How often do we see videos of Champion Tai Chi Performers or “Masters” and say, “If only I could do that but I’m… too {uncoordinated} {big} {short} {old} {insert another issue here}, have {arthritis} {bad knees} {a neurological condition} {insert another issue here}, don’t have {flexibility} {balance} {strength} {insert another issue here}.” If you think that way, then you are very wrong. Real Tai Chi isn’t about having the highest kick, the lowest stance or the greatest endurance. It’s about ...  read more

On April 14th, Ultimate Fighting Champion 300 unfolded—a historic combat sports event that left an indelible mark. Twelve current and former champions from various divisions and promotions converged, setting records for ticket sales and pay-per-view. At the heart of it all was Zhang Weili, a two-time strawweight champion, trailblazer in women’s MMA, and devoted Tai Chi practitioner.Weili’s roots trace back to Hanan in Hebei Province, a cradle of Tai Chi culture. It’s where Yang Lu Chan (founder of Yang Style ...  read more

I was so excited to hear that the WTQA (Wushu Tai Chi Qigong Australia Inc) were going to start holding their annual festivals again here in Melbourne and that I was going to be involved in it as part of JinLi. I had no idea what to expect, other than it was a fantastic day, I would meet lots of people, see lots of incredible Tai Chi, Wushu and Qigong, and get a true taste of what it means to ...  read more

A symbol of Fortune, Sex, and a Good Death. The bat is all of these in the Chinese culture, these facts were unknown to myself when I had the illustration of an Eastern Grey Flying Fox tattooed to my chest. I had chosen the image as for me, it is a symbol of the bush, of home. Of course, it didn’t hurt that my other, very western associations were of horror, the gothic, grim fairy tales and demonic wings, an ...  read more

The practice of Taijiquan has a profound impact on our overall wellbeing. Its holistic benefits, encompassing the nervous system, cardiovascular health, respiratory system, and the bones and muscles of our body are nothing short of transformative. Prepare to embark on a journey of self-discovery as we uncover the secrets of this ancient Chinese martial art and meditative exercise. From the tranquil flow of Taijiquan’s movements to the deep connection to the breath, this practice offers a harmonious integration of mind, ...  read more

When we think of Tai Chi the first thing that comes to mind is the principles of Yin and Yang.We know that if we can separate everything clearly into Yin and Yang, and the body moves in unison, our whole body becomes an interconnected unit of Yin and Yang energy.However, what a lot of people fail to realise is that the Yin and Yang is relative and constantly changing.For example:- If you put your weight on your right foot, it ...  read more

The much anticipated Year of the Water Rabbit has finally arrived. We can all breathe deeply in the knowledge that the Rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace and prosperity. More importantly, 2023 is predicted to be a year of hope for all.The Rabbit is the fourth animal in the Chinese Zodiac cycle. According to the fable of the animals, the Jade Emperor’s Great Race saw them all having to race across a wide river to vie for a position ...  read more

Saturday 26th November was a momentous day for the Taiji Industry globally. It saw the beginning of a new era in Taiji advancement and growth with the 1st Forum on Industry Development for World Taiji Clubs hosted by Beijing Sport University. It was also a momentous day for JinLi Wushu-Tai Chi as our own Shifu Tara Brayshaw was invited to be the Keynote Speaker, presenting to school owners across the world via teleconferencing, and being beamed into 9 auditoriums throughout ...  read more

One of the first things you will encounter when starting to learn any Chinese Martial Art including Tai Chi is how to “Salute”. The Salute is actually called “Wǔshù bàoquán lǐ”, which means “Martial Arts Fist Ceremony” or “Wǔshù lǐ shǒu”(Martial Arts Ritual Hands), which already gives you a feeling that it’s important. If you come from a Western background, you may think it’s “puffery”, “not important”, “old-fashioned”, or “a waste of precious class time”, but it is steeped in ...  read more

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has posed a significant threat to both physical and mental health. Physical inactivity, sedentary behaviour, and negative emotions among the general population have been significantly increased because of COVID-19 home isolation and self-imposed confinement, which is what prompted the Study into how Tai Chi is affecting its Practitioners.The study noted that effective exercise management is a recommended prevention strategy to improve both physical and mental health while also diminishing the effects of COVID-19 but went on ...  read more