We’re here to help you build a practice that actually lasts — one grounded in presence, awareness, and the principles of the meditative arts. Through Tai Chi, Qigong, sitting meditation, and breathwork, The Yielding Warrior offers a path for anyone ready to move through life with more clarity, steadiness, and ease.
Real capacity begins with presence. Train your attention to arrive fully in each breath and movement, and everything else follows.
The meditative arts sharpen your ability to read a room, sense energy shifts, and respond to what’s actually unfolding around you.
Progress isn’t measured in how many classes you attend — it’s measured in the quality of attention you bring to each one.
This practice is built gradually, over time. Show up consistently and it becomes more than exercise — it becomes a way of life.
Growth never stops here. Stay curious, keep learning, and your practice will continue expanding your strength, clarity, and mental fortitude.
Regular practice sharpens your perception. You’ll see the world with greater clarity and learn to meet stress with steadiness, not reaction.
For over 37 years, I’ve been studying what happens when a warrior stops fighting against life and starts moving with it. That idea — yielding — is the foundation of everything I teach here.
Through Tai Chi, Qigong, sitting meditation, breathwork, and the study of Eastern philosophy, I help people build an evolving life practice that grows with them. It’s not about achieving a perfect pose or mastering a complex form. It’s about learning to move through life with the same awareness and sensitivity a skilled martial artist brings to any encounter.
I founded Northwest Fighting Arts and Portland Tai Chi Academy over 31 years ago and have since taught more than 26,000 students in Portland, with thousands more online. I’ve authored three books, created two audio courses, and produced hundreds of instructional videos on Tai Chi and Qigong.
Whether you’re just beginning or ready to go deeper — welcome. Let’s build something that lasts.
“There’s a discipline, a calmness, a balance that I feel that has just made every relationship I’ve had, not just outside of here better but also my relationship with myself; the respect that I have for my body.”
“I’ve noticed some things that it has done for me, with my balance, even with my memory.
“Before I started meditating, I was a mess — my job, my relationships, everything felt scattered. Then I was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Despite a rough bout of chemotherapy, I maintained my energy and mental control. The doctors were amazed and asked me to participate in a study. I credit the meditation insights I learned from Sifu Jeff with saving my life. I will be using these practices for the rest of it.”
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“Because it can be difficult to meditate on your own, I strongly recommend using Sifu Jeff Patterson’s guided meditation series. I’ve been practicing meditation with Sifu Patterson for almost two and a half years, and I’ve seen a lot of positive results in my life. This success encourages me to continue and deepen my personal mediation practice.”
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