It has been a great blessing and privilege to have found KaizenTao and to train under Thong Nguyen. I had previously trained in the Russian Martial Art, Systema for over a decade, but along the way found Thong’s videos on Youtube; his demonstrations were mystifying and inspirational – I was thrilled such things were possible, but I had no clue how to get there! During the pandemic I asked if he would be willing to take on a virtual student. I was very lucky he said yes, and have found the 2 years of training since to be revelatory.
We all have blind spots in our understanding, but a good teacher can illuminate the way. One of the wonderful things about KaizenTao is that Thong will hold a big mirror up to your face to show you what you can’t see for yourself! From my very first class, Thong instructed with a level of specificity that surprised me. He showed me how careless my approach had been – I often lost connection with the key parameters behind a technique, even when he gave explicit guidance on what to do. Although sobering, it is from these beginnings I came to understand how carefully he builds a solid foundation in his students. There is an uncompromising standard of accountability in each lesson. Even in “simple” tasks like walking, he teaches a deep respect and care to every step. This rigor ensures his students retain and enact skills, no matter who is watching, or what is riding on the moment. I now see that behind the magic he demonstrates is years and years of an honesty in mind and body that I might never have known without his example.
Thank you so much Thong and to your students! KaizenTao has shown me how to practice – a rare gift I will treasure and carry with me for the rest of my life.
~ Mark Fan
Clinical Engineer, Systema, Feldenkrais, Awareness Through Movement student