Mike is a great teacher. He doesn’t fill his classes with fluff. Instead he makes sure that you learn the fundamentals thoroughly before advancing. If you have the patience and perseverance to study Tai Chi, Mike’s knowledge is unending. He incorporates traditional Asian theory and teaching without being woo woo or falling into a romanticized view.

I have been a student of Mike de Marco for over 12 years and have seen great mental and physical improvement not only with myself but with his other students as well. My balance, sense of well-being and knowledge with all aspects of Tai Chi have greatly improved through the years. His other students have become more flexible, more relaxed and have greatly improved their form. He is an incredible teacher and his traditional methods enable all of us to improve our quality of practice. He is truly inspiring.

Mike is a master tai chi instructor and I feel fortunate to be able to study with him. I am learning how to relax, be balanced and more fluid in my movements. It has benefited my overall health as well as given me more confidence in my day to day activities. He is a patient and knowledgeable instructor. I highly recommend his classes.

We are very blessed to have Mike, a true martial arts expert (both in practice/competition and scholarship) teaching classes here. Hes dedicated some 40 years to Tai Chi, studying and training with some of the best in the world. Considering his stature its amazing how little ego he displays... you can joke around with him (respectfully) and call him Mike. He puts more energy into students who are serious about learning, regardless of their physical abilities. Ive seen him drive a partly disabled student to and from class. But if you think as a paying student you should get to make the rules, hes not going to accept your money. When I practice regularly the Tai Chi and Dou Yin help my health tremendously, and calm my mind.

Wow. Such a great school. Michael, the teacher, has decades of experience, and deep respect for Tai Chi. His method is traditional, authentic, and disciplined. He’s a true Master, and it shows in his students. They are a great group dedicated to learning.

​If you are serious about tai chi—​or if youre just interested in trying it out—​Winged Lion is the place.​​​ ​​Michael DeMarco​ ​is a true master and a wellspring of martial knowledge. Hes traveled the world and studied with the best.​ He​ published the esteemed Journal of Asian Martial Arts for two decades.All of this is impressive enough, but, having worked with Mike for years, I will also add that he is a gentleman. He is kind, considerate, and generous. In short, Mike has dedicated his life to the martial way. Hes everything you could ask for in an instructor.

Someone whos name starts with Warlords should tell you all you need to know. I have studied with Michael for very close to 6 years now, and I am here to witness that what he has taught has changed my life. He is without a doubt a beacon of truth regarding Tai Chi in a town full of Charlatans.

As a former university professor of Asian Studies, I had the fortune of benefitting from Mikes extensive knowledge and skills in Asian martial arts, Far Eastern Cultures and Chinese language. As a prolific master of tai chi and a longtime publisher/editor of Journal of Asian Martial Arts, he demonstrated his skills for my classes and workshops. He later contributed to our World Language and Cultures Department as Adjunct Faculty teaching Asian Cultures course. In short, his presence both professional and personal has been invaluable.

I was shocked to see the few negative reviews on Winged Lion. Michael is a worldknown Grandmaster with over 50 years experience, and an inductee into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He recently returned from giving a lecture and demonstration in Taiwan to over 1,000 instructors and practitioners—he is the only westerner to be so honored. Michael teaches traditional Tai Chi in a traditional manner. I have studied with him for over 8 years. If you are complaining about his simple request for students to dress in casual, lose clothing, then you have no business in class. You are showing disrespect for the tradition from day one. You are like a student who reports to math class and doesnt think that the teacher’s requirement to bring your own pencil is justifiable. It is clear that the negative reviews were written by someone who is jealous and vindictive. — Delighted to hear we will never see you again.

I have known Michael DeMarco since 1993, and I have experienced his teaching and discipline to be of the highest quality. I learned not only tai chi from him, but have known him for his compassion and patience. He internalizes these qualities in his own practice but is able to communicate them through his teaching. It was shocking to me to read such negative comments about his work, as this has never been my experience of him. Tai Chi is primarily a slow, soft martial art and requires much patience to learn. It is a real discipline.Maybe Michaels critics should try another form more suitable for their needs.

As a beginning student (5mo) of Michael DeMarco, I have received patient and supportive instruction in basic form including traditional principles of Tai Chi. I am very pleased with my continued progress and with the benefits Ive experienced. I enjoy the comaraderie of the other students and I learn from the examples they portray. I am honored to study with such a dedicated and experienced teacher as Michael DeMarco. I highly recommend him and the Winged Lion School.

I came to Mike to try and get off the anxiety drugs I was prescribed and learn to relax. Live a life with out anxiety and those drugs. I had a job that required my attention twenty-four hours a day creating a lot of stress. Trying to help my anxiety, my physician asked that one night a week I get away from family, friends and everything (stress). I remembered a friend recommending Tai Chi as a way to relax. The rest is history. In the first three months after starting Tai Chi with Mike I was able to quit taking the anxiety drugs and was on my way to learning to relax. Not to mention the martial side of Taijiquan. I knew this was for me. After I started practicing daily I started to see what you can do when you are soft vs. hard. Everything I know about Taijiquan is connected to Mikes teaching and patience. His ability and knowledge of Taijiquan is unsurpassed. I know! I have witnessed this many times. I can attest to his integrity, his honesty and his ability to bring the best out of you. Not just in Taijiquan. For twenty-five years I have had the pleasure to call him Laoshi and Friend. He is the real thing!

I had met Michael DeMarco some 30 years ago in Taiwan, and he was there to learn Tai Chi. I remember that he was very diligent and put much effort into it😄. He has constantly visited Taiwan to improve his martial art skills. His tai chi kung fu is very professional, and his knowledge of Kung fu is astonishing. He has researched and studied kung fu his whole life. His Tai Chi is a real art.

Michael DeMarco, instructor of Winged Lion School, is a true expert of Tai Chi (aka Taiji Chuan). This year he was invited by a large association in Taiwan to come back there and teach them!I have benefitted greatly, especially from the outdoor classes.

Wish I could give a lower rating

Toxic environment. Never going back

Terrible experience. Never going back.

What a great asset to Santa Fe.