Taoist training requires both theory and practice. They support and reinforce each other. Practice must become a daily activity for the student. The benefits of daily practice are immeasurable.
Most people know the saying “ A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.” It reminds us that that a worthwhile journey cannot be rushed. Instead, it unfolds naturally, step by step, becoming over time something steady and supportive in our lives.
The key points in this article are:
Insomnia affects one in three adults in the UK, usually those who are older or suffering from other health conditions.
Practicing Lee Family tai chi allows people to learn the focus and control necessary to engender healthy sleep.
Tai chi should also be practiced with other lifestyle habits, notably a regular bed routine and a healthy diet.
This article is an abridged summary of a presentation by Laoba Desmond Murray and Laoma Wai-Yii Yeung to the Leeds University Confucian Society given on Tuesday 28 October 2025(1).
The key points in this article are:
Tao is a word that we use to describe the force that guides the universe
Tao practice is learning to soften and strengthen the body and mind
Taoism is a culture that studies the forces that hold the universe together
Being Taoist means learning to follow nature
The key points in this article are:
Breathwork (daoyin) is an integral part of Taoist practice
Breathwork helps regulate stress hormones and has other health benefits
Breathwork is a learnable skill. A simple exercise can be shown to control stress
