welcome to alexdongtaiji.com

2008, the year of the Beijing Olympics, the year of the Rat in the Chinese calendar, a Presidential election year for the United States. The world is changing.

As caretakers of the Universe, we should all do our part in preserving this planet and beyond. Sometimes it seems that as individuals we cannot make a difference, but it is better that we try and at least don't create negative effects.

Keep practicing your Taiji, be healthy, happy and spend valuable times with family and friends. I spend a lot of time with my students, many are my friends and family, they are the best people to be around. They are from all corners of this world, (although I suspect some might be from another planet!) and are of different sex, age and occupations. I treasure everyone's friendship whether our encounter is brief or long term. I especially like meeting people through the practice of Taiji. Taiji brings the best out of everybody.

A special thanks to all the students who contributed so much work and effort and their time for the Tung Ying Jie Taiji Legacy and Alex Dong International Taijiquan Association. I appreciate all the volunteers who helped organized workshops, bringing our Taiji to their part of the world, those who helped with my books and DVDs, the West Water committee and all the dedicated teachers who are diligently spreading Taiji in their cities, towns or neighborhoods. You are the inspiration for the new generation of students.

There are many choices in life. There are many styles of Taiji and many, many more teachers you can choose from. The Dong (Tung) family is built on solid ground. I don't like to talk much about my family or myself, no fancy tricks to impress, no exaggeration on the resume. I teach my students the proper conduct in class and to their classmates, but I rarely tell them how to show their respect to me; I'm even tolerant of their mistakes and accidental rudeness if I see that they are sincere and willing to learn. The most important thing to me is that the students are genuinely good people who truly want to learn Taiji.

This year I will be formally certifying instructors for our school. I am optimistic that this certification will work out well.

May 2008 be the best one yet for you, for me and for Taiji.

Workshops to attend: West Water is the most intensive and longest. Come to Utah if you like camping in the beautiful high desert, Push Hands and get away from civilization for a few days. For those who live in the northeast or wants to come here, we 2 mini camps in the beautiful autumn colors around mid Oct. or early Nov. and Quebec Canada in mid September. London, where I have the most students of 10 or more years, or Greece the most popular workshop, but need to book early. This year will be in a new location in North Greece, limited to 45 students only; must know the entire slow form, attend all days. And looking forward to the spring of 2009, China here we come. I am planing on 2 or 3 exotic sights that include Tibet.

Alex Dong