Finding peace in the chaos of life

SURF COAST local Simon Taylor has a deep devotion for the art of Taichi and Qigong, a passion he’s imparting upon others.

The two ancient arts have become a staple in his life and a recent trip to China has prompted a lifestyle change, swapping out the corporate world for teaching his own classes.

Taichi and Qigong are both part of the Chinese martial arts system. Qigong is closer to Chinese medicine, attaining health, vitality and longevity while Taichi trains muscle memory slowly to bring stances and postures with structure around them.

Taylor has always lived an active lifestyle immersed in yoga, surfing and gym training with his love for the Chinese practice originating from a place of wanting to try something new.

“I’ve been doing it for eight years now and I’ve invested a lot of time into it, energy, reading books, watching videos, YouTube, going to different classes,” he said.

 

“It’s really sort of knocked me off my feet in a way, I’m really enjoying it and studying Chinese medicine at the moment at home.”

Taylor has been dedicated to learning all that he can about the art, and according to his partner, has turned into an “obsession.”

As a self-described “high-energy person”, Taylor found it challenging to relax, feeling like simply watching a movie wasn’t enough. Practicing Taichi and Qigong draws a focus on his breath and movement, forcing him to slow down.

“After, I just feel more mindful, I’ve got a much clearer head, I’m dealing with stress and anxiety and just modern life living, this is a time where I can just focus on mindfulness and myself,” he said.

 

“Cultivating a little sense of inner peace, just taking an hour out of our day to do something really calming and relaxing, helps us navigate all the rest of the stuff going on in the world.”

Training under Sifu Adam Martin at 5 Elements Martial Arts Academy, Taylor was encouraged to head over to China to learn more.

In 2024, he shut down his business and travelled to the Wudang Mountains – the birthplace of internal martial arts – for three weeks of intense training at the Wudang Daoist Traditional Kungfu Academy.

While training took place for almost 12 hours each day, Taylor said he felt a sense of peace, where everything felt wholesome and harmonious, describing the experience as emotional and like he had been “cracked open like a nut.”

“At two weeks in I felt so much more flexible, really flexible compared to what I had ever been, there’s this idea that you got back to your baby body and I felt that.

 

“I was all relaxed and I was really happy, I was clear-headed, it was pretty incredible.

“I think some of those moments have stayed with me for a long time now and I’m just chasing that.”

His return to Australia sparked the desire to teach and do something purposeful with his time.

One year after being back, he has started up his own classes in Bellbrae, Lorne and Anglesea with the hopes of getting a Barwon Heads class up and running soon.

 

“I was really interested in doing something as a career path that is rewarding for me and it gives back to people, it makes people feel better, sharing something that I think is incredible, I believe in it, I’m passionate about it,” he said.

“I feel like it’s my purpose to do this now, it’s more important to me almost than my surfing and it’s given me an opportunity to learn.”

Walking into the Taichi and Qigong classes, there’s a feeling of calmness in the space, and Taylor hoped participants left his classes feeling relaxed.

“First and foremost I’d like to think that they are walking out of here with a sense of inner peace and that they’re just nourishing themselves and it makes them feel better.

 

“Also, triggering their minds a little bit to learn a bit more about this ancient practice, it’s all there, it’s been there for thousands of years.”

The two forms provide a multitude of benefits from strengthening joints and range of flexibility through to coordination, balance and much more.

As Taylor continues to build his classes, he’s also continuing to train himself, focussing on the foundations and fundamentals of the art while he plans another trip to China.

For more, head to @Double_ Happiness_ Taichi_ Qigong on Instagram.