Newsletter #24

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The Foundational Wisdom of Taiji's Opening Movements

The opening sequences of Yang family 24-movement Taiji are not just a starting point but a gateway to understanding the art's essential philosophy. While beginners typically learn the movement's English names, they often miss the significance of the original Chinese.

起势 (Qǐ Shì) – Commencing Posture: Signifying "Rising Energy," this is where practice truly begins. From a stance of serene stillness (Wuji), the slow rise and fall of the hands mark the birth of Taiji—the differentiation of yin and yang from primordial unity. It is a silent ritual of "collecting the mind," establishing root to earth and connection to heaven. Far from passive, it sets the strategic framework for all that follows: aligning structure, sinking the qi, and cultivating the alert, yielding readiness that defines the art. It teaches that every beginning contains the seed of the entire journey.

野马分鬃 (Yě Mǎ Fēn Zōng) – Wild Horse Parts Its Mane (Left & Right): This beautiful, sweeping motion embodies untamed natural power channeled through refined skill. The "wild horse" symbolizes vibrant, spontaneous energy, while "parting the mane" represents the decisive act of separating and redirecting an opponent's force. As you step forward, one hand arcs upward while the other draws back, using a turning waist to spiral energy. This is the practical application of the yin-yang principle learned in this movement: dividing substantial from insubstantial, drawing in with one hand while issuing with the other, and using graceful, continuous motion to overcome brute strength. It transforms the practitioner's spirit into one of powerful, flowing freedom.

Together, these movements establish the essential dialogue of Taijiquan: from centered stillness comes dynamic, harmonious action.

Qigong: A Study of Energy and Transformation

Qigong is often described as the "study of energy in its purest form." More than just a set of movements or breathing techniques, it offers a profound way of understanding life itself, through the lens of energy.

In both Qigong philosophy and modern science, energy is considered the fundamental substance of the universe. Einstein's equation, E=mc², reminds us that matter and energy are interchangeable. Qigong builds on this idea, suggesting that everything... thoughts, bodies, emotions, even galaxies are an expression of dynamic, flowing energy.

This energy-based worldview spans multiple disciplines:

·         Physics: energy's basic nature

·         Biology: energy in living systems

·         Psychology: how thoughts influence energy

·         Medicine: using energy to promote healing

·         Electricity/Chemistry: transformation and movement of energy

In practice, Qigong teaches us to perceive and guide energy. Techniques like breathing, posture, and mental focus help harmonize internal energy, release blockages, and restore vitality. On a personal level, this leads to better health, clarity, and emotional balance. But Qigong goes beyond the individual. It holds that balanced personal energy can ripple outward—impacting relationships, communities, and the world at large. Like tuning an instrument, adjusting your own energy contributes to greater harmony in the collective field.

Imagine energy as water: it flows, nourishes, or overwhelms. Qigong helps us become wise stewards of that flow—within and around us. This ancient practice invites a shift in perspective: What if everything truly is energy? How might that change the way you live? Qigong is a way of seeing and engaging with life itself.

Failure Is the Mother of Success (失败为成功之母)

The Chinese idiom (Shībài wéi chénggōng zhī mǔ)—literally "Failure is the mother of success" reflects a deep cultural understanding that setbacks are not just inevitable but foundational to true achievement. Unlike societies that may view failure as a weakness, Chinese philosophy which is shaped by Confucian values of perseverance and Daoist acceptance sees failure as a vital step in the learning process.

Used widely among students, entrepreneurs, and those navigating hardship, this saying encourages resilience and self-cultivation. It emphasizes that growth often emerges from struggle, and that perseverance through failure builds the character necessary for lasting success.

A powerful example is Zuo Zongtang (左宗棠), a Qing dynasty scholar and military leader. Born in 1812, Zuo failed China's imperial examinations multiple times, a major disappointment in a society that equated scholarly success with social prestige. But rather than give up, he chose to retreat to the countryside to study independently, diving deeply into both classical texts and practical disciplines like agriculture, geography, and military strategy.

This unconventional path proved crucial. During the Taiping Rebellion, his diverse knowledge made him an invaluable leader. He rose quickly through the ranks, eventually reclaiming Xinjiang for the Qing and serving in high government posts. His legacy is a testament to the idea that failure can redirect us toward deeper learning and more meaningful achievements.

Today, the idiom "Failure is the mother of success" remains a guiding principle, reminding us that success often begins where failure leaves off. Whether in health, martial arts, or daily life, setbacks are not dead ends—they are where wisdom begins to grow.

Santa's Qigong Secret for a Joyful Holiday Season

Our Winter 2025-2026 issue of Qi Journal has been mailed to all our subscribers and we just received a nice report about one of our famous readers who lives at the north pole.

"Every culture has its own way of celebrating the holiday season, but at the North Pole, Santa Claus relies on something surprisingly familiar to readers around the world: Qigong! While children imagine a whirlwind of toy-making and sleigh-flying, Santa and his elves know that none of it runs smoothly unless everyone's Qi stays balanced.

Each morning in the workshop, elves gather between rows of candy-striped pillars for gentle breathing and slow, flowing movements. Santa leads when he's not double-checking the Naughty-or-Nice list, using what he calls his "jolly-belly breathing." Observers claim his famous "Ho Ho Ho" actually comes from a well-practiced qigong resonance technique. Even Mrs. Claus joins whenever she can escape her candy-cane kitchen, reminding the elves that a calm mind makes straighter stripes.

Their qigong forms have a holiday twist: "Snowflake Drifting Down", "Reindeer Tail Shakes", and the workshop favorite, "Opening the Holiday Spirit". The benefits are undeniable. Elves report fewer toy-assembly mishaps and more teamwork, and the reindeer seem far more focused after morning practice.

For Santa, qigong isn't just exercise, it is how he maintains generosity, patience, and good humor through the busiest season of the year. And wherever we live, the lesson holds: the holidays go better when we pause, breathe, and let the spirit of kindness flow as easily as Santa's sleigh through the winter sky."

Taiji Significantly Reduces Depression

A systematic review and meta-analysis published in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies investigated the effectiveness of Taiji in alleviating depression among middle-aged and older adults. The review analyzed 12 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comprising 731 participants aged 45 and older. These studies were sourced from seven databases, including both Western and Chinese academic platforms, and assessed for quality, heterogeneity, and potential bias using RevMan 5.4 software.

The meta-analysis revealed that Taiji significantly reduced symptoms of depression, with a standardized mean difference (SMD) of -1.21, indicating a large treatment effect. Subgroup analyses suggested that interventions lasting 12 weeks or longer, involving at least three sessions per week, produced greater improvements. Importantly, Taiji was shown to be particularly beneficial for individuals with moderate depression symptoms and for those in community settings as opposed to clinical populations.

The authors highlighted Taiji's unique combination of physical movement, breath regulation, and meditative focus as a key mechanism for its mental health benefits. This holistic approach may promote neuroendocrine balance and improve mood through reduced stress and improved sleep.

Given its low cost, minimal side effects, and accessibility, Taiji is recommended as a complementary therapy for depression in aging populations.

👉 Read full study on PubMed

Why Almost Everyone in China Eats Right-Handed

Visitors to China often notice something subtle but striking. In restaurants, homes, and crowded banquet halls, nearly everyone holds their chopsticks in the right hand. Left-handed eaters seem virtually absent. This isn't coincidence, and it isn't biology alone.

Like everywhere else, most Chinese are naturally right-handed—roughly 85–90% of the population, the same global norm humans have followed for tens of thousands of years. But China adds an extra layer: culture.

From a young age, children in China have traditionally been taught that chopsticks belong in the right hand. Not harshly, and often without explanation, but consistently. Parents correct it. Teachers expect it. Everyone around models it. Over time, the habit becomes automatic. Many left-dominant people adapt so completely that they don't experience it as "switching hands" at all.

Communal dining reinforces this pattern. Chinese meals are shared, dishes placed at the center, with many hands reaching in at once. Using the same hand orientation helps reduce collisions and creates a smooth, almost choreographed flow at the table. Uniform behavior supports group harmony, a deeply rooted cultural value.

Symbolism also plays a role. In traditional Chinese thought, the right side has long been associated with correctness, order, and propriety, while the left was often secondary. This symbolism shows up in ritual, etiquette, writing practices, and daily behavior. Eating, being a highly visible social act, naturally followed these norms.

Writing and calligraphy further strengthened the pattern. Once trained to write with the right hand, using chopsticks the same way feels natural. Both require fine motor control and long practice.

Today, younger generations are more relaxed about handedness, especially in private settings. But in public, at the table, the tradition holds strong. What looks like uniformity is really the quiet meeting of biology, habit, and culture that has been passed down one meal at a time.