About
I am using this one account for two activities since they go together. Let me explain. Tennis is a physical chess game. It's not about how hard, how fast you hit or move, it's about your strategy, your implementation of your strategy that will usually dictate the outcome of your tennis game. Can You outwit, out maneuver, outlast your opponent, forcing them to make the error before you do. Then you will be on your way to mastering tennis and its complexities. I have been playing tennis over 40 years, teaching over 25 years, started with wooden racquets, many lessons, many tennis camps, usta leagues, banged up the body all in pursuit of hitting the perfect shot, winning the match. Along the way, you acquire knowledge, wisdom, how to play the game more effectively, how to force your opponents to play to your strengths and you play to the weakness. If you need someone to take your game to a new higher level, someone who will teach you the proper techniques, fitness, movement, strategy, then you have the right coach. I have taught ages 8 - 55.
The other subject I teach is Tai Chi (TC) . The Yang style. I have been practicing over 20 years. TC is not a dance, not an exercise. It is a martial art that has tremendous health benefits. You will strengthen your internal organs, get better balance, move internal energy around (Qi Qong), calm the mind & body, practice push hands, become flexible, learn to protect yourself. TC is not a quick fix. But if you focus & apply properly, your health will greatly improve & you will cope better with life's stresses in addition to defending yourself. Since you have better balance and harmony within, TC will also improve your tennis game as well.
Highlights
Payment methods
Specialties
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
Student's age
Student has instrument
Interested musical styles
Photos and videos
Reviews
JZ
Zarina V.
Hossein
Susan L.
Roxana D.
David
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I like to have a open conversation with the person and see what they want to improve. Find out what type of player they are or aspire to be. I want to make sure we are a good fit. By building trust and friendship, we will be able to play a few games to determine what they are doing correctly and how we can work together to improve their skill sets.
Any one can learn tai chi. I will ask the student what they want to focus on, forms, application, health benefits, self defense, and then I will tailor the lessons to suit their needs.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Started in high school playing. Played with wooden racquets. Learned technique. Watched McEnroe, Borg, Lendl, Sampras, Agassi, Federer, Nadal, Djokovic. Watching to learn and adapt. Playing singles & doubles. Took tennis vacations. Private tennis lessons. Worked on specific tennis exercises. Injuries to arm, foot, back. Physical therapy to overcome those injuries. Started teaching youth and then adults.
I have studied Tai Chi over 20 years. Studied under 3 masters. My current Sifu master is from China and is the Yang style. His style is for self protection during a street fight. Health benefits will become apparent as your body and mind becomes one. Your breathing and inner energy flows together.
Incorporating Tai Chi into tennis. When you look at Roger Federer, he is Tai Chi in motion. Very balanced and fluid. Tai Chi will help you achieve balance and conserve energy.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Tennis $60 per hour outdoors. Winter indoors $90 per hour. Cash only please.
Tai Chi is $50 per hour. You come to me in Arlington. We practice in a gym room / in the park. You get one on one instruction.
Cancellation: If you cancel the day of your lesson, I charge half the cost of the lesson. If you cancel and I am already either at the court or gym, I charge you the full cost of the lesson. Cancelling 24 hours before your lesson is no charge.
How did you get started teaching?
People saw me hitting with others & just asked if I was accepting students. I encourage others to play better so alot of folks liked that.
People saw me doing the Tai Chi forms and wanted to learn how they could move gracefully and balanced.
What types of students have you worked with?
Tennis ultra beginners from 1.0 to 4.5 students. If you have the desire to play & are willing to get physically fit, you can be on the court.
All levels of fitness have gotten into Tai Chi. So it does not matter how fit you are, As long as your mind is active and can follow concepts, you will be able to learn Tai Chi. I have had people tell me they took Tai Chi & in reality, did not learn anything, so I have truly had beginners who knew some forms but did not learn the internals of chi qong, push hands, self defense applications.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Getting someone to a physical state where he could hit the tennis ball without thinking how to hit it. Once your brain / body is auto pilot during tennis, you are in the ZONE.
For tai chi, being about to get the student to feel their inner energy move around their body is quite exciting for them. When your energy flows through your body & you can feel it, it is an awesome experience.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Look for someone who understands you, your game, what do you want to improve on. Make sure your personalities are in sync. Are you willing to do the work to improve. Having a lesson once a week without putting in the homework to improve physically, mentally, and game wise, you will not get better.
For Tai Chi, you must have someone teach Qi Qong and Tai Chi together. You want someone to help you strengthen your internal organs: brain, heart, liver, lungs, spleem. Someone who knows application, theory, internal energy, not just the form movements. They go hand in hand. Without all the above, you are wasting your time & money.
Are you having fun? Do you enjoy the lessons. Are you happy going there? Is the instructor helping you grow in your knowledge and do you feel the growth in your own abilities.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Do you have the desire to improve? What areas do you think you need to work on to improve yourself. Do you have the physical time to allocate to getting better. Can you do specific exercises to strengthen your body. Can you commit to this activity for a long period of time to improve yourself.