Li Yunyun, a 34-year-old tai chi teacher, garnered attention after appearing on China Central Television’s Spring Festival Gala on Feb. 16, Chinese New Year’s Eve. The brief performance, featuring her signature Xie Fei Shi (oblique flying posture) with a folding fan, resonated with viewers across China.
Tai Chi Teacher’s Gala Performance
Li’s appearance on the most-watched television program in China lasted only a few seconds, but she said those seconds were an opportunity to showcase the traditional culture of tai chi. “Even if I had only one shot, I wanted to show the most authentic tai chi movement,” Li told China Daily.
The movement Li performed combines elements of Yang-style and Wu-style, two major schools originating in her hometown of Handan, Hebei province. It involves a firm step forward, a push from behind, and an arm extension resembling a wild goose spreading its wings. “It’s a movement that contains openness within closure, softness within strength,” Li explained. “That’s the essence of tai chi — strength that doesn’t show itself directly, but exists underneath.”
A Lifelong Path to Martial Arts
Li’s journey began at age 7 when her father enrolled her in a martial arts school under the guise of dance lessons. Initially, she cried for the first two weeks, finding the training harsh and unfamiliar.
Inspired by martial arts films like The Shaolin Temple, Li became captivated by the spirit of martial artists. She immersed herself in flipping, fistic techniques, and training in the sandy grounds.
“Martial arts training is hard, but the sense of achievement afterward, the confidence that comes from within … that’s something nothing else can give you,” she said.
Over the years, Li trained in Xiaohongquan, Dahongquan, Qixingquan, Changquan, and weapons training. These styles emphasized speed, power, and explosive movements.
Her focus later shifted to tai chi, which offered a different approach.
Discover more from Archyworldys
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
