Meet Your Instructor: Matthew Rand
I began studying T’ai Chi Ch’uan in 1991, and it has shaped my life ever since. What began as a personal pursuit became a lifelong commitment to learning, practicing, and sharing this remarkable traditional Chinese martial art.
I studied for 17 years under Grandmaster Kai Ying Tung, continuing a traditional lineage of Chinese martial arts instruction. I began teaching Tai Chi Ch’uan part-time in 1994, eventually transitioning to full-time instruction in 2003. Over the years, I have had the privilege of sharing this remarkable art with hundreds of students.
My approach to Tai Chi is rooted in a simple principle: Learn to understand Tai Chi as a martial art to cultivate the health benefits.
Through this understanding, students can develop greater balance, relaxation, coordination, internal strength, and awareness.
Traditional Yang Family Lineage
The Tai Chi Ch’uan I teach has been passed down through generations of dedicated martial artists. My instruction follows the traditional Yang family teachings as preserved and developed through the Tung family lineage. This direct connection to generations of accomplished teachers is central to my commitment to preserving Tai Chi Ch’uan as a traditional martial art.
- Yang Lu-ch’an
- Yang Chien-hou
- Yang Cheng-fu
- Tung Ying-chieh
- Tung Hu-ling
- Kai Ying Tung
- Matthew Rand
My Journey in T’ai Chi Ch’uan
A Lifetime Dedicated to T’ai Chi Ch’uan
I began studying T’ai Chi Ch’uan in 1991 at Springfield College in Massachusetts, in the historic gymnasium where basketball was invented.
In 1994, I began studying with Grandmaster Kai Ying Tung, continuing my training with him for 17 years. That same year, I began teaching T’ai Chi part-time, eventually transitioning to full-time instruction in 2003.
Over more than three decades of study, practice, and teaching, I estimate that I have devoted more than 10,000 hours to teaching T’ai Chi Ch’uan and at least another 10,000 hours to my own personal practice.
These thousands of hours have reinforced something my teachers emphasized throughout my training: there is no substitute for consistent, dedicated practice. Understanding develops through experience, and that understanding is what I strive to share with my students.
These decades of study, practice, and teaching have deepened my conviction that understanding T’ai Chi as a martial art is the foundation for realizing its remarkable health benefits.
Begin Your Own Tai Chi Journey
Whether you’re new to Tai Chi or looking to deepen your understanding of this traditional martial art, I welcome the opportunity to share what I’ve learned.
Boone Tai Chi offers traditional instruction through group classes, private lessons, and video instruction.
I invite you to explore the classes and learning opportunities available and discover what dedicated Tai Chi practice can bring to your life.