My two encounters with Wuji

When I started taking Sifu Tony’s Tai Chi classes, Wuji Qigong was one of the first exercises taught. A good student as I was, I followed Sifu’s exact instructions to request the free Wuji qigong book (I learned later that I was one of the few students who ever requested, and received, both the Chinese and English copies). I finished reading both quickly, and answered all pop quizzes about Wuji correctly every time Sifu asked in class. But it wasn’t until a year later, after I’ve learned the long form, competed in tournaments and won medals, that I started practicing Wuji everyday for 20 minutes, after hearing Sifu recommend it for five dozen times. That year my posture changed. My neck straightened even though I was doing the same desk tasks every day as before. A different sense of confidence grew - a knowing-that-I-can that comes from somewhere inside and requires no external validation.

I don’t practice Wuji 20 minutes a day now (you are shocked beyond repair!). Each foundational training is a great tool — you do need to spend enough hours getting to know it so you can make it work for you, but you don’t need to be bound by it once you know when and how to access them. There are other tools you can acquire to help you tone different muscles or build a different facet of your foundation, or the structure above.

I met Wuji again, unexpectedly, when I started learning somatics at the Strozzi Institute. It was not called Wuji, but a rather generic name: centering. It was pretty much the same body alignment, but what was new was how it was directly applied to living and being. Here, centering is a practice to be present, connected (to self and others), and on purpose. How often can you describe yourself that way, on an average day? How often can you describe yourself when you are under pressure? That’s how often you could use a centering practice! When we are present, connected, and on purpose, we are more able to draw from our roots and strength, and more open to new possibilities.

Health and wellbeing are ever expanding concepts these days, and more and more we see the connection between body, mind and spirit - when the three are aligned, freedom and possibilities abound. I feel fortunate to have encountered Wuji twice, in very different lights but supporting the same human pursuit for healing and thriving. I feel great tenderness and excitement in sharing this timeless practice with you - for the first time or the n-th time. I hope you will try out and benefit from this 7-Day Wuji Challenge.

With love and light,
Yan