Tom Parker began his study of the 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-which included 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 Gung, the Yang 24 and 108 forms, Tai Chi Ball, as well as 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 and IV 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 both physical and written tests for Beginner and Intermediate instruction of Tai Chi Chuan.