A young Tai Chi master from central China's Henan Province is revolutionizing the way the next generation perceives this ancient martial art. Through her innovative video content, Li Linghui is blending traditional Tai Chi with modern aesthetics, attracting thousands of young followers and revitalizing a centuries-old practice.
During the May Day holiday, amidst the scenic beauty of the Yellow River dike in Henan's Wenxian County, Li was busy filming her latest video. As the 13th-generation heir of Chen-style Tai Chi, Li has dedicated herself to modernizing the practice and making it more accessible to young people.
"Through videos, I want to show everyone the beautiful landscapes of China, as well as the outstanding cultural display of our traditional martial arts," said Li.
Li was born in the 1990s in Wenxian's Chenjiagou village, which is known as the "hometown of Tai Chi".
Growing up in a family where Tai Chi has been practiced, Li has been practicing the routines since she was a child. However, as a young girl, she couldn't quite grasp why this slow and gentle martial art didn't seem to have much bite. It wasn't until one day when her mother, Chen Chun'ai, a top Tai Chi master, challenged her to a few moves. Li, confident and prepared, was taken by surprise when her mother's expert technique effortlessly threw her off balance.
"When I was young, I always thought Tai Chi was soft and gentle. My mother, in order to make me truly understand the power of Tai Chi, used one of its moves and made me spin 360 degrees. It was the first time I felt the internal strength of Tai Chi, a power that's hidden within our own bodies," said Li.
While Li was always passionate about Tai Chi, she realized that most young people saw it as a sport for the elderly. As a university Tai Chi instructor, she was determined to change this perception. In 2021, she launched her online persona "Tai Chi Ling'er" to introduce Tai Chi in a way that is fresh and appealing to a younger audience.
Breaking down complex movements into simple, easy-to-follow steps, Li started by teaching the 13 most representative Tai Chi forms. She created simplified versions of the moves, similar to how yoga or fitness routines are taught.
However, teaching alone wasn’t enough. Li knew she needed to make Tai Chi more dynamic to challenge the stereotype of it being slow and lethargic. She began combining Tai Chi with elements of competition, aesthetics, traditional Chinese music, and natural landscapes, creating "fashionable Tai Chi" videos. These videos, blending ancient tradition with modern style, have attracted a wave of young followers.
"For example, in our tradition, there's a move called 'Lan Zha Yi' (literally 'Lazily Tying Coat'). After we creatively adapted it, it became more expansive, with broader, more fluid movements. We made the 'silk reeling' technique more open, like a flowing stream, pulling it out in a smooth, continuous motion. We also added some follow-up camera effects to capture the state of this flowing movement. When people see this action, they will find it beautiful," Li said.
In the past few years, "Tai Chi Ling'er" has posted over 600 creative videos. The integration of Tai Chi with stunning scenery and the philosophy of "harmony between man and nature" has resonated with viewers.
"The comment that left the deepest impression on me was: 'So this is how cool Tai Chi can be.' The post-00s and post-90s generations have already become a large fanbase for us. I think this is actually part of the process of our cultural awakening," said the Tai Chi master.
Aware that one person's impact can be limited, Li is now helping other Tai Chi masters bring their styles online and develop their unique brands. As Li continues to innovate, she is not only preserving Tai Chi's heritage but also ensuring it remains relevant and even becomes popular for generations to come.
Young Tai Chi master revitalizes traditional martial art with creative videos
