Bob Etherington began his T’ai Chi journey in the fall of 1981 while attending graduate school in Amherst, Massachusetts. Having previously studied other martial arts - with their sparring, forms, and belts - he knew from the very first class that Tai Chi was something different.
In the winter of 1984, Bob moved to New York City to pursue a career as a professional singer and to continue his study of Tai Chi at the New York School of Tai Chi Chuan under Patrick Watson who was a senior student of Professor Cheng Man-ch’ing. Bob became an apprentice teacher in this lineage, which traces directly to Professor Cheng.
Carrying the Cheng Man-Ch'ing Tradition
Professor Cheng came to New York in the 1960s to share Tai Chi’s profound health benefits with both the Chinese and Western communities. He is widely credited with popularizing Tai Chi as a healing art in the West. To make the practice more approachable for modern students, he developed a 37-posture short form - cutting the time required to learn and practice by two-thirds while maintaining its depth and essence.
Cheng taught three foundational pillars to his Western students, holding back no secrets: Tai Chi Chuan (form), Tai Chi Jian (sword), and Push Hands. The form is considered the most important and is where students begin. This is where both the martial and health benefits are revealed.
Tai Chi has often been called a “meditation in movement” for its slow, calm, and continuous pace. Students are guided through uninterrupted postures, shifting their weight from one leg to the other, allowing the legs to do the work while the upper body, heart, and mind settle into quiet serenity.
Now Offering Instruction on Martha’s Vineyard
Bob brings this deeply rooted lineage to Martha’s Vineyard, offering private lessons, small-group sessions, and couples instruction. His teaching style is grounded, gentle, and personalized - ideal for those seeking a meaningful and sustainable practice.
He works with students of all backgrounds, meeting each person where they are and offering space to grow at their own pace.
Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner
In addition to his decades of Tai Chi experience, Bob is a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner. He graduated from New York’s first professional Feldenkrais training program in January 1991 and went on to develop a private practice while also teaching group classes.
For over 30 years, Bob taught weekly at the Feldenkrais Learning Center on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, where he supported individuals with specific needs—ranging from injury recovery and chronic pain to movement challenges related to aging.
A Teaching Style Built on Relationship and Respect
Bob’s approach is guided by curiosity, patience, and a deep respect for each student’s journey. He doesn’t follow a one-size-fits-all formula. Whether guiding a student through the Tai Chi form or a Feldenkrais lesson, Bob adapts his instruction to meet the unique needs of each individual or couple. His work is relational at its core - and begins with a simple conversation.
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