6th-Generation Yang Family Tai Chi Instructor
See Mike in Action
Community Demonstration
Mike Nolan Qigong Demonstration — OACC Interactive Artist Showcase
Oakland Asian Cultural Center · World Tai Chi & Qigong Day · April 25, 2026
This performance at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center showcases the depth and vitality of Mike's practice — rooted in the Yang Family tradition, expressed with clarity and presence.
Training & Certification
6th-generation holder from the Yang Cheng-fu direct line — authentic transmission passed down through three generations of masters.
Yang Tai Chi, Liu He Ba Fa (Water Boxing), and 5 Animal Chi Gung — each taught with full depth and precision.
Certified through Stanford University's Osher Center — validating both teaching quality and anatomical/health integration.
Directly authorized by Sifu J. Jang — the rare Liu He Ba Fa transmission is taught with full, verified lineage clarity.
Background
Mike Nolan has dedicated over two decades to the study and practice of internal martial arts, rooted in his home base of San Leandro, California. He trained extensively in the East Bay and traveled regularly for in-person instruction, accumulating decades of knowledge from some of the world's leading practitioners of Yang Family Tai Chi.
His teaching style is grounded, clear, and deeply practical — designed for working professionals who need real stress relief, not just a workout. Mike specializes in helping students build lasting habits that improve mobility, reduce pain, and cultivate a quiet, grounded presence in daily life.
Whether you're starting from zero, recovering from injury, or looking to deepen an existing practice, Mike meets each student where they are — with patience, precision, and genuine care for the art form.
"The body learns through repetition and quality contact. I give students both — the instruction that honors the lineage and the individual attention that honors the student."
— Mike Nolan
Teaching Philosophy
Mike's teaching is rooted in the understanding that Tai Chi is, at its core, a practice of refinement. Every posture, every transition, every breath is an opportunity to notice and adjust. He doesn't rush students through forms — he gives them the tools to notice what they're doing, and the guidance to do it better, posture by posture, over months and years. His goal is not to produce performers, but to develop practitioners who carry the principles of the art into every area of their lives.
Introductory sessions available for new students. Flexible scheduling Mon–Sat across the East Bay.
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