Tai chi goddess: Young master teaches ancient martial arts online

[Photo/CGTN]

Tapping into the country's fast-growing online community, she began using video streaming to teach the martial art. But the plan didn't run smoothly at first. "I felt a lot of stress when I first started my studio. There's a lot of rejection," she said, "Some suggested that I'm too young and lack seniority. And some simply dismissed me as nothing but a pretty face."

Thanks to her precise, accessible language and multi-angle demonstrations, Ye Yongxiang has been able to gradually build a solid fan base. Her Weibo account now has more than 70,000 followers and Ye's online interactions with university lectures have attracted thousands of young people to the ancient martial art.

Through her two decades of learning and teaching tai chi, Ye Yongxiang has observed a shift in people's attitude towards the tradition, which used to only be valued as a form of physical exercise.

"Taiji has never been something static, and it will continue to adapt as time changes. We are living in a world of many temptations and distractions. You have to build a very strong inner self. Sometimes people might feel inadequate to cope with life. I've found tai chi very life-enhancing and satisfying," she said.