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Tai Chi: It's Religiously Secular

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 4, 2009

BRANDON - Taoist tai chi centers in 25 countries are staffed by volunteers on a mission to make tai chi as widely available as possible to people of all nationalities, ethnicities and religious affiliations.

Susan Schuler, president of the Brandon branch of the nonprofit International Taoist Tai Chi Society, said it was founded in the 1970s by a Taoist monk but its centers are not religious.

"There is no preaching," Schuler said. "We have members who are Christian, Catholic, Muslim and Jewish in addition to Taoist."

She said many members think of the ritualistic Taoist elements and a shrine at the center as representing Chinese culture, but it's not a religious statement.

"And Taoism as a religion is inclusive," she said. "There is no conflict whatsoever."

The society also aims to help as many people as possible improve their health as well as promote cultural exchange among nations and assist people in members' communities.

For the past 10 years, the Brandon group has organized a quarterly litter cleanup day on Oakfield Drive, where the center was established a decade ago before moving in September to Bryan Road. Members also hold annual food drives for the Emergency Care Help Organization in Brandon and Metropolitan Ministries in Tampa, both of which help the needy in their communities.

"We try to look for opportunities to do things that make a difference," Shuler said.

Laura Frazier

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