Gratitude on Teachers' Day 2026

On this day as we honor Shifu Y.C. Chiang, (Shimu) Grandmaster Hui Liu, and ALL of the teachers in our lives, it’s worth remembering that the arc of Wen Wu School (WWS) teachings spans much farther than just the 50 years of its current history. WWS carries forth traditions and wisdom from Shifu and Shimu’s teachers. . . and their teachers’ teachers’ teachers—LINEAGES dating back thousands of years.

Thirty-five years ago, my introduction to WWS was through Grandmaster Hui Liu (Shimu), teaching Dayan Qigong. I am deeply grateful for the all encompassing journey she took me on, a journey that informs my teaching goals to this day.. Shimu’s classes were filled with: kindness, love and compassion, envokeing: •Encouragement, empathy, and respect; •Wisdom, adventure, and resolve; •Purpose, clarity, and curiosity; •Discovery, exploration, and lots of Shimu-expectations: discipline, dedication, connection, and especially COMMUNITY.

In every class or encounter, whatever we came for as individual students was dwarfed by what we received . . . because the undercurrent of Shimu and Shifu’s main gift to us was always to share the riches of the Chinese culture and the Dao.

Translateed, the Dao means The Way (Path, or Method). The Dao invites each of us to align ourselves, our thoughts, actions and ethics to be in harmony with nature . . . and one another. The Dao requires each of us to traverse our own path with dedication, discipline, and diligence . . . coupled with lots of PRACTICE, Practice, PRACTICE!

 So what motivates my practice?

·  For me, my practice is like returning home.

·  I appreciate the resonance of balance, the wholeness I feel when I practice.

·  I practice for focus and grounding.

·  I practice to celebrate the magnificence of 37.2 trillion cells moving in harmony.

·  I practice for wellness and healing  . . . and out of respect for my teacher, Grandmaster Hui Liu.

So, Happy Teachers’ Day everyone!

May each of us continue being inspired by our teachers to bring our best selves forward ALWAYS.

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