Duke University & Taichi

Steven Kaufmann and Duke students doing Single Whip

Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, has been recognized as one of the finest universities in the world for its academic excellence. It has been continuously ranked among top 10 universities by U. S. News & World Report, which collects data from over 1,400 colleges in this country. Perhaps even more renowned than it’s academics, its men’s basketball team, along with its legendary Coach K (aka Mike Krzyzewski), is known to millions.

Though Duke Athletics may be best known for basketball, they sport a plethora of teams including, but not limited to the following: Cross Country, Fencing, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Rowing, Soccer, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball, and Wrestling. In its Mission Statement for Athletics, Duke University is committed to excellence in athletics as part of a larger commitment to excellence and education. Duke also provides a wide range of physical education courses to its entire student body. Aikido and Taichi (Tai Chi, Taiji) are among the 40 plus PE courses that students can select for credit.
 

Relaxing and centering the bodies

College life has more to offer than ever before. Traditional activities such as Greek life, social and/or academic clubs, dating and partying remain as popular as ever. Additionally, social networking avenues, e.g. Facebook and Twitter, and the prevalence of devices, e.g. smart phones and Skype, to utilize such technologies have resulted in a powerful way to connect to not only students at the same school but also with schools around the world. Many young people even feel compelled to be connected 24x7. However, the phenomenon of the world shrinking also presents challenges, with the rise of competition from other countries and the increasing demand for a quality education, students around the world must begin to consider their life direction much earlier than the past. With these opportunities and challenges, it’s easy to see how such life can get stressful.

Cloud hands

Taichi has huge health, fitness and wellness benefits for people of all ages. It also helps practitioners relieve stress. Colleges have increasingly recognized this and included Taichi in their PE courses, e.g. Hampshire College of Massachusetts and Clark College of Washington State while other universities have Taichi as part of the extra-curricular activities, e.g. Washington University in St. Louis.

Five years ago, Steven Kaufmann, a 6th degree black belt in Aikido and experienced Taichi instructor of many Taichi forms, wrote a proposal to the Duke Athletic Department. With a visionary’s perspective and open attitude, Duke included Taichi in its PE curriculum. Steven has been managing and teaching the class since. The class meets twice a week, for 75 minutes sessions. Mr. Kaufmann teaches the Chen Style 18 Form (or Standard 16 Move Form which was created by Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei and is taught in universities across China in the PE departments).

It has been a rewarding experience for Steven. He states that Taichi helps the students to be more aware of their own body and increase their calmness. He normally begins the class with a breathing exercise and a Silk Reeling routine before he teaches the form. At the beginning of the semester, the students have little understanding of what it means to be mindful and how to listen to one’s own body. Fortunately, as the school year progresses, their Taichi practice and knowledge progress as well. Students figure out how to keep calm and focused when campus life becomes more stressful. This course has gained popularity and many have requested for an intermediate course.