Practising tai chi at a hand-built Himalayan monastery replica on a Staten Island ridge is not an experience the rest of New York can offer. Bob Murphy runs this all-levels Saturday class at the Jacques Marchais Museum, where the fieldstone walls, terraced gardens and Raritan Bay views do a lot of the work. If you want the museum's atmosphere without a docent talking, book the class rather than the tour.
What to expect
The session runs two hours on the museum's hilltop site and is open to complete beginners and continuing students alike. Bob Murphy works through the form at a pace that lets newcomers follow while regulars refine their technique. The fieldstone buildings and terraced gardens around you are the reason most people keep coming back.
Good to know
- All levels welcome, including people who have never done tai chi
- Book in advance through the museum, as event fees here are non-refundable
- The site is a steep hilltop; wear flat shoes with grip
- From the Staten Island Ferry take the S74 bus to Lighthouse Avenue
- The architecture and landscape walking tour runs earlier the same day if you want both
- Parking on Lighthouse Avenue is limited, and the museum asks visitors not to block driveways
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Common questions
Can I join if I have never done tai chi?
Yes. The class is explicitly all levels, and the museum also runs a separate beginner-focused tai chi session earlier the same day.
Is museum admission included?
The class is ticketed on its own. The museum sells general admission to the galleries and gardens as a separate afternoon slot.
