Testimonials

Testimonial from Pamela Perrine:
I started taking Tai Chi classes with Master Franklin a month before the pandemic. I was grateful he offered the classes online so I could continue my Tai Chi journey. The online classes are so easy to sign into and convenient to take at home. I’m over 60 and out of shape and this gives me a nice slow gentle workout that doesn’t hurt my joints or muscles. Master Franklin’s routine also works on my balance and he has a special part that helps the arthritis in my hands. He focuses on increasing our breathing capacity and I think keeping our lungs and body healthy are so important right now with this pandemic.

 In these troubled times when personal anxiety and good health is of concern to everyone Franklin is a light shining in the darkness of uncertainty. Teri and I regularly participate in TaiChi classes online and throughout the Stay at Home order we have enjoyed having Franklin come into our home via Zoom Video Conferencing. It can be difficult to find instructors who are personally concerned about your well-being but Teri and I both feel Franklin has demonstrated consistently a genuine interest in helping his students not only learn the techniques of TaiChi but also ways to manage our physical, emotional and spiritual health. Thank you for your devotion and for your heart of kindness and compassion.
 
                                                          Sincerely Will & Teri Lussenden  

Hello Master Franklin,

 
We have been wanting to give feedback on your online class since it started and since you have asked, now is a good time.
 
Nancy and I find the class as the most important thing we do each day. It has made a great difference in our attitude and health especially in these strange times. We look forward to each class and in fact practice with ourselves even on the days you are not doing a live teleconference. It has made a big difference in our positive attitude and outlook and gives us focus on health and well-being.
 
Aside from the above we think we have made real progress in Tai Chi technique. We have memorized and can solidly do the Short Form and also the first block of the Long Form. We can do all of the Neigong we have learned in class including bao ding and are surprised how far we have come since starting class in La Pine just a few short months ago. Your instructions come across well on the live video online class and we are really looking forward to incorporating the rest of the Long Form into what we already practice diligently. We just wish we had a larger space in our living room😅.
 
Your instructions and Tai Chi have also inspired me to reconnect with meditating regularly again and this also has made a positive impact in my life. Nancy and I want to thank you for all you have done and we consider ourselves extremely fortunate to have you here in La Pine offering us this teaching and that you can do this through video teleconferencing during these times.

I am 69 years old and have known and studied Tai Chi with Taoist Abbot

Grandmaster Franklin (Franklin Wood) for 4 years.

He has learned the science and art of Tai Chi since he was five years old. Corning from a Taoist upbringing since childhood he has embodied Tai Chi as a way of life. He is also a Taoist Abbot so his teaching is enhanced with his deep and abiding knowledge and wisdom of the tradition that emanates from Tai Chi. Consequently, his method of coaching Tai Chi is very profound and at the same time simple in the sense that he is able to demonstrate the reason how the physiology of every movement unfolds. He also teaches how the movements are a form of meditation coupled with a most graceful exhibition of it as a dance of life.

His teaching ability is outstanding due to his experience with countless students. i-ie is very patient and goes out of his way to tend to people’s needs to learn without feeling inadequate.

George Monoson

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing on behalf of Grandmaster Franklin Wood, a Tai Chi teacher that I have been studying under for over 30 years. My experience with Grandmaster Franklin’s teaching methods over the years has been extremely beneficial in helping my muscle strength and coordination, mental focus, flexibility, and overall good health.

Now that I am a senior citizen, I value his knowledge of Tai Chi and the healing benefits from this practice. I believe that Grandmaster Franklin’s teaching methods are comprehensive, in-depth, authentic, engaging, and extremely effective.

His in-depth knowledge of human physiology helps him to work with any and all physical difficulties including arthritis, muscle coordination difficulties, joint pain and stiffness and injuries, as well as developing mental focus.

Grandmaster Franklin has a particular way of connecting with his students and making classes enjoyable, motivating, and stimulating yet fun and effective.

Until his recent move to Oregon I have been having the pleasure of continuing to learn under Grandmaster Franklin and I look forward to doing so in the future.

Respectfully,

Sifu Mark W. Heusser

Teacher School of Tao Chi

To: Central Oregon Council on Aging Subject: Franklin Wood

Gentlemen,

I was a Tai Chi student with Franklin for over three years, and I took weekly private lessons. I was 79 years old when I started my lessons.

When I started working with Franklin, I had arthritic knees from playing competitive sports, and had stenosis of my L3 and L4 vertebrae which caused numbness in my feet.

Franklin's teaching methods and his knowledge of human physiology helped me in just a few months to relieve these problems. At the present time, I am able to participate in all activities and other exercise programs, and I work full-time as the CEO of a Company.

Most importantly, Franklin was able to impart a sense of calm and well-being in each lesson session. I left feeling energized and renewed.

I give you my highest recommendation to Franklin, I am very disappointed personally that he has moved away and I will no longer be able to work with him. If you need any additional information please feel free to call me at my number below.

Sincerely,

Richard Johnes, CEO 480-250-3991

NOVO Solutions MD, LLC • 6710 North Scottsdale Road Suite 240 • Scottsdale Arizona 85253

I am writing this letter in support of Franklin Wood, my long-time teacher and advisor. I began studying Qigong, Tai Chi (Yang style), and Taoist philosophy in 2004 and continued through the end of 2011 with Franklin. Over 7 years of weekly sessions, I came to understand the level of knowledge that Franklin had, not only in the martial arts and meditative movement, but I also found he had a deep knowledge base regarding physiology and kinesiology, understanding how to keep the movements he taught to be safe, consistent and therapeutic. When I started learning from Franklin, I had been experiencing small seizures and night terrors that did respond to pharmacological treatment, but with the specialized training I received in my weekly sessions with Franklin, I was able to stop medications and became symptom free. Later, when I broke my arm at the top of the humerus (result of a jet ski accident), and my shoulder lost range of motion, my continued training with Franklin helped me to gain back full range of motion. I worked with Franklin from age 52 through 59, and I continue to practice the full Tai chi form and much of the Qigong practice that I learned from him.

As a side note, I did eventually train through the Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi (Dr. Roger Jahnke) as a trainer in Qigong and Tai Chi Easy, and continued with this training to the point that I am a Senior Trainer. With this other training, I have even more perspective on the solid, safe and effective teaching I received from Franklin!.

I also use these practices (from both Franklin and Roger) in my research with patients with cardiovascular disease and with people living with cancer. I have been funded over the past several years by the National Institutes of Health to study the medical and psychological benefits of Qigong and Tai Chi. In the early years of this research, I would regularly ask for Franklin’s guidance and opinions to be sure that our research protocols were safe and effective and he was always knowledgeable and helpful in that regard. I know that he is familiar with the research literature on the effects of Tai Chi and qigong for a variety of conditions, and I’m aware of the work he has done to help patients with Parkinson’s disease.

During the years I have known Franklin, I have brought in friends of all ages, and my own kids for special care when they needed specific help with pain or other difficulties. He is very knowledgeable in the healing arts and has been able to help with a variety of conditions, helping people find their own healing through practice.

I came to know Franklin, his work, and his achievements very well over these many years and can attest to my personal experience of benefit, as well as the benefit to others with various conditions. At 63 I am profoundly healthy, flexible, and mostly pain free, and still use many of the techniques that Franklin taught me to stay healthy. I would highly recommend him for implementing a program in your state to provide help to older adults with joint pain, or many other conditions that come with aging.

Feel free to contact me if you would like further information.

Yours sincerely,

Linda Larkey PhD, CRTT

Professor, College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University

Senior Sustainability Scientist, Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability

Professor of Medicine, Adjunct Faculty, Mayo Clinic (Scottsdale)

Linda.Larkey@asu.edu

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing in regards to Franklin Wood. By grace and good fortune, Franklin came to us in the Fall of 2014. He has been a blessing to our community on many levels. Initially, he began offering Tai Chi classes here and quickly grew an audience of devoted students. Over time, he offered Singing Bowl Meditations, which were usually filled to capacity. In 2015 he offered a calligraphy and Taoist Philosophy course, which again, was nicely attended. As owner of Yoga Breeze, I personally attended all of these events. Before Franklin moved to Oregon, he offered an 8-week Taoist Philosophy and Meditation series. All of his offerings have been of immense value, but this course was exceptionally powerful.

Franklin is a natural teacher. A gift to those he speaks with. He has the ability to effectively deliver a complex subject to a diverse group. His depth of knowledge and experience flows through each lesson. His ability to stimulate the mind with a keen use of stories, parables, personal experiences and provoking questions is powerful. Often, there were moments of silence as students digested his words. All of his classes were highly interactive where students participated with enthusiasm and deep thought.

There is a saying that “wisdom is knowledge experienced”. Franklin speaks with wisdom. His teachings do not give you the answers but instead guides the students to explore and experience the knowledge themselves.

Franklin is deeply missed by this community and is an irreplaceable and valuable asset in a number of capacities. You too, will be blessed by his presence and gifts.

Respectfully,

Christine M. Thomas

To Whom It May Concern:

Re: Letter of Recommendation for Franklin Wood

As a Senior Citizen I have a great respect and profound interest in the teaching abilities of Taoist priest, Grandmaster Tao Situ Franklin Wood. He takes each of his student’s abilities and limitations into consideration with their knowledge and advancement of learning the art of Tai Chi and Qi Gong. He has an exceptional ability to teach which encompasses small children to senior citizens and all ages in between. I have taken Tai Chi from an instructor in San Diego, CA and also from Franklin Wood, a teacher of the fine art of traditional North Shaolin Tai Chi and Qi Gung in Anthem, AZ. There is no comparison between a teacher and an instructor. Tao Situ Franklin incorporates the history of Tai Chi/Qi Gong as well as the meaning of the various forms for a meaningful benefit of his students. I have observed him teaching children as young as 3 years old and he makes the art fun for them as well as learning the forms. I have also benefited greatly from his Qi Gong, medical Tai Chi, class as well as his Senior Stretch and Tone Class. He truly is a gifted teacher and makes learning fun. I have also attended his various meditation “sittings” which have been very relaxing and beneficial to all that attended.When I first met Tao Situ Franklin I was 72 years old, recovering from a stroke and walking with a walker. Today at age 77 I am so very much improved through his nutrition counseling, Tai Chi/Qi Gong, meditation and gentle helpful spirit of aid and assistance that I am able to walk without the aid of a walker or cane and live a completely unassisted life, taking care of my 2 dogs and myself. Tao Situ Franklin has been of great help and assistance to many people of all ages through his training as a Taoist priest and his greater than 55 years of training and teaching in the field of Chinese Martial Arts, ie: Tai Chi/Qi Gong, Kung Fu, meditation, etc.

His empathy for his fellow man makes him highly successful in anything he chooses to pursue. He is very focused on positive end result for all his endeavors. If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact me at 623-551-8679.

Sincerely,

Joanne Holle Retired

Scroll to Top
Scroll to Top