About Us

Ryan Black, Tai Chi, Qigong Instructor & Mindfulness Facilitator

Welcome to Nashville Tai Chi and Wellness. I'm your instructor, Ryan Black.

I've always had a strong passion for martial arts, ever since I can remember. My first experience as a little guy in my small hometown of North Vernon, Indiana, was with Taekwando and then in my teens, I trained in Wing Chun Kung Fu. As a young Navy deep sea diver, I was stationed in Japan where I trained and competed in Kendo, the Japanese sword martial art. Here I achieved an expert ranking with the All Japan Kendo Federation and was the first American in southern Japan to be recognized at this level. 

Upon returning to the United States, I took a long hiatus to pursue education and start a new career in teaching, but I never let go of my love of martial arts and the principles of mindfulness that I learned through the practice.

Over 15 years ago, I decided it was time to re-engage, but this time, I wanted to do something that would support my health as I headed into my 40s. Tai Chi was the perfect path. 

My search for a master with training in the original martial art of Tai Chi (t'ai chi ch'üan) led me to Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming of YMAA. I trained and advanced in the art with YMAA instructors in Boston and then at Dr. Yang's retreat center in California, where I was encourage by Dr. Yang to pursue my desire to teach others Tai Chi.

I'm a strong believer in the health benefits of Tai Chi for people of any age, but I recognize, that as we get older, it becomes an especially powerful practice.

My aim as a teacher is to make Tai Chi approachable and easy to learn. As students begin to progress, I introduce some of the nuances that can feel more difficult at first. As my student, you will start to feel a sense of accomplishment soon after beginning the practice and it won't take much longer to feel the health benefits as well.

Along with my pursuit of the martial arts, I’ve always been interested in mindfulness. I didn’t always call it that, but the experience of being still and centering myself through breathing and simply being what “what is” is something I’ve done since I was a child. My formal training in mindfulness facilitation is through Vanderbilt’s Osher Center for Integrative Medicine. I’m currently a co-teacher for the Osher’s Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program and a regular facilitator for Mindful Mondays. I incorporate mindfulness in my teaching of tai chi as well.

I look forward to connecting with you. I’m glad to be on this journey with you.

READ A RECENT ARTICLE ON RYAN AND NASHVILLE TAI CHI AND WELLNESS