Inspiring Women Magazine May 2021

to understand the law governing change in the
universe. The Tao, or Way, is the way in which the
universe works, the natural way of things. Taoism
centers on the concept of effortless action and the
power it engenders. Water symbolizes the idea of
strength in weakness: it wears down the hardest
obstacles simply by flowing around them. Striving
is the antithesis of Taoist action: understanding
springs from spontaneous creativity, not from
mental or physical effort. Everyone practicing tai
chi is enjoined to embody natural law in their
movements. The reward is true harmony of body
and mind, the achievement of central equilibrium,
which is the essence of tai chi.
My tai chi practices
Tai chi has been my daily morning practice for
over two decades. First you do it, and then it
becomes you. It becomes a way of being, of
seeing and of thinking. Not only has it gifted me
with a vital, lithesome and agile body, tai chi also
shows me and teaches me, among other things,
acceptance, receptivity, resilience, nonattachment,
patience, confidence, calm,
forgiveness, playfulness and creativity.
I would also credit tai chi with saving my back.
About two decades ago, I had a minor fall and
thereafter felt something pinching in my lower
back. Upon seeing an orthopedist, my x-ray
showed two bones rubbing which was supposed
to eventually result in intense pain. So I was told it
was not a question of if, but of when, an operation
would have to be performed. I never did go back
to that orthopedist and eventually put the whole
thing out of my mind. It was also about this time
that I had started doing tai chi daily. Now, 20 years
later, not only do I not have any problems with my
back, but my core is stronger and more supple
than when I was 30.
Tai chi is something I love to teach (as a volunteer)
– especially to children (in places like India, Kenya,
and Jordan), in a program together with dance
and singing, (or even self-defense, theatre, or
massage, if this is what’s asked for); I believe in a
child’s right to play, to have fun, to have a
childhood. Tai chi gives them coordination, body
awareness and confidence. In some countries,
girls’ bodies are often little more than instruments
of labor and toil. I delight in supporting them to
experience their bodies as a source of joy, play
and expression.
Roxey Lau, member of Munich IWC, is Chinese by birth,
American by nationality, and planetary by inclination.
She says she lives life as if everything were rigged in
her favor, seeing life as a space where wondrous
things manifest. Today she lives in Munich which she
loves and is self-employed as a psycho-spiritual life
coach, tai chi teacher and massage therapist. She
enjoys doing volunteer work in faraway places
teaching mostly girl children the joy of movement. She
also believes that if we are not contributing
something toward making this world a happier,
healthier, safer, funnier, more peaceful and beautiful
place, then we are wasting our time.
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