The answer to this question was to board a plane to Shanghai in August 2009. Inspired by living in China, Tracy has taken the opportunity to experience Chinese culture first hand – through language, Chinese medicine courses and learning Tai Chi. It is through a ‘lightbulb’ moment and her passion for personal development, that she has qualified as a Tai Chi teacher in International 24 through Yangshou Tai Chi College.

Living in a multicultural boarding environment we need to consider opportunities to assist the well being of our community – young and old. The culture of Tai Chi in what is becoming a world full of pressure for young people allows time to chill out, gain focus and have that important quiet time to help restore balance in our lives. Tai chi exercises each and every joint in your body. It also helps to learn balance, deal with stress, is non competitive and builds muscle strength.

She is available for lessons for schools and wellness workshops for boarding professionals. Her vision is to put Tai Chi into boarding schools. She is currently writing a course to teach young people tai chi to help them find balance in a busy world. Details coming soon.

My Tai Chi Journey
Taking the step to move to China was not small by any stretch of the imagination. Coaching got me here. I still have the moments where I wake up in the morning and can’t believe I am in Shanghai (until June 2011 that is !) in a good way. Martial arts was not new to me as I did Tae Kwon Do when I was younger, got a silver medal and could break wood with my elbow.

Up until getting on the plane to Shanghai, I was very much a workaholic spending long hours at work in the boarding house or other activities. I was always far too busy to realize that there was more to life than work and time has ticked away! I had climbed the career mountain that I wanted but did not like the view so walked away (one of my favourite sayings nowadays). I took some time out to be me and find my purpose in life..

One of my first holidays in China was in Yangshou, where the Karst Mountains are and that is why I use the analogy of a mountain. In these mountains, I had my first tai chi lesson and for the first time in many years I felt relaxed and at peace – I did not want it to end! From this moment, I knew that this was something that I wanted to do and was what I was searching for. The slow movements of tai chi, the calm thinking of the mind has helped to restore my health, life balance and broaden my outlook. The sunrise you see above is the view from my tai chi school, it is a view that I will always remember on my journey as it continues into Qigong and the five animals of Wu Qin Xi. Imagine watching the sunrise coming up doing what you dream of ….. that’s tai chi for me and my story continues !