Vol 15, Issue 1/2004

A Pioneer of Taiji
Interview with Gerda Geddes.

Gerda Geddes, who was born in Norway, was one of the first who made Taijiquan known in the United Kingdom. She had learned it during a stay of several years in China and Hong Kong. In the interview with Ronnie Robinson she talks about her work as a psychotherapist in the tradition of Wilhelm Reich and her experiences as a teacher of modern dance, both of which paved the way for her experience of Taijiquan. As she already worked as a
movement teacher at various theatres, she also introduced Taijiquan in this field. Although she learned from a traditionally trained student of Yang Chengfu, who himself stressed the martial aspect of Taijiquan, her main focus remained on spiritual development and the
development of human potential through the training.

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