It is estimated that 92% of octogenarians in the U.S. suffer from at least one chronic condition, and 77% have two or more. Their schedules are often filled with doctors’ appointments. Some work hard to manage their health through supplements, proper nutrition, and exercise. However, Dr. Kwei Lee Su is extraordinary. At 83, she began teaching the healing arts of Tai Chi and Qigong.
Born in Taiwan, Dr. Su was one of the few women of her generation to travel alone to the U.S. in pursuit of postgraduate education. She earned a Ph.D. in Pharmacognosy from the University of Minnesota and subsequently underwent specialized training with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Quantico, Virginia. Dr. Su served as a forensic scientist with the Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime Laboratory, where she conducted forensic analyses and testified as an expert witness in both federal and state courts. In 1987, she founded Mid America Labs in Jefferson City, Missouri, a facility specializing in drug testing services for the legal community, civil cases, and private inquiries, as well as other medical services.
Dr. Su’s entrepreneurial success earned her recognition from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and she was honored with the “Women of Achievement” award by the American Association of University Women. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she was a devoted wife to Dr. Philo Su, an OBGYN, and a loving mother to Dr. Jennifer Su, also an OBGYN. Despite her demanding career, she maintained an active lifestyle, enjoying ballroom dancing with her late husband and playing golf.
They spent the majority of their lives in Jefferson City, Missouri, until Philo developed serious health issues that required more advanced medical care available only in St. Louis. As a result, the couple relocated there in 2015. In 2017, Philo underwent a transplant, but his health continued to deteriorate as he developed other complications. Kwei took on the role of his sole caretaker, navigating a stressful and physically demanding life. To manage the stress, she joined a YMCA branch in 2019 and began taking line dance classes. During this time, she discovered that the same branch offered Tai Chi and Qigong classes.
The moment she started Tai Chi, Kwei fell in love with its gentle, slow, graceful, yet energetic movements. Unfortunately, when COVID-19 swept the country in March 2020, all gyms in St. Louis closed. Determined to continue, she followed me, her teacher, by taking online classes. The more she practiced, the deeper her appreciation for the art grew. She began private lessons, diving into the theory, principles, and philosophy behind Tai Chi and Qigong. Living in the U.S. for over 60 years, her Chinese language skills had become rusty, but she was eager to relearn the terminology in Chinese. As her teacher, I have taught thousands of students, but I must admit that Kwei has the strongest desire to learn, and she studies diligently.
Anyone familiar with Tai Chi, especially the Chen Style, can attest to its deceptive simplicity. It appears effortless but is, in fact, intricate and challenging. Its richness lies in coordinating detailed, simultaneous movements of various body parts in different directions and speeds. Beyond the physical demands, Tai Chi requires intellectual engagement, utilizing both the left and right brain. It is not just a physical exercise but also a mental workout. While many find learning a Tai Chi form daunting, Kwei has remarkably memorized and executed the complex movements. To deepen her understanding, she even attended Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei’s summer training camp in Las Vegas two years ago, where she was the oldest participant.
As Philo’s health steadily declined, Kwei’s responsibilities intensified. She drove him to all his medical appointments, discussed treatment options with doctors, made critical decisions with him, filled prescriptions, and helped him with daily tasks, including moving in and out of bed and a wheelchair. Additionally, she managed their household chores and drove two hours each way to Jefferson City for Philo’s monthly treatments. Despite weighing only 100 pounds, Kwei displayed incredible strength, even managing to help Philo up after a fall that brought her down as well.
Family and friends urged her to consider senior living or a nursing home for Philo, but Kwei could not bear to entrust her partner of 60 years to others. She shouldered the caregiving responsibilities alone until Philo’s passing in August 2024.
Being a caregiver for a loved one is one of the most challenging roles, both physically and emotionally. Many caregivers succumb to exhaustion before their patients do. Reflecting on this, Kwei credits Tai Chi with saving her from stress, worry, and fatigue. She discovered Tai Chi at a time when she needed it most and is now determined to share its benefits with others.
More than a year ago, she set her sights on becoming a certified Tai Chi instructor. Through rigorous training and testing, she earned her certification. To gain practical experience, she volunteered as a teaching assistant at several fitness centers, where her passion and clear instructions were well-received by students.
In 1997, frustrated by the lack of smoke-free dancing venues in Jefferson City, Kwei and Philo invested in creating the Capital Ritz, a state-of-the-art studio and event center. The venue became a fitness and convention center by day and a banquet hall for dancing and weddings by night. It offered classes in Zumba, yoga, and country-western dance. Now, Kwei has returned to the Capital Ritz, teaching Tai Chi and Qigong, an exciting development for Jefferson City residents, as these wellness programs were previously inaccessible in the area. This made her probably the oldest wellness instructor in the U.S. She was well received by the community and even invited to teach a special workshop at the Real Life Healing Center, Osage Beach, MO.
Losing Philo was a profound loss. Overcome with grief, Kwei withdrew from the world, finding solace only in the company of her loving daughter and son-in-law. After three months of solitude, she rekindled her dedication to sharing the healing art of Tai Chi and Qigong. She realized that through teaching, she could cultivate a meaningful and purposeful life. Each time a student shared how Tai Chi had improved their well-being, she was reminded of the deep fulfillment her work brought her.