Leanne Stanton
Leanne Stanton
10:16 23 Oct 23
I recently had the incredible opportunity to attend a 2-week Tai Chi and Qigong training at the Yangzhou Tai Chi School and I cannot express enough how positively transformative the experience was for me.From the moment I arrived, I was greeted with warmth and genuine hospitality by the staff and... instructors. The serene and picturesque surroundings of the school provided the perfect backdrop for immersing myself in the practice of Tai Chi and Qigong. The peaceful atmosphere truly allowed me to disconnect from the outside world and focus solely on my personal growth and well-being.The training itself was exceptional, Master Kim, owner and head instructor was not only highly skilled and knowledgeable, but also possessed a deep passion for sharing his expertise with us. His patience and dedication to each student's progress was evident in every session.The daily schedule of 2 two hour sessions were well-structured, allowing for a balanced mix of physical training, meditation, and theory.Beyond the training itself, the school provided a supportive and inclusive community. I had the pleasure of meeting fellow students from all walks of life, each with their own unique journey and reasons for being there. The camaraderie and shared experiences created a sense of unity and encouragement that further enhanced the overall experience.The accommodation was clean, comfortable and air conditioned for comfort and our meals were of the highest quality prepared from fresh market produce daily.Overall, my two weeks at the Yangzhou Tai Chi School were nothing short of life-changing. I left with a renewed sense of balance, inner peace, and a deeper understanding of the profound benefits of Tai Chi and Qigong. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to have trained at such a reputable and authentic school. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking to embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and holistic well-being.Health and harmonyLeanne Stantonread more
Etienne Van Bruggen
Etienne Van Bruggen
13:00 04 Oct 23
Returning for the third time to this remarkable Tai Chi school in China has once again exceeded all our expectations. From the school itself to the dedicated teachers, the delicious cuisine, comfortable accommodations, and the breathtaking location, everything deserves a solid 5-star rating and... more!Master Kim Wu is a true gem, combining exceptional expertise with a warm and approachable demeanor. His commitment to ensuring our stay was perfect was evident from the beginning. Whether you're a novice or an experienced Tai Chi enthusiast, Master Kim Wu's boundless patience and exceptional teaching style guarantee you'll progress and learn something new each day.The accommodations are outstanding. The rooms perfectly capture the authentic ambiance of a rural Chinese village while providing all the comforts of the West. Soft beds, workspaces, air conditioning, ventilators, modern bathrooms with Western toilets, and refreshing rain showers—all meticulously maintained and spotlessly clean.The food is an absolute delight. Prepared fresh daily with locally sourced ingredients, the menu offers a wide variety of options, each perfectly seasoned without overwhelming spice. Vegetarians and vegans will find ample choices, and dietary preferences are readily accommodated.Nestled in the heart of the UNESCO Heritage-listed Yangshuo Scenic Area, Jima Village is a location that continually leaves you breathless. The ever-changing landscapes and vistas provide daily wonders that inspire awe. The school even assists in renting bikes or electric scooters, enhancing your exploration of this magnificent area.In summary, this Tai Chi experience is as authentic as it gets in China. Whether you seek personal growth, relaxation, or adventure, this school offers the perfect blend of tradition and modern comfort. We can't wait for our fourth visit!read more
elad ben aroya
elad ben aroya
15:12 28 Sep 23
Cristián Cárdenas
Cristián Cárdenas
09:35 27 Sep 19
In my class there were only 3 people, there was time to correct each one. Each instruction was very complete, ranging from the philosophy of Tai Chi practice to Chinese medicine, the vision of anatomy with a focus on the meridians and without failing to mention the holistic theory of practice.... Silent classes with good facilities, in a beautiful environment. My teachers were kind and very patient, they made you reach the postures through your own understanding of the body and energy. You can use the facilities if you wish to practice privately, outside of class hours. Respect prevails among students from different countries and ages. The food is simple, but delicious. Free bicycles and washing machines are available. The teachers are always available and willing to answer any questions, from the classes themselves to your walks, logistics and daily life. Yangshuo is a paradisiacal environment, with incredible landscapes, there are many activities to do, from hiking to mountain climbing, boat rides along the beautiful rivers, scooters along the mountains, shows, etc.read more
Jarumon Kaewrakmuk
Jarumon Kaewrakmuk
06:01 10 Aug 19
The trainers are kind, happy, and enjoy the training. Old place, hard to find
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Tai Chi Tea

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step (…or sip)” Lao Tzu.

The relationship of Tai Chi to Tea is, like anything to do with Chinese traditional culture a long and complex story. However we can take a first step in understanding this story with a very simple idea; Cǎi (採, cǎi) pronounced Tsai. One of the Eight Basic Methods of Chen Style Taijiquan[1], Cǎi means to pluck, taking its name from the short sharp twist used to pick the tips of the tea bush (採茶, cǎi chá). The move follows the flow of approaching force and without interruption diverts it into emptiness.

To give another example, Wave Hands Like Clouds (云手 Yún shǒu) is another very famous Tai Chi movement. To move hands like clouds is to move with a natural soft flowing movement but with intention. This doing without doing is one of the attitudes of thinking and doing that is inherent in Daoism. Tea drinking similarly embodies Daoist ideas in the way in which sharing tea is an opportunity to be mindful and truly present. They are interlinked through their spirit, they both seek to refresh one’s mind and body. So it seems that mindfulness and stillness can be practiced equally through the ritual of making and imbibing tea, as it can through the practice of Tai Chi forms. So from the start we can see an example of how Tai Chi, Tea and the principles of Daoism are all intricately interwoven.

Practising Tai Chi form reveals for us many aspects of Daoist spiritual culture and drinking tea offers us yet another way to integrate this feeling of being-in-the-world into our daily lives and way of looking at the world around us. Being-in-the-world is to be in the middle of the world, amongst things, immersed in the now. Kakuzo Okakura writes in the classic Book of Tea[2] (1906), “Chinese historians have always spoken of Daoism as the ‘art of being-in-the-world,’ for it deals with the present–ourselves. It is in us that God meets with Nature, and yesterday parts from to-morrow.”

Out of stillness we come into presence, being part of the world in harmony and balance with nature. A very Daoist concept, the ‘tea-mind‘, that is to say, “a way of being-in-the-world, a way of living a life of grace and gratitude, of being able to see the sacred in the seemingly mundane”. This is the heart of Daoism, and we are told, the way of tea (茶道chá dào). It is also the way of Tai Chi.

Drinking tea has been a Chinese custom for thousands of years, with the earliest records dating back to the 10th-century BC. Chinese philosopher Laozi described tea as the “froth of the liquid jade“, and called it an indispensable ingredient in the elixir of life by which he means it is an important contribution to our longevity and health. In his book Cha Dao: The Way of Tea, Tea as a Way of Life, Solala Towler writes, “Daoists follow nature… and so Daoists like tea because it comes from nature. Tea is the flavour of the Dao”.

Indeed the health benefits of Tai Chi and tea are complimentary as many scientific studies have shown. Dr. Greenwood[3], an expert on the relationship between diet, nutrition and brain health, tells us that “the compounds in tea appear to impact virtually every cell in the body in a positive health outcome, which is why the consensus emerging from this symposium is that drinking at least a cup of clear green, black, white or oolong tea a day can contribute significantly to the promotion of public health”. So drinking tea has a whole body benefit just like Tai Chi.

Meanwhile, researchers at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Centre have established that a combination of Tai Chi exercise and green tea can contribute to improved bone health and muscle strength. So in  combination Tai Chi and tea means healthy bones, improved balance, clarity of thought, and a boost to the immune system.

Aside from individual benefits Tai Chi is often performed with others and and brings with it benefits of social inclusion. Being part of group, meeting and practicing with others it’s essence is social harmonising the individual in the social. Tea too, brings people together and reflects the individuals relationships within the world.

Tea and Tai Chi is being-in-the-world, being part of the world, being in harmony with the world, being in nature.


Author : 

Roy Hanney – is a university lecturer living and working in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. He practices taiji, qigong and yoga with a particular passion for Chen Style Taijiquan. In his spare time he makes films, authors websites and makes video art. He blogs about his encounters with Qigong and Daoist healing arts at his website: http://www.qigonginchina.com

 

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