Dịch
Declan Rothwell Edna Brandt
In celebration of the Tai Chi Foundation’s 50 years, each month in 2025, we are publishing blog posts featuring historical material, reflections by TCF tai chi teachers, videos, and photos. We hope the images and words connect the tai chi community to our school’s many strengths, expand our understanding of the art, and inspire our practice. And who knows? Perhaps something in this series will inspire you to share your experience as well; the door is always open. Welcome to this month’s edition!
July Memories
Introducing Edna Brandt and Declan Rothwell, both senior TCF teachers and Five Element acupuncturists whose tai chi stories began decades ago. Join them as they share their memories.
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Edna’s Tai Chi Story
Edna Brandt is a retired acupuncturist living in North Carolina, where she cultivates a life of balance, service, and creativity. A longtime teacher with the Tai Chi Foundation, Edna brings decades of experience to her classes, guiding students in the art of mindful movement. Her deep connection to Chinese culture also finds expression in her delicate Chinese brush paintings. When she’s not teaching or painting, Edna can often be found on the croquet lawn, mallet in hand, applying tai chi principles. Within her retirement community, she leads the Vigil Corps—a compassionate group dedicated to sitting with those at the end of life, ensuring that no one makes that journey alone.
Tai Chi Journey
I first saw a person doing tai chi across a field under a large tree in a park in San Francisco, where I grew up. While I didn’t know what it was at the time, I could see the circle of energy around the person, and it was entrancing. I have never forgotten that image. Only years later, around 1975, did I find out that what I had seen was tai chi. By that time, I was living near Mt. Hood in Oregon, trying to be a back-to-the-land hippie. When one of my friends met a tai chi teacher named Marilyn Graham in Portland, he invited her to come up the river to teach us. I took classes from Marilyn, and I fell in love with tai chi. I’m still in love.
After learning the whole form, I was laid off for the winter from my seasonal job with the forest service, so I went home to San Francisco to learn more about tai chi. I was fortunate to study with Benjamin Lo, one of the early students of Professor Cheng Man-ching. His classroom was up a long flight of stairs, and he was so demanding in terms of sinking and holding positions that it was challenging to get my tired legs back down those stairs at the end of class! I started learning some sensing hands exercises, which were overwhelming to me, like stepping into a giant ocean without any edges.
Click to read more of Edna’s “Tai Chi Journey”
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Declan’s Tai Chi Remembrance
Declan Rothwell with fellow Irish tai chi teacher, Andrew Allen, at Blessington Lakes, Ireland (2021)
Declan Rothwell is a Certified Tai Chi Instructor/Teacher with the Tai Chi Foundation. He serves as the Principal of the College of Five Element Acupuncture, Ireland, and practices Five Element Acupuncture in Dublin, Ireland. He is also a sponsor of Arica Trainings.
Beyond the Physical: The Journey to Transmit the Holistic Benefits of Tai Chi and Arica®
My journey into Tai Chi began out of necessity. As a young rugby player in Dublin, I suffered a severe back injury and a broken leg. While my leg healed, my back continued to cause me debilitating pain. It was an acupuncturist who first suggested Tai Chi as a way to alleviate my back issues. Initially, I scoffed at the idea. Tai Chi? The slow, flowing movements seemed like the last thing that would help someone like me—an athlete used to fast-paced, high-intensity sports. But as the pain persisted, I decided to give it a try.
What started as a physical solution quickly became so much more. Within a short time, I discovered that Tai Chi was not just about easing my back pain. The practice offered emotional and mental benefits that I hadn’t expected. Over time, I realized that Tai Chi softened me. I found joy, peace, and relaxation in the movements—emotions that had eluded me in the hectic world of competitive sports. After each class, I felt open, relaxed, and yes—happy. It was a type of happiness that came from deep within, a quiet joy that lasted long after the session ended. Edna’s Tai Chi Journey Edna’s Tai Chi Journey
Click to read Declan’s full essay, “Beyond the Physical”
Declan Rothwell (left) with fellow tai chi teacher, Joop Brouwer at Winter Training in Amsterdam, 2012
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Starting Your Tai Chi Journey?
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 new 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
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