Home › Michigan › Berkley › School of Martial Arts
School of Martial Arts
4.6 ★★★★★ 53 Google reviews · Tai chi studio in Berkley, Michigan
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
- 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
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule zenmartialarts.com — see the live class schedule and book
- Phone (248) 542-5630
Hours
| Monday | 11 AM–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 11 AM–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–10 PM |
| Friday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–2 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“The students cover the spectrum from kids to senior citizens, and manages to challenge them all.”
“I was introduced to meditation, breathing exercises, proper punching and kicking, chokes, locks, and throws.”
“I started as a student in the Zen Martial Arts (ZMA) program several years ago and loved it so much that I now participate in the tai chi and jiu jitsu programs, as well.”
What students say
“First step was to find a great teacher and that is what I had done with Sifu Brown nearly twenty years ago.”
“Since my first class, I have looked forward to every session with Sifu Brown and enjoy his teaching, camaraderie, and creativity.”
“I started as a student in the Zen Martial Arts (ZMA) program several years ago and loved it so much that I now participate in the tai chi and jiu jitsu programs, as well.”
“The students cover the spectrum from kids to senior citizens, and manages to challenge them all.”
“They respect the student's abilities, while challenging them to exceed their limitations and develop inner strength of will.”
From the reviews
I visited Sifu Brown and Jeri Donahue in 2003 and numerous times since. We have since become the closest of friends as we share the same passion: martial arts and what it can do for those who practice it seriously.
In 2009, I was looking for a school to teach my daughter self defense so she could protect herself from bullying at school. A friend suggested Sifu Brown and the School of Martial Arts to learn the necessary skills. It worked, and helped her learn how to respond well in difficult situations.
I absolutely love being a student of Sifu Brown at the School of Martial Arts. I started as a student in the Zen Martial Arts (ZMA) program several years ago and loved it so much that I now participate in the tai chi and jiu jitsu programs, as well.
I've attended this school for eighteen years. The students cover the spectrum from kids to senior citizens, and manages to challenge them all. Classes are designed so that everyone has opportunities to improve at every session. I'm in my fifties now, and can accomplish things I never thought I could have.
New to tai chi? Start at School of Martial Arts
School of 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 School of 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.
More tai chi classes near Berkley
Wu's Tai Chi Chuan Academy Detroit
4.9 ★★★★★ 17 reviews
🤲 Tai Chi for Arthritis & fall prevention — check their schedule