Home › Oregon › Portland › Northwest Fighting Arts
Northwest Fighting Arts
4.5 ★★★★★ 303 Google reviews · Tai chi studio in Portland, Oregon
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
- Tai Chi for Arthritis & fall prevention gentle, joint-friendly classes — often based on the Arthritis Foundation / Dr. Paul Lam program — that may help with balance and stiffness; check the studio's schedule
- Great for seniors welcoming to older adults, with slow, low-impact movement for balance, mobility and fall prevention
- 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
- Private lessons one-on-one lessons available — a focused way to learn the form at your own pace; ask about availability and rates
- Free / donation / in the park free, donation-based, or outdoor park classes — a low-cost way to try tai chi; confirm times on their site
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule nwfighting.com — see the live class schedule and book
- Phone +1 503-235-3435
Hours
| Monday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 12:30–9 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–9:30 PM |
| Friday | 11 AM–2 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–3 PM |
| Sunday | 9 AM–5 PM |
The classes they run
“Perfect for beginners and experienced fighters alike.”
“I am grateful I found this place and highly recommend it to anyone looking to bring more balance and strength into their life.”
“started tai chi/qigong classes this fall and absolutely loving it!”
“I was nervous at first sending my 5 year old neurodivergent son here but the 1 on 1 they give before class really reassured me that he’d be okay.”
What students say
“I walked in nervous, with very little martial arts experience, and was immediately put at ease by how welcoming and calm the environment is.”
“I walked in nervous, with very little martial arts experience, and was immediately put at ease by how welcoming and calm the environment is.”
“I am grateful I found this place and highly recommend it to anyone looking to bring more balance and strength into their life.”
“I am grateful I found this place and highly recommend it to anyone looking to bring more balance and strength into their life.”
“I came specifically for Muay Thai and had the opportunity to train with Kru Daniel, who was knowledgeable, supportive, and great to work with.”
“They break techniques down step by step, walk around giving individual feedback, and never make you feel silly for asking questions or making mistakes.”
From the reviews
I have had nothing but great experiences here at NWFA! The instructors are great and will answer questions before, during, and after class. They will coach you during drills so that you have feedback in the moment and you can be confident that you are focusing on your technique correctly.
I have been attending NW Fighting Ars for the past three months, and I can truly say it has been a beautiful, grounding experience. The qigong and tai chi classes are fun and interactive. Each session leaves me calmer, more centered, and more connected to my body.
I started training at Northwest Fighting Arts a few months ago and It has already changed my life for the better. I walked in nervous, with very little martial arts experience, and was immediately put at ease by how welcoming and calm the environment is.
Northwest Fighting Arts is AWESOME!! All the trainers are fantastic! I started 6 months ago and have lost 20 pounds but inherited a lot of energy and strength along with confidence and a determination to continue with healthy eating, exercising , and having tons of fun! Check it out! 😃
New to tai chi? Start at Northwest Fighting Arts
Northwest Fighting 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 Northwest Fighting 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.
More tai chi classes near Portland
Portland Tai Chi Academy
3.5 ★★★★☆ 10 reviews
🤲 Tai Chi for Arthritis & fall prevention — check their schedule
Firebird Healing Arts
5 ★★★★★ 23 reviews
🌳 Free or donation-based community class — check their site