Virtual Tai Chi Classes Part of International Education Week

On Nov. 16 and Nov. 19, the Office of Study Abroad partnered with the Confucius Institute at Webster University to host free, virtual Tai Chi classes for the Webster community. Classes were led by Tai Chi Master Violet Li and were offered as part of Webster University’s participation in International Education Week.

Master Li started each of the two classes with a light warm-up, allowing participants to prepare physically and mentally for the lesson ahead. In the background, calming music played. On day one, Master Li led participants through a form called “Eight Sections of the Brocade,” while on day two participants learned “Tai Chi Qi Gong 18 Form.”

Master Violet Li is a 12th generation Chen Style Tai Chi Inheritor and award-winning Tai Chi and Qigong journalist with a global readership in over 40 countries. She has taught thousands of people both locally and nationwide and trained over several dozen instructors. She also used to be an adjunct professor of Mass Communications at Webster University, and retains a deep fondness for this university.

International Education Week is a nationwide celebration of the benefits of international education and exchange. It is a joint initiative by the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Education, and in addition to being celebrated by universities across the country, it is also celebrated in over 100 other countries. In learning the basic movements, breathing practices, and philosophy of the ancient arts of Tai Chi and Qi Gong, participants in Webster University’s Tai Chi sessions joined with the many thousands of people celebrating this week in broadening their intercultural awareness, capturing the spirit of International Education Week.

View Master Violet Li’s lesson from Nov. 19 above.