June 2026 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

This Saturday, we begin a new monthly focus: posture and kyphosis — the exaggerated rounding of the upper back that tends to deepen with age.

So many of us spend our days curled toward a screen — head forward, shoulders rounded. We blame age; the more likely culprit is posture, and posture is trainable at any age. The way is not to force ourselves upright but to release — to stand tall like a pine, rooted below and light above. (Read the full post for how we work with it, through stillness, awareness, and carefully selected movement.)

If you, or someone you love, lives with back pain or a changing posture, this month is for them. Our live Saturday class (June 20th) begins the posture focus this weekend. Forward this to a friend with back pain and invite them to join.

Warmly,

Master Yang Yang, PhD

We’ve just returned from two wonderful camps. Among many discussions, one theme kept surfacing and I want to share it with you. 

A regular practice is what builds resilience for a long, good life.

Not the occasional intense effort, but the small daily efforts — ten quiet minutes of stillness and movement, repeated. That steady rhythm is what carries over into better sleep, steadier balance, calmer energy, and a body that ages well. The practice works because you keep it, not because you perfect it.

“This is my busiest time of year at work, and I almost skipped camp. I’m so glad I didn’t. It’s always a reboot for my body, mind, and spirit — I leave satisfied and full, so happy I took this time for myself.” — Andrea Malik, 2026 camp

Join us next year. Pre-enrollment for our 2027 camps is now open.

350 people. One simple practice.

In our published randomized controlled trial, participants saw meaningful improvement in pain-related disability and quality of life, plus better sleep — with gains still holding a month after the program ended.

• Saturday Spine class — new posture & kyphosis focus begins this weekend, June 20, 2026; live online, open to anyone living with back pain or other chronic conditions. Learn more

• Kripalu workshop — Tai Chi & Qigong for Back Pain, November 20–22, 2026 (Stockbridge, MA), featuring our special guest, Dr. Roger Härtl. Learn more

Also from WaQi — for dedicated students of Chen Tai Chi.

Cannon Fist (Pao Chui) is the advanced second form of Chen Tai Chi — the oldest style of Tai Chi — created more than 300 years ago. Master Yang’s online Cannon Fist class recordings, Forms 1–26 across four semesters, are available for purchase now, with access through September 22, 2026. Don't miss this rare chance to study a form relatively few practitioners worldwide have the opportunity to learn.

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