I recently read a novel about a Japanese bookshop. And I found this passage: “When I went outside, I saw Momoko standing in the middle of the yard, drenched in morning light. She was still wearing her yukata from last night, but she was in a funny pose. ‘What’re you doing?’ I asked. ‘Tai Chi,’ […]
Last weekend I attended an online conference organised by the Immortal Sisters of the Tao (a foundation that supports women in Qi Gong and Taijiquan). I enjoyed being in this space so much. To be with other women who have been practising for decades and who love their practice deeply. The call was about Qi […]
I went to a Tai Chi class recently. We did a lot of applications, the martial side of the practice. I like exploring what each move actually does when practising with a partner. At some point, one of the students said that she doesn’t want to think about an enemy. She doesn’t want to think […]
A few months ago, I noticed something unsettling. My Taijiquan practice felt boring. Not occasionally, not only on a tired Monday morning. Just generally, flatly boring. And that worried me, because Taijiquan is something I really love. Or at least, I used to. I noticed this subtle pull away from my practice. Towards my never-ending […]
Recently during a Taijiquan class, I heard this statement from a fellow student. “I only learn from Asian teachers. Their bodies are built differently.” It stopped me in my tracks. And I wondered: Is ethnicity important when choosing a Taijiquan teacher? Breaking Down Stereotypes I think the belief that Asian teachers are automatically better at […]
