Join us on a journey with Violet Li, a passionate advocate for Tai Chi and Qigong, as she shares her remarkable path from overcoming personal challenges to becoming a renowned teacher and advocate for these ancient healing arts. From her humble beginnings in Shanghai to her extensive travels teaching and promoting Tai Chi and Qigong worldwide, Violet’s story is one of resilience, dedication, and the transformative power of holistic health practices. MysticMag has the pleasure.
What can you tell me about yourself and your professional journey?
I was born in Shanghai and raised in Taiwan, a country that, during my early years, faced developmental challenges and resource scarcity. Like many of my peers, I experienced nutritional deficiencies and frequent bouts of illness due to these circumstances. Lacking physical coordination, sports were never a part of my life. Later, after marrying and relocating to the U.S., the demands of family responsibility and work left me drained and exhausted.
In my late 40s, I stumbled upon Tai Chi chuan (boxing) by chance and found immense joy in practicing it and gained much energy and physical strength that I never had. As I delved deeper into Tai Chi, I became captivated by its rich philosophy, health benefits, martial arts techniques, and spiritual dimensions. I seized every opportunity, even utilizing my lunch breaks at work, to hone my skills and share this art with others, starting with my colleagues. Obtaining certification as a Tai Chi instructor, I soon found myself teaching at various venues, from gyms and senior centers to hospitals, universities, health associations, museums, and corporations, both in the U.S. and Taiwan.
I had the privilege to receive private lessons from Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei, a Tai Chi titan of the highest caliber, for years. Under his tutelage, I not only deepened my knowledge and skills but also earned the esteemed title of his indoor disciple, representing the 12th Generation Chen Style Tai Chi Inheritor. Additionally, I had the honor of learning Qigong and other healing arts from numerous grandmasters.
My expertise led me to travel extensively, teaching and speaking in cities across the U.S. and Taiwan, and gaining recognition from major media outlets such as CBS, NBC, and National Public Radio. During the challenging times of 2020-21, I provided free live-streaming lessons aimed at enhancing immunity and mental resilience, drawing more than 10,000 participants from over 30 countries.
Since 2009, I’ve penned more than 700 articles (at www.VioletLiTaiChi.com) on the healing arts, earning accolades for my journalistic contributions. Responding to the demand from enthusiasts, I’ve trained and certified numerous practitioners as instructors, earning the moniker “Teachers’ Teacher.”
For people unfamiliar with them, can you explain what Tai Chi and Qigong are and what are their benefits?
Within the human body, two major circulatory systems operate: the blood circulation and the Qi (pronounced as “Chi”) circulation. Qi, often referred to as bio-energy, is essential for life. While the blood circulation system is visible to the naked eye, Qi circulation channels can be detected and traced using advanced medical devices. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Qigong serves as a regimen and method to elevate and maintain bio-energy levels in balance. Academically speaking, acupuncture, TCM, Tai Chi chuan, Yoga, Reiki, and similar practices are all considered branches of Qigong.
Some Qigong exercises are gentle and easy to learn, promoting physical and mental well-being as proven by scientific studies, falling under the category of Health Qigong. Tai Chi chuan, recognized as a healing art, offers holistic health benefits alongside its martial arts aspect, often referred to as the “Ultimate Grand Martial.” Despite its seemingly gentle appearance, authentic Tai Chi Chuan is intricate and complex.
According to PubMed, a highly regarded national scientific research database, thousands of clinical studies have validated the health benefits of Health Qigong and Tai Chi. These benefits encompass a wide range of health conditions including but not limited to cardiovascular functions, hypertension, obesity, cancer recovery, physical balance, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s and dementia, depression and anxiety, muscle strength, bone and ligament health, Fibromyalgia, chronic pain, immunity, and sleep quality.
What are your classes like?
Over the past two decades, I’ve had the privilege of learning from numerous Tai Chi and Qigong grandmasters, expanding my repertoire to encompass a wide range of bare-hand forms and forms practiced with various weapons, such as the sword. It’s been my great fortune to share these forms with thousands of individuals worldwide. Understanding that each person has unique goals, interests, and capabilities, I tailor curricula for both group programs and private lessons accordingly.
For students facing specific health challenges or physical limitations, I adapt classes to ensure they can derive maximum benefit from the practice. This may involve adhering to the principles and customizing exercises to accommodate certain illnesses or restricted movements. Additionally, recognizing the needs of individuals who may be wheelchair-bound or unable to stand for extended periods, I’ve developed seated Health Qigong forms and Tai Chi exercises.
My students come from diverse backgrounds and age groups, ranging from a 6-year-old youngster to a remarkable 106-year-old individual, highlighting the inclusivity and adaptability of these ancient arts to meet the needs of all practitioners.
What different Master teachings do you offer?
The interpretation of Master Teachings varies. While some may view it as the mastery of teaching complex movements or theories to advanced students, it encompasses much more. Each individual is unique. A true master teaching focuses on understanding the needs and abilities of each student, delivering a class that maximizes their learning potential.
The success of a great master teaching hinges on several key factors. These include a deep understanding of the art, clear explanations of intricate movements, adept demonstration skills, the ability to identify incorrect postures and movements in students, teaching proper breathing methods, providing effective feedback, and, crucially, being an attentive listener to students’ questions and comments. Additionally, keen observation of students’ movements ensures that their bodies are properly aligned for optimal results.
What’s your favorite part of your profession?
I’ve had diverse and rewarding careers, from being an award-winning journalist to teaching subjects like communication, economics, and finance at three different universities, earning accolades along the way. In the IT industry, I achieved the highest honor with the CIO award. While I found fulfillment in these roles, teaching Tai Chi has surpassed them all, despite the limited financial incentives.
The value of teaching Tai Chi chuan/Qigong transcends monetary compensation. Witnessing someone’s rapid recovery from an accident, observing them ascend and descend stairs agilely without relying on pain medication, seeing blood pressure levels normalize among my students, viewing someone able to breathe smoothly, or witnessing a Parkinson’s patient rise from a wheelchair to perform Tai Chi—all these moments are priceless. Similarly, witnessing a spinal surgery patient discard multiple painkillers and experience relief is enormously gratifying.
These stories of transformation and healing are countless, and I take immense pride in the accomplishments of those who have learned and practiced Tai Chi chuan and Qigong diligently with me. Equally, I am grateful for the opportunity to share Tai Chi chuan and Qigong with others and witness the profound impact of this ancient art on their lives.
To learn more about Violet and her work, you can visit www.violetli.com and www.violetlitaichi.com
