Martial Arts Center for Health

2902 N Orange Ave Suite F, Orlando, FL 32804

407-985-3088

Testamonials from students of the

Martial Arts Center for Health

Why Choose Us

Doctor Approved - Tai Chi for health

Welcome to the Martial Arts Center for Health. Explore our site and hear from physicans and healthcare providers why the Martial Arts Center for Health is a very unique place.

Linda B.

"I’m 71 years old and have worked as a realtor for the past 25 years. In August 2024, I began private lessons at the Martial Arts Center for Health. I had recently lost nearly 21⁄2 inches in height due 11 broken vertebra and the compression it created in my torso. The change in my posture made everyday movement challenging. Since starting at MACH, I've seen vast improvements in my upper body strength — exactly what I needed to support my spine and stand upright with more ease and confidence. I found MACH through a simple Google search after my massage therapist surprised me one day by saying, 'You need to start Tai Chi.' I’d never even considered it before, but her recommendation stuck. I assumed she practiced Tai Chi herself because she spoke so knowledgeably about how it could stretch and strengthen my muscles. A week later, when I told her I had joined, she laughed and said, ‘Wait, where? I want to do that too!’ I couldn’t believe she wasn’t already doing it. Within a week she was also a member of MACH! Nearly a year into my practice, I can now raise my arms above my shoulders — something I couldn’t do when I first came in. Just recently, I spent a week in New York City walking 5–6 hours a day with a friend, and I felt strong and capable the whole time. I’m incredibly grateful to have found this place and to have Matt as my instructor. His patience and guidance have made all the difference as I work to rebuild my health and strength. This experience has truly been life-changing." — Linda B. Private Student at the Martial Arts Center for Health

Rehab Health Stories

Steve Carnes

The Martial Arts Center for Health has made such a positive impact on my life that I feel compelled to share my story. My name is Steve Carnes, I’m 53 years old, married to a wonderful woman named Heather and the father of two beautiful children ages 9 and 11. Four years ago, I was out of shape and while not obese I was certainly above my ideal body weight. Additionally, I was not handling stress within my life and work very well. I had high blood pressure and was taking a cocktail of 6 medications daily to try and keep it under control. While on a working vacation to Washington DC, I found myself becoming tired and fatigued after walking around for maybe 2 or 3 miles on afternoon. My wife, who is quite a few years junior to my age, wanted to continue touring the town and I told her to go ahead and go and that I would take a rest in the hotel. How self-embarrassing is that to not be able to enjoy a walking vacation of a city. Some weeks after the trip, my wife who works in clinical/pharmaceutical research mentioned that a doctor who works with the research practice where she was employed was telling her all about this place he worked out at called The Martial Arts Center for Health and that he was encouraging her to get me to check it out. I’ll be the first to admit that I was hesitant and honestly doubtful as to whether I would even like “martial arts”, however I felt like I needed to do something. My gym membership at a very upscale workout center was basically going unused at the time and at best served as a place for me to go ride a stationary bike for 15 minutes and maybe lift a few weights. So I threw caution to the wind and decided to set up an appointment for a free evaluation. I made it through the one on one evaluation, which was really fun and enlightening while also pushing me to challenge myself a bit based upon my physical condition at that time. I decided to sign up for a three month program figuring that I’d give it three months and if I didn’t like it then I would just stop going. Three months has now turned into four years and the improvements in my life are nothing short of unbelievable. Within the first year my family went on a vacation to Puerto Rico and I did hiking through a rain forest that the year before I never would have been able to do before joining MACH. During my second year, I made an appointment with my cardiologist because my blood pressure was starting to register so low that I was having concerns. They cut me back to 2 medications from 6, lowered the strength of the 2 they kept me on and told me “whatever you are doing, keep it up.” Also during my second year at MACH, I began walking anywhere from 6 to as many as 15 miles a day in addition to working out at MACH. Today, I can do just about anything I want physically, I take regular 15-20 mile bike rides and my life style improvement has also affected my family because I get the kids out on bike rides, they are involved in physical activities and sports and I’m also able to do so much more with my wife who is a gifted athlete and in great physical shape, matter of fact I think I even give her a run for her money now a days. My stress levels with work and life in general are way down. I am self-employed in what can be described as a fairly high intensity profession. My training at MACH has enabled me to become more focused, adjust my outlook and manner in which I interact with work related challenges as well as learned to contain and release stress. My professional life has never been so rewarding both personally and financially as it is today and I see a direct correlation to this success and my training at MACH. Two months ago I started supplementing my normal training at MACH with individual one-on-one training sessions. The results that 1-on-1 training has provided to me and my level of fitness is absolutely astounding. The individual sessions have taken my training to a whole new level. These sessions have assisted me to better refine things specific to myself and my needs and desires. I take what I learn in these individual sessions and practice each day at home what I have learned in each lesson outside of my workouts at standard MACH classes. I have incorporated the individualized lesson plan into a daily in home training regimen based on the individualized lesson plan and the two have added a new level of self-discipline to my life and daily routine. At 6 foot tall, I started my first day at MACH at a little over 180 pounds. My weight wasn’t too far out of bounds however I was grossly out of shape. Today I’m just below 170 pounds and I’m in better shape than the majority of people in their 20’s and 30’s. I am looking forward to what the future holds for me and I have the confidence that any obstacle that may enter into my life path that I am equipped with the mental and physical strength in which to prevail and overcome. If your life isn’t what you want it to me, too much stress at work, out of shape, no stamina, health issues, whatever it might be, then you owe it to yourself to get into The Martial Arts Center for Health. Health Positive, Mind Positive, Life-Changing opportunities await you at The Martial Arts Center for Health. Sincerely, Steve Carnes
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Rehab Health Stories

Kathryn Lenox

“ I joined MACH April 21, 2025 and it’s my one year anniversary. I am 62 years old, real estate broker and I play tennis competitively. The changes I noticed within a few months is my tennis backhand was stronger and much more accurate than before. My shoulder was stronger from the movements taught here and thus, making the ball go over the net instead of locking in and hitting the net. Generally, my posture, health, energy and sense of self all feel like they are in much better shape than a year ago. I did not realize how much the exercises and poses of the classes strengthen your body and improve your health. The environment is so lovely. The instructors help in any way they can. Walking in the center, you just feel so relaxed, warm and welcome.” Kathryn Lenox

Rehab Health Stories

Michele A.

I have gained more flexibility and awareness of my body. The instructors are well trained in modifying movements to suit your body. In my case I had an extensive back surgery for an "S" curve scoliosis. Over time I had set boundaries to protect myself. MACH helped me realize those boundaries were limiting my range of motion. With the guidance of the instructors my body started to loosen and open. As an added benefit was my overall health improved. Since starting at MACH my HDL has improved. In 12 months the June reading was 68, the December reading was 97.

Rehab Health Stories

Michele A.

I have gained more flexibility and awareness of my body. The instructors are well trained in modifying movements to suit your body. In my case I had an extensive back surgery for an "S" curve scoliosis. Over time I had set boundaries to protect myself. MACH helped me realize those boundaries were limiting my range of motion. With the guidance of the instructors my body started to loosen and open. As an added benefit was my overall health improved. Since starting at MACH my HDL has improved. In 12 months the June reading was 68, the December reading was 97.

Rehab Health Stories

Angela Lugo

First of all, I want to thank Martial Arts of Health for transforming the lives of many, including mine. Before I came to this place, I used to be a different person. Most of the time, I was feeling irritated. I was having trouble concentrating during my studies. And last, I wasn’t enjoying working or my personal life. Being part of the complete program in the Martial Arts Center of Health has been great. I only have ten months of training, and besides the physical and mental strength that I have gained so far, I feel more focused, determined, energetic, and joyful. Also, one of my favorite exercises is Qigong. Just 5 minutes of Qigong makes me feel energized and relaxed the next day. It releases a lot of stress from my body and makes me sleep great.

Laura Rampil, DO, AOBNMM

As a physician who specializes in neuromusculoskeletal medicine, the Martial Arts Center for Health is an integral part of my patient's healing team. There are many reasons I refer my patients to the Martial Arts Center for Health. Joint health being one. I can speak to how these Instructors can help you support and strengthen your joints. Even with all I know about the body, it took me a while to listen to the instructors about how I can help my own body become healthier and stronger. I would get caught up in the excitement of class, and I wasn't paying attention to the details of how to heal. After all these years developing my body at the Martial Arts Center for Health, I've learned how to care for my body in a whole different way, and this has helped me, help my patients. The Martial Arts Center for Health is a very special place. They see each student as an individual. The instructors can help modify movements to help you heal and get stronger. I recently fell. Unexpectantly, this had minimal impact on my body. I believe this is due to the strength and flexibility of my muscles and joints from the years of training at the Center. I've seen friends from the Center who have had accidents and injuries who had much less damage to their bodies and recovered much quicker, than my patients of similar ages. All the different aspects of osteoarthritis create pain but not moving the joints amplifies the pain and dysfunction. The Martial Arts Center for Health has a system of teaching movements that will work on each part of the joint. This builds strength to those smaller supportive muscles and flexibility and endurance to those big muscles that help move the bones. There are other movements that help drain swelling from the joints and help produce more synovial fluid from gentle movement. I've even seen ligaments get stronger over time. These gentle movements restore years of misuse. It won’t make your joints brand new, but it will let them function better and have less pain. If you are willing, the Martial Arts Center for Health can lead you to a healthier more comfortable journey through all stages of your life. Laura Rampil, DO, AOBNMM Osteopathic & Regenerative Medicine

Jeff Krotenburg, Psychiatrist

Living in a changing, fast, and competitive world with information overload creates a lot of stress for all of us, affecting our own quality of life and the lives of others. Constant stress causes us to look for quick fixes trying to find relief. Most of these short cuts lead to temporary relief without real positive change. They frequently make stressful situations worse and often leading to anxiety and depression. The Martial Arts Center For Health offers a method of using the body to develop the mind, enhancing stress resilience, self confidence, and strength. The Martial Arts Center for Health presents each student with a scripted program based on a combination of martial art forms and meditations. The teachers then provide consistent instruction, delivered with warmth and positivity. Everyone works at their own pace, with no competition, in a serene and relaxing environment. Supportive instruction combined with inspiration from fellow students fosters self confidence, and development of the self. Allowing those ego based emotions to wither away over time allowing you to feel better about your self and feel good about helping others. Which leads to feeling good when others are successful fostering a sense of community and self worth. Sense Of Purpose: Having something to work on that delivers palpable present and future physical and mental benefits adds a positive sense of purpose. Knowing and feeling that you are improving yourself on a consistent basis results in a sense of well being, and mental strength. Through the development of improved energy, coordination, flexibility and focus. While calming the mind and strengthening the body.  The classes are designed to keep you in the present by working on unification of mind and body. Instead of feeling beaten down by the stress this program builds mental and physical stamina to allow one to adjust and push back on life’s stressors.

Ronald Ryan, MD

I am an allopathic trained physician and Medical Director of a local medical entity. I also hav e Rheumatoid Arthritis. I was introduced to the Martial Arts Center for Health by a friend, but at first I didn’t go because I thought that I could never do martial arts with my condition, and further, it might be destructive to my joints. I eventually did give it a chance and it is one of the best decisions I’ve made. I have gained in range of motion of some of the joints more severely affected by the condition, and 10 years later I am much stronger, with better balance and flexibility than I had when I started. The instructors take the time to modify the movements depending on what is happening to your body that day (as long as you tell them). They push you to greater strength as you are able, and ask you to decrease your situation. My sons have also gone to MACH for about 10 years. They are now adults, but over the years and in conversation with my sons I’ve seen how the same movements have worked in curiously different ways for two individuals with very different personalities. The introvert gained more confidence, and the extrovert was able to look inward a bit more. I highly recommend this practice and this community to everyone without reservation. There is a great diversity of people in age, personality, level of physical activity, and the movements are adapted to all.

Jennifer Goldin, MD

As a student at the Martial Arts Center for Health, I am able to appreciate the benefits from both a personal and a professional perspective. As a patient who most physicians have essentially told they could do nothing more to help, I had become very frustrated and exhausted from daily chronic pain. Since starting my training I have noticed a significant improvement in both my overall physical strength and emotional well being. As a physician, I ask patients everyday to remove stress from their life and become more physically active—many frequently not having a clear “prescription” or plan that will fit their busy schedules or match their physical capabilities. The Martial Arts Center for Health is a place where I can refer my patients and know they will leave both physically and psychologically better than when they started.

Emily Green, MA, LMHC

Advanced Integrative Therapy
Being a student at MACH has been an incredible blessing in my life, fostering growth and development on so many levels. Physically, I've gone from chronic pain and limited mobility to a pain-free, active, and fulfilling life. The unseen benefits are equally profound. MACH has instilled in me a deep sense of inner confidence, mental clarity, and the courage to be myself. When I began, I was unable to work due to my injury and accompanying issues. A year later, so much had changed that I opened my private practice – something I never envisioned for myself. As I continued to get stronger, I expanded my business and was able to return to full-time work on my own terms. My business is now 5.5 years old and thriving. MACH helped me develop from the inside out, expanding my self-perception and what I believed was possible. I'm continually exploring new avenues for growth both personally & professionally. It's fun & rewarding! Professionally, I manage my business with greater calm, clarity, and decisiveness. I'm not an anxiety-ridden business owner, and I attribute much of that to the inner strength and mental discipline that MACH has cultivated within me. I handle the stresses of life and work in a healthy, manageable way that keeps me open to new possibilities and opportunities for creativity.

Rachel Everett

Psychotherapist
Lighter, cleansed, open…I cannot quite find the right word to describe that feeling of letting go that I experience at the end of each class. While I originally started Martial Arts Center for Health in order to increase my strength, balance, and coordination (and Kung Fu seemed pretty intriguing for a 45-year-old), I have found a sense of presence and rejuvenation that has carried over into my personal and professional life as a mental health therapist. I frequently refer my own clients to come here because I have confidence and hope that they can experience a deeper growth in this environment than therapy alone can provide. I do not always know what I need or they need, but I do know that the intersection of community, intentional movement, improved physical functioning, and personalized care leaves me feeling more at peace (that’s the word!). I discovered Martial Arts Center for Health through my daughter’s wonderful teacher who recommended the kids program because it is so effective at building confidence, attention, strength, and focus. So, every Saturday morning the two of us stroll into the center in matching uniforms knowing we will be challenged, empowered, and will definitely laugh. A local psychotherapist and mother who frequently spends her lunch hour at MACH.

Nancy B.

OBGYN
When I first started at Martial Arts Center for Health (MACH) in February, I was looking for a way to keep moving my body, stay flexible and build strength. Having been diagnosed with arthritis in my foot, hand and shoulders, I found most activities to just make the pain worse. I was starting to avoid simple tasks that involved extra walking. I knew this needed to change but didn’t know what to do. Until I found MACH. After that first class, I joined. After a few weeks, I noticed my foot wasn’t hurting anymore! I even went for a walk during my lunch hour! Wow. Amazing. I can’t wait to see where I am in 6 months, a year and beyond! Finally an activity I will be able to do forever. 
Sandy E. I have tried many exercise programs, joined gyms and health clubs and always have lost interest. This is my home away from home. New friends just like a family. Very caring and supportive instructors who really take the time to explain and work with us, as well as encouraging us to feel better, do better and never judgmental. The center is very comfortable and friendly. My husband who is 78 and I am 67 just joined 6 months ago and am finding a difference in our lives. We feel better, less achy and we just started this program. We expect to be doing this for a very long time and encourage anyone who wants to feel better and be healthier to call. Do it for yourself.
Being a student at MACH has been an incredible blessing in my life, fostering growth and development on so many levels. Physically, I've gone from chronic pain and limited mobility to a pain-free, active, and fulfilling life. The unseen benefits are equally profound. MACH has instilled in me a deep sense of inner confidence, mental clarity, and the courage to be myself. When I began, I was unable to work due to my injury and accompanying issues. A year later, so much had changed that I opened my private practice – something I never envisioned for myself. As I continued to get stronger, I expanded my business and was able to return to full-time work on my own terms. My business is now 5.5 years old and thriving. MACH helped me develop from the inside out, expanding my self-perception and what I believed was possible. I'm continually exploring new avenues for growth both personally & professionally. It's fun & rewarding! Professionally, I manage my business with greater calm, clarity, and decisiveness. I'm not an anxiety-ridden business owner, and I attribute much of that to the inner strength and mental discipline that MACH has cultivated within me. I handle the stresses of life and work in a healthy, manageable way that keeps me open to new possibilities and opportunities for creativity. ~ Emily Green, MA, LMHC Advanced Integrative Therapy