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Breaking Wave Martial Arts
5 ★★★★★ 123 Google reviews · Tai chi studio in Latham, New York
Certified instruction — reviews and the studio's own info point to a recognized tai chi program or lineage (think Tai Chi for Health / Dr. Paul Lam, the Taoist Tai Chi Society, or a named family-style teacher). If credentials matter to you, ask which program the instructor is certified in and which style they teach.
Plan your first class
- Beginners welcome all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or flexible to start
- Qigong & breathing qigong and breathing practice — gentle "moving meditation" — taught alongside the tai chi form
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule martialartsalbany.com — see the live class schedule and book
- Phone +1 518-755-7512
Hours
| Monday | 9 am–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 9 am–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 9 am–9 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am–9 pm |
| Friday | 9 am–9 pm |
| Saturday | 8 am–3 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“That makes it a comfortable environment whether you’re brand new or have prior experience.”
“In just one more week, it will mark a full year since I started studying Tai Chi and Qigong at Breaking Wave Martial Arts , and I feel truly grateful for this experience.”
“The Kyokushin Karate is a fantastic class that has a great mix of all ages and abilities.”
What students say
“Lucas Geller is an amazing teacher/shifu, he will help kids individually if they need they extra help and he will be serious when he needs to and funny when he needs to.”
“Very welcoming environment that treats people with all levels of martial arts the same.”
“I had always been interested in Tai Chi, but I never realized that Albany had such an authentic Tai Chi and Qigong academy.”
“On top of martial arts he loves the different sports/warm-up activities they do before each session.”
“Shifu Lucas carries an amazing teaching gift to break down the moves and help students of varying abilities reach their goals.”
“In just one more week, it will mark a full year since I started studying Tai Chi and Qigong at Breaking Wave Martial Arts , and I feel truly grateful for this experience.”
From the reviews
Having a son with an ADHD and autism diagnosis makes it hard to find extra curricular activities where he feels challenged, understood, and amongst his peers. CMAA checks all of those boxes for my son. Shifu Lucas shows the mixture of kindness, patience, and discipline that allows my son to flourish.
Our son started taking classes in Kyokushin Karate here. We started our journey with trail classes and they were spot on. Shifu Lucas gave us all the information we needed and taught every class with equal passion and dedication. He is one of the best instructors in this field.
What I like about this martial art studio is that you pay one fee and can come to class everyday, except for Sunday when closed. The difference is that you meet those who are really interested in martial art and would like to continuously and steadily sharpen their skills: they come to class everyday for more than one…
My two kids and wife have been studying Wushu with Master Geller since the school opened, and we all cannot recommend the school enough. This Chinese style of martial arts is fluid yet complex, challenging both the body and mind. Master Lucas is a superb athlete as well as a great teacher, which is a rare combination.
New to tai chi? Start at Breaking Wave Martial Arts
Breaking Wave Martial Arts comes up as a beginner-friendly studio, going by its listing and students' reviews. If you've never tried tai chi, that's exactly who a good beginners class is for. A few things worth knowing before your first session. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — the movements are slow and gentle, you set your own pace, and many can be done seated if standing is hard. Second, there's nothing to buy and nothing to keep up with — wear comfortable clothes and flat, flexible shoes, and simply follow along. Third, all ages and abilities really are welcome — ask whether there's a dedicated beginners or all-levels class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most studios are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first tai chi class at Breaking Wave Martial Arts
Nervous about walking into a tai chi class for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good instructors expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a gentle warm-up, then learning a few slow movements of the form, step by step — no pressure to get it perfect, and you can rest or sit whenever you need to. What to wear: loose, comfortable clothing you can move in, and flat, flexible shoes (some studios practice in socks or bare feet). What to bring: water, and that's about it — there's no equipment to buy. Arrive a few minutes early to say hello to the instructor and mention it's your first class. It comes together faster than you'd think — most people feel far more at ease by their second or third visit.
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