We’re excited to open a new space in our community: Posture Lab — a focused area for refining your form and deepening your understanding of movement. 🔎 What is Posture Lab? Posture Lab is a space where you can share a photo or video of your Tai Chi or Qigong practice if you’d like more intentional guidance from Sonny. Because we practice online and can’t always adjust you in person, this space helps bridge that gap. Small adjustments can often create profound changes in how the body feels and moves. It’s designed to help you: - Refine alignment - Improve structure and balance - Understand principles more deeply - Connect posture to internal concepts like Song (松, relaxation), rooting, and center ✔️ How to Use It & Maximize Your Practice To get the most out of Posture Lab: - Upload a clear photo or short video (side view, front view, or both — even better!). - You can focus on one movement or posture at a time, or share a full sequence like the Beijing 24 Form. It’s completely up to you — the goal is to support your practice and study. - Share what you’re experiencing or unsure about. After receiving guidance: - Revisit the movement slowly. - Apply one adjustment at a time. - Notice how it changes your sensation, balance, and breathing. 💡 Example You might post a short clip of your Horse Stance and say: “I feel centered, but my thighs burn quickly and my shoulders feel tight.” Feedback might explore: - Knee tracking over the toes - Pelvic position - Shoulder relaxation (Song) - Weight distribution through the feet Often, one small structural shift can reduce strain or discomfort significantly. Posture Lab is a supportive space where you can study your own practice with curiosity and thoughtful exploration. Sharing your practice supports not only your own growth but also helps others learn through observation. This is an intentional space where you can deepen your study of Tai Chi and Qigong online and build a stronger relationship with your body and the way you practice.

I am now in my second week and truly enjoying the content, the instruction, and the community. Sonny, your ability to clearly articulate each movement, stance, and purpose behind what we practice is exceptional. It makes it much easier to follow along and replicate what you present in every lesson. There is a wide range of lessons available, and for someone without a background in Qi Gong or Tai Chi, it can be challenging to determine which lesson to take next in order to build logically on previously learned skills. With so much material, it’s not always easy to identify the next step in a structured progression. I’ve always approached learning the way one builds a house: first the foundation, then the structure, and finally the functional features layered on top. That step-by-step progression is how I’m most comfortable learning. To solve this, I decided to keep a notebook with me during each instructional video. As I go through the lessons, I record the video title, its location, and detailed notes on what it teaches and emphasizes—including terminology, positions, and stances. Over time, I expect this will allow me to organize the lessons into a sequence that supports steady and efficient progress. After practicing several rounds of the 7-Day Challenge, I came across the video Qi & Flow 1.29.26. That was a great discovery. It incorporated elements from the 7-Day Challenge and tied them together beautifully. I would describe it as an excellent lesson on grounding, shifting stance, and flowing into movement, finishing with a short form that integrates everything. I’m very glad to have discovered Rooted Alchemy and to be part of this community.

I have returned to my lessons for day 4 and the peace has been welcome. My husband remains in the hospital, although improving. The stresses of the mental gymnastics in the medical environment manifest themsleves in my shoulders and back. This morning my session took that tension away. I found myself doing cleansing breaths often in my husband's hospital room, for a break. Thank you everyone for your kind messages and support.

Completed day 4, I believe Tai Chi has more coordinating moves than Qi Gong. I also feel more of a burn in my legs immediately following day 4 than I had in the past lessons. Great stuff, Thank you!! 🙏💪

Rooted Alchemy update 🌿 Our Tai Chi sticks have arrived. Each one is handcrafted, shaped by hand, and carries its own unique character. No two are the same, just like the practice itself. We are excited to offer these to our community first and pair them with a Tai Chi stick course so you can train with intention, structure, and depth. Comment below if you are interested in a Tai Chi stick with the Tai Chi stick course.