Meet Jesse Tsao | Tai Chi Master

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jesse Tsao and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jesse, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I saw a growing need for people to stay healthy and reduce their dependence on medical services. In the U.S., healthcare costs are extremely high, and much of that cost comes from preventable conditions. I strongly believe that prevention is the best medicine — we shouldn’t wait until we get sick to see a doctor. There are many ways to maintain good health, such as yoga, swimming, walking, meditation, and regular exercise. Among these, Tai Chi stands out because it can be practiced anytime, anywhere, and by people of all ages and fitness levels.

Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese practice that integrates self-healing and self-defense. It promotes balance, inner strength, and harmony between body and mind. I founded Tai Chi Healthways to help people cultivate health and vitality through Tai Chi and Qigong practice. My mission is to make Tai Chi accessible, well-taught, and respected as both a wellness and educational discipline.

One of the challenges I noticed is the shortage of qualified Tai Chi instructors. Tai Chi Healthways is committed to setting and promoting the highest teaching standards in the industry — training the instructors of today and tomorrow to preserve and carry forward the classical teachings of Tai Chi and Qigong. We also value diversity and encourage the advancement of all Tai Chi and Qigong styles.

Before starting this journey, I worked as an economist. Eventually, I decided to leave that profession and pursue my passion full-time. I went to Shanghai University of Sport, where I earned a Ph.D. in Tai Chi and Qigong education. That academic foundation, combined with decades of practice, allowed me to build a professional organization dedicated to spreading authentic Tai Chi for health and wellness.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have been practicing and teaching Tai Chi for over 50 years, and this art has become not just my profession, but my life’s purpose. Tai Chi is a living art of self-healing, self-awareness, and inner strength. What sets my work apart is my focus on both the how and the why of the practice — helping students understand not only the movements, but also the deeper principles behind them.

Since founding Tai Chi Healthways USA in 1987, my goal has been to make authentic Tai Chi and Qigong accessible to everyone: to help people strengthen their health, manage stress, and prevent illness through mindful movement and energy cultivation. Over the years I’ve produced 109 instructional DVDs and published six books, with one translated into Spanish and Hungarian. I’ve taught workshops in more than 20 countries and presented Tai Chi on national television, including Pax TV in 2005 and ABC Morning News in 2008.

Professionally, I’ve also worked as a wellness and alternative medicine consultant for several major organizations including CIGNA Healthcare, where I served as a health education consultant for 21 years, and as Chief Tai Chi Master for Arizona State Employee Worksite Wellness Programs for 18 years. My work integrates traditional Eastern wisdom with modern wellness approaches, focusing on self-healing, preventive therapy, stress management, and mind-body balance.

The journey hasn’t been easy. As a non-native English speaker, I faced language and communication challenges early in my career. But through persistence, I learned to express the true essence of Tai Chi and Qigong—not just through movement, but through clear teaching, writing, and media. Every DVD I produce and every workshop I teach reflects years of practice, research, and dedication to authenticity.

The greatest lesson I’ve learned is that Tai Chi is not just about physical movement, it’s about cultivating harmony within ourselves and with the world around us. I want people to know that this art is a powerful path toward healing, longevity, and peace. Through Tai Chi Healthways, I hope to continue spreading this message and training the next generation of instructors to preserve and carry forward the true spirit of Tai Chi and Qigong.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend came to visit, I would want them to experience the beauty and spirit of Southern California which is especially easy here in San Diego.

We would start with a visit to La Jolla Cove, one of my favorite spots. Watching the wild sea lions resting on the rocks and hearing their calls is always entertaining. In the evening, we’d stay for the Pacific sunset, which never fails to inspire calm and awe, a perfect Tai Chi moment in nature.

Another day we would spend time at Balboa Park, exploring its beautiful gardens and world-class museums. The architecture, open spaces, and cultural atmosphere make it one of the most unique urban parks in the world.

For food, I’d definitely take my friend to enjoy some of San Diego’s amazing Mexican cuisine. One of my favorite casual spots is The Taco Stand and it’s simple yet delicious and full of local flavor. We might also explore the Old Town area, where the charming historical architecture is a must-see for anyone visiting San Diego.

We’d make time for a quiet walk along the Pacific Beach boardwalk, maybe enjoy some live music or a farmers’ market, and spend a morning doing Tai Chi practice by the ocean. San Diego is full of life and sharing that balance of relaxation, good food, and vibrant local energy would be the best.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have learned 10 years from Professor Li Deyin (李德印) of Renmin University of China in Beijing, a legendary figure and global pioneer in the instruction and promotion of the Simplified Tai Chi Form 24. Professor Yu Dinghai (虞定海) is my doctoral advisor at Shanghai University of Sport. A highly respected expert and holder of the distinguished nine-duan rank in both Tai Chi and Qigong, Professor Yu’s mentorship has been pivotal in shaping both my academic and martial arts paths. Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei (陳正雷) is one of China’s “Top Ten Martial Arts Masters,” an 11th-generation successor of Chen Family Tai Chi. Under his tutelage, I proudly became a 12th-generation lineage holder, entrusted with the preservation and transmission of Chen-style Tai Chi’s traditional methods. I have drawn from other remarkable masters and grandmasters, such as Chen Xiaowang (陳小旺) and Zhu Tiancai (朱天才).

Website: https://taichihealthways.com

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@taichitsao