Testimonials
“ You have changed my life with your training. Your guidance has been a beautiful gift in my life. “
-Dr. Manly
“After sitting long hours in retreat and feeling very tired, I joined a small and silent group to do chi-gong with Viviane. As the class began, I immediately noticed that Viviane's presence deepened the space we all shared and, at the same time, brought a sense of joy and sharp clarity. We were introduced to a healing and opening meditation through the body and mind at once. It was a wonderful compliment and enhancement to our meditation practice, and we continue to be grateful to Viviane for her sparkling teachings.”
-Esteban Hollander
Executive Director, Pundarika Foundation
"Tai chi with Viviane is exceptional ... a game-changer for your life! It's meditation, improved breathing, learning how to move gracefully, and keeping your body young. In addition to the Tai chi form and breathing exercises, Viviane applies her incredible knowledge to everyday life. Tai chi is great for students of any age, but I have found it's astounding for making the aging process as good as it gets!"
-Ann Fishman
“Whether one embarks upon Viviane Chen’s Qigong and Tai Chi Practice course from the initial vantage point of the physical (body health) - addressing essential awarenesses that support lifelong health, decrease of pain or tension, flexibility, strengthening and balance or through the lens of spiritual well-being and illumination (the relationship between mind- heart-spirit with that which is beyond self), those individual pathways ultimately merge. Additionally, importantly, Viviane’s Qigong course through the China Institute has been conducted within the context of loving community with whom we share and learn.
Through practice, the student becomes opened to the relationship of one’s own self-body to the universal in what I describe as “parts to whole relationships” or a thrumming “feedback loop” of expressivity and receptivity. That is, the student proceeds on a journey of discovery, establishing harmony, balance, and energy flow within the body, as well as in relation to Nature’s opposing forces, gravity and the human condition. As Viviane says, paraphrased: “feet and legs rooted in the earth,” “the portal at the top of the head open to the sky,” “the gate of life (the lumbar) open.” One learns and becomes keenly aware that the essential architecture of the human body (and life itself) revolves around and is supported by the spine and breath and how, in creating a loving, aware, supportive relationship with breath and the spine through these ancient and beautiful movement forms, one is propelled outward to ever-expanding connections, consciousness, and compassion.
-KM
Gateway to Dao course participant
“Thank you so much for your kind and comprehensive instruction.
The holistic nature of our classes has been particularly appreciated and has given a far deeper understanding of our practices.
I have experienced tangible benefits from the course. Your wisdom and deep knowledge has shone through.”
-Ken Barrie
"I have known Viviane for years as a wonderful educator and as a dear friend. Multi-talented, Viviane brings personal expression and her passion of life through the lenses of Chinese culture. From cultural workshops for young children learning about Chinese New Year to meditative classes for adults seeking health and calmness in a fast-paced world, Viviane radiates in front of students of all ages and makes everyone at ease. Her presence reminds me of a classical Chinese poetic line, "润物细无声" (rain drops in spring cultivates all lives in silence), yet her interactive teaching approach builds a great connection between her and her students. I would recommend anyone who's interested in exploring the courses to learn with Viviane. "
-Shenzhan Liao
Head of the School of Chinese Studies, China Institute
“Viviane is a heart-centered empath who helps people discover their natural ability to heal. Her approach is kind, soft and gentle--and she touches the hearts of many with her authentic wisdom.”
-Monica Parikh
School Of Love NYC
"In January, we attempted the challenging work of creating an online course for our undergraduate business students. At the end of the course the students reflected on the cultural experiences we did online, and for many of them, learning some Tai Chi was the most meaningful part of the entire course. One student wrote about how hard it had been for everyone in his family to relax for the past year of the pandemic and how Viviane's lesson reminded him what it was like to feel at ease again for an hour. Another student spoke of the two biggest problems in her daily life being fatigue and stress, and how the class opened her eyes to what it means to settle both her body and mind – "the Tai Chi lesson really opened my eyes up to a way of relaxing not only my entire body but my mind as well in a short period of time a day so I could still keep up with my workload". More than one student spoke about the "unwritten rule" that time spent slowing down is time wasted. Viviane taught them that there is an entirely different approach to life - this was a revelation, and several of the students now incorporate some Tai Chi into their daily lives.”
In one hour, these students encountered a teacher they found warm, patient, and positive. She explained things in a non-judgmental way, she made students feel at ease, and she didn't let the electronic format of the course prevent us from learning why she is so committed to tai chi practice and teaching. Viviane not only showed the students exercises; she opened them to a Tai Chi philosophy and experience that these business students found transformative. We are grateful."
-Dr. Pamela M. Buckle Ph.D.
Adelphi University
“今年一月初的時候，我確診新冠肺炎，身體很不舒服，晚上睡不好，甚至請醫生幫我開安眠藥。剛好在詹梅桂老師的‘自我照顧課程“中，上了Viviane老師的“自我放鬆”課程，晚上就使用這個方法，放鬆之後非常容易入睡。完全不需要安眠藥了！ 有時白天我沒空午休，就坐在椅子上自我放鬆10分鐘，精神就恢復了。真是太神奇！太美好了！感恩感謝！“
-薛婉華, 照護者
"At the beginning of January this year, I was diagnosed with COVID. I was very sick and couldn't sleep well at night. I even asked the doctor to prescribe sleeping pills for me. In Ms Jan’s Self-Care Course at CaringKind, Viviane taught us how to practice "deep-relaxation"; I used the method at night, and it's easy to fall asleep right after. Sleeping pills are not needed at all! Sometimes I don't have time to take a lunch break during the day, so I sit and relax on the chair for 10 minutes and quickly recover. It's incredible and wonderful! I am grateful. Thank you so much!"
-Angela Lo, Caregiver
"I was injured four years ago in an accident. Doctors tried to give me pills and injections. Viviane showed me a healing stance that would promote health. I did it every day; in the process, I learn to differentiate mental and physical pain and began to feel hopeful. I soon began to take her Qigong and meditation classes. People have commented on my positive energy. I am now a different person, and I am sharing my practice with my students."
-Lisa Rosado
P.S 321 Teacher
"I am very grateful for knowing and learning with Viviane Chen; it has enriched my life in many ever-deepening ways. Over the years, I have experienced her tai chi, her tea ceremony, compassionate communication work, and other meditative practices. All that she shares seems to flow from a common wellspring of inner peace and love. Most of all, working with Viviane has helped me to enjoy every day more open in my heart and less fixated in my mind. But better than anything I can say here, go find out for yourself! You will be more than grateful that you did!"
-Dr. George Morgano
Clinical Hypnosis and Self-Inquiry
"Viviane Chen is a remarkable teacher. Over the years she has taught me simple, powerful techniques for navigating and healing many life challenges, from difficulty sleeping and racing thoughts to muscle pain and stress. She has helped me cultivate awareness of blockages in my mind-body and activate my natural abilities to heal.
In her work, Viviane draws on a wide range of healing traditions and practices: chi gong, many forms of meditation, feng shui, to name a few. Through them, she has created a unique methodology to help her students live in balance, flow, and joy.
She is a gem."
-Sally Schneider
Award-winning Journalist & Author
Founding Editor of Improvised Life
"I interacted with Ms. Viviane Chen on Pranayam Breathing practices during my visit to US in 2020. I have watched her doing Pranayam with great skill and focused attention. I am personally aware of a person who benefitted for her lower backache problems by Taichi practices for alignment of spine and muscles taught by Ms. Viviane Chen. Viviane Chen is innovative, loving and compassionate, which make her a good listener and a great teacher. I am sure the society will benefit greatly by her teachings on Health, Healing and Tranquility."
-Dr. Pralhad Ron
Yoga Teacher, India
"Viviane is a very patient and loving teacher. Her sessions include time to check in with our emotional and physical state, and then she adjusts her lessons to address particular issues students have identified. She is exemplary in her ability to be present to her students. Thanks to Viviane, my own practice has become a morning routine that brings me energy, peace, confidence, and joy."
-Heather Sisk
"There is no day that I do not remember Vivianne Chen and her competence, kindness, patience, and passion. This is going ahead of my story. Please allow me to go back to the beginning.
More than ten years ago, I started suffering from back pain. Well-meaning friends advised me to try Qi Gong. I followed this counsel, after reading up on this ancient Chinese martial arts and philosophy. I was convinced it would help me with my physical ailments. The challenge was looking for the right professional practitioner who will guide me find my own rhythm in mastering Qi Gong. I must have tried four teachers before China Institute sent me an e-mail with the information of its forthcoming Qi Gong classes under Ms. Chen. Something told me that I found the perfect — and I do not use that word loosely — teacher. Come first day of our class and my instinct was substantiated. She was everything I wanted in a teacher. I kindly ask you to go back to my first sentence to get my point.
As fate would have it, a few months after our classes ended, I had to undergo a major surgery in my neck that rendered my movements minimized considerably. My surgeon encouraged me to seek for a physical therapist to expedite my healing. I did not heed his advice because I believed in my heart that all the movements I have learned from Ms. Chen were more beneficial — and I was right. After a few months of regularly doing Qi Gong, my movements went back to normal. During one of my regular follow-up visits with my surgeon he was surprised of the speed of my healing process. I told him the truth: I did forego seeing a physical therapist and instead I practiced Qi Gong. He was so pleased he told me to continue practicing Qi Gong, which, to these days, I do. I am a writer by profession and I need to take a break every hour, when I am working on my computer, to do an exercise and that exercise is always Qi Gong. This goes without saying that every time I do Qi Gong I am reminded of the best Qi Gong teacher I have ever had: Ms. Vivianne Chen.
I cannot encourage you enough to try one of Ms. Chen's classes. You will be thanking me for the rest of my life."
-Benedicto Marinas
Vegan Chef, Food Photographer
Culinary Researcher and Published Author
"Viviane's classes have been essential to my successful negotiation of the challenges of this past year. I find my mind and body much more relaxed and attuned. Her excellent instruction and caring, individualized attention to each student are consistent reinforcement for me to continue re-joining the classes."
-Elizabeth M.
“Viviane is an absolute delight of a teacher and a human being. She is a deep and sincere practitioner with a lot of knowledge and experience. You can see it in her embodiment of the principles. She is also sensitive, caring and gifted as a teacher.
I highly recommend studying taiji and qigong with Viviane!”
-Adam Kane
Writer, Instructor & Translator of Tibetan Buddhism
“人，從出生就已被分類，而最幸運的是被分到“本質純，善”的這一類，妳就是。這種人是給有心學習的人直接學習的對象。我就是一生都在學習的人。感謝讓我遇見妳！“
-薄茵萍, 藝術家
“There are different types of human nature, and the most fortunate are the ones ‘pure and kind’. You are. This kind of person is the object of direct learning for those who are interested in learning. I am someone who has been studying all my life. Thanks for letting me meet you!"
-Po Ying Ping, Artist
"Well worth the investment, for Peace of Mind!
Viviane, is a capable, caring professional.”
-Robert From 9th Street
"It has been a great pleasure to participate in the work of Viviane Chen. Viviane has the capacity to create a calm and relaxed environment (even on ZOOM) which sets the tone for her deep and transformative work. Viviane is a clear and thoughtful instructor. She is genuinely interested that her students understand the practice and are able to embrace the work from the very start. Viviane makes the work easy and enjoyable. She is simply one of the best instructors that I have had the good fortune to know."
-Nancy Lee Hendley-Branscomb,
Dementia Care Coach
"I am very grateful for Viviane's classes because she teaches at a gentle pace that helps me learn easily. Ever since I started taking her classes, I feel more balanced and grounded, calmer, more present, and happier. Thank you, Viviane!"
-Christa G.
“I have been studying Qigong and Meditation with Viviane Chen once a week for three months now. I am already experiencing many benefits from this practice. Viviane is a very calm, open, and responsive teacher. She has taught me to enjoy just slowing down and to listen to all the feelings in my body. She individualizes each class to suit where we are on that day. The meditation practices are wonderfully soothing and centering. I find myself naturally slipping into the breathing techniques at times of stress during my workday, and they are very helpful. The most important thing I have come to realize so far is that I tend to be hunched over and leaning forward with my head jutting out--perhaps from years of working at a computer screen when I think I am centered. My old pattern was throwing me off balance and causing pain in my knees, shoulders, and neck. I am learning to notice when I am misaligned and that simply breathing, expanding, lifting, and centering in a relaxed way makes all the difference. My balance and posture are much improved in my daily activities.”