Tai Chi & Ikebana
Making instruction and practice easily accessible to everyone in the Gallatin Valley.
With over 30 years of experience practicing and teaching Tai Chi and martial arts, we’ve seen firsthand the profound positive impact it can have on body and mind. We want more people to experience these benefits, so if you’re interested, join one of our classes.
In addition to Tai Chi, we offer Ikebana classes, the art of Japanese flower arranging. This is another beautiful way to cultivate mindfulness and creativity. Join us to explore the harmony of mind, body, and nature!
“When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.”
BUDDHIST PROVERB
Tai Chi
“Meditation in Motion”
Tai Chi Ch’uan, or Taijiquan, is an ancient Chinese martial art and health system that emphasizes preventive care, often referred to as “meditation in motion.”
The benefits of Tai Chi are profound:
- Enhance balance and body control while maintaining a mindful awareness of breath and energy flow, through slow and deliberate movements.
- Increases overall awareness but also counterbalances daily life's stresses through a dedicated hour of focused mindfulness.
- Effectively reduces stress and improves balance, contributing to physical and mental stability.
- Increases bone density, which is crucial for long-term health.
- Slows the decline of memory associated with aging.
Tai Chi is accessible to everyone—it can be practiced at any age and in any physical condition. Practitioners often feel more energized, experience improved posture, and enjoy a significant boost in overall wellness.
Tai Chi Classes
Are you looking to join a Tai Chi class near you? We offer a variety of sessions throughout the valley designed to meet you where you are in your wellness journey.
Whether you’re interested in learning traditional Yang-style forms, looking for stress relief through mindful movement and coaching, or aiming to stay strong and steady as you age, there’s a class for you. Each offering supports strength, balance, and inner calm in a welcoming, community-based environment.
Traditional Tai Chi
Discover the power of meditation in motion through Traditional Tai Chi.
This class teaches the classical Yang-style Tai Chi forms, rooted in centuries of practice.
Ideal for those seeking to deepen mindfulness, improve posture and stability, and experience lasting calm.
- Focus: Traditional Yang-style Tai Chi forms
- Benefits: Improved mindfulness, balance, posture, and relaxation
- Format: Group class; step-by-step instruction; open to all levels
- Ideal for: Individuals looking for a meditative movement practice rooted in tradition
Breath & Balance
A restorative program blending gentle Tai Chi movements, Yoga, focused breathwork, and personal wellness coaching.
Designed for professionals managing chronic stress, it provides practical tools for rebalancing body and mind, fostering sustainable behavior change.
- Focus: Stress recovery through Tai Chi, Yoga, breathwork, and lifestyle coaching
- Benefits: Reduced stress, improved focus, emotional balance, and long-term habit change
- Format: Small group sessions + 1:1 coaching
- Ideal for: Busy professionals or caregivers seeking a mindful reset
Tai Chi Flow
Move with purpose in this longevity-focused Tai Chi Flow class.
Combining low-impact movement and body awareness coaching, it’s designed to support brain health, improve flexibility, and reduce the risk of falls, keeping you independent and active for years to come.
- Focus: Movement for cognitive health, balance, and physical longevity
- Benefits: Enhanced coordination, flexibility, and mental clarity; fall prevention
- Format: Gentle flow sequences; accessible for older adults or beginners
- Ideal for: Aging adults and anyone wanting to stay sharp and steady
Sessions are conducted at a studio, your home, or a location of your choice, providing convenience and flexibility to suit your schedule.
Tai Chi & Ikebana for Gyms and Community & Senior Centers
Tai Chi and Ikebana are excellent program additions to gyms, senior centers, and community centers. Offer participants an engaging, gentle, and effective way to stay active and mindful.
We are happy to collaborate with you if you’re interested in offering regular Tai Chi or Ikebana classes as part of your facility’s wellness programming. Contact us to discuss tailored options that suit your community’s needs and to bring the benefits of Tai Chi and Ikebana to your space.
Experience Tai Chi
What Our Students Say
Ikebana
Traditional Japanese Art of Flower Arrangement
Ikebana encompasses various styles and philosophies, with hundreds of different schools to explore. Among these, the Sogetsu School, taught by Uli, is one of the newer and more innovative approaches.
Founded in 1927 by Teshigahara Sofu, Sogetsu emphasizes creativity and individual expression. It allows practitioners to arrange flowers in ways that resonate with their personal aesthetics. Today, the school is led by Sofu’s daughter, continuing the legacy of artistic exploration and growth.
Engaging with flowers through Ikebana fosters a deeper connection to nature and encourages mindfulness. Arranging blooms teaches appreciation for their inherent beauty, prompting moments of reflection and meditation. This practice aligns beautifully with the recent rise of minimalism, where simplicity and intention play crucial roles in daily life.
In Ikebana, each arrangement becomes a meditation, inviting practitioners to slow down and immerse themselves in the delicate balance of nature. Through this art form, individuals create stunning visual displays and cultivate a serene mindset, making it a fulfilling practice for anyone seeking tranquility and harmony in their lives.
Ikebana Study Options
Discover the beauty and calm of Japanese flower arrangement through two unique Ikebana experiences.
For those who wish to dive deeply into the traditional art form, our Traditional Ikebana sessions—available in small groups or one-on-one—offer hands-on instruction in classic techniques and design principles. If you’re just seeking a relaxed and joyful creative moment, Meditation with Flowers provides a simplified, heart-centered approach ideal for community or senior center settings.
Whichever path you choose, our classes are a meaningful way to connect with nature, creativity, and inner stillness.
Traditional Ikebana
Step into the refined world of Traditional Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement.
In these intimate group or 1:1 sessions, you’ll explore the core principles of line, balance, and space, and learn how to create seasonal arrangements using a variety of natural materials. This is a mindful journey that blends aesthetics, simplicity, and personal expression.
- Focus: Classical Japanese flower arrangement techniques and design principles
- Benefits: Cultivates patience, mindfulness, appreciation for nature, and aesthetic skill
- Format: Small group or private sessions; hands-on instruction; seasonal themes
- Ideal for: Individuals looking to immerse themselves in the traditional art form and deepen their creative practice
Meditation with Flowers
Enjoy a calming, creative break with Meditation with Flowers—a simplified and joyful approach to Ikebana.
This class emphasizes presence over perfection, inviting participants to explore beauty and stillness through gentle flower arranging.
Perfect for senior centers, community programs, or anyone looking for a meaningful pause in their day.
- Focus: Gentle flower arranging as a form of mindfulness and joy
- Benefits: Promotes relaxation, creativity, sensory engagement, and connection
- Format: Group sessions in community settings; guided, light-touch instruction
- Ideal for: Seniors, beginners, and anyone seeking a low-pressure, uplifting creative experience
Classes can be held at your home or a location of your choice, offering convenience as you embark on this enriching and artistic journey.
Your Instructors
Uli and Alfons Staerk, born in Germany, relocated from the Seattle area to Gallatin Valley in 2020 to embrace a more balanced life. Drawn by the beauty of the outdoors and a desire to provide their children with a healthier and more grounded environment, they settled in Bozeman, MT.
Both are active community members, dedicating much of their time to volunteering. Here, they continue to pursue their lifelong passions for health, wellness, fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness while enjoying the natural beauty of their surroundings.
Uli Staerk
MD, OBGyn (Germany) | Certified Personal Trainer and Nutritionist | Tai Chi, Ikebana, and Yoga Teacher
Uli began her journey in Tai Chi, Karate, and Kobudo in 1993. She earned her 3rd-degree black belt in Karate in 2006 after receiving her 1st-degree black belt in 1999. Since 1997, she has been teaching classes for all age groups. Uli is deeply interested in holistic health and well-being, integrating exercise, nutrition, and the arts into her approach.
In 2004, she obtained her Karate instructor and examiner licenses from the German Olympic Sports Confederation, and in 2009, she received her Tai Chi instructor license for Komatsu-Ha in Florida. In 2016, Uli was awarded the Yonkyu Shihan teacher diploma by the Sogetsu School in Tokyo, Japan. Uli completed her formal Yoga teacher training in 2025.
As a respected Tai Chi and Ikebana teacher, Uli has made significant contributions to her community. During the COVID pandemic, she was crucial in leading the testing and vaccination centers at Montana State University. She also served as a staff teacher for the “Mindfulness for Kids” program at a local elementary school, where she led the art docent program. Before moving to the U.S., Uli practiced as a Medical Doctor at the University of Aachen in Germany.
“Have fun with what you do. Don’t take yourself too seriously. This is not your day job – you can relax.”
– ULI
Alfons Staerk
MSc | Certified Personal Trainer and Nutritionist | Tai Chi and Martial Arts Teacher | Leadership Coach
Alfons has been practicing Tai Chi, Karate, Kobudo, and other martial arts since 1992. He earned his first-degree black belt in 1996 and his fourth-degree black belt in Karate in 2005.
Since 1993, he has taught classes for all age groups, emphasizing self-defense and health. In 2004, Alfons received his Karate instructor and examiner licenses from the German Olympic Sports Confederation, and in 2009, he earned his Tai Chi instructor license for Komatsu-Ha in Florida.
In addition to his martial arts expertise, Alfons has held executive leadership roles at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Montana State University, Amazon, and Microsoft. His true passion lies in coaching and developing people, helping them reach their full potential.
“Relax and enjoy how Tai Chi will make you feel. Perfection of technique will come over time.”
– ALFONS
Our Philosophy
Our purpose is to help people live healthier, happier, and more balanced lives through Tai Chi, Ikebana, and Mindfulness.
We provide the roots and principles to get students started on a lifelong journey that they can eventually take to the next level on their own.
Throughout our lives, martial arts and Tai Chi have profoundly influenced us, not just physically but also philosophically. They’ve helped us stay active and fit, manage stress, and maintain a balanced perspective. Tai Chi, in particular, is meditation in motion—it calms the mind while gently strengthening the body.
"Don't think. Feel." - Bruce Lee
Over the past 30 years, Uli and I have studied a variety of martial arts. We trained in Karate, Kobudo, and Tai Chi with our teacher Hilmar Fuchs, explored Aikido with a friend, and learned Jodo from a leading expert in North America. We also spent time studying the Yang family style Tai Chi under a direct descendant of the Yang family.
Our teaching philosophy is rooted in first principles, focusing on the core ideas rather than just memorizing forms. We see the form as a vessel—our goal is for students to understand the foundational concepts, empowering them to continue learning and growing on their own.
“Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. At times allow yourself to let go and just feel the flow.” - Uli
This approach aligns with the Shu Ha Ri model in martial arts. In Shu, students start by following instructions closely to learn the basics. In Ha, they begin to grasp the principles behind the movements. By the time they reach Ri, they’ve fully internalized these ideas and can shape the art in their own unique way.
“When children are young, give them roots. When they get older, give them wings.” - Hilmar Fuchs
Finding the Heart: Principles for Tai Chi & Life
By Uli & Alfons Staerk
This book synthesizes the learnings from over 30 years of martial arts, leadership, and coaching practice. While it focuses on Tai Chi, many of its lessons transcend into daily life, providing a down-to-earth and practical guide on how to practice Tai Chi, regardless of the specific style.
The principles outlined here reflect what we’ve learned from our teacher, Hilmar, as well as insights from other martial arts leaders and questions posed by our students. We’ve also had our own realizations along the way.
We hope you enjoy the book and discover ideas that resonate with you, enriching your own practice. While we cannot claim to teach universal truths, our aim is to inspire your personal explorations.
“To find and to understand the principles means to find the heart.
In Western cultures, we often look at martial arts more as a form of acrobatics. Few people look at what is behind the outer shell. To find and to understand the principles (the essence) means to find the heart.
Furthermore, those principles are the basis for a life of morality, humanity, justice, acceptance, and wisdom. This book offers those principles as a foundation for the student who embarks on the journey to discover the art on a deeper layer. Understanding the essence will provide a solid foundation to further develop the technical movements of the art of Tai Chi.
Alfons and Uli have found their path and shared their personal emotions, sensations, and thoughts in this well-written book.”
– HILMAR FUCHS
Join a Class
We offer both group and private classes for beginners and advanced students. Class locations and times vary based on interest and availability.
Please contact us for the most up-to-date schedule of classes and times.
On the Blog
Interested in Holistic Health Coaching?
Explore Balanced Life Wellness
Join Uli and Alfons in their wellness coaching programs through their other health business, Balanced Life Wellness. They specialize in offering tailored programs to people of all abilities and ages.
Whether you’re looking to get back in shape, improve fitness and energy levels, increase health span and active longevity, create a healthy lifestyle and change habits, successfully manage and lose weight, or sustain a more enjoyable menopause transition, they’ll teach and guide you on a lasting wellness journey.