What’s New at the Studio

Greetings, everyone,

A blanket of snow, the waning light, and our hurried schedules draw us toward the longest night of the year. In these final days of December 2025, there is that familiar feeling that time has moved quickly, yet much has quietly unfolded—at the studio and in our lives.

This year, our festive potluck welcomed the Year of the Snake; T’ai Chi in the Park began in May; our summer picnic brought us together in the warmth of the season; and more than 560 classes were held at Twin Cities T’ai Chi. Truly a time of shared movement and connection.

In this issue, we reflect on the year behind us, offer gratitude to those who make our studio such a welcoming place to learn and practice, and provide updates on ongoing projects, along with a look toward the year ahead. T’ai Chi is movement arising from stillness, just as the light begins its return in the new year.

—Paul

Fundraiser Update

We did it! Thanks to all of you who contributed to this year’s fundraiser. Your generous donations helped us meet our $5,000 matching grant — and go beyond it. These funds directly support our mission and general operations, studio upgrades and equipment, continuing education, archival projects, and more.

The fundraiser runs through the end of December, so there is still time to make an end-of-year, tax-deductible donation. The studio is its members, and we all benefit. We are grateful not only for the funds raised but for the shared commitment they represent.

With gratitude to all our donors and members, thank you.

Special Thanks

A special thank you to studio and board member Fran Myers for his generous gift to the studio during our fundraiser: a new state-of-the-art computer, keyboard, monitor, and printer.

Save the Date

2026 Lunar New Year Potluck Celebration

Saturday, February 21, 4:00 – 7:00 pm

In 2026, we celebrate two anniversaries: Paul Abdella’s 10th year as head of the studio and his 60 years of study in the martial arts.

We will commemorate these milestones as we gather for our Lunar New Year potluck with a community of both new and longtime members and friends. This gathering is one of the ways we pause to appreciate the people and relationships that give life to our studio.

There will be a sign-up sheet at the studio and online soon, so please stay tuned. We hope you can join us.

Winter Weather Update

Winter weather in Minnesota is predictably unpredictable, and at times, snow and ice can make travel unsafe. In the event of bad weather, class cancellations will be posted in two places:

1. On our website, as a red ribbon at the top of the page

2. On our Facebook page

Please check these resources first if conditions seem questionable or dangerous. Smaller specialty classes might also receive an email notice.

Stairway to Heaven

The route into the studio takes members through the back parking lot, up the metal stairs to the dock, through the secured building entrance, past the loading area, and up one final flight of stairs — arriving at our heavenly studio, where your T’ai Chi class awaits.

In winter, the outside metal stairs can accumulate snow and ice and might become slippery. Please use one or both railings as you climb to reduce the risk of slipping or falling.

A Year of Gratitude

Our Instructors

Our team of instructors makes the studio what it is. Each brings years of experience, dedication, and a unique ability to teach and transmit the subtle and beautiful art of T’ai Chi. Their teaching shapes not only our classes but the atmosphere of practice we share.

LaVonne Bunt, Lynn Dennis, Tim Dennis, Tom Hautman, Linda Hermanson, Kim Husband, Ralph Jerndal, Christopher Knutson, Stephen May

We thank each of them for sharing knowledge cultivated through years of study and practice.

• Lynn and Tim Dennis teach the studio’s Wednesday daytime class at 12:30, creating an opportunity for weekly daytime study and practice.

• Kim Husband teaches Push-Hands and Symmetries classes, bringing clarity and her sensitivity to these partner practices.

• Stephen May teaches Push Hands, Symmetries, and the T’ai Chi Fan. In addition, he manages student intake and scheduling and makes the drive from Northfield five days a week — a commitment that quietly supports the life of the studio.

Our Board of Directors

Our board of directors is the heart center that keeps the studio grounded and moving forward, allowing the rest of us to focus on practice, teaching, and learning. Their work includes planning events and new initiatives, managing the studio’s finances, promoting the school, and attending to the many details that sustain our community.

Stephen May, Board Chair; Nancy Brown, Secretary; Michael Morley, outgoing Treasurer; Craig Cox, incoming Treasurer; Libby Frost, Fran Myers, and Tim Dennis, at-large members

• We are especially grateful to Michael Morley for his term of service as treasurer. A mathematician by training, Michael streamlined the studio’s accounting system, kept meticulous records, and developed projections that support the studio’s long-term financial stability.

• We warmly welcome Craig Cox as our incoming treasurer. Craig brings a rich background in ecology and economics, with professional experience in both Minnesota and Washington, D.C. We look forward to having Craig’s experience and unique perspective on the board.

Our Support Staff

We extend our gratitude to those whose work often happens quietly yet is essential to the life of the studio.

• Thank you to LaVonne Bunt for housekeeping and plant care; Lynn Dennis, our office manager; Kim Husband for newsletter design and editing; Dan Polsfuss for media support; and Libby Frost for event planning.

• A special thank you to Todd Nesser, whose career as a graphic designer has enriched the studio in countless ways. Todd created the studio’s branding — from cards and stationery to posters, event materials, New Year’s decorations, and website design. His work reflects the quality, care, and spirit of our studio through art.

Thank you to all who help keep our studio running—the instructors, board members, and support staff. Your efforts, both seen and unseen, create the continuity and energy that allow our studio to thrive.

Partner Practices at Twin Cities T’ai Chi

Partner practices such as Pushing-Hands and the Tai Chi Symmetries are an integral part of the Twin Cities Tai Chi curriculum. These two-person exercises develop awareness, tactile sensitivity, and an applied understanding of the principles and applications within the Solo Form.

Partner practice classes only open to new students at specific intervals. Interested students should contact Sifu Paul, Kim Husband, or Stephen May to be placed on the waiting list for the next session.

Prerequisites: Current membership with regular class attendance, completion of the Solo Form, and at least six months of consistent Solo Form practice after completion of the form sequence.

Symmetries Open Practice

Starting in January, you can get some extra review in Symmetries 1 through 3. On the first Tuesday of each month, the classroom will be open for Symmetry practice at 5:00 pm.

This is an informal practice session, but Kim and Stephen will be available to answer questions. Take advantage of this chance to reinforce new skills, revive old ones, and work with partners outside your usual class group.

Current Class Schedule

The studio will be closed for a winter break from Dec. 24 to Jan. 1.
We’ll reopen for new classes on Saturday, Jan. 3.

Monday
T’ai Chi Solo Form 6:00 pm – 7:15 pm (also Zoom)
Qigong and Meditation 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Tuesday
T’ai Chi Symmetries Levels 2 thru 6, 6:00 pm – 7:15 pm
Advanced Symmetries 7:15 pm – 8:30 pm
1st Tuesday of the month: Symmetries Open Practice 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Wednesday 
Beginning Solo Form Fundamentals 12:30 pm – 1:45 pm
Beginning Solo Form 6:00 pm – 7:15 pm
T’ai Chi Weapons: T’ai Chi Cane 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Thursday
Solo Form 6:00 pm – 7:15 pm
Weapons Review 7:15 pm – 7:30 pm
Beginning Push-Hands 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Saturday
Beginning Solo Form Sections 2 and 3 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Common Warm-Up & Qigong 11:00 am – 11:30 am
Beginning Solo Form Section 1 11:00 am – 12:15 pm
Solo Form 12:30 pm – 1:45 pm (also Zoom)

A grateful heart sees beauty everywhere.
Happy New Year, everyone!

Contact Us

For timely updates, follow Twin Cities T’ai Chi Ch’uan on Facebook. Email: mail@tctaichi.org Website: tctaichi.org Phone: 651.767.0267.
All articles and other content created by Paul Abdella unless otherwise noted.