Certified Tai Chi Instructors

Howard Drossman – Level 9 Instructor

Howard Drossman began his study of Tai Chi in 1980 as an undergraduate student in Berkeley, California, where he learned the Yang style long form from Louis Sun. From 1985 – 1987.

He studied the Chen Man Ching Yang style form with Tricia Yu in Madison, Wisconsin, while completing his PhD in Bioanalytical Chemistry.  While in Madison, Howard attended several workshops with Ben Lo, William Chen, and Peter Gallagher.

In January 2010, Howard renewed his commitment to Tai Chi by intensively studying Qi Gong, Push Hands, Staff, Tai Chi Saber, and Tai Chi sword, and the 108 and Old Six Roads movement forms under the tutelage of Sifu Michael Paler. He also practices Grandmaster William Chen’s closely related 60-movement form, which he reviews through annual workshops at Grandmaster Chen’s Manhattan studio.

When Howard is not practicing Tai Chi, he teaches full-time as a Professor of Education at Colorado College (since 1991), where he directs the Teaching and Research in Environmental Education (TREE) Semester and serves as Board President of the Catamount Center for Environmental Science and Education in Woodland Park, Colorado.

Howard is certified through the Tai Chi Association of Colorado Springs to teach Levels I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII & IX Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Tai Chi Forms in the body mechanics of the structured Yang Chen Fu large frame form with the accompanying Qigongs, Push Hands and Weapons: Tai Chi Ball, Tai Chi Saber, Tai Chi Staff, Tai Chi Spear & Tai Chi Sword.

He has completed the required hours of training per level and has passed physical and written tests for Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced instruction of Tai Chi Chuan.

Kathy Roark – Level 9 Instructor

Kathy began her study of Tai Chi Chuan in early 2014, and it quickly became her passion; she also enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and hiking. Kathy is our Tai Chi Association Demo Team Leader, and she also teaches a beginner Tai Chi class on Tuesday mornings and our 6-Week Beginner Series.

Kathy is certified through the Tai Chi Association of Colorado Springs to teach Level I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII & IX Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Tai Chi Forms in the body mechanics of the structured Yang Chen Fu large frame form with the accompanying Qigongs, Push Hands and Weapons: Tai Chi Ball, Tai Chi Saber, Tai Chi Staff, Tai Chi Spear & Tai Chi Sword. She has completed the required hours of training per level and has passed physical and written tests for Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced instruction of Tai Chi Chuan.

Julie Paler – Level 8 Instructor

Julie is the Creative Director, Tai Chi blogger, and Manager of the Tai Chi Association of Colorado Springs and TaiChiOnlineClasses.com. For fun, she loves spending time with her husband training Yang Family tai chi chuan and Yang Family weapons; in addition to archery and knife throwing, she also loves hiking, gardening, and spending time with her four cats and two dogs. Julie is also a herbalist with over 10 years experience in the field of herbal medicine, with hands on experience as a herbal medicine maker and formulator, with knowledge of nutrition, vitamins and supplements.

Julie began her studies in Tai Chi Chuan and Qigong with Sifu Michael Paler in December 2003. Julie is certified through the Tai Chi Association of Colorado Springs to teach Level I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII & VIII Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced Tai Chi Forms in the body mechanics of the structured Yang Chen Fu large frame form with the accompanying Qigongs, Push Hands and Weapons: Tai Chi Ball, Tai Chi Saber, Tai Chi Staff & Tai Chi Spear. She has completed the required hours of training per level and has passed physical and written tests for Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced instruction of Tai Chi Chuan.

Tom Parker – Level 6 Instructor

Tom Parker began his study of martial arts at the Ed Parker Kempo Karate Studio in Santa Monica, California, in 1974. He discovered Tai Chi in 1996 in Northern Virginia, learning the Chen Man Ching Yang style, 37 Movement form from Sifu Will Chan, a former student of Grand Master Chen.

After 16 years of independent Tai Chi study, including multiple location changes due to his naval career–Tom was about to take up Yoga in 2012 but decided to give professional Tai Chi instruction another chance, enrolling in Sifu Michael Paler’s Tai Chi Association in Colorado Springs in August of that year.

Tom is delighted with this choice and has studied Qi Gong, the Yang 24 and 108 forms, Tai Chi Ball, and the Yang family private form and energetics. Tom is a government worker and retired U.S. Navy Captain, who post-Navy has worked for the Raytheon Corporation and taught at the Naval War College. While on active duty in the US Navy, he commanded the aircraft carriers Belleau Wood (LHA-3), Essex (LHD-2), and Kitty Hawk (CV-63). When not practicing Tai Chi or working, Tom enjoys fly fishing, skiing, and motorcycle riding.

Tom is certified through the Tai Chi Association of Colorado Springs to teach Level I, II, III, IV, V, & V1 Beginner and Intermediate Tai Chi Forms in the body mechanics of the structured Yang Chen Fu large frame form with the accompanying Qigongs and Push Hands. He has completed the required hours of training per level and has passed physical and written tests for Beginner and Intermediate instruction of Tai Chi Chuan.

Dave Miller – Level 6 Instructor

Dave has had a lifelong love of the martial arts and energy arts, as well as exploring the great outdoors and the more profound mysteries of life. He has varying degrees of experience in Taekwondo, Karate, Jiu-jitsu, Krav Maga, two styles of Kung-fu, three styles of Tai Chi, Baguazhang, and Liu He Ba Fa, as well as at least a dozen types of Qigong and 20+ years of yoga. He has also experimented with just about every form of diet, exercise, stretching, meditation, and breathwork in his search for the keys to a healthy body, mind, and spirit.

While looking for a new place to study in 2018, he met Sifu Michael Paler and began attending classes. Having already had excellent health from all his previous work, Dave wasn’t expecting much additional improvement in that area. But within the school’s first 100-day challenge of simple warm-up exercises done with specific intent, he had almost fully recovered from some old injuries he didn’t think would ever completely heal. Dave credits this to Michael’s profound knowledge and skill in Tai Chi, combined with his rare gift of being an outstanding teacher. Dave also found the school an excellent environment filled with loving people and expects to continue learning there for many years.

Dave now trains Yang Tai Chi almost exclusively to help spread this art to as many people as possible.

Dave is certified through the Tai Chi Association of Colorado Springs to teach Levels I, II, III, IV, V & VI Beginner Tai Chi Forms in the body mechanics of the structured Yang Chen Fu large frame form with the accompanying Qigongs and Push Hands. He has completed the required hours of training per level and has passed physical and written tests for beginner instruction in Tai Chi Chuan.

Susan Claxton – Level 6 Instructor

In 2002, Susan became a student at the Tai Chi Association of Colorado Springs.  Born in Wyoming, she and her husband have lived in Manitou Springs since 1999.  Susan loves horses, gardening, and her Tai Chi practice.

Susan is certified through the Tai Chi Association of Colorado Springs to teach Level I, II, III, IV, V & VI Beginner and Intermediate Tai Chi Forms in the body mechanics of the structured Yang Chen Fu large frame form with the accompanying Qigongs and Push Hands.  She has completed the required hours of training per level and has passed both physical and written tests for beginner instruction in Tai Chi Chuan.

Mary Watkins – Level 5 Instructor

Mary is certified through the Tai Chi Association of Colorado Springs to teach Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 Beginner Tai Chi Forms in the body mechanics of the structured Yang Chen Fu large frame form with the accompanying Qigongs and Push Hands. He has completed the required hours of training per level and has passed physical and written tests for beginner instruction in Tai Chi Chuan.

Beth Suess – Level 5 Instructor

Martha Rzasa – Level 4 Instructor

Martha began Tai Chi, Qigong, and Push Hands with Sifu Michael Paler in August 2015 and quickly became fully involved.  Trained in ballet and modern dance, Martha soon found Tai Chi to be entirely different.

Martha has a master’s Degree in Creative arts and dance from New York University and enjoys choreographing, performing, and teaching.  In Milwaukee, she participated in a major theater project with at-risk children and worked with adults with cerebral palsy.

Martha continues to deepen her study of Taichiquan and Qigong and their considerable healing benefits. Martha enjoys her family, nature walks, sea kayaking when able, writing, and her cat, Boston. She works in health care as an Occupational Therapist.

Martha is certified through the Tai Chi Association of Colorado Springs to teach Level I, II, III, & IV Beginner Tai Chi Forms in the body mechanics of the structured Yang Chen Fu large frame form with the accompanying Qigongs and Push Hands. She has completed the required hours of training per level and has passed physical and written tests for beginner instruction in Tai Chi Chuan.

Yvette Duncan – Level 4 Instructor

Yvette has been passionate about learning all her life, which led to a career in instructional design and training (through a Classics degree). She began studying Tai Chi Chuan in 2017 after a serious injury, and it changed her life. Yvette is a voracious reader and now a zealous Tai Chi practitioner.

Yvette is certified through the Tai Chi Association of Colorado Springs to teach Level I & II, III, & IV Beginner Tai Chi Forms in the body mechanics of the structured Yang Chen Fu large frame form with the accompanying Qigongs and Push Hands. She has completed the required hours of training per level and has passed both physical and written tests for beginner instruction in Tai Chi Chuan.

Scott Ward – Level 4 Instructor

Scott is an accomplished martial artist who has worked in various systems. He is a Nidan 2nd Degree Black Belt in Karate in Shotokan and Shorin Ryu styles under Kyoshi Jay Haynes and a 1st Degree Black Belt in Eagle Claw Kung Fu under Hanshi Ken Baker. He is also trained in Luzviminda Arnis (Filipino stick fighting).

Scott is the former owner and chief instructor of Ward’s Family Karate and has trained over 100 students in the art of Shotokan Karate, three of which bear his signature on their Shodan 1St Degree Black certificates.

Scott began training with Sifu Michael Paler in 2012. He had been practicing Chinese Qi Gong exercises for pain relief and decided to see what he could learn training under a Master in Tai Chi. While seeking the healing benefits of Tai Chi, he discovered he had also found a powerful Martial Art. Watching Michael demonstrate the power of internal energy, he knew this would be the next level of his Martial Arts journey.

Years of hardstyle karate had damaged Scott’s joints and tendons. Tai Chi was healing his injuries and providing Martial Arts training so that he could continue practicing for the rest of his days.

Scott is a software engineer with FedEx with over 30 years of experience. He has made Colorado his home for the last 20-plus years and has enjoyed Rock Climbing, Mountaineering, Mountain Biking, Camping, and Amateur Auto Racing. More recently, he has enjoyed driving Jeep trails and hiking.

Scott is certified through the Tai Chi Association of Colorado Springs to teach Levels I & 2 Beginner Tai Chi Forms in the body mechanics of the structured Yang Chen Fu large frame form with the accompanying Qigongs and Push Hands. He has completed the required hours of training per level and has passed physical and written tests for Beginner instruction of Tai Chi Chuan.

Chris Honeycutt – Level 4 Instructor

Chris began his Tai Chi journey in 2016: first studying Chen style for about six months, then Yang style (in the William CC Chen lineage) for two years. The art drew him in from day one, but it always felt like something was missing before he found Master Michael Paler (who is far too humble to call himself “master”) and Imperial Yang Family Tai Chi in November of ’23.

Chris has been a licensed massage therapist since 2020 and plans to continue in that line of work as long as possible. He is also refining a continuing education course called “Tai Chi for Massage,” which is geared toward helping others extend their careers and, ideally, healthy life expectancies.

Current life goals include helping Tai Chi to “spread like grass” (as Grandmaster Wei Shuren beautifully phrased it), developing a peace so potent that others feel better the moment they walk into the same room, and teaching Tai Chi in hospice, prisons, and/or other places wherein people could use a little more peace themselves.”

Louis Weiss – Level 3 Instructor

Louis Weiss has studied various martial arts styles, including Shotokan Karate, Kung Fu, Baguazhang, Xing Yi, and several mixed martial arts disciplines. He discovered Tai Chi in late 1998 while stationed in San Diego, CA. While in the United States Navy.  During the 45 days it took to transfer duty stations from San Diego to Sicily, Italy, he decided Tai Chi would be a large part of his future.

During his five years in Sicily, he studied both Yang and Chen forms. After a year, he began concentrating exclusively on the Yang form and has stuck with it for 19 years. He studied under various teachers from 1999 to 2005. The next ten years were spent in self-study.

In February 2015, he attended his first class at the Tai Chi Association of Colorado Springs. He has been a student of Sifu Michael Paler for the last three years. Lou has said, “It has been a rather easy thing to know where my training will remain in the foreseeable future. It’s an easy call when you are in a place for three years, and each time, you feel more and more welcome, and you are still learning with no end in sight.”

Lou is a big believer in the power of Tai Chi to help mitigate the effects of anxiety and depression associated with PTSD. He has used it in his own life to help alleviate how it impacts his everyday life, and he hopes to be able to help others who are also suffering.

Louis is certified through the Tai Chi Association of Colorado Springs to teach Level I & II Beginner Tai Chi Forms in the body mechanics of the structured Yang Chen Fu large frame form with the accompanying Qigongs and Push Hands.. He has completed the required hours of training per level and has passed physical and written tests for Beginner instruction of Tai Chi Chuan.

Jane Wilder-O’Connor – Level 1 Instructor