About Jing Shuai
My name is Jing Shuai. My last name, Shuai, means the most powerful position in the military. My first name, Jing, means tranquil. When I was young, I didn't quite understand the meaning of the combination of these two words. It wasn’t until my Tai Chi instructor exam in Mainland China that I realized that my name represents Yin and Yang, two opposing energies in life.
Tai Chi is a school of thought based on the theory of Yin and Yang, which integrates the wisdom of Taoism, the ancient Chinese classic writings of the Tao Te Ching, and the I Ching. In the Tao Te Ching, the scholar Lao Tzu described Tao as a law of the universe, that energy flows and there is constant change and adaptation. In my quest to find the roots of Tao and Tai Chi, I have traveled extensively in China researching and practicing Tai Chi. I have also spent months in monasteries in the Wudang Mountains, birthplace of Tai Chi. I became a protégé of Master ShiXing Chen, 15th-generation successor of the ancient Chinese Wudang San Feng martial arts lineage. It is important for me to continue to study under my chosen master to pass along his knowledge, experience, and insights to my students.
The essence of Tai Chi is to seek simplicity through nature, and this guides my teaching and creative aesthetic. I hope to share the cultural origins of Tai Chi with people who love art, nature, and wellness. As a 16th-generation protégé, my desire is to lead a simple life and create a sense of equilibrium and harmony in my life and teaching. Twenty years ago, I accidentally came into contact with Tai Chi while looking for a medical cure. I decided to dig deeper into the origin of this martial art, which involves many disciplines. Thinking about my future health, I remembered my mother's advice when I was a teenager. Enjoying other people's art and performances is fine but practicing your own art form and traditions is life changing. Besides teaching, I also practice my art daily.
When I came to the United States, I was impressed by the diversity of western art and the different creative processes, which inspired me to explore
new approaches, cultures, and methods. In 2015, I became a member of Roost Studio Art Gallery in New Paltz, where I taught Tai Chi and exhibited my artwork. In 2017 and 2019, I had my first art shows, the "Art of Tao.” I base my work on the theory of Tai Chi and internal martial arts for wellness and fitness and so created the programs Tai Chi with Music and Fan Your Talents, my interpretations of the spirit of harmony in society and nature as they relate to the art of Tao. I consider art a method to embody our energy and a method of communication. I view the practice of Tai Chi as a pathway to strengthen both our body and mind.
