Newsletter #22

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Taijiquan in the Public Sphere: An Enduring Practice Meets Modern Health Needs

As Taijiquan (T'ai Chi) continues its journey from classical martial art to a pillar of global wellness, its unique ability to bridge tradition and science is attracting renewed scholarly and institutional attention. While long appreciated by practitioners for its cultivation of internal strength, structural alignment, and somatic awareness, recent research has reframed Taijiquan as a viable public health strategy with far-reaching implications.

A 2025 perspective published in Frontiers in Public Health outlines this shift, highlighting how Taijiquan's systemic benefits of neuromuscular coordination, autonomic regulation, and psycho-emotional balance align with contemporary health goals. The article traces how simplified forms (e.g., 24-posture, 42-posture competition sets) facilitated wider dissemination, while preserving essential principles such as rootedness, intention-guided movement (yi), and harmonization of breath (qi) with form (xing).

Increasingly, Taijiquan is being adopted beyond recreational settings. It is being integrated into hospital rehabilitation programs, fall-prevention initiatives, and chronic disease management protocols. Meta-analyses now confirm its role in improving gait symmetry, lowering systemic inflammation, and enhancing cognitive resilience in aging populations.

Yet, Taijiquan's value extends beyond biomechanics or symptom reduction. It preserves embodied knowledge, encourages attentional training, and fosters social cohesion through group practice. In a fractured, hyperstimulated world, Taijiquan offers a rare model of embodied self-regulation rooted in centuries of cultivated wisdom.

As practitioners and instructors, we are uniquely positioned to guide this evolution by articulating its relevance in the language of modern health without losing its inner essence.

Chinese Tea Eggs: A Simple Taste of Home

In China, few snacks carry as much quiet charm as the tea egg. Called cháyè dàn (茶叶蛋), these marbled eggs are sold by street vendors from steaming kettles and are just as likely to appear on a family table as in a bustling market. For many, the aroma of tea eggs instantly recalls memories of home and childhood.

The method is as simple as it is beautiful. Eggs are first hard-boiled and then gently cracked with the back of a spoon. They are simmered in a mixture of black tea, soy sauce, star anise, Chinese five-spice, and pepper. As the eggs rest in this dark, fragrant liquid, the flavor seeps into the whites, and the cracks form delicate patterns that look like polished marble. No two eggs ever turn out the same.

Tea eggs are not prepared for health benefits, but for taste and tradition. Their salty, savory flavor makes them a satisfying snack, and their striking appearance means they often decorate banquet dishes or are shared at gatherings. In Chinese culture, eggs symbolize renewal and new beginnings, so the tea egg also carries a quiet message of transformation.

Whether eaten at room temperature or straight from the refrigerator, tea eggs are a reminder that even the simplest foods can bring comfort and beauty to daily life.

Qigong for Diabetes: Ancient Practice Meets Modern Metabolic Health

As the global burden of type 2 diabetes continues to rise, integrative approaches to metabolic health are gaining attention. Among these, Qigong has emerged as a promising adjunct to conventional diabetes management. Recent clinical reviews and trials suggest that certain Qigong forms can improve glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, and quality of life in people with type 2 diabetes.

The most frequently studied Qigong system in this context is Baduanjin ("Eight Brocades"), a structured set of eight movements that coordinate breath, posture, and mental focus. A 2018 meta-analysis covering 21 trials and over 1,300 participants found that regular Qigong practice significantly reduced fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and postprandial glucose levels compared to sedentary controls. Additional studies also report benefits in waist circumference, lipid profiles, and even vascular function.

Unlike high-intensity exercise, Qigong's gentle, meditative movements are particularly well-suited for individuals with limited mobility, older adults, or those with chronic conditions. In clinical protocols, practice sessions typically run 30–45 minutes, 3 to 5 times per week, often in combination with standard diabetes care.

Qigong is not a substitute for medical treatment, but rather a complementary modality—a way to improve self-regulation, reduce stress-related hormonal fluctuations, and support sustainable lifestyle change. Its low cost, accessibility, and cultural depth make it an appealing option for community and clinical settings alike.

·         Cui, J., et al. (2018). Qigong Exercise for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/8182938

·         Chen, H., et al. (2024). Effects of Baduanjin on Cardiometabolic Health in Middle-aged Adults with Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal, 32(1). https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/wspaj/32/1/article-wspaj.2024-0041.xml

Qi Journal Updates:

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Website Updates: Exciting changes are on the way! Over the next few months, our website will be completely redesigned for easier navigation and faster performance. Before that launch, we'll be introducing two new educational features that reflect the spirit of Chinese culture. The first is an interactive Weiqi (Go) game tutorial and simulation that explores both the strategy and cultural depth of this ancient game. The second is a Mandarin Chinese language tutorial that combines practical conservational lessons with our signature cultural insights and historical context.

饕餮 (Tāotiè): The Gluttonous Beast of Ancient China

Among the most famous images in early Chinese art is the mysterious mask of the tāotiè (饕餮). This mythical creature, whose very name means gluttony, has stared out from bronze ritual vessels since the Shang and Zhou dynasties more than three thousand years ago. Its face features bulging eyes, curling horns, and often no lower jaw, suggests a being that devours endlessly, never satisfied.

Ancient texts place the tāotiè among the "Four Perils," monsters that embodied human vices. The Zuǒ Zhuàn (左傳), one of the earliest works of Chinese historiography, mentions tāotiè as a warning against those who consume without measure. Later scholars read the mask not only as decoration, but as moral instruction: a reminder of the dangers of greed and excess. When families used bronze vessels in ancestral rites, the image may have reinforced the idea that appetite must be contained by ritual and respect.

Over time, the tāotiè became a powerful symbol in Chinese culture. Its name entered the language as a metaphor for voracious eating or unrestrained desire. Today one might jokingly call a hearty eater a "little tāotiè." Designers and storytellers still draw on its imagery by embroidering robes in historical dramas, decorating restaurants, or reviving the motif in fantasy novels and films.

The enduring fascination of the tāotiè lies in its paradox. It is fierce yet decorative, monstrous yet instructive. It reminds us that cultures often give shape to moral lessons through myth. Just as the dragon came to embody power and harmony, the tāotiè warns against the hunger that consumes everything and leaves nothing in return.

From bronze vessels in ancient tombs to costumes on modern television, the greedy beast continues to remind us that self-restraint is as necessary for societies as it is for individuals.

Preparing for Winter: A TCM Perspective on the Seasonal Shift

As we move from the crisp days of autumn into the deep stillness of winter, Traditional Chinese Medicine encourages us to adjust our lifestyles in harmony with the changing season. Winter is associated with the Water element, the Kidneys, and the emotion of fear. It's a time to conserve energy, nourish the body, and build resilience for the months ahead.

In TCM, autumn is a time of letting go, while winter invites introspection and rest. As the days shorten and temperatures drop, we should begin to slow down. Going to bed earlier, eating warming and nourishing foods like soups, stews, root vegetables, and dark leafy greens, and protecting ourselves from the cold all support Kidney health which is considered the source of our vital energy or jing.

Physically, this is a good time to build up immunity. Gentle movement such as Taiji or Qigong helps maintain circulation without overexerting the body. Emotionally, embracing quiet moments and reducing stress helps preserve energy.

While Western medicine emphasizes flu prevention and staying active, TCM complements this by focusing on internal balance and seasonal alignment. By honoring winter's call to rest and restore, we support our health not just through the season, but for the year to come.