Tai Chi & Kung Fu Schedule/Price Changes for March 1st at From The Heart

The YWCA was the home for Sifu Lee's School for so many years...it is a space we all love and has so much history with Sifu and all the years we spent studying with him. We will really miss it. However, due to the inevitable sale of the property we are taking actions early to make the transition from there a bit easier.

March 1st we will be moving the weekly classes to From the Heart Yoga at 776 Leonard along with some schedule changes and more class times. THE SATURDAY CLASSES will stay at the YWCA until the sale of the property. One change to Saturday is the classes will begin 1 hour earlier starting at 9am.

New Class Descriptions

Chi Kung for Health / Tai Chi Level 1

This class includes standing meditation, rotating Chi Kung (Qigong) exercises, and the Eight Foundational Stances form (Bot Di Ma Bo), along with introductory instruction in the first form of the system: the 132-posture Tai Chi Jeung (Palm).

The class fully supports students who wish to focus solely on Chi Kung for health, healing, and internal development, while also serving as the essential starting point for those beginning Tai Chi practice. Because Tai Chi grew directly out of Chi Kung and remains inseparable from its principles, students naturally progress from internal cultivation into foundational form work—developing balance, strength, focus, and steady vitality from the inside out.

Tai Chi Level 2 (Level 1 required)

This class deepens training in the Tai Chi Jeung (Palm) system, passed from Sigong Chiu Chuk Kai to Sifu Lee. Lead Instructor Rick Powell now runs the school, assisted by Senior Instructor John, and Assistant Instructors Tracy, and Dave. 

Building on the foundation of Level 1, students refine structure, sensitivity, and internal power.Training includes standing practices, push hands, martial applications, and the hand and weapons forms of this traditional Tai Chi lineage.

Tai Chi All Levels: This class is a mixture of the practices from both levels and welcomes all from beginner to advanced.

Master Lee’s Tai Chi Praying Mantis Kung Fu:Train in the traditional Tai Chi Praying Mantis system of Chiu Chuk Kai, passed to his senior student Lee, Hoa Yen and then to Head Instructor Rick Powell.  This weekly class develops strong, rooted stances, precise hand techniques, trapping and hooking methods, partner drills, and classical hand, weapon, and partner forms. Students cultivate internal power, sensitivity, timing, and whole-body coordination, honoring the martial skill and internal depth that define this living lineage.

From the Heart Tai Chi/Kung Fu Schedule Changes

Beginning March 2nd

Monday

6:00–6:45pm — Chi Kung for Health / Tai Chi Level 1

6:45–8:00pm — Tai Chi Level 2

Tuesday

8:00–8:45am — Chi Kung for Health / Tai Chi Level 1

9:00am — Tai Chi Level 2

Wednesday

6:00–6:45pm — Chi Kung for Health / Tai Chi Level 1

6:45–8:00pm — Tai Chi Level 2

Thursday

7:15 am — Tai Chi Praying Mantis Kung Fu

Friday

7:30–9:00am — Open Practice / Tutoring (Unlimited Members Only)

Saturday Classes

Location: YWCA Downtown

9:00am — Tai Chi (All Levels)

10:30am — Tai Chi Praying Mantis Kung Fu

Pricing Changes For Kung Fu/Tai Chi Only

Unlimited Tai Chi/Chi Kung Membership — $80 per month

Unlimited Kung Fu Membership — $80 per month

Unlimited Tai Chi & Kung Fu Membership — $120 per month

Auto-draft may be canceled at any time by emailing info@fromtheheartyoga.com.

10-Class Pass — $140 (expires 3 months from purchase)

Senior Discount — 10% off for ages 60+ (applies to pass only)

Use coupon code senior (all lowercase) at checkout.

25 Years From the Heart—Celebrate With Us!

It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years since our grand opening in the fall of 2000! Before that, we were each teaching independently at the Dominican Center at Marywood and in other spaces around West Michigan.

The name From the Heart Yoga was born in 1997, inspired by the Sanskrit word Kula, often translated as “Community of the Heart.” The idea came from the Kularnava Tantra. At the time, that might have felt a bit esoteric—so Behnje chose From the Heart Yoga Center, a name that beautifully captured the essence of how we wanted to share these practices.

In 2000, we opened our doors on Fulton Street alongside Prasad Café. From the very beginning, our vision was community: a juice bar and coffeehouse, massage therapists upstairs, a full schedule of yoga and tai chi classes, and a vibrant calendar of workshops. Over the years, we’ve welcomed world-class teachers whose generosity and wisdom—alongside Behnje and Rick’s dedication to teaching locally—helped shape and grow the yoga and tai chi scene in Grand Rapids. Teachers such as Sifu Lee Hoa Yen, Desirée Rumbaugh, Prof. Douglas Brooks, Jamie Allison, Shantala (Benjy and Heather Wertheimer), John Friend, Sianna Sherman, Sonam Targee, Kathy Reider, and many others have all left their mark here.

At the same time, Behnje and Rick continued to guide students in deepening their knowledge and practice through weekly classes, workshops, and teacher trainings—cultivating a strong, dedicated community that has grown together over the years.

Deep Gratitude and Love to Everyone that has offered their love , dedication, and support over the years...We Love You All!!!

Behnje and Rick

About From the Heart

From The Heart is an educational center rooted in the traditional practices of Yoga and Tai Chi with the understanding that they are continually changing and evolving art forms. Heartfelt Intention is key in Yoga and Tai Chi practice , combine that with solid alignment and growth happens naturally.  Through these practices we cultivate a deeper connection to the heart, to each other as students, and to the community in which we live.

Directions to Location Here:776 Leonard NE, 2nd floor.  Park on side of building or street parking available on Eastern ave. To Enter... walk around front of building to access 2nd floor entrance on WEST SIDE of Building.

With Love,

Behnje and Rick