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 have studied tai chi (both Yang and Chen forms) for the past 9 years. Most of this time I studied with Master Fu Nengbin in Yangshuo, China. Master Fu is one of the top Chen Style masters in China today and a disciple of Master Chen Zhenglei. He is a truly inspirational teacher and I am very fortunate to study with such a great Master. My studies have included Chen 18, Chen 74, Straight Sword, Broadsword and Dadao as well as Yang 24 and Yang 81.

In 2008 I competed in the Third International Chen Village Tai Chi Kung-fu Elites Championships in Zhengzhou, China. This was my first competition and a great experience as there were teachers and students not only from China but also various other countries. I competed in the Women's Senior Division, Chen 74 style and won a gold medal.

I began teaching in Chiang Mai in 2006 and opened Tai Chi Chiang Mai. I prefer to work with beginners and intermediate students as I receive so much pleasure introducing them to Tai Chi.