Your Reliable T’ai Chi Mentors in Virginia Beach, VA

Tidewater Tai-Chi Center is a school that teaches authentic Chinese T’ai Chi that helps one’s body, mind, and spirit. It was founded in 1974 by Lawrence L. Mann. Before Larry died in 1997, he asked Donald Davis, Michael Ingersoll, and Jeffrey Karako to assume responsibility for the school. In 2017, Don moved out west to New Mexico, leaving instruction to Jeff and Marshall McCorkell.

Our school traces its lineage from Yang Lu Chan who created the Yang style of t’ai chi in the 18th century. In the 1930’s, Professor Cheng Man Ch’ing was permitted to simplify the form by his teacher Yang Cheng Fu. From the professor, our lineage extended through Robert W. Smith and Benjamin Pang Jeng Lo.

The instruction we have at our school employs classical principles to emphasize T’ai Chi Ch’uan as a philosophy, health practice, and a martial art. Our instructors have many years of experience practicing T’ai Chi Ch’uan and other Asian martial arts.