Tai chi master shares expertise with The Paradise Center students

Anyone passing by The Paradise Center the morning of March 1 could feel the chi in the air.

Dedicated tai chi students filled its parking lot at 10 a.m like they do every Wednesday and Friday. But these regulars of Reuben Fernandez’s tai chi class at The Paradise Center were in for a treat Friday morning. Fernandez’s master Max G. Yan had come to teach his annual tai chi class on Longboat Key. 

This year, Yan’s class was about getting back to the basics and understanding what tai chi can do for your health and lifestyle. As he led the class, he sprinkled it with personal anecdotes and references to understand each movement better. Yan explained that the energy, or the “chi,” is the main principle of the whole practice and is what draws him and others to tai chi.

“Today, I wanted to speak to them about the basic concept of the tai chi exercise,” said Yan. “It is very complicated, but it is all based on the same concept. You have only two movements. It's just different combinations. Knowing these two movements helps us stay loose and feel the peace and energy or the ‘chi.’ Tai chi is different and unique from the other exercises.”

Originally from China, Yan started to practice kung fu in his childhood. Due to a medical problem, he was recommended to start tai chi. He said that this changed his body in one year in every aspect of his health. He has been dedicated to the practice ever since.

Yan learned the oldest form of tai chi from Grand Master Chen Quanzhong. Chen tai chi was passed down in Quanzhong’s family line and is the most popular form of the exercise. 

Yan now has his own school in Hollywood, Florida, and passed this style of tai chi down to his students including Fernandez. He is a part of the World Taoist League and also taught in New Hampshire for some time.

Photo by Petra Rivera

Fernandez started practicing tai chi under Yan when he moved to Hollywood. They have known each other for over 20 years. Fernandez was looking for a new outlet to practice martial arts to pay homage to his childhood hobby. 

Yan’s open demeanor and the serenity of tai chi attracted Fernandez to dedicate himself to the practice. He said that the familial concept of tai chi also drew him to it. His classes revolve around Yan’s lessons of community and supporting one another in physical, mental and spiritual health.

“His whole philosophy is everyone supporting each other,” said Fernandez. “It is not about being super strict and critical of everyone. That is not what tai chi is about. It is about helping everyone move forward in their tai chi journey and lifestyle.” 

Photo by Petra Rivera

Four years ago, Fernandez moved to Sarasota and started teaching tai chi at Elite Health Medical Center where he taught for one year. After being recommended to The Paradise Center by Town Commissioner BJ Bishop, Fernandez has hosted tai chi classes for Longboaters for three years.

“I have known these students for a long time and they are just blessed to have Reuben as a teacher,” said Yan. “So I love coming to teach here because it is really like teaching in paradise.” 

Yan also stayed after class to give some private tai chi lessons. Janet Milliken attends Fernandez's class every week and said she was amazed by Yan’s class.

“I love how he explains everything in depth,” said Milliken. “This class, he went into how the two basic movements affect different parts of the body when you use different combinations. He also is just funny and livens up the class. I go to class every week so being able to learn from Reuben’s master really makes a difference.”