Celebrating a Year of Free Public Tai Chi: Health, Friendship, and Community

As a passionate Tai Chi enthusiast, I dedicate my amateur hours practicing this ancient art on my own. Over time, I’ve reaped the rewards of improved health and forged friendships across the glob through regional, national, and international competitions. As a well-known saying in China goes, “Joy is best when shared.” Inspired by this, I began taking 15-minute Tai Chi Breaks with my friend Dieyun in the fall of 2022. These breaks were both joyful and beneficial for our health and work efficiency. With her encourage, I started extending the joy by leading 15-minute Tai Chi breaks weekly at workplace in April 2023.

Recognizing the well-known health benefits of Tai Chi, I was encouraged to expand my teaching to a larger group with extended sessions over the weekends. With the support of DieYun and Shawei, who helped spread the word, I launched my first hour-long outdoor public Tai Chi class on September 16, 2023. We are fortunate to have access to LSU’s beautiful Hilltop Arboretum pavilion when available. Shawei assists with scheduling and informs participants of alternative locations, such as BREC’s Highland Road Community Park or her neighborhood playground.

Our weekly hour-long outdoor practices are primarily advertised to friends and their networks, and everyone on site is welcome to join. Jane and Yixin always bring sound equipment to play music, creating a lively atmosphere as we practice, connect, and enjoy nature together. While we sometimes face challenges with weather—too cold or too hot—we persevere and grow stronger.

Thanks to the generous support of the EBRP Main Library, I was able to reserve the conference room for small group practice starting on 9/10/2023 as needed and secured a bi-weekly hour long schedule in the large meeting room starting in November 2023 for general public. In my opinion, it’s the best indoor spaces for Tai Chi practice in the country. The room can comfortably accommodate 60 participants. The glass walls on both sides offer stunning views of the library’s serene surroundings. The large screen allows us to showcase examples of both good and bad form, providing valuable learning opportunities for everyone. Additionally, the integrated audio system enhances the practice with calming music, creating an ideal Tai Chi atmosphere.

When I was asked to provide a name for my organization during the reservation process, I didn’t give it much thought. I’ve never been the kind of person who places a lot of emphasis on names, as I believe a name only gains meaning through the success and impact of the activities behind it. So, I simply went with “The Tai Chi Club.” Back in school, all extracurricular activities were referred to as clubs—science club, art club, music club—so it felt natural to follow that tradition.

Now, looking back after a year, I realize how fitting the name has become. The ‘The’ in our name adds a unique touch, setting us apart by offering something special—Tai Chi. Unlike most clubs, we don’t charge any fees; we are completely free, making Tai Chi accessible to everyone who wants to join. The word “club” brings a sense of connection, belonging and unity, and that’s exactly what I’ve seen grow within our group over the past year. The simplicity of the name also means there are no limitations tied to it, giving us unlimited potential to grow in any direction the community needs and expand as far as our reach allows, whether locally, nationally, or even internationally. What once seemed like a casual choice now feels deeply meaningful, representing the shared journey of everyone who has joined and grown with us in the practice of Tai Chi, and reflecting the community-centered spirit we strive to promote.

Feedback for the Tai Chi Club’s teaching from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, with 100% satisfaction reported in our surveys in May of 2024. We never rest on our laurels; we take suggestions seriously—whether it’s increasing class frequency, improving visibility for those in the back row, or adding practice videos on a big screen. We’ve implemented follow-along videos and even experimented with subgroup practices. This fall, we’ll also offer additional outdoor sessions open to the general public. Our team is dedicated to continually enhancing the learning experience and deepen connections within the community!

As I work to become a world-level athlete, I aim to provide free but top-tier, world-level instruction. I’ve been learning from Master Gao, Jiamin’s teaching style, which emphasizes accuracy and attention to detail. Additionally, I’ve incorporated examples of common mistakes from various online resources to help participants avoid them. This process has also helped deepen my understanding of Tai Chi. I truly enjoy sharing this journey and plan to continue offering free classes as long as there’s interest!

While offering free classes is rewarding, it’s not without its challenges. The success of our sessions relies on a network of incredible supporters. My husband, Shawn, IT professional, helps with logo design, video editing, and website development. I’m also grateful to my friends—new and old—Clay, Darrel, Dennis, Linda, Lindsey, Li, Heng, Chris, Anna and many others, who contribute to setting up the classroom, introducing classes, and managing sign-ups, coordination, surveying, feedbacks, etc. Well-known photographer Yao captures memorable moments during and after class. It’s a fun endeavor, but it requires collective effort. The class wouldn’t thrive without this selfless support.

As we move into our second year, I’m filled with excitement for what’s to come. We will continue to offer free but ever-improving classes, always striving to be better and find new ways to enhance our practice. I am deeply thankful for those who trust us as their instructors and invest in themselves by joining our sessions. Together, we’ll not only improve in Tai Chi but also strengthen the friendships and connections that make this club so special. New Outdoor Sword Sessions will begin on October 5, 2024. Whether you’ve been with us from the beginning or are just joining, you’re part of our growing Tai Chi family. I can’t wait to see how we continue to evolve and positively impact the well-being of everyone in our kind and inclusive community.

Photo by Yao Zeng. Special thanks to everyone who has supported our journey in Tai Chi. Your participation and trust inspire us to continue sharing the benefits of this beautiful practice!