San Francisco Hunyuan Tai Chi Academy

Amazing teaching from Sifu Malcolm. This is a true blessing to have a unique and solid Qi Gong and Taiji school in the Bay Area.

I had taken several introductory classes of Tai Chi in the past and when I came to San Francisco I found myself wanting to get in to it more seriously.
After doing some research online, I found Tai Chi Academy. I setup an appointment to talk to Malcolm the following weekend
As soon as I walked in, I knew this was the place I wanted to study. I was immediately welcomed with a hearty smile and a genuine interest in my life and my interests in the practice.
Malcolm is a patient and extremely knowledgeable teacher. His instruction has greatly reduced the stress in my life, and his school has given me a great welcoming group of people I am always more than happy to interact with each day.
I have been going here for the past year and a half and there is no end in sight for me!
I cant recommend this school enough. For all your assorted aches and pains, there is nothing better than some SF Hunyuan Tai Chi Academy!

I just wanted to update my review for SF Hunyuan. I’ve been at this Studio studying with Malcolm and Annie for the last 3 plus years and the amount that I’ve learned is invaluable. Not only have I discovered a deeper level of martial arts and movement but I’ve discovered a fantastic and supportive community. If you want a real deal taichi experience SF Hunyuan is the real deal.

I discovered this school when I was looking for a form of exercise that would help me manage ongoing nerve and muscular pain. I began with the Qi Gong or «Silk Reeling» classes and have since moved on to the Beginning Tai Chi and I’ve been absolutely delighted with the experience. The studio is cozy and charming and the community Malcolm, Annie and students attending here have created is very warm and welcoming. The classes, which run an hour and a half, are always quite detailed and informative and strike a perfect balance of being gentle on the body and yet examining the martial applications, which as a former kempo student always keeps me entertained. In my time here, about 6 months now, I have had a significant reduction in the pain I experience and feel my body mechanics and energetic awareness have improved. Also, I seem to be making changes toward a healthier lifestyle which I somehow feel I should attribute to this practice. The classes here are such a relief after my busy, hectic days I don’t know what I’d do without them! Therefore, I highly recommend this school to anyone looking for tai chi or qi gong classes.

After outgrowing a beginner’s Tai Chi class through UCSF, I started visiting all the Tai Chi studios I could find. I felt like Goldilocks, where all of them — for one reason or another — weren’t a fit. When I walked into the Academy, I immediately knew that this was the place I was looking for. My first impression was how warm and welcoming it is, from the space itself to Malcolm (the instructor) and Annie (his life and business partner). My next impression was that there was much to learn here.
I attend the weekend Silk Reeling classes. I had been looking for something that would combine elements of Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and meditation, but I didn’t know if such a thing existed. I was thrilled to find the class, and have had so many benefits. Thanks to this class, I have seen clear improvements in my energy level, balance, and more. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about taking this class on weekend mornings, but it’s turned out to be a real positive. Missing class is always a big disappointment. I’m so glad to have found this place, and can recommend it in all honesty to anyone interested in learning more about Tai Chi, energy work, and improving health and well-​being.

Malcolm’s first question to me was «why do you want to practice it?» Well, I’ve read histories, a little info about it, and made up a superficial idea of improving energy flow throughout the body, choreography/​movement – which is a plus for me as I love dancing – a bit of meditation and a healthy philosophy. But sincerely? Now I’m seeing how beyond that it goes. It has helped me with concentration, understanding better my own body, balance, it has improved my ankle’s recovery – I had a bad-​bad sprain last year – , now I feel I want it for the rest of my life, and I’m becoming myself a Tai Chi evangelist. ;) And If you ask me ‘Should I?’ – I’d just say ‘Relax and flow with it!’”

when i first stared here back in june, there were only two of us in class. now, going on 5 months, there are a bunch of us of various ages and level. the ever-​patient, infintely knowledgeable (well, it seems that way sometimes) malcolm leads us through a varied menu of silk-​reeling exercises. they look simple, at least when malcolm leads them, but it turns out they are highly complex and involve a total body consciousness and awareness. the class moves along, but questions are welcome and malcolm is only too happy to explain/​demonstrate anything we don’t understand. i had no idea that taiji is a martial art (and not just something old asian men and women do in the park), and malcolm is quick to demonstrate this application for each exercise (maybe he’ll demonstrate on you, gently, of course).
i’m not sure where this will lead me personally — i don’t have a specific taiji goal — but i will keep going just because i like it: it wakes up my 63-​year-​old body gently in the morning while giving me a total-​body workout and i am, gradually, learning another way of being in and aware of my body. i could write a lot more, but it’s almost 7,30 and i need to get my butt up to class

Studying Tai Chi with Malcolm over the last few months has been amazingly helpful for me in the following areas:
* flexibility
* reduction of pain
* increase in ease and comfort in my body
* posture
* happiness
Malcolm is a great teacher and very personable, as well as very knowledgeable about this difficult and rewarding art. If you want to really learn Tai Chi, come check it out.
I haven’t regretted it since.