Riding the Golden Wave: Promoting Equality Through Tai Chi and Qigong
- violetli
- 17 hours ago
- 6 min read
Trained at the best journalism school in Taiwan, I have always tried to stay out of the limelight and avoid involvement with any organizations to maintain my impartiality. Last year, however, I was approached by Master Sharon Smith (New York) to join her effort to promote equality within the healing art community. After much contemplation, I decided to join the initiative wholeheartedly.
The Beginning
Under Master Sharon’s initiation and leadership, four of us presented “Women in Tai Chi: Past, Present, and Future” at the first science symposium hosted by Harvard Medical School on September 19–20, 2023. I was deeply impressed by the presentation of Ruth E. Taylor-Piliae, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN.
Over the past few decades, thousands of clinical studies have been conducted to evaluate the efficacy of the healing arts of Tai Chi and Qigong. Dr. Ruth carefully combed through research from the past five years and discovered a concerning gap: many health issues specific to women have been largely overlooked in these studies.
It was shocking to learn that among the top five leading causes of death for women — coronary heart disease, breast cancer, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and Alzheimer’s disease — only breast cancer has consistently been the focus of sex/gender-specific research. Beyond these major diseases, she also emphasized the need for attention to various forms of trauma, whether acute, chronic, or complex, which are often overlooked in research and practice.
Through my own research, I highlighted in the Symposium that more men are certified to teach traditional Tai Chi and Qigong, while more women are certified in simplified Tai Chi and Qigong forms — though many of these women do not actually teach. Often, women pursue certification simply to ensure that they are well-trained for personal practice, rather than to pursue teaching as a career.
There are many reasons behind this reality, but in a nutshell, economic factors play a major role. As with all professions, becoming a top-level practitioner or teacher requires long, dedicated training and practice. However, as primary caregivers for their families, women often lack the financial resources and time needed to fully commit to their passion.
My Own Story
I began my journey of learning the healing arts about a quarter century ago. At first, I felt guilty whenever I took time away from family — time I might otherwise have spent taking my children to the zoo or the science center, helping them with their homework, or cooking a gourmet dish — in order to attend classes or practice.
I had to compress an already packed schedule — balancing a demanding career, endless family responsibilities, and volunteer work — just to squeeze out a couple of hours each week for my own practice. In those years, I had no time for television, movies or having tea with my friends.
Having been raised in a traditional Chinese cultural environment, I grew up believing that a wife or mother’s wants and hobbies must always take a back seat to the needs of the family. I felt equally guilty if I spent money on lessons, Tai Chi outfits, or practice gear.
YouTube did not exist until February 14, 2005, and back then, Tai Chi and Qigong instructional videos were expensive and difficult to find. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, remote learning was virtually unheard of. Traveling to study with an experienced teacher, which is essential for advancing one’s knowledge and skills, was also cost forbidden.
I only began to feel slightly less guilty once I started teaching at a local YMCA branch and earned a humble income — just enough to cover my expenses.
After my children grew up and I retired from my corporate job, I dedicated myself fully to the art — learning, teaching, and writing. I also became the sole financial supporter of www.VioletLiTaiChi.com, a website aimed at promoting public awareness of the healing arts. To keep my finances separate from the family one, I set up a separate bank account for all related expenses and have made sure it remains balanced year after year.
In the summer of 2014, during the second International Tai Chi Chuan Symposium hosted by the Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan in Louisville (KY), an attendee commented to me that we were watching a gathering of some of the wealthiest people in the U.S. While that may have been a bit of an exaggeration, it was clear that these participants had far more disposable income than the average American.
Social Equality
The real landscape of healing art practice in the U.S. reflects not just gender inequality but also economic and racial disparities. Participation in Tai Chi and Qigong is substantially lower among economically disadvantaged communities.
Bruce Lee’s Kung Fu movies helped ignite America’s love for martial arts, especially Chinese martial arts. As an immigrant who faced discrimination, Lee intentionally portrayed underprivileged and marginalized characters who fought back and found justice through martial arts. These portrayals resonated deeply with African American men, who often found both emotional and physical empowerment through martial arts practice.
Tai Chi, revered as the “Grand Ultimate” martial art, has indeed been learned and mastered by some African American men. But the number of Black women practicing Tai Chi or Qigong remains strikingly low.
Through the lens of science, and particularly through the findings presented at the 2023 Harvard symposium, the healing power of Tai Chi and Qigong is undeniable. Although learning Tai Chi is not free, it is certainly far less expensive than managing chronic illnesses or paying for medical bills.
According to official sources from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF):
Total U.S. Healthcare Spending (2023): $4.9 trillion
Per Capita Spending: Approximately $14,423 per person
Growth Rate: Increased by 7.5% from the previous year
Share of GDP: 17.6% of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product
It is important to note that these figures do not include spending on over-the-counter drugs or some out-of-pocket costs for alternative medical treatments such as acupuncture, Alexander Techniques, and Reiki, or mental health counseling.
It is estimated that the U.S. could save trillions of dollars by integrating healing art practices like Tai Chi and Qigong into everyday wellness routines.
It’s also a well-established fact that Black Americans and other minority groups suffer disproportionately from health disparities. The main reasons include lack of access to healthcare, income inequality, poor living conditions, systemic discrimination, chronic stress, and cultural barriers.
Big Dream — Riding the Golden Wave
What if we could help people in disadvantaged communities by teaching them Tai Chi, Qigong, and other mind-body exercises? But how?
Master Sharon Smith dared to dream big. Her vision is to train women from underserved communities to become teachers, coaches, and practice leaders, so they can, in turn, share the benefits of the healing arts within their own circles.
As an experienced and successful organizer of major healing art training programs, Sharon has often encountered heart-wrenching moments. Each time a woman — usually a woman of color — told her that she wanted to register for training but couldn’t afford it, it broke her heart. These agonizing stories inspired her to develop a new idea: what if she could offer scholarships to these women?
With this vision, Sharon began organizing. Through her extensive network, she gathered a group of eight women, forming the Council of Sisters for the Immortal Sisters Foundation. The name is a tribute to He Xian Gu, the only female figure among the Eight Immortals of Taoist mythology, whose spirit embodies the healing art of Tai Chi and Qigong.
I have had the privilege of working with this talented and selfless group of healers before, and I am honored to collaborate with them again to help build the Foundation and launch its first fundraising event: Riding the Golden Wave.
This benefit event is scheduled for Sunday, May 4, and will feature a 7-hour online workshop taught by seven luminary instructors, including myself. The event is open to everyone — no prior experience is necessary — and participants are encouraged to make a tax-deductible donation of $100.
Our target is to raise $50,000, which will fund scholarships for 20 deserving women who are serious about committing to the training and spreading these valuable arts within their communities.
You can learn more about the event here.
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