A Meaningful Three-Day Tai Chi Exchange in the Philippines
菲律賓三日太極拳交流
We recently visited the Philippines（菲律賓）for a meaningful three-day Tai Chi seminar, sharing our knowledge, experience, and friendship with local Tai Chi practitioners.
Jessie Fu（符麗卿老師）taught the 13-Posture Form（十三勢套路）. She carefully explained the basic postures（基本姿勢）, footwork（步法）, body coordination（身體協調）, and the connection between movements（動作連貫）. The participants studied with great concentration and enthusiasm.
I taught the Designated Push-Hands Routine（指定推手套路）. The training emphasized relaxation（放鬆）, balance（平衡）, sensitivity（聽勁）, proper body structure（正確身體結構）, and cooperation between partners. Push hands is not simply about defeating another person. It teaches us to understand incoming force（來力）, maintain our center（守中）, and respond naturally by following the movement（順勢而應）.
On the final day, Jeff shared the Five Animals Frolics（五禽戲）. Through movements inspired by the tiger（虎）, deer（鹿）, bear（熊）, monkey（猿）, and bird（鳥）, the participants experienced a traditional Chinese health exercise（中國傳統養生功法）that combines movement, breathing, flexibility, and inner vitality.
As we all communicated in English, we were able to exchange ideas freely, explain the movements clearly, and enjoy many friendly conversations. Tai Chi gave us an even deeper connection through movement, touch, and shared practice.
We were deeply touched by the warm hospitalityof our Filipino friends. Their sincerity, openness, and eagerness to learn made the seminar enjoyable and memorable.
These three days passed quickly, but the friendship we established will remain. We sincerely thank the organizers, instructors, assistants, and every participant who made this wonderful exchange possible.
We hope to meet again and continue learning from one another. May Tai Chi continue to bring people together across countries and cultures.
Tai Chi connects our hands, but friendship connects our hearts.
