Lee Atwater has been my Taiji student since 1990. He is now a gifted teacher as well as an accomplished practitioner of Taiji. I am proud to recommend him.

Lee has taught in the Hamilton area for many years and I have substituted for him a few times and have always been impressed at how well his students do Taiji and how much they respect and have learned from him. Conversely, Lee has substituted for me on occasion and my students always rave about his teaching and skill.

Lee continues to be an enthusiastic student who strives to learn more and he retains his enthusiasm for Taiji and the great healing principles embodied in it.

Guy DeRosa

I have been a student of Lee Atwater for many years.  Lee is an excellent teacher and has had many years experience as a Tai Ji teacher and practitioner.  Lee understands the philosophical, spiritual and martial aspects of Tai Ji and blends all three in his lessons.

Lee is very patient in his lessons and accentuates his student’s accomplishments.  He encourages students to work on areas that need improvement and never criticizes a student for not doing enough.  He always prepares his lessons ahead of time and the lessons are focused around a theme.  There is good continuity from one lesson to the next. 

Lee communicates what he learns from his teachers well and will adjust his lessons to incorporate modifications from his teachers.  He takes the time to explain and answer student questions.

Being a student of Lee has been a very positive experience and I would strongly recommend Lee as a teacher for any prospective student.

Jeff W.

I have been a student of Sifu Lee’s for over six years. I don't know if there is a better Taiji instructor in the area. He has been practicing Taiji for almost 25 years himself, under a direct student of Master Jou. He is patient, caring, very articulate and professional. He would be an asset to anyone’s team.

Rich V.

As a member of the Robert Wood Johnson Center for Health and Wellness, I have attended Lee’s tai chi classes for about seven years. During those years classes have become increasingly popular, growing from 3 or 4 regular participants to as many as 25 students per class.

The Wellness Center’s tai chi classes include a mix of students with various levels of interest in the art and many different reasons for participating; students with different levels of experience; and students of different ages, degrees of athleticism, and temperaments.  Despite our diversity, Lee is able to conduct classes in which each student is encouraged to participate to the best of his or her ability and at an appropriate level. 

Although learning the principles is of primary importance in the class, Lee also provides us with glimpses of what is happening in the greater world of tai chi, and reminds us of the philosophical and martial bases for the practice.

I’m looking forward to at least another seven years in Lee’s classes.

Susan J.

I studied tai chi with Sifu Lee for 7 years. A sifu more dedicated to the art would be a rare find.  As a student himself, he offers new challenges to both his classes as well as private sessions with intense focus on principles. Sifu Lee allowed me to grow in the art at my own pace, with constant encouragement and positive reinforcement.

Areas of study included:  traditional Yang style 108-posture long form., Yang style 49-posture demonstration form, Yang style 13-posture form, Dalu and swimming dragon.

Mike P.

I have studied Tai Chi with Sifu Lee Atwater for several years, first in a class setting and then as a private student. He is one of the finest teachers I have ever had the pleasure and the privilege to work with. In a class setting he manages to give each student personal attention, and as a private student Sifu Lee has helped me to fine-tune my tai chi movements. His attention to even the smallest detail is unsurpassed, and he is able to accomplish this with a teacher’s dedication and grace that has always made me feel good about my accomplishments in the art of Tai Chi, while at the same time encouraging me to strive to ever expand my abilities.

Sifu Lee really does encourage each of his students to “follow their own tai chi path.” This has been very important to me personally, and I believe that this is the key point in his teaching, but whenever this path has led me to questions he has always made himself available to assist me in finding the way. I would highly recommend Sifu Lee as a teacher for anyone interested in learning authentic Yang style Tai Chi Chuan, and having the re-energized and healthful life that it brings. 

Stephen C.

I like Lee's friendly and all inclusive approach where everyone feels welcome. No matter what ability level any player is at, Lee helps them succeed and feel good about the practice. He is very kind, gentle and patient. He pays attention to details plus the overall movement experience - a very rare combination. Tai Chi is an extremely complex art form to learn let alone teach, yet Lee makes it look so easy and effortless. He is a highly skilled, very experienced and exceptionally 'cool' Sifu (Master).

Aliya R.

Lee is very knowledgeable about all aspects of Tai Chi. He is patient, clear with directions, varies lessons so people stay interested, makes kind comments, gets to know each student personally, and makes Tai Chi fun.

Judy K.

Lee teaches Tai Chi so a participant can concentrate on a more meditative form or on the martial art depending on interest or preference. He explains both. He teaches what is good for balance and what applies to everyday living. He is patient and low key so there is no pressure on a participant if they can't do something or are slow to learn. He is pleasant and friendly.

Ruth M.

What I Learned from my Tai Chi Teacher Lee Atwater. Taoism’s philosophy of natural balance, yin and yang. Awareness, mindfulness, cognizance. Integration of Tai Chi philosophy in my everyday life. Clarity, focus, sharpness, dexterity, quickness. Harmony achieved by yin and yang flowing in constant continuous movement. Improvement of my overall health, agility, reflexes, balance. Let the mud settle, patience, exactness, conscientiousness. Exercise, martial arts, meditation. Engagement of one’s whole self in body, mind and spirit.

Kathy S.

Working with Lee was a very good experience, in our group class he took us from the basics of walking to learning the entire form. While there were students at different levels, Lee was able to structure the classes so that everyone could learn Tai Chi. If you want to learn good Tai Chi, Lee is the person that can teach you but you have to put in the effort outside of his instruction. Lee has an in depth knowledge of the not only the postures but also the principles of Tai Chi which he incorporates into the classes. I would recommend Lee to anyone and everyone; if you want to see how well Lee practices the form check his website and the call him to set up your first lesson.

Bruce C.

He's a wonderful and patient teacher, I never would have learned both paragraphs just by going to a class. Working one on one with Lee taught me so much more. I miss my classes. 

Evelyn W.

Sifu Lee is a consummate professional: skilled, knowledgeable, and caring.

Cav. Dr. Gilda R.

Lee was a wonderful and very inspiring teacher. He was patient, encouraging and supportive. I learned a lot from him.

Ellen K.

Lee is a wonderful Tai Chi instructor!

Pearl W.

Excellent Tai Chi Instructor.

Ellen M.

Appreciated his expertise and caring approach in teaching. 

Dyza J.