Meet Master Li Mingliang, the Tai Chi instructor

Meet Master Li Mingliang [Turnup.Travel]

Why are you doing it in Kenya?

Chen Style Taijiquan was developed 500 years ago as a traditional martial arts system based on ancient Chinese philosophical principles. Although the roles of martial arts in China has changed, taijiquan remains incredibly relevant today and its international popularity is a testament that it offers something special. As a lineage inheritor of Chen Style Taijiquan, it is my obligation to spread it in Kenya where I live and bring its benefits to Kenyans from practising taijiquan.

Why is the uptake of Tai Chi in Kenya still low?

Because very few people in Kenya have a good understanding of Taijiquan, I didn’t do a lot of commercial advertisements. In the last year or so, there are more workshops and training sessions around Nairobi and we are seeing a growing international community of people participate in training Taijiquan who have shown great interest in understanding its origin and foundation.

The foundation of Taijiquan is intertwined with Yin-Yang theory and Taoist philosophy. The term “Tai Chi” (Taiji) conceptually relates to the Tao or the great way. The duality and opposite characteristics of Yin-Yang is present everywhere throughout nature, for e.g. earth-heaven, dark-light, female-male, stillness-movement, cold-heat, central-peripheral, inward-outward, peace-war, joy-sadness, abundance-scarcity, profit-loss, and so on. 

Who are the biggest beneficiaries of the art? And what are the reasons?

Anyone who believes in the concept of Taijiquan and cultivates a lifetime of Taijiquan practice will be the biggest beneficiary, not only physically, but also mentally! 

Taijiquan develops the body’s internal energy (?? “nei qi”) and opens the meridian channels (?? “jing luo”) using principles from Taoist health cultivation practices of Daoyin and Tuina, precursors to modern-day Qigong. 

Studies have shown the huge health benefits of Tai Chi. Do you think this would be of benefit to Kenya that is struggling with a surging number of people suffering from lifestyle diseases?

Today’s modern fast-pace of living has seen an increase in stress levels and diseases in the Kenyan population. Taijiquan training engages a constant interplay between expressions of Yin-Yang including empty-full, close-open, soft-hard, light-heavy, gather-release, relax-tense, follow-lead, yield-resist, and so on. 

By practising Taijiquan, one can change the way they experience the world, gaining a deeper perception and a sharper understanding of the ever-changing nature of life, ageing and relationships with family and friends.

What can be done to increase visibility and positive outlook of the exercise in Kenya?

Obviously, it will be very helpful if the local media can help to introduce the Taijiquan culture and benefits of practising Taijiquan!  We have plans to hold a World Taiji Day which takes place on the last Saturday of every April and would invite more Kenyans to join us at the China-Kenya Education Centre on O’Washika Road in Lavington to participate in Taijiquan.

What challenges have you faced while practising this art in Kenya?

The fast pace of life is the biggest challenge. Life is a continuous experience within the mind and body, but this modern world is full of things competing for attention and distraction from a healthy and satisfying experience. 

To your knowledge, which other country has this been well received and what has been the benefits accrued to the population? Youth or octogenarian groups?

Taijiquan is widely accepted in Japan, South Korea, Singapore, North and South America and most European countries. It is also popular in South Africa where many Taijiquan practitioners have set up their training academies. It has been practised not only by the older generations but also by the younger generation.

What are the challenges of taking this as a daily habit?

Frankly, it’s very difficult to cultivate Taijiquan as a daily habit if you ca

Why are you doing it in Kenya?

Chen Style Taijiquan was developed 500 years ago as a traditional martial arts system based on ancient Chinese philosophical principles. Although the roles of martial arts in China has changed, taijiquan remains incredibly relevant today and its international popularity is a testament that it offers something special. As a lineage inheritor of Chen Style Taijiquan, it is my obligation to spread it in Kenya where I live and bring its benefits to Kenyans from practising taijiquan.

Why is the uptake of Tai Chi in Kenya still low?

Because very few people in Kenya have a good understanding of Taijiquan, I didn’t do a lot of commercial advertisements. In the last year or so, there are more workshops and training sessions around Nairobi and we are seeing a growing international community of people participate in training Taijiquan who have shown great interest in understanding its origin and foundation.

The foundation of Taijiquan is intertwined with Yin-Yang theory and Taoist philosophy. The term “Tai Chi” (Taiji) conceptually relates to the Tao or the great way. The duality and opposite characteristics of Yin-Yang is present everywhere throughout nature, for e.g. earth-heaven, dark-light, female-male, stillness-movement, cold-heat, central-peripheral, inward-outward, peace-war, joy-sadness, abundance-scarcity, profit-loss, and so on. 

Who are the biggest beneficiaries of the art? And what are the reasons?

Anyone who believes in the concept of Taijiquan and cultivates a lifetime of Taijiquan practice will be the biggest beneficiary, not only physically, but also mentally! 

Taijiquan develops the body’s internal energy (?? “nei qi”) and opens the meridian channels (?? “jing luo”) using principles from Taoist health cultivation practices of Daoyin and Tuina, precursors to modern-day Qigong. 

Studies have shown the huge health benefits of Tai Chi. Do you think this would be of benefit to Kenya that is struggling with a surging number of people suffering from lifestyle diseases?

Today’s modern fast-pace of living has seen an increase in stress levels and diseases in the Kenyan population. Taijiquan training engages a constant interplay between expressions of Yin-Yang including empty-full, close-open, soft-hard, light-heavy, gather-release, relax-tense, follow-lead, yield-resist, and so on. 

By practising Taijiquan, one can change the way one experiences the world, providing a deeper perception and a sharper understanding of the ever-changing nature of life, ageing and relationships with family and friends.

What can be done to increase visibility and positive outlook of the exercise in Kenya?

Obviously, it will be very helpful if the local media can help to introduce the Taijiquan culture and benefits of practising Taijiquan!  We have plans to hold a World Taiji Day which takes place on the last Saturday of every April and would invite more Kenyans to join us at the China-Kenya Education Centre on O’Washika Road in Lavington to participate in Taijiquan.

What challenges have you faced while practising this art in Kenya?

The fast pace of life is the biggest challenge. Life is a continuous experience within the mind and body, but this modern world is full of things competing for attention and distraction from a healthy and satisfying experience. 

To your knowledge, which other country has this been well received and what has been the benefits accrued to the population? Youth or octogenarian groups?

Taijiquan is widely accepted in Japan, South Korea, Singapore, North and South America and most European countries. It is also popular in South Africa where many Taijiquan practitioners have set up their training academies. It has been practised not only by the older generations but also by the younger generation.

What are the challenges of taking this as a daily habit?

Frankly, it’s very difficult to cultivate Taijiquan as a daily habit if you cannot understand what you are doing and why you are doing it! Therefore, a good instructor is very important to beginners.

There is particularly deep knowledge and wisdom in Taijiquan, most of which is only attainable and from a skilled and knowledgeable teacher. In order for a student to be truly capable of receiving knowledge such as this, he or she must be sincere and adopt the right attitudes have the confidence, patience, diligence and perseverance to keep at it even through difficulties and long struggles.

nnot understand what you are doing and why you are doing it! Therefore, a good instructor is very important to beginners.

There is particularly deep knowledge and wisdom in Taijiquan, most of which is only attainable and from a skilled and knowledgeable teacher. In order for a student to be truly capable of receiving knowledge such as this, he or she must be sincere and adopt the right attitudes have the confidence, patience, diligence and perseverance to keep at it even through difficulties and long struggles.