Last year, I had been searching for an authentic, old-school place to learn traditional Chinese martial arts, and I found the Praying Mantis Tai Chi Center. The head of the school, Mr. Pilossoph, is extremely knowledgeable, patient, and gracious, as are the senior students that also teach the classes. The mantis classes are strenuous but rewarding, and the teaching is very individualized; you will be pushed and will learn at your own individual pace and according to your capabilities. A word of warning - this is no belt factory. The aim of all students here is to learn an art step by step, to build mastery gradually and solidly, not to buy an artificial certificate or ranking. If you are not dedicated and steadfast in coming to classes and practicing, you will not last here. If all you care about is getting the next color for the ranking's sake alone, you will not last here. But if you truly want to learn traditional Chinese martial arts and push your limits, this is the place for you.