Dịch
Ian Lopez and Esther Gardner
Welcome to TCF’s 50th Anniversary Blog! Each month this year, we have shared writings and images highlighting aspects of our school’s remarkable history — revealing the bigger picture of our community through the stories of individual practitioners.
November’s blog features Esther Gardner and Ian Lopez, who both discovered the Tai Chi Foundation in the time of the pandemic, when, out of necessity, TCF online courses took the place of in-person practice at our more than 25 schools around the world. During the pandemic, virtual classes grew in popularity — supporting health, well-being, and stress relief from the safety of home. Today, dozens of monthly online classes make tai chi and qigong accessible to both new and lifelong practitioners everywhere — and we’re still growing!
Ian and Esther are two of the pioneers who demonstrated that virtual classes led by experienced TCF instructors in a structured, supportive environment work! We’re grateful for their support of TCF as we initiated the technology that now serves our ever-broadening online community.
Join them as they share their stories of Tai Chi discovery.
***
Esther Gardner, a Tai Chi Journey
My tai chi journey started in 2019 when I joined a beginning class taught by Lee Felton and Charlotte Booth in semi-rural Nelson County, Virginia. Our class coincided with the beginning of the pandemic, which included having classes outside under a pavilion while the weather was warm enough (nice!) and later, inside with masks. Eventually, though, we had to stay at home and ZOOM (ugh!). I have met students who started with Zoom and actually thrive. Those of use less acquainted with technology had a much harder time. We struggled with the Four Corners for what seemed like months, but we persevered, and it made us more committed than ever to our training.
I attended my first Tai Chi Foundation summer camp three years ago at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, and was blown away by the amount of instruction available and by the kindness of the instructors and fellow students. The week at camp coincided with my 80th birthday and stands out as the best birthday of my life.
Click to Read Esther’s Entire Article
***
Rooting in Change: My Journey of Learning Tai Chi in a Virtual World
By Ian Lopez: Board Certified Health Coach, Tai Chi Teacher, & Social Entrepreneur
I think I was always drawn to the idea of Tai Chi — the yin-yang symbol, the slow, deliberate movements, the sense that there was something more going on beneath the surface. I never really understood it, but it was a seedling that grew quietly within me. Chinese tradition had always carried an allure. A kind of mysticism that hinted at something beyond the material world, a deeper intelligence that moved through life. That seed showed up in small ways over the years, but it wasn’t until the world slowed down during COVID that I finally gave myself permission to explore it. For the first time in a long time, there was space to choose differently.
In April of 2025, I found myself signing up for an online Tai Chi class through The Human Process, a Chicago school that had boldly begun teaching virtually. Out of curiosity — and maybe a quiet sense of longing — I joined. At the time, I didn’t know much about Tai Chi, or even that there was a structured path for teachers. I just knew I needed something that brought me back into my body.
Click to Read More of Ian’s Rooting in Change
***
Are You Beginning a Tai Chi Journey of Your Own?
You can learn more about tai chi by exploring the diverse offerings of the Tai Chi Foundation (TCF). TCF provides live online courses, allowing you to participate in guided sessions in the comfort of your home. These virtual classes offer unique opportunities to connect with experienced instructors, ensuring that you receive personalized guidance and feedback. Additionally, TCF offers Teachable on-demand classes, providing a flexible way to learn at your own pace. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced practitioner, these online resources offer a wealth of knowledge to enrich your tai chi journey. For those seeking a more hands-on experience, check out the in-person course offerings of TCF’s affiliated local schools.
TCF is a not-for-profit educational organization that promotes, funds, and teaches programs that enable people to learn tai chi chuan and embody its principles.
Be sure to check out our TCF 50th Anniversary Shop, where you can find stylish tai chi t-shirts and other great branded merchandise!
The Tai Chi Foundation Editorial Team
Photos courtesy Tai Chi Foundation Inc.
Copyright Tai Chi Foundation 2025
