| I am very interested in Martial Arts, as I've been | | | | click on the Tai Chi Academy actual Home Page and |
| training in Tai Chi on and off for ten years as well as | | | | click on the subheading 'Courses'. There you can read |
| an Internal Martial Art called Wu Dao Gong for a year | | | | several more in-depth explanations about all the |
| and a half. I have searched many websites to find a | | | | aspects of the training from meditation to physical |
| good one to write about but none seem to compare | | | | exercises and their effects. They emphasize that |
| to the site by the actual organization that I am | | | | emotional and spiritual development are integral to |
| fortunately part of. They are called the Tai Chi | | | | moving forward down the path of happiness and |
| Academy and their online magazine can be found at a | | | | peace. They are adamant that this is a course for |
| link from their homepage or at: | | | | the arts and is not religious in any way. |
| What I find so remarkable about this site compared | | | | I found the 'Testimonials' section to be quite |
| to other martial art sites is the variety and depth of | | | | interesting as there are a variety of responses from |
| information shared with visitors. These people really | | | | students. They come across as being very authentic |
| want to paint a true, honest picture about everything | | | | as there seems to be such a diverse reaction to the |
| that they do and why they do it. 'Flow like a river, | | | | training. The Kung Fu seems to have helped so many |
| and be still like a mountain.' This famous Tai Chi quote | | | | people ranging from older women to teenage boys. |
| epitomizes the flowing yet static style of this | | | | One aspect that everyone comments on is the lack |
| website. There must be at least a hundred pages | | | | of ego and competitive nature of the instructors. |
| about everything from basic school principles for | | | | Just like the website, the stigmatic qualities often |
| prospective students to recipes for healthy | | | | associated with Martial Arts is not present here; no |
| vegetarian food recipes! Martial Arts are a lifestyle to | | | | one is trying to look cool or be aggressive. This is |
| this school and I believe they want to address all | | | | very important to people whom just want to |
| aspects of life in a truly holistic approach. | | | | increase their health and self-defense capabilities like |
| Integrated throughout the site are heaps of photos | | | | myself. |
| (most of which are in vibrant color) depicting the | | | | This website is a perfect example of the true |
| actual training as well as cool photos of their field | | | | function and intention of the Internet, to share |
| trips to China etc. The magazine site itself is | | | | positive information and knowledge around the world. |
| separated into main categories such as Archived | | | | Of course the Tai Chi Academy is a business, but the |
| Features, Testimonials, Archived Interviews, | | | | honest and open format of their website reflects the |
| Suggested Reading, and Vegetarian Corner for | | | | philosophy of their teachings and is appreciated by |
| Non-vegetarians as well as Links. | | | | visitors. All products' costs are right there to be seen; |
| Under the 'Archived Features' section is a category | | | | as there is nothing to hide when monetary gain is not |
| entitled 'Training in Wu Dao Gong'. This couple of | | | | the sole imperative of an organization. A lot can be |
| pages gives the visitor an excellent, detailed | | | | learned here by companies' and individuals' approaches |
| perspective on the philosophy behind this training. If | | | | to constructing an identity on the Internet. |
| you are then interested in finding out more you can | | | | |