“Tai Chi was shaping my life long before I had a name for it…”

Su began her Tai Chi journey in the early 1980s and has continued to train, practice, and evolve across the full spectrum of Tai Chi, Qigong, and Taoist Meditation ever since. Now teaching from her home studio in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges of Victoria, Australia, Su brings a rare depth of understanding and a natural ability to share these arts, inspiring her students to grow both physically and philosophically.

Representing Australia at the highest levels of elite competition, Su earned national and international recognition for her performance skills, along with a strong reputation for her commitment to promoting Tai Chi, the Wudang style in particular, and related wellbeing arts. This dedication included serving on the committee for three years and for three more terms as President of Wushu Tai Chi Qigong Australia.

While competing in China many years ago, Su ‘discovered’ the Wudang Daoist style of Tai Chi — a lineage largely unknown in the West at the time. After years of studying the form on her own, Su travelled to Wudang Mountain to train directly with the Wudang masters. The journey was not without significant challenges — including navigating China as a single, white female — yet her determination prevailed. In 2011, Su returned to Australia to establish Chi Generation Tai Chi, becoming instrumental in introducing this beautiful Wudang form to the country.

“My journey on the path of these Taoist arts is ongoing. But through years of study, training, and teaching, I have found my place — translating these ancient Daoist practices into forms, movement, and concepts that speak clearly to the Western mind.”

Attached is Su’s resume, covering her progress over the years; including training, competitions, gradings, professional development and school curriculum development.

Click here for full Tai Chi history, grading and competition resume.

IN SUMMARY:

40 years experience studying, training, teaching, national and international competition

Accredited Coach, Australian Sports Commission

Accredited Judge, Australian Sports Commission

Certified Instructor, Golden Lion Academy (4 year instructor course)

Black Belt Duan Gradings

Current First Aid and Working With Children Registrations

‘Legato’ is a musical term for ‘flowing movement’. What else is Tai Chi if not flowing movement? The sound, feel and intent of the word led Su to rename her school from Chi Generation to Legato Tai Chi. What else is Tai Chi but flowing movement?

Personally, Su had wanted to change her name for years but never found one that suited until now.

And so:

In English: Su Legato = slowly, gently, flowing movement.

In Mandarin: 徐 活 水

Xú Huóshuǐ = slowly gently flowing water