true, passionate martial artist. His range of understanding is vast. Yet what's so important is how he makes these ancient, esoteric, abstract Chinese ideas understandable to the Western mind.
Moreover, Master Shaman teaches an added skill which I've valued the most. He knows the the healing power of nature along with the healing power of the human body. He's very sensitive to the play of chi in the human body. Doing Tai Chi at sunset with Michael, breathing in and out, was in itself enormously rewarding. As a teacher of Chi-gong and Tai Chi, Master Shaman gave me highly valuable tools which I continue to use every day of my life.
He lays great imphasis on areas or centers of power within the body and how to use these centers to control and distribute chi throughout the nervous system. This information stays with me in a profound way. Dantien is central to what he does. I don't think that the idea of the Dantien is clearly understood by many Tai Chi instructors. But Michael understands it clearly.
And once you tune into this reality, which he emphasizes so strongly, your life changes. You can actually govern your own healing, and stave off the likelihood of cancer and other diseases. A marvelous achievement in itself. There are a number of Chigong forms which he gives. There's the Eight Brocades, the Animal Forms and Swords, however, he's fully conversant with the various Tai Chi sets that are practiced today. So, there's a lot that he's able to teach.
Nevertheless, with all the marvelous skills, I would definitely say that for me, his great contribution is in his centering technique on the Dantien. This seems to be Master Shaman in essence. For it's from the focal point of the Dantien that everything else, healing, composure, the martial arts and inner strength, makes sense.
Jem Sage
Travel Guide
Portland, Oregon
CHANGED MY LIFE...
CAN WALK SEEMINGLY FOREVER WITHOUT TIRING...
MORE PRESENT TO LIFE.
Sifu Michael's teaching has changed my life. It helped me to physically move in daily life in new ways I didn't even know existed that empower me to this day.
For example, it's possible to walk without using any physical effort and now I can walk seemingly forever without tiring. I'm also more present to life.
Michael taught with extraordinary care and a child-likeness that made learning easy and fun while getting profound information that applied to many areas of my life. While I was learning tai chi I felt like I was being trained in high physics but on an experiential mind body level. However, when class started to get too serious and high-minded Michael always had the perfect wise crack to get us out of our head.
Learning Tai Chi even on an introductory or maintenance level proves to be an ongoing life changing experience. No matter where I am in the world, and particularly when I'm in a waiting mode, it's natural and easy to practice the mysterious phenomena of Tai Chi. Thank you Sifu Michael for your sensitivity, understanding and love for what you do. I look forward to my next tune up.
Travel Guide
Portland, Oregon
CHANGED MY LIFE...
CAN WALK SEEMINGLY FOREVER WITHOUT TIRING...
MORE PRESENT TO LIFE.
Sifu Michael's teaching has changed my life. It helped me to physically move in daily life in new ways I didn't even know existed that empower me to this day.
For example, it's possible to walk without using any physical effort and now I can walk seemingly forever without tiring. I'm also more present to life.
Michael taught with extraordinary care and a child-likeness that made learning easy and fun while getting profound information that applied to many areas of my life. While I was learning tai chi I felt like I was being trained in high physics but on an experiential mind body level. However, when class started to get too serious and high-minded Michael always had the perfect wise crack to get us out of our head.
Learning Tai Chi even on an introductory or maintenance level proves to be an ongoing life changing experience. No matter where I am in the world, and particularly when I'm in a waiting mode, it's natural and easy to practice the mysterious phenomena of Tai Chi. Thank you Sifu Michael for your sensitivity, understanding and love for what you do. I look forward to my next tune up.