On Wednesday at 9 a.m., CHIN 101 held a special outdoor session by Wilson Hall, led by guest instructor Dr. Vasaitis—Taiji master and Dean of the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions. Dr. Vasaitis introduced foundational Taiji principles such as centered posture, and fluid movement, while seamlessly linking each element to the language and cultural themes covered in Chinese 101.
Dr. Vasaitis demonstrated some core movements with cultural context, guided students through hands-on practice with personalized feedback, and fostered an engaging, meditative atmosphere. When nearby mowing noise and curious onlookers threatened to distract, Dr. Vasaitis gracefully turned the moment into a powerful lesson on the essence of Taiji—staying centered, focused, and undisturbed by external disruptions. This real-time application of Taiji philosophy reinforced the importance of inner calm and not allowing trivial matters to shake one’s balance.
Student feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing a desire for continued practice. In response, the CHIN courses are exploring ways to incorporate regular Taiji sessions into the courses for the near future, further enriching students’ language acquisition, cultural appreciation, and holistic well-being.
