Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Thompson.
Susan, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am an Occupational Therapist, and like many professionals, I needed continuing education credits to renew my license. I did not want to sit at a desk for two days in boredom, and a course about Tai Chi for therapists came to the Dallas area. I enrolled, not because I was particularly drawn to the topic, but because I thought at least I’d be moving instead of sitting through two days of lectures. At the time, I thought the topic would be too “woo-woo” for me…LOL. Well, it changed my life. That will teach me to make assumptions!
For about two years after that, I did nothing with Tai Chi. Then another workshop came to Bedford, and I decided to go. By chance, it was being taught by a well-known Tai Chi teacher. It was highly unusual that he was the one teaching the course. He saw potential in me and believed I had an unusually natural aptitude for Tai Chi. He went on to offer me two scholarships for further study, one in the U.S. and another in Australia.
In my initial stages of exploring Tai Chi, I did not make a huge commitment. I decided that I would only dedicate two to three minutes a day to Tai Chi practice. I wanted it to always be enjoyable and not something I “had” to do. We have enough “have to’s” in life! So I promised myself that I would do two to three minutes of Tai Chi a day. Despite that minimal commitment, the results were extraordinary.
Two obvious personal results proved how powerful this Tai Chi stuff was. I have had exercise-induced asthma. When I engaged in heavy sports such as mountain biking (yes, we have that in Dallas), I needed an inhaler before riding. About two months after engaging in my daily two-minute practice of Tai Chi, I no longer needed my inhaler. I was stunned! I have never needed one since. The second and perhaps even more surprising outcome is that I have complete and full mobility without pain despite having seven—yes, seven—herniated discs. I attribute this completely to Tai Chi.
Recognizing how profoundly Tai Chi had changed my life, I felt compelled to share it with others. I began teaching for free at my local YMCA. Word spread quickly, and before long, I was being invited to teach at other facilities. My classes grew steadily, and before the pandemic, I was teaching over 100 students a week. I eventually gave up my Occupational Therapy job and began teaching Tai Chi full-time.
When COVID hit, my business shifted to daily livestreaming classes and a strong online presence. The advantage, of course, is that I now reach people all over the world, which has been a huge blessing. My YouTube channel continues to grow and flourish, and I have recently written a book about the inner, hidden parts of Tai Chi that are rarely revealed or made accessible. People who seek easily obtainable yet deeply meaningful ways of living and changing their inner selves are finding me. I’ve also developed a range of online courses, from accessible beginner programs to advanced lessons for long-time practitioners.
I never could have predicted this career trajectory for myself. But I’m deeply grateful. Meeting people all over the world, helping others become empowered over their own health and wellbeing, and teaching the powerful benefits of Tai Chi is incredibly rewarding.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would like to say it has been smooth, but I think anything that is worthwhile inherently has roadblocks. Perhaps that is the test. If we have the tenacity to continue on, then we are on the right path because we are passionate enough to overcome those obstacles.
The biggest struggle was to find the right mentor in Tai Chi. Tai Chi is an ancient martial art. As such, it is a primarily male-dominated art full of traditions and tightly held secrets. It is also a wide topic, almost as big as life itself. There are infinite levels of knowledge and just as many misunderstandings of what Tai Chi truly is. Tai Chi has a long, convoluted history, cloaked in highly coveted secrets, with incorrect information often disseminated intentionally. The biggest impediment is that most people, teachers and students alike, misunderstand what Tai Chi is.
Busting through all those misunderstandings has been frustrating at times. However, I was incredibly fortunate to have found a Chinese Tai Chi Master who became my mentor and teacher. He was completely versed in the true, hidden aspects of Tai Chi and was willing and able to teach me fully. When he passed away, the torch was handed to me. This began a journey of my own rich discoveries, built on his generous and open teaching.
When new students come to learn Tai Chi, it is my mission to gently steer them toward understanding the true, hidden, and marvelous inner powers of Tai Chi.
As you know, we’re big fans of Flowing Mobility Tai Chi. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Most people learn and perceive Tai Chi as merely a series of outer movements practiced as a gentle form of exercise. My work, however, teaches Internal Tai Chi and focuses on the more powerful inner aspects that are often overlooked or completely omitted. I am unique in that I guide students to learn and live Tai Chi from the inside out. This approach offers valuable skills to navigate life with grace, calm, and effortless power.
What I’m most proud of is not only understanding these internal aspects but being able to teach them clearly to others. I’m told almost daily that I make difficult concepts suddenly make sense, even to people who have practiced for years without ever fully “getting it.” Teaching in a way that helps people, no matter their background or experience level, is what brings me the most joy.
I’ve built my teaching around accessibility and depth. My livestream classes, online courses, and YouTube channel reach students all over the world who want more than surface-level Tai Chi. My book, Beyond Form: Learning Tai Chi from the Inside Out, helps bridge that same gap, giving people a way to experience the deeper, life-changing side of Tai Chi in a language anyone can understand.
In the end, I see my role as a teacher, guide, and translator, making the profoundness of Tai Chi available to everyone who seeks it.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
People say that I embody Tai Chi with my calm voice and spirit. They find my presence soothing. They know and sense that I truly care. Also I am transparent about myself and my own skills. This authenticity helps to create a safe and fun learning environment. I love what I do, and I am invested in anyone who comes to me to learn. I am patient, thorough and I care about one’s success. Those qualities are probably what has made me successful. So if I were to choose one? Authenticity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.taichisusan.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowingmobility
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flowingmobilitytaichi
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@internaltaichi
- Other: susan@taichisusan.com
Image Credits
Photos by Will Harris
