Frequently Asked Questions
On practice, philosophy, and the purpose of this site
About This Site
What is the core philosophy behind Taoist Mindset?
At its core, this site explores the intersection of ancient Taoist principles, martial arts discipline, and modern life. It is dedicated to translating the biomechanical and mental frameworks of practices like Chen-style Tai Chi into practical wisdom for everyday balance, resilience, and clear decision-making. It is not a martial arts academy, a wellness brand, or a self-help platform — it is a space for serious reflection on stillness, composure, and the quiet intelligence that emerges when we stop forcing things.
Why did you create this platform?
After a lifetime of martial arts practice and a recent journey recovering from a serious illness, I gained immense clarity on the healing and focusing power of these living disciplines. I created this space to share that lifelong experience and offer a practical resource for others seeking a centred, effective mindset — whether navigating high-stakes professional environments or simply trying to move through daily life with less friction.
Who is this site for?
Anyone who senses that the relentless pace of modern life is costing them something essential — clarity, composure, the ability to act without friction. The essays and practices here are written for people who are willing to sit with difficulty rather than rush past it. While the insights are deeply rooted in traditional Chinese martial arts, the essays are written for anyone. No prior background is required.
Is Taoism a religion? Do I need to hold any particular beliefs?
Classical Taoism is a philosophical tradition, not a religion in the Western sense. There are no required beliefs, no deity to worship, and no doctrine to accept. The Tao Te Ching is a work of practical wisdom — it asks you to observe, not to believe. You can engage with everything on this site as pure philosophy and physical practice.
Are the concepts here applicable to business and leadership?
Absolutely. Transitioning a legacy business, scaling technology, or leading a cross-functional team requires the same alignment, vision, and adaptability as mastering a martial art. Many of the essays directly address how to apply Taoist principles to strategic commercial environments. The same internal mechanics that allow a practitioner to redirect physical force apply equally to navigating organisational pressure.
How often are new essays published?
New reflections and essays are shared regularly. Check the Essays page for the latest updates, or connect on LinkedIn where core concepts and open discussions are posted frequently.
About the Practice
Do I need a martial arts background to benefit from the practices here?
Not at all. The foundational practices — embryonic breathing, dantian breathing, and standing post — require no prior training whatsoever. They are accessible to anyone willing to stand still and pay attention. The more advanced forms (Silk Reeling, the 19-form, the broadsword) are offered as context and horizon, not as prerequisites.
Where should I start?
Begin with embryonic breathing. Sit or stand quietly, place one hand on your lower abdomen, and spend five minutes returning your breath to your belly. That single shift — moving the breath out of the anxious upper chest and down into your rooted centre — is the foundation of everything else on this site.
How long should I practise each day?
Start with ten minutes of standing post and five minutes of embryonic breathing. Consistency matters far more than duration. A daily ten-minute practice maintained for a year will transform your nervous system in ways that a sporadic two-hour session never will. The Tao does not rush.
Do I need a teacher?
For the foundational breathing and standing practices, a good video reference and patient self-observation will take you far. For the forms — particularly Chen-style Taijiquan — a qualified teacher is invaluable. The subtleties of structure, root, and internal connection are very difficult to self-correct from video alone. If you are serious about the forms, find a teacher.
Do I have to practise low stances?
While low stances are a hallmark of Chen Tai Chi for developing deep leg strength, they are not strictly required — especially for beginners or those recovering from physical challenges. The height of your stance should be dictated by your current mobility, ensuring that structural alignment and knee safety are never compromised. Over time, as your tendons strengthen and flexibility improves, your stances will safely deepen without forcing the joints.
About Chen-Style Tai Chi
What is the origin of Tai Chi?
Tai Chi Chuan originated in China as a highly sophisticated martial art combining combat techniques with traditional Chinese medicine and philosophy. It evolved during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, shifting the focus from purely muscular force to structural alignment and internal power. Today it is practised globally for both rigorous self-defence and profound physical rehabilitation.
Who founded Chen-style Tai Chi?
Chen Wangting, a 17th-century Ming dynasty military officer, is historically recognised as the founding architect of Chen-style Tai Chi. He codified his family's martial arts by integrating military battlefield techniques with Taoist breathing exercises and meridian theory. This synthesis created the foundational system from which all other major styles of Tai Chi eventually evolved.
What is the difference between Chen and Yang-style Tai Chi?
Chen style is the original form, characterised by alternating slow and explosive movements (fajin), low stances, and visible coiling actions called silk-reeling. Yang style, which evolved directly from Chen, modified these movements to be slow, even, and expansive — actively removing the explosive releases to make the practice more accessible. While Yang is widely practised for gentle health, Chen retains its dynamic and rigorous martial roots.
What is Silk Reeling (Chan Si Jin)?
Silk-reeling energy is the continuous, spiralling movement characteristic of Chen-style Tai Chi, originating from the core and flowing out to the extremities. This biomechanical coiling action trains the fascia and tendons to act like loaded springs, maximising power generation while protecting the joints. It is the fundamental mechanism that allows practitioners to effortlessly redirect incoming force and deliver explosive strikes.
What is Qi (Chi)?
From a practical, biomechanical perspective, Qi can be understood as the highly coordinated neural efficiency and vital energy that flows through the body when it is perfectly aligned and relaxed. It is the tangible sensation of breath, blood flow, and fascial connectivity working in unison to generate effortless power. Rather than viewing it as a mystical force, practising Tai Chi cultivates this energy by actively removing physical tension and optimising internal mechanics.
What is the difference between internal and external kung fu?
External martial arts generate power through speed, muscular tension, and rigid structural momentum. Internal martial arts, like Tai Chi, prioritise relaxation, tendon elasticity, and biomechanical alignment, generating power from the ground up through the body's centre. Rather than fighting force with force, internal systems focus on yielding, neutralising, and redirecting incoming energy.
What role do weapons play in traditional Tai Chi?
Traditional Tai Chi incorporates various weapons — the straight sword, broadsword, and spear — as advanced tools to extend the practitioner's internal energy beyond their own body. Training with weapons amplifies the requirements for perfect balance, core engagement, and precise weight transfer. They serve as physical amplifiers that expose flaws in a practitioner's empty-hand structure, making their overall technique significantly stronger.
How do I recognise an authentic Tai Chi school?
An authentic school focuses heavily on structural fundamentals, weight distribution, and functional biomechanics rather than just performing slow, empty choreography. The instructor should be able to clearly explain the martial application of every movement and how it relates to joint alignment and internal power. A legitimate lineage tracing back to a recognised master is usually a strong indicator of authentic, high-quality instruction.
About Georgian Bay
What is Georgian Bay?
Often referred to as the "Sixth Great Lake," Georgian Bay is a massive body of water forming the northeastern arm of Lake Huron in Ontario, Canada. Its geography is a study in profound contrasts — featuring the world's longest freshwater beach at its southern end and the rugged, ancient granite islands of the Canadian Shield along its eastern coast.
Why do you use Georgian Bay to interpret the Tao Te Ching?
The Tao Te Ching is fundamentally about observing and aligning with the mechanics of the natural world. Instead of using abstract academic language, I use the physical reality of the Bay — the shifting waters, the eroding stone, the storms, and the silence — as a tangible, visual canvas. The Bay is a perfect, living reflection of the ancient philosophies I write about, making those 2,000-year-old lessons immediately real and accessible.
What is the significance of Wasaga Beach in your interpretations?
As the longest freshwater beach in the world, the sandy southern shore perfectly demonstrates the ultimate power of yielding. Over millennia, the relentless action of the water has ground down solid stone into the fine sand we walk on today. It is a massive, physical illustration of Lao Tzu's teaching that the soft and fluid will always eventually overcome the hard and rigid.
What do the Thirty Thousand Islands represent in this philosophy?
The eastern shore of the Bay is guarded by an archipelago of ancient granite from the Canadian Shield. In contrast to the shifting sands, these islands represent deep, unshakeable stillness. While the waters constantly churn, rise, and fall around them, the rock remains rooted — a perfect metaphor for maintaining a calm, unmoving internal centre amidst the daily chaos of modern life.
How does the unpredictable weather of the Bay teach resilience?
Georgian Bay is notorious for sudden, violent squalls that can whip up the water without warning. Navigating this environment teaches you very quickly that you cannot control external forces — you can only control your own structural response. When the water gets rough, you learn to lower your centre of gravity, stay calm, and ride out the turbulence rather than exhausting yourself by fighting the storm.
About Coaching
Do you offer personal coaching or instruction?
I am open to conversations with people who are genuinely drawn to this path. I do not run a formal coaching programme or accept open enrolments. If something on this site resonates and you would like to explore further, use the contact page to begin a conversation. I read every message.
Where are you based?
I am based in Toronto, Ontario, with regular time on the shores of Georgian Bay. Most of the writing and practice documented here happens in those two places.
Still have a question? I read every message.
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