The 2nd Public Welfare Training Course May 2018
The public welfare Taiji training class for mass promotion has extremely competitive enrollment permits, with application codes being highly sought-after.
The crisp autumn air brings refreshing breezes. On the early morning of May 22, 2018, the gates of the second training session of the Dongwu Taichi Alliance remained tightly shut, yet eager students had already formed a quiet, orderly line, stepping on golden autumn leaves as they waited patiently for admission by number. Many hopeful learners without enrollment codes lingered outside, clutching onto chance, while about twenty others, realizing their slim odds, filled out applications on the spot, fervently anticipating the next session’s announcement.
The check-in process, managed by voluntary helpers from the first session, kept everyone busy. Noticing this, the new trainees from the second session silently stepped in to lend a hand. From the very first day, the Dongwu Taichi family radiated an unprecedented warmth and camaraderie, moving all who witnessed it. Passersby, curious about the orderly, quiet queue, stopped to ask: What kind of group is this? What gathering requires such a long, disciplined wait for entry, yet maintains such high standards of conduct?
Since the return of Wendy JH, the 16th International Wushu All-Around Champion, to Australia two months prior, her first cohort of students had already been invited twice to demonstrate their spirited Taichi prowess at the Rowville Performing Arts Centre and the Whitehorse Civic Hall. Each time, they earned thunderous applause and cheers.
This was a rare phenomenon in history: Taichi, often perceived as an elderly fitness activity, had now graced international cultural stages alongside song and dance performances, showcasing the elegance of China’s ancient heritage. Not only that—it stood out as a highlight of the entire program, consistently met with resounding applause.
Strangely enough, after each performance, there was always a surge of people clamoring for enrollment codes to join the Taichi beginner classes. Eager applicants ranged from 34 to 81 years old—from professional doctors and accountants to white-collar workers, from seasoned Taichi practitioners and martial arts instructors to even a patient with a heart pacemaker, all passionately seeking to learn.
When denied enrollment due to limited venue space and teaching staff, some resorted to pulling strings or calling in favors, hoping to secure a spot. Many who couldn’t obtain a code wrote lengthy appeals, explaining their desperate desire to learn Taichi. One WeChat user, nicknamed “Lonely Soil,” even wrote to Master Wendy:
“A lifetime in Australia has felt like an endless stretch of barren soil—exhausted in body and mind, finding no solace in麻将 or dance. Anxiety and isolation made even entertainment unbearable. I once tried Taichi and felt its benefits, but the barriers to deeper learning were too high. Then came the news of this public Taichi initiative—like a beam of light piercing a freezing night. Teacher, please let me blend into the crowd of the beginner class… Let me see if there’s still hope left in my life. I’d spare no expense to repay your grace of rebirth…”
As she read it, Master Wendy wept. Who in life hasn’t known unspoken pain? Who hasn’t faced hardship? Each sincere plea, each aching confession—how could they be dismissed or scorned simply because this was a public service?
On the first day of class, Teacher Wendy, a Chinese literature graduate, thoughtfully shared a classical Chinese story in plain language for her new students:
**King Wei of ancient times once asked the legendary physician Bian Que: “Among your three brothers, who is the most skilled in medicine?”**
Bian Que replied: *”My eldest brother is the best, my second brother comes next, and I am the least skilled.”*
The king was skeptical: *”How can that be? The whole world knows you as the divine healer Bian Que, yet I’ve never heard of your brothers being more skilled than you!”*
Bian Que explained: *”The patients I treat are already severely ill, requiring potent medicines or bloodletting to save them. Though the process is agonizing, the dramatic results earn me fame as a lifesaver. My second brother treats illnesses at their early stages, so his reputation is quieter. But my eldest brother is the true master—he reads subtle signs and heals people before symptoms even appear, at the ‘pre-disease’ stage. Since no one realizes they were ever sick, his skill goes unnoticed—sometimes even met with misunderstanding or hostility from those who believe themselves healthy…”*
**”Today, I promote Taichi,”** Teacher Wendy continued, **”because I want our fellow countrymen, who’ve toiled hard in Australia for decades, to become their own ‘Bian Que’—to master their health *before* illness strikes! Be the guardian of your own well-being.”**
Her heartfelt words struck deep. The students listened in awed silence before erupting into thunderous applause.
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**Julian Minan, Vice Chairman of the Australia International Arts Festival, excitedly told the new students:**
*”Prevention is better than cure, and community Taichi is exactly what modern society needs to embrace. Bringing Chinese martial arts and Taichi culture to Australia is a significant contribution, and Teacher Wendy has played a tremendous role. On behalf of the Australia International Arts Festival, I congratulate her!*
*I’ve known Teacher Wendy for 30 years. Back when she was busy with her career, she was never as vibrant, youthful, and radiant as she is now. It seems Taichi truly works miracles! So, as a complete outsider to Taichi, I urge you all—learn it well!”*
**Ms. Yuan Fang, Director of the Jiali Arts Center, specially brought a magnificent bouquet of flowers to extend her congratulations and announced on the spot:**
*”Chinese Taichi is not only a superb way to strengthen the body, prevent illness, and promote healing—it’s also well worth popularizing. The Chen-style Taichi Cloud Water Fan that Teacher Wendy teaches is both elegant and highly artistic, making it a true visual delight. I will lead the sisters from my three dance troupes to formally invite Teacher Wendy to start a class at our Glen Waverley center on June 18th! So, to all the students who haven’t secured a spot yet—don’t be disappointed. Let’s meet again on 0618!”*
Her speech even drew enthusiastic applause from students quietly peeking in through the door.
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**Sheng Daqing, President of the Whitehorse Chinese Association, was among the first to arrive and congratulate the opening ceremony of Dongwu Taichi’s second session. He excitedly shared with everyone:**
*”The Chinese government has officially launched a nationwide promotion of Taichi, with the grand inauguration of the Taichi Association held at the CPPCC National Committee Auditorium. Promoting Chinese culture is a shared aspiration for all overseas Chinese!”*
Speaking passionately, he even personally demonstrated Taichi’s remarkable benefits for weight loss. The rapid expansion of this public welfare initiative—from inviting Taichi onto the stage to actively spreading the word about free classes—owes much to his efforts as a key advocate and leading contributor.
In the first class, Teacher Wendy began by instructing students on the proper Taichi salute posture and explaining its profound meaning—a gesture that embodies both martial virtue and the spirit of unity across all nations. As a 13th-generation indoor disciple of Chen-style Taichi, she not only meticulously taught each movement but also carefully explained the remarkable health benefits of Taichi practice:
1. **Mental Clarity & Neurological Benefits**
– Taichi requires *”calm mind and focused intent,”* enhancing nervous system sensitivity and allowing the cerebral cortex to fully rest.
2. **Cardiovascular & Musculoskeletal Health**
– Through slow, sustained aerobic movements like *”lou, ao, bending knees, and twisting,”* it promotes blood circulation, lymphatic drainage, and joint flexibility while strengthening bones and meridians—boosting immunity (*Illustrations 2011, 2012*).
3. **Respiratory Improvement**
– The deep, long, fine, slow, and even abdominal breathing method enhances cardiopulmonary function (*Illustrations 2013, 2014*).
4. **Internal Organ Massage & Digestive Health**
– The gentle pulling, twisting, compressing, and expanding of joints, muscles, and bones during practice provide an internal massage for organs, aiding in the prevention and management of chronic digestive disorders.
Through these principles, Teacher Wendy emphasized that Taichi is not just a martial art—it’s a holistic system for nurturing life.
The charm and wonders of Taichi are being embraced by an ever-growing number of enthusiasts, and the spirit of promoting Chinese martial arts as a public service is also gaining media attention. At the opening ceremony of the Dongwu Taichi Alliance’s second session, attendees noticed a poised and graceful young woman moving swiftly through the crowd, camera in hand, capturing moments with quiet professionalism. Upon inquiry, it was revealed that she was **Trinity**, a journalist sent by **Australian Ocean Media**, there to document the free Taichi classes in a public-interest report.
Meanwhile, **The Australian Chinese Times** has been running exquisitely crafted, visually stunning WeChat articles for several consecutive weeks, showcasing the legacy of Chinese martial arts. These richly illustrated posts—both informative and aesthetically captivating—have been widely circulated and enthusiastically shared among Taichi lovers in both China and Australia within just a few weeks. Their efforts have played a pivotal role in accelerating Taichi’s integration into Australian culture.
Adding to the media presence, **Mr. Shen Zhencheng**, a former television cameraman and seasoned cultural media professional, also arrived at the scene to film the ceremony, producing a beautifully edited video to commemorate the occasion.
Through these collective efforts, the timeless art of Taichi continues to transcend borders, uniting communities and fostering cross-cultural appreciation—one movement at a time.