Why Tai Chi Deepens Through Shared Practice: Healing, Lineage, and Community Flow 

How My Tai Chi Journey Began: From Grief to Grounding

My journey with Tai Chi did not begin in a studio or training hall. It began in a season of grief and emotional transition. During that time, movement became a way to breathe again, to feel again, and to slowly reconnect with myself.

I explored Shibashi Qigong, Sun-style Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention, Yang-style principles, and gentle yoga. Over time, these practices naturally blended together into something personal and intuitive. I wasn’t trying to create a system—I was simply trying to heal and stay grounded.

What I didn’t realize then was that this personal healing practice would later become something I would share with others.

The Turning Point: Practicing with Sifu Ton Delgado

Meeting and practicing with Sifu Ton Delgado marked an important moment in my development. He is both a martial artist and a Tai Chi practitioner rooted in the same lineage I had been studying through Dr. Paul Lam’s approach.

What stood out immediately was not only his technical knowledge, but the way he embodied both structure and flow. His community in Cavite has grown from just a few students into a small but growing Tai Chi and Qigong club. Seeing that growth firsthand was inspiring—it showed me what is possible when consistent practice is shared with others.

During our session, we practiced Sun-style Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention together. There was a sense of ease and familiarity, as if the movements themselves created a shared language between us.

First Encounter with Tai Chi Sword: A New Dimension of Awareness

One of the most fascinating parts of our session was my first experience with the Tai Chi sword.

At first, I approached it with curiosity and a bit of hesitation. The sword introduces a different quality of presence—it requires precision, intention, and awareness of space in a more extended way than empty-hand forms.

What surprised me most was not the complexity, but the focus it demanded. Every movement felt like a conversation between stillness and direction. I was captivated by how it expanded my awareness of coordination, breath, and internal control.

This experience opened a new door in my practice—one that I am now genuinely interested in exploring further.

Shibashi Qigong Part 2: Discovering Continuity in Flow

I regularly practice Shibashi Qigong Part 1, which has become an important part of my personal routine. During our session, Sifu Ton introduced me to Part 2.

What I immediately noticed was the continuity between the two sets. While Part 1 feels foundational and grounding, Part 2 introduces a deeper sense of flow, coordination, and internal expansion.

Practicing it alongside someone with more experience helped me understand the subtle differences more clearly. It was not just about learning new movements—it was about feeling how energy transitions from one form to another.

Why Practicing Together Changes Everything

One of the most important realizations from this experience was how much Tai Chi transforms when practiced with others.

Solo practice is essential. It builds discipline, awareness, and internal connection. But group practice adds something different—it introduces shared timing, collective energy, and a sense of presence that cannot be replicated alone.

When we practiced together, I felt:

• a deeper sense of focus

• natural synchronization without force

• a calm, steady rhythm between movement and breath

This shared experience confirmed something I had been feeling for a long time: Tai Chi is not only a personal healing practice. It is also a communal one.

How Different Styles Come Together Naturally

Before this experience, I often thought of Tai Chi styles and Qigong forms as separate systems. But working with Sifu Ton helped me see something different.

Sun-style, Yang-style, Shibashi Qigong, and even gentle yoga principles do not have to compete or stay separate. In practice, they can complement each other when approached with respect and awareness.

Instead of rigid separation, I began to see a more fluid understanding of movement:

• some practices build structure

• some cultivate flow

• some emphasize breath and relaxation

• others develop focus and coordination

Together, they create a more complete experience of embodied awareness.

Why This Experience Matters for My Teaching Path

This experience reinforced something important for me: I am not only learning Tai Chi as a personal practice anymore. I am also beginning to understand it as something that lives through community.

Seeing how Sifu Ton has grown his group from a few students into a community of practitioners showed me what is possible when consistency, care, and shared practice come together.

It also reminded me that teaching is not about perfection—it is about presence. People return not because everything is flawless, but because they feel something meaningful in the experience.

How Tai Chi Becomes a Lifelong Journey

Tai Chi is often described as a lifelong practice, but I now understand that in a deeper way. It is lifelong not only because the movements evolve, but because we evolve through the people we practice with.

Each session adds something new:

• a different perspective

• a new correction or insight

• a shared rhythm that deepens awareness

In this way, Tai Chi becomes less of a destination and more of an ongoing relationship.

Conclusion: The Practice That Keeps Expanding

My recent experience practicing with Sifu Ton Delgado confirmed something I have felt growing over time: Tai Chi is most alive when it is shared.

From Shibashi Qigong to Sun-style Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention, from gentle yoga influences to my first experience with Tai Chi sword, each layer adds depth to the practice—but it is the shared experience that brings it to life.

As my Tai Chi journey continues to grow, I am more aware than ever that I am not just practicing movements. I am participating in a living tradition—one that is shaped by people, connection, and continuous learning.

And perhaps that is the true essence of Tai Chi: not just moving alone in stillness, but discovering stillness together in motion.

If this story resonated with you, I'd love to have you join us in Palmerston, Mount Forest, and Arthur, Ontario this June. Check my upcoming schedule here: Programs and Classes

Continue Your Movement Journey

You might find these resources helpful for your daily practice:

• The Flow of Return: From Cavite to the Town of Minto

• Moving Together, Aging with Joy

•  Small Town Wellness: Movement, Connection, and Community in Minto

• Emotional Healing & Life Transitions

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