Welcome to Sebastopol Tai Chi
Enriching Lives with Tai Chi - since 1981 Join our Seb Tai Chi classes in Sebastopol and San Francisco, CA.What is Tai Chi?
Enjoy our approach to the wellness benefits of Tai Chi
Tai Chi Chuan (“Supreme Ultimate Fist”) is an ancient martial art originating from China.
Around 100 years ago, the art evolved into the slow, even paced set of graceful movements where its health benefits became apparent to the Western medical world in 2013 with the publication of the Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi.
Hundreds of evidence-based research is noted in this book and has confirmed many of the benefits of practicing Tai Chi.
Seb Tai Chi
Long promoted as an ideal exercise for the older adult, classes are usually taught with a range of ages within a class.
Unfortunately, often the older adult in such a class has to ‘keep up’ with the more able bodied, younger classmates.
The common decline of one’s memory as one ages becomes more apparent for the older adult when learning Tai Chi Chuan in such a setting, resulting in less than successful feelings.
That is where Seb Tai Chi classes offer the important difference.
Behind the Unique Classes
Garrett Chinn’s lifetime practice of Traditional Tai Chi Chuan practice & theory of the Yang family style of Tai Chi (Cheng Man-ching 37 posture Form), also includes participating in Tai Chi tournaments on 3 continents.
Garrett attributes his successful teaching career to the decades he spent under the tutelage of Master Benjamin Lo, Professor Cheng Man-ching’s first student/disciple in Taiwan. Master Lo’s teaching was so successful that the Grand Champion trophy of the oldest Tai Chi venue in the US was named for him with the success of his students in tournaments. Master Lo received Master Cheng’s traditional, martial instructions, as he had taught at the Naval Academy on Mainland China, which he generously and passionately shared with his American students.
Coupled with his previous work in the fields of physical therapy, mental health, emergency medicine (EMT), meditation, and community (SF Chinatown) activist work, he was able to successfully meet the needs of up to 500 students weekly for decades by merging traditional Tai Chi instruction with his previous work.
Garrett infuses his training, work, and user-friendly class instruction with gentle humor. This is just a part of the uniqueness of the Seb Tai Chi classes in Sebastopol and San Francisco, CA.
About Garrett Chinn, founder and instructor
Since 1981, founder and instructor of Sebastopol Tai Chi, Garrett Chinn, has successfully taught thousands of older adult students through the Older Adults Dept. of City College of San Francisco (CCSF) to reap the benefits of Tai Chi to alleviate dozens of ailments and issues common to the aging adult.
Upon retiring from CCSF in 2019, the program was possibly the largest and oldest Tai Chi program specifically geared for older adults in the country.
Classes are in Sebastopol and San Francisco
Before his retirement, after moving to Sebastopol–an hour north of San Francisco–Garrett continued teaching at Santa Rosa Junior College, the Sebastopol Area Senior Center and the Sebastopol Community & Cultural Center, as well as meeting with a group of his students in San Francisco weekly.
Since his retirement from CCSF, his students in SF have continued teaching at his former class sites as well as starting their own Tai Chi classes at sites throughout San Francisco.
See Details about Class Times Below
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco 2019.
Grandstudents of Master Benjamin Peng-jeng Lo demonstrating, independently, the first section of Professor Cheng Man-ching’s 37-posture Yang style Form at Garrett’s retirement party from City College of San Francisco. Most started learning Tai Chi after retiring.
Join A Class Today!
Sebastopol
Garrett Chinn: Classes at two locations in Sebastopol
- Sebastopol Senior Center
- Sebastopol Community Cultural Center
Sebastopol Senior Center
As a member of Sebastopol Senior Center, at 167 N. High Street, Sebastopol, you’re eligible to join any of the Tai Chi classes that we offer here a few times each week.
You need not be a resident of Sebastopol to join the Center.
Location: 167 N. High St., Sebastopol, CA, 95472
Phone: (707) 829-2440
Class times – Weekly
Introduction to Tai Chi
(2 separate sessions on Wednesdays)
Wednesdays 8:45 am
Wednesdays 10:00 am
Continuing through September — then moves to Community Cultural Center
Introduction to Tai Chi
Fridays 11:30 am
Beginning Tai Chi Form
(instructor approval needed)
Wednesdays 11:00am
Sebastopol Community & Cultural Center, Teen Annex
Location: Teen Annex
390 Morris St, Sebastopol, CA 95472
Phone: 707- 823-1511
Introduction to Tai Chi
New Class: Starts October 3
- Please register through the Sebastopol Senior Center to attend and pay for this new class offering, sponsored by the Senior Center.
- For non-members of the Senior Center
the October class fee is $75. - Drop-in fee is $20/class.
Please remit payment directly to Garrett.
Advanced Tai Chi Form
Push Hands (instructor approval needed)
Fridays 10: 00 am
San Francisco
Garrett Chinn’s classes in San Francisco
- Chain of Lakes Picnic Area
- Grace Cathedral
Chain of Lakes Picnic Area
Golden Gate Park (enter 43rd Ave/Fulton), John F Kennedy Drive- about 150 yards west of the buffalo paddocks.
- Push Hands & Sword Practice (instructor approval needed)
Mondays 11:00 am - Tai Chi Form Practice
Mondays 1:00 pm
Grace Cathedral
More Classes in San Francisco
Additional classes taught by students of Garrett Chinn
Classes and locations below!
Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced — Instructors: Paul Huey, Leon Sorhondo, Judy Gerber, Veronica Ng
Location: San Francisco
Christopher Park adjacent to the Diamond Heights Shopping Center 5210 Diamond Heights Blvd
- Form Practice for Advanced & Intermediates
Wednesdays 10:00 – 11:00am - Tai Chi Form Instruction for Beginners
Wednesdays 11:00 – Noon
All Levels — Instructor: Judy Gerber
Location: San Francisco
All levels
- Stonestown YMCA
5:45-7:00 pm Monday and Wednesday
11:30-12:30 pm Thursday - Park Merced
3711 19th Ave.
10:00-11:00 am Thursday - Basketball Court in Holly Park
Holly Park Circle
9:30-10:30 a.m. Friday - Zoom (remote practice for those who know the form)
3:30-4:30 pm Friday
Contact jegerbs@gmail for link
Advanced Intermediate — Instructors: Maureen Chow, Nelson Wong
Location: San Francisco
Advanced Intermediate
Stonestown YMCA Annex
3150 – 20th Avenue
1-2 pm, Friday
Beginner and Intermediate — Instructor: Mark Siobal
S.F. Senior Center – Aquatic Park
Personal Attention backed up by 40 Years’ Experience
Garrett has a lifetime of unique, extensive experience…coupled with his attentive, observant, and kind personality.
He notices and applies the minor details that are so important for each student’s understanding and personal practice.
Why Choose Seb Tai Chi? Health Benefits are Many.
You have probably heard about “Tai Chi” somewhere. You may even have experience with it from other times or places.
But it’s possible you may not yet be aware of some of these wonderful health benefits you can enjoy with the unique Seb Tai Chi classes.
Reduce Inflammation / Improve Immunity
Stress has been shown to increase inflammation in our bodies, which in turn compromises our immune system.
With the relaxed practice of Tai Chi, one will find fewer instances of illnessand/or shorter duration of the illness—due to less inflammation and a stronger immune system.
Maintain and Improve Memory
The slow movements of Tai Chi practice are known to improve neuron connections in the brain, resulting in slowing down the progression of memory loss and/or cognitive decline.
Build Strength
Proper Tai Chi practice focuses on strengthening one’s lower extremities.
As such, it is the physical foundation of many of the major benefits of Tai Chi.
Improve Mindfulness
Exercise for the brain is a major recommendation for healthy aging.
Tai Chi requires the mind to be fully engaged while practicing the slow movements.
Improve Balance
Improved balance is the main reason why many practice Tai Chi. Most students have reported significant improvement in their balance, with less fear of falling.
The result is fewer falls. Falls are the most common cause of death by accident for the older adult.
Relax and Reduce Stress
Relaxation is a key factor to realize the benefits of Tai Chi. It becomes part of a lifelong, daily practice to attain, maintain and improve this challenging goal of Tai Chi.
Stress —a precursor to many undesirable health conditions—is reduced for the practitioner in the regular, correct practice of Tai Chi.
The thing about Garrett is that he is more than a teacher; he is a magician and a maestro.
Somehow, against all odds, he has brought together a roomful of Sebastopol seniors, all with disparate skills, and over time has us practicing the Tai Chi form together in perfect unity.
He has taught us balance, perseverance, and he continues to help us dig deep inside ourselves to find a place of deep relaxation and calmness. What a gift.
Sebastopol student
Intro to Tai Chi class, Sebastopol Senior Center
A Grateful Student, Sebastopol Community & Cultural Center
After a couple of falls, my physical therapist recommended Garrett Chinn’s class to develop better balance.
Tai Chi has taught me how to relax my body and it has improved my balance, sleeping, blood pressure, my dancing and my creativity. \
Mr. Chinn’s instructions are very easy to follow and he shows us how to create a very meditative state with humor and encouragement.
Singer/Songwriter,
After taking Tai Chi classes from Garrett for the last several months, I already notice significant improvements in my balance and gait.
I greatly appreciate Garret’s adherence to the basic principles of Tai Chi and his requirement that his students understand the essentials of balance and Tai Chi fundamentals.
I’m impressed by his depth of understanding and the level of physical integration that is demonstrated by his many years of practice and study.
He is the real deal and his teaching is making a significant contribution to our community.
An appreciative student
Garret’s beginning class was easy to learn and had great benefits for me. My legs were getting weaker as I aged. He focused on leg strength and did not add in many of the hand movements because they can be harder to learn with less benefits for Seniors. He encouraged us to practice at home regularly, even if it was for very short times like brushing your teeth. Longer times could be watching TV or talking on the phone.
My legs did get stronger, and even straighter. I found that the muscle that can cause sciatica could even be reached, strengthened, and stretched to ease pain.
Garret was aware that falling is a health issue for Seniors and I think the beginning class focusing on building leg strength is genius.
Intro to Tai Chi, Sebastopol Senior Center
I started Garrett’s class in Sebastopol in preparation for a hip replacement surgery. I am happy to report that, while I started as a total beginner, I went into the surgical experience with the peace of mind that I was stronger than I had been.
Meeting the wonderful classmates has been a special pleasure. The class was not overcrowded — typically fewer than 15 students — and there was plenty of personal attention with Garrett’s kind and unique experience providing guidance.
Oh, by the way, I am 81, and not the oldest in the class!
And, it’s been an excellent recovery. Can’t wait to get back to class!
Intro to Tai Chi, Sebastopol Senior Center