Tom Gohring's School-Tai Chi

When I started at Master Gohring's Kung Fu and Tai Chi a year ago, I was looking for an interesting way to get my health in order and bring my cholesterol down. I was welcomed immediately by Ms. Peters. I had to reschedule my introductory lesson a couple of times, and she was very understanding. I had done some Tae Kwon Do previously, and I wanted to be sure there was a class where adults could practice techniques separately from the young ones. There was indeed such a time slot; actually there are several available, which meet certain standards Master Gohring has set for consistent instruction. Pros: Quality instruction, small class sizes. Cons: Haven't encountered any. more

I could barely move when I hobbled in the door at Master Gohring's Tai' Chi and Kung Fu. I was not certain what to expect my first class. I was immediately greeted by the friendliest and caring person (Ms. Peters) who made me feel right at ease. It turned out that all the people I would meet that night would be just as friendly and caring, both staff and students. Pros: Wonderful environment, Great staff, supportive student body, supurb value Cons: None come to mind more

Our entire family has been studying martial arts at Master Gohring?s Tai Chi and Kung Fu in Austin, TX for the past two years, and we absolutely love our school. It is one of the best investments we could ever make for so many reasons. Pros: family-oriented, quality curriculum, great location Cons: martial arts is hard work! more

In January, my husband and I decided it was time to get our four year old son involved in a social/physical activity. We had heard good things about Master Gohring and thought we should give his school a try. The three of us were given a free lesson together to give us a small taste of what the school is all about. My husband and son were signed up that day and started Kung Fu classes the next week. I, however, hesitated and wasn't so sure about Kung Fu. Then, Master Gohring introduced me to Tai Chi. He invited me to observe the beginner class to see if it was something I thought I'd like to do. I observed then started lessons that week. After the first lesson, I was hooked. I look forward to every lesson. This week marks a month since I started Tai Chi at Master Gohring's Tai chi and Kung Fu and have already noticed a difference in my overall well being. I am more flexible, sleep better at night and the usual aches and pains aren't as frequent or severe. Besides the physical improvements, my family has a common interest we all enjoy. Master Gohring has a saying, ""The family that kicks together, sticks together."" He is dedicated to strengthening families through martial arts and is sincere about it. I am very happy with our decision to attend Master Gohring's Kung Fu and Tai Chi and would highly recommend it to anyone that is considering studying martial arts. Pros: very knowledgable instructor, friendly staff, great atmosphere,family friendly Cons: can't think of any more

My primary goal to studying T?ai Chi was to find sources of relaxation relief from my high-stress work environment without turning to the most commonly source of medication as some of my coworkers have. Since I started playing T?ai Chi in August of 2004 with Master Gohring?s T?ai Chi & Kung Fu, I have been amazed of the impact it has made in my everyday life. I am breathing better, moving more freely and my posture has improved. Overall I am feeling stronger mentally and physically which impacts me spiritually as well. My stress level has continued yet with the practice of T?ai Chi, I feel better equipped to handle most anything thrown in my direction, the ultimate T?ai Chi move, no pun intended. Each class gives me much to look forward to as learning with the other students is fun, safe and always fresh. Master Gohring takes great care in his instruction as to not to overwhelm us and yet keeps us all interested in perfecting each individual move. Mastering T?ai Chi is truly a journey of which I am glad to be a part of and it?s comforting in knowing it?s something I can continue to do even when I reach 102 years old, unlike some other sports and activities I?ve been involved in. I recommend Master Gohring's T'ai Chi and Kung Fu to anyone who is looking for a better quality of life whether it's an internal or external martial art, the choice is yours, he has both to offer you. Pros: Ample parking, great people, fun, challenging and safe to learn Cons: Really can't think of any more

I've been studying Tai Chi at Master Gohring's school for about 2.5 years. I went in looking for an exercise program because I was getting older and needed something to do on a regular basis. What I ended up discovering was so much more. The ideas of yin/yang and balance were foreign concepts to me, but i began to see them when I would do my Tai Chi. I definitely felt better and healthier. I definitely noticed a change in my body. However, I soon began to realize that the principles of Tai Chi apply in my everyday life as well. That Tai Chi is more than just a martial art or exercise, it's a process of personal transformation. The lessons learned have definitely helped me strike a better balance in my personal and professional life in terms of stress reduction and hours spent working. It was (and still is) a very refreshing change. Master Gohring teaches Tai Chi as a complete martial art -- from the philosophical foundations, to the empty-hand and weapons forms, as well as the applications and sparring exercises. The complete approach to Tai Chi is also what makes it a powerful tool for personal transformation. In response to a couple of the posts below regarding money, I think of it as a personal investment (and one very worth making with tremendous benefits). It's common place to invest in a home, invest in stock, even invest in a car. Investing in an opportunity to improve your health and change your outlook on life should be a no brainer -- no matter the cost. Without a doubt, a short-term investment in yourself now can certainly pay long-term dividends. For me, the experience and decision to take Tai Chi at Master Gohring's has been great. I would highly recommend it for anyone interested in getting the most out of Tai Chi (and life), but understand that willingness, commitment and investment are crucial and necessary to achieve transformation. Pros: Solid instruction; positive, welcoming community; good parking; something for everyone; complete approach to Tai Chi more

I've been a student with Master Gohring's Tai Chi & Kung Fu here in Austin for just about two years, I started out just looking to get rid of some frustration and a few pounds but what I found was much more. The Instructor and his staff were so kind they had and still have great attitudes and are super motivators, never letting me quit or give up when I get frustrated with myself but Master Gohring also does not push and is very serious about knowing your body and knowing when to stop and to pace yourself. I have asthma and for years I have used an inhaler at least four maybe five times a day, but since I have been in Tai Chi doing the breathing excercises and Chi Kung now I use the inhaler maybe once a day. On top of being a relaxing environment and fun the excercises are good for your mind and body,the curriculum can be hard sometimes but I look forward every day to going to class, the friends I have made at the academy are so positive and make being in class even better. I have become so additicted to the martial arts that I am taking Kung Fu as well as Tai chi with Master Gohring. Pros: close to home, no pressure, good class scheduels Cons: can't think of any more

Three words to remember with this school: Bring.Your.Wallet. I agree with the poster down below, you are constantly being told to extend an already lengthy contract, take more classes, buy more uniforms, buy equipment, enter contests, pay specialists to come and teach (which isn't such a bad thing I guess, but isn't that what you are already paying for?). Also, I'm not impressed with the fact that an owner would come on here and rate his own business (see earlier review of himself posted by the owner.) Is that what this forum is for, really? Pros: easy to get to, parking is good Cons: Misleading and expensive more

Master Gohring has a very relaxed and approachable style. His school teaches the traditions of martial arts like respect and courtesey, and he has created a very positive community of students that suppot each other in their martial arts journey. Along with Yang style Tai Chi, students learn a Qi Gong system that enhances their mastery of the form. Students learn applications of the postures and several forms of push-hands. Learning Tai Chi with Master Gohring has been a life changing experience for me. Pros: Experienced teacher; quality of training; sense of community Cons: loss of bad habits; increased personal expectations--maybe those aren't bad things.... more

Pros: A fantastic place to release stress, focus, and learn a better way for your life more

I grew up in Austin, Texas. I began my training in Tai Chi and Kung Fu 20 years ago. After only 1 year of training and at the age of 15 my teacher recognized my talent as an instructor and I was the one my teacher had work with new students. In 1989 at age 17, I finished my Black Sash training. That same year my teacher opened up a school across the street from the original Whole Foods Market. He said, ""Your teaching Kung Fu, your teaching Tai Chi and your in charge of the Kids Martial Arts Program."" I said, ""Yes, Sir."" In 1991 I became a certified instructor. I am currently the president of the national black sash association as a 5th degree black sash teacher. I have dedicated my life to helping students and families grow strong together. Pros: Disciplined and Focused Atmosphere - Great for Beginner and Advanced Student Cons: Challenging classes - Instructor makes you work. more

The philosophy here is not what you get to do, but who you get to become. There are different levels of training available in both tai chi and kung fu depending on your level of committment to learning the arts. Master Gohring is very dedicated to the enrichment of his students, child and adult, and he has one on one interaction with all of them. You get traditional training in a modern atmosphere that also embodies the spiritual aspects and life mastery elements of the martial arts. The students and staff are all very friendly and helpful. Honestly, the training is worth every penny. more

The sales pressure you feel right after you join is ridiculous. Basically, the gist here is that you can not advance past a certain point in rank without 'joining' special clubs or extending an already long term contract. The main instructor is also the owner and comes off as very disingenuine because of the high pressure sales. The formality and approach sucks all the spirituality right out of this. Pros: convenient class time, good parking Cons: high pressure sales, confusing practices, misleading more

Decent traditional Kung Fu instruction. Very good Tai Chi instruction. Personable and fun classes. A bit too much business for my taste. I felt like I was always supposed to sign up for things or buy additional equipment. Lots of hoops to jump through for advancement. Business and advancement structure gets in the way of the teaching sometimes. Pros: Decent instruction, Fun people Cons: Business Model, Long term contracts more