CBD 2022: Taijiquan: Contemplative movement rooted in Taoism and Traditional Chinese Medicine with Hong Yang, MBA

Hong Yang will describe how Taoism affected Traditional Chinese Medicine and the embodied, somatic practice of taijiquan. Both Traditional Chinese Medicine and taijiquan are based on Taoism and yin-yang philosophy. They are synergistic in preventing disease, improving the quality of life, and enlightening the mind and soul. These effects are not only important historically, but are highly relevant for modern life. They will be even more significant for health and well-being in the post-pandemic era.

Hong Yang's study and practice of embodying the two sides of yin and yang started when she learned taijiquan (tai chi chuan) at five years old and continues as she reflects on taiji’s deep meaning derived from Taoism and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Taoism, taijiquan, and Traditional Chinese Medicine value the three important internal “medicines” of Jing (physical essence), Qi (ch’i, energy circulation), and Shen (spirit), which can often be used instead of external interventions such as medications.

Taijiquan, rooted in the natural law of taiji philosophy, is experienced to be one of the most accessible ways of cultivating jing, qi, and shen to attain deep peace and spiritual enlightenment. In the interactive workshop to follow the lecture, Hong will guide participants in some basic taijiquan movements to somatically experience the precepts of Taoism and Traditional Chinese Medicine, feeling first-hand how the movements can change internal energy. Register for the interactive workshop here.

Hong Yang, MBA and taiji master, is the founder of the Tai Chi Zen Institute. As a family internal taiji inheritor, she has been studying taiji since she was five years old. Hong is a world taiji champion in hand forms, sword forms, and push hands. She has been integrating Taoism philosophy and Traditional Chinese Medicine studies into her personal taiji practice and into her teaching. In 2020, Hong began earning her doctorate in integrative traditional medicine at Nan Jing University of Chinese Medicine. Her research focuses on the relationships among Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taoism, and taijiquan. In recent years, Hong has been creating and teaching seminars and workshops to integrate taijiquan, taiji steps, taiji sword, ancient qigong, and taiji-related philosophy based on Traditional Chinese Medicine and Taoism. View her taiji sword demonstration at the Los Angeles Music Center in 2016 at 42 Sword form.

Taijiquan: Contemplative movement rooted in Taoism and Traditional Chinese Medicine is part of the free Contemplation by Design Summit, Oct. 9 – 16, & Oct. 28 – Nov. 2, 2022.

The full Summit schedule is posted at: http://contemplation.stanford.edu/summit. All events are FREE and online.

Registration is now open here: https://stanfordcbdsummit-2022.eventbrite.com/