Breath by Breath: my Journey to Tai Chi

Authored by Mia Zhang

 “Take a deep breath and let it go.”(O. Winfrey) A saying many have heard, myself included, but one I never truly understood. Here is my journey to understanding that simple, yet powerful statement. 

Unlike most people, I didn’t start Tai Chi because I instantly fell in love with it. Not with the way it made me feel, and certainly not the way it looked. I was first introduced to the art of Tai Chi when I was just six, waiting for my Mom. All I saw was just a group of adults who, to me, looked both bored and strangely focused. As a child, I was not only confused by this art but also puzzled as to why anyone would find it enjoyable. However, after weeks of watching my mom practice, I started to grow curious and decided to join along. Still, to be honest, I didn’t find any strong, passionate feelings within me. 

For a long time, I was just spectating as my Mom took her Tai Chi group lessons. Although I occasionally joined in, I didn’t even bother learning the names of the forms, what movement came next, or the meaning/history behind them. I didn’t understand why we took deep breaths or why the teacher was such a stinker about every little detail. To me, it was just…a slow exercise- nothing more, nothing less. 

Over time, the more I joined in with the group practices, the more it started to mean something to me. With each session, I found myself becoming more drawn in and intrigued. Though I still never found pure love for this art, I knew it was something that I wanted to pursue in private lessons and take more seriously. As I told my mom about my interest, I recall her being a little surprised-and honestly, so was my teacher. At first, my teacher smiled with open arms, but simultaneously, there was a quiet sternness in her voice when she asked me if I was truly sure. 

I can still recall the day of my first private lesson. My mom and dad were both there. As I walked in, I thought that it would simply be a new passion. However, for the first ten minutes, my teacher sat me down and had a very serious conversation- one that I hadn’t expected. She explained that while many people practice Tai Chi casually, true growth required time and effort, along with earnest dedication.  Though she never pressured me, she informed me that real skills would not come overnight; I had to commit to it. 

The more time and effort I put in, the more I started to learn the meaning of the martial art –     Tai Chi. Not only did I learn more about its beautiful history, but I also got to connect with the roots of Tai Chi. I also experienced what the ancestors were able to begin in the 1600s. It was such a unique experience learning how it started as a form of self-defense and a powerful use of “qi”.  It was captivating being educated on how General Chen Wangting (who was living in Chen Village, located in central China) was able to interpret the self-defense martial art into more slow-flowing movements, making it more meditative.  For the past ten years, I have been honored to be able to learn from someone intelligent when it comes to the art of Tai Chi. My instructor is a respected 12th-generation Chen style inheritor as well as a disciple of Grandmaster Chen Zhanglei. Not only was I able to learn more about the history and the philosophy of the art, but I was also able to understand what my teacher’s insight and experience were like.  

As I continued my journey, I practiced for years with constant lessons, learning new forms and refining small details. It slowly became more than just a routine of movements – I started to dive into a better understanding. Through many performances and lessons, I realized that I was not only learning movements, but I was also learning a living piece of my culture, something generations before me had created and practiced.  That’s when I started to not only take Tai Chi seriously, but I was more focused with a purpose in my practice. The more time and dedication I put in, the more love I started to find in the art. It wasn’t just changing my movements-it was changing me. From the newfound perspective of my culture, to the feeling of internal peace and love for Tai Chi.

This year, May 2025, I got the incredible chance to compete at the Golden State International Wushu Championships. Now, don’t get me wrong, it took hours of learning from assigned coaches by my teacher to work on specific skills and practicing every week. At times, I felt overwhelmed and questioned if this was something I was willing to challenge myself with. It took discipline to compose everything I had learned over the years. It was strenuous because I also decided to compete in three different events, which I have learned over the years. Including Chen Style 18 Form, Chen Style Single Sword, and Ba Duan Jin/Eight Sections of Brocade. This decision required triple the amount of time committed to practice. Additionally, it was demanding to balance schoolwork and a packed schedule with all my extracurricular activities, such as Speech and Debate, Student Council, East Asian Students Association as Social Media Manager, Volleyball (Club and High School Teams), Chinese Language School, preparing and performing Piano, School Orchestra, HOSA SLC (Health Occupations Students of America State Leadership Conference) …etc. Despite the demanding workload, this experience taught me lessons in time management and stress resilience. This process pushed me, but it also empowered and grew me into an individual. 

Though I had many years of training under my belt, it was a humbling experience to see what others my age were also capable of and how much more I could change through more practice. I still recall how I felt right before I got on stage. I was VERY nervous, with my hands shaking, heart pounding, and the crowd buzzing. I remember my teacher, who gave me a confirming smile and told me to just enjoy the moment. I trusted all the effort and preparation I had put in the months prior. Then, I took a deep breath, and as soon as I stepped onto the mat, every noise faded and my body just flowed. Though I believe no performance is truly perfect, I was incredibly proud of myself. Not just because I walked away with three gold medals and a third-place overall trophy, but because of the dedication and persistence I kept through the year. 

Throughout my journey, Tai Chi has taught me so much- not only in terms of different skills and techniques, but also in shaping a more mindful and intentional way of living. It opened so many new doors of opportunity, and it allowed me to meet new friends. More importantly, it taught me the value of patience, dedication, and how to breathe through moments of adversity. How to stay centered and grounded through life chaos. Over the years of dedication and training, I came to realize that Tai Chi has transformed many lives. Whether it was an emotional/mental downfall or physical pain and injury, Tai Chi had the power to heal many individuals. I also observed how much my teacher impacted hundreds of people through teaching at various locations and publishing hundreds of articles. 

Inspired by her strong impact, I want to pass on to other individuals the same feeling and impact I received once from my empowering teacher. As a rising Sophomore, I’m proud to be certified and to share what I’ve learned by helping teach at my local Chinese school, sharing what I’ve learned. Since my teacher moved to another state a few years ago, I have found it empowering to be a part of continuing the legacy she made within the local community. My goal now is to make an impact on others’ perceptions, especially among younger generations. In the world we live in today, where mental health challenges are on the rise, I want to be a living example of what it is like to be benefited and healed, beginning with something as simple as breathing and practicing Tai Chi. If I can help just one person feel what I felt from Tai Chi, then I know I have made a difference. 

So, after my long journey to understanding, I guess the best advice I can give is to “Take a deep breath and let it go.”

About the Author: Mia Zhang, who lives in St. Louis, Missouri, is a high school student. She has been studying Tai Chi and Qigong since the age of six and is certified to teach the Eight Pieces of Brocade. At school, she is active, participates in many extracurricular activities, and has a wide circle of friends. At a recent Golden State Wushu Championship, she won three gold medals and placed third in the All-Around competition.