About the Teacher :: Tai Chi Chiang Mai

Tai Chi Chiang Mai

About the Teacher, Julie Hastings

A native Californian, I have always led an active life. This included 15 years of Iyengar yoga, scuba diving, sailing, and aerobics. As I got older I found that I was dreading going to my aerobics and step classes. I didn't like the blasting music and my legs and body hurt from too much pounding. I tore a hamstring and had other minor injuries while doing yoga. I wanted something that would involve not only my body but also my mind. When I came to Asia I saw people doing the slow and graceful movements of tai chi and I immediately knew this was something I wanted to explore.

I entered Master Joe Kherliang's very concentrated Teacher Training Program. I am a Certified Level II Tai Chi Teacher and I have completed over 300 hours of private Teacher Training. Unfortunately Master Joe passed away in 2006.

In the Fall of 2005 I studied Yang style Tai Chi with Master Wang Zhi Ping for a total of 150 hours. In the Spring of 2006 I returned to China for two months and studied with Shifu We Heng Dong (Kim Wu), a Fifth degree Wushu Coach of China. Studies included both Yang 24, Chen 13 and Qi Gong. Shifu Kim is a very accomplished teacher and I was able to progress rapidly in my studies.

In 2007 I returned to China studied with Master Fu Nengbin, a 12th generation successor of Chen style Tai Chi Chuan for a total of 6 months, 5 hours a day, 6 days a week (over 800 hours). Master Fu is one of the top Chen Style masters in China today. I studied both the 18 step Chen form and the 74 step Laojia Yi Lu form, as well as broad sword, Dadao (like a halberd), push hands and Yang 24 style. This was a truly inspirational experience and I was very fortunate to study with such a great Master. Shifu We Heng Dong also coached me in both Yang and Chen styles during this time.

In Spring 2008 I again returned to China to study with Master Fu Nengbin for 3 months. This period of intense study deepened my understanding of Chen style Tai Chi greatly, especially the internal aspects of the practice. At the end of this period of study I went with Master Fu and four other students to compete in the Third International Chen Village Tai Chi Kung-fu Elites Championships in Zhengzhou city, Henan Province, China. This was my first competition and a great experience as there were teachers and students from not only China but also various other countries. I competed in the Women's Senior Division, Chen 74 style (Laojia Yi Lu) and won a gold medal.

I prefer to work with beginners and intermediate students as I receive so much pleasure introducing them to Tai Chi and Qi Gong.