Reflections by Professor Yulong Yang
Professor Yulong Yang of Dalian University of Technology in China at the Harvard conference.
We were honored to receive the following reflection from Professor Yulong Yang, who attended the Harvard session:
“I had the privilege of attending Dr. Yang's keynote presentation at Harvard University on "Experiencing Traditional Tai Chi and Qigong: Core Practice Principles for Relieving Back Pain and Whole-Person Health." Although I come from a background of teaching Chinese culture and practicing martial arts, his presentation gave me a completely fresh perspective on the principles and therapeutic benefits of traditional Chinese Qigong and Tai Chi as he teaches them.
Dr. Yang's approach of progressively repeating individual Qigong and Tai Chi movement combinations based on each person's physical capacity in order to improve lower back pain struck me as truly novel and refreshing. The experiential portion of the session was especially powerful — I was able to feel the subtle mind-body experience that emerges when meditation and physical movement become one.
What impressed me most about Dr. Yang's approach is that it is not about transmitting "traditional stylistic forms," but rather a person-centered transmission grounded in the traditional principle of adapting to the individual. The result is a form of traditional Qigong and Tai Chi that improves physical and mental health and is suitable for the vast majority of people. This, I would say, represents an elevation of traditional Chinese healing and martial arts philosophy within the context of modern civilization. A single keynote session is far too short, but I could clearly feel Dr. Yang's dedication and passion for advancing human health, and I hope to have the opportunity to exchange ideas with him again in the future.”
— Yulong Yang, Associate Professor, School of Physical Education and Health, Dalian University of Technology in China; 6th Duan in Wushu
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If you would like to explore these principles in a guided setting, you are welcome to join our weekly classes or in-person training programs.
Explore our Live Online Saturday Spine Class (Fundamentals) → https://waqi.health/chronic-pain-relief
Learn more about our In-person Tai Chi & Qigong Summer Camps → https://wa-qi.com/2026-camps
© Master Yang Yang, PhD, May 13, 2026
