Peking University, November 12, 2021: “Teaching isn’t just in the outer design, it needs to be based on a real understanding of the students’ needs,” Peking University Tai Chi teacher Chai Yunlong says. Chai joined Peking University Department of Physical Education in 2020 and won multiple awards in the 20th Young Teachers’ Fundamental Teaching Skills Competition  held that year, including first prize in Humanities and Social Sciences, as well as the "most popular with students award". With a limited number of teachers available, newly hired teacher Chai Yunlong was asked to teach 8 classes of Tai Chi, instead of the original 6 during the spring semester of 2020. At the same time, he was also appointed mentor for a class of new students, further increasing his load. Due to these special measures taken during special times, Chai faced high levels of pressure that a new teacher usually wouldn’t have.

Chai Yunlong was born in Jiaozuo, Henan Province, the birthplace of Tai Chi. During his college, he treated his professional training with stricter standards and higher requirements, winning the Tai Chi championship in the 12th World Wushu Championships.

The seven years in Beijing Sport University have enabled Chai Yunlong to have a deeper understanding of Sports beyond professional training. Deciding to begin a career in education, he became a teacher at China Women's University for five years, creating his own unique teaching model in the process. In 2019, he decided to transfer to Peking University, not only because of its reputation as a prestigious institution of higher learning but also because it has conducted Tai Chi courses for over three decades.
 

In the physical education curriculum, Tai Chi is a compulsory class for students, which means that not all students taking the course do so willingly. Under these circumstances, stimulating students’ interests becomes essential.

Chai took many measures to ensure the enthusiasm of the students. First, he adjusted the course curriculum according to the students’ needs, separating it into three modules: health care, fitness, and self-defense. This adjustment was made on the basis of a true understanding of students’ needs. At Peking University, many students spend long hours sitting at a desk, which has caused tension and pain in their shoulder and neck areas. Noticing this, Chai integrated the content of Tai Chi into the classroom and designed a customized warm-up exercise for the students.
 

Chai teaching the warm-up exercise

When teaching Tai Chi, Chai emphasized the importance of integrating Yi, Chi, and Xing. Xing is form, the lowest standard, which is copying the movements. Chi, one level higher, is using the Tai Chi breathing methods along with the movements. Yi is meaning, it requires that you think about the spirit of Tai Chi, as your thoughts will flow into your breath and movements.

In later practice, Chai found that setting different goals for each student was essential to the teaching process. For those who lack interest and motivation, it is important to let them see where Tai Chi is closely related to their lives. When facing students who try hard but struggle with physical coordination, you need to link every class together, and give them the chance to review and consolidate the movements taught in previous classes. For the students who learn very quickly, it is necessary to point out the goal of “Yi, Chi, and Xing” to allow them to continuously improve.

If these methods still can’t spark enthusiasm in the students, Chai will bring out his special weapon: Chin Na (also known as Qin Na). It is a special technique in Chinese martial arts that aims to lock an opponent without harming them. It is interesting and also a useful self-defense technique that is always popular with the students.