Tai chi knows no boundary

Chen and Lin do not settle for merely teaching martial arts. They aim at promoting Chinese cultural through martial arts.

"Language is one of biggest barriers when promoting Chinese culture to foreigners, but tai chi as a form of body movement does not have such a barrier," said Lin.

She added that tai chi performances in community centers are always well-received as local residents could see for themselves what tai chi is all about.

"That's much more powerful than words," said Lin.

Chen, also founder and chairman of Tai Chi Qigong Association of America, initiated Tai Chi & Health Qigong Festival in New York, which has been held for eight years already.

The annual festival features various presentations, demonstrations and mini-classes joined by dozens of teams from the New York City metropolitan area.

"As time goes by, people realize the core value of tai chi, which is balance," said Chen.

He explained that tai chi embodies the Taoist philosophy, which advocates a balanced body, a balance between body and mind, and a balance between human being and nature.

"We internalize the philosophy through practicing tai chi every day," said Chen.

Jean Kestel has been coming to group tai chi class at the clubhouse at The Seasons in East Meadow, New York, for about four years. In addition to preventing health problems by practicing tai chi, she also enjoyed doing exercise in a group.

"I have pictures of people practicing tai chi in parks and malls in China when I was there in 2003, we don't have that in the US," she said, adding that the classes in the clubhouse offered her a chance to stay in touch with Chinese culture. She planned to go back to China next year.

Still a long way to go

Although tai chi is already getting popular in fast-paced New York City and neighboring areas, Chen is not content with the current situation.

He is developing a training program and grading system through which his school could train more qualified teachers.

"A standard, effective, applicable, and practical training and grading system could gather all the teachers who are out there promoting tai chi on their own to work together for the noble cause," said Chen.