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Introducing the Taiji Zen International Team
(From left to right: Rasmus, Andy, Minnie, Jimmy, Eric)
In case you’re wondering where these blog posts are coming from, it’s these five beautiful people above.
Taiji Zen is a small company with big dreams. On the China side, we’ve got Taijiquan’s top dogs working hand-in-hand with Jet Li on developing the Taiji Zen curriculum and lifestyle. Internationally, there’s us, transforming Taiji Zen into something the whole world can enjoy.
Since we’ll be the ones writing posts most regularly, we wanted to introduce ourselves.
Minnie
I’m a 0.5 generation Chinese-American and have spent most of my life in northeastern China and northeastern US. Being a business major, I did my standard stint in the world of financial services, and now am focusing my efforts on creating a world of health and happiness alongside kindred spirits at Taiji Zen. If you ever can’t find me, try searching nearby swimming pools, mountain ranges, and piano stores. If you wish to make me smile, feed me ribs, dumplings, eggplant, or all of the above.
Minnie is in charge of Taiji Zen’s PR, and also very focused on optimizing the user experience.Jimmy
Although I am a young European guy, I am often compared to being an old traditional Chinese man from the 80′s. Hobbies include practicing Taijiquan and Qigong, reading Chinese philosophy, studying Chinese language and mountain climbing. The comparison is still a mystery to me…
Jimmy is heavily involved in the development of the Online Academy and is in charge of general customer service as well.Rasmus
I’m from Denmark and currently live in Beijing. I’ve been a Taijiquan practitioner since 1998. I especially enjoy doing Push Hands and got 2nd place at the European Championships back in 2000 and 2002. I have since developed a passion for digital marketing and have been lucky in getting my dream job at Taiji Zen combining two of the greatest passions in my life; Taijiquan and Digital marketing.
Rasmus is our head of digital marketing and works on developing the community of Taiji Zen practitioners globally
Eric 
I’m a positive psychology nerd and I help develop the Daily Zen content for the Online Academy. I’m also an aspiring actor in China, and spend my free time getting beat up by the good guys in movies and TV shows.
Eric helps develop the Daily Zen content for the Online Academy, and also manages this blog.Andy
As a student of the art since my teenage years, I’m immensely fascinated by the effectiveness of Taijiquan’s method of movement, as well as the elegance of Taiji philosophy.
A recovering finance professional, I’m known to have obsessively high standards and be excessively detail oriented. I hope that through Taiji Zen, I can find more balance in my own workaholic life, as well as share this beautiful approach to health and happiness with friends around the world.
Andy is the fearless leader of our international team, and has been helping Jet Li develop Taiji Zen from day one.
The Second Duan is Live!
We’re very excited to announce the release of the Online Academy’s second duan; it’s time to take your Taiji Zen to the next level!
The first duan was all about the soft four cardinal energies. But this is Tai Chi – we need balance. So in the second duan, we’re focusing on the explosive four ordinal energies – plucking, splitting, elbow striking, and shoulder striking. This is not the Tai Chi your gramma and grampa practice – these are practical fighting methods and kinetic concepts which can be applied to many physical activities.
Interestingly, these four movements are also an evolution of the movements from the first duan. Expanding (Péng 掤 ) becomes elbow striking (Zhǒu 肘), deflecting (Lǚ 捋) becomes plucking (Cǎi 採), pressing (Jǐ 挤) becomes shoulder striking (Kào 靠), and pushing (Àn 按) becomes splitting (Liè 挒).
For your Daily Zen, the second duan will teach you how to use auditory and tactile input as an object of meditation. Not only will this help you relax your mind, but sharpening these senses can also significantly improve your martial prowess (the stuff you see in the movies about practicing blind folded is no joke!).
If you haven’t already, sign up now for the Online Academy to learn how you can transform soft into hard, learn to relax as well as explode!