Since I was very young, I have been fascinated by Chinese philosophy, and the Taiji diagram was its most recognizable symbol. At the time, however, I understood it only as a representation of opposing forces: black and white, day and night, men and women, young and old. I didn’t truly grasp its deeper meaning.

While studying Chinese martial arts in China, I was naturally immersed in Chinese culture in all its shades. I was fortunate enough to experience many different layers of Chinese society – from academia and professional sports teams to traditional schools and communities, from Chinese manufacturers and the business world to people living in bustling cosmopolitan cities as well as the remote, poorer countryside in the west of the country.

Most importantly, I was learning the Chinese way of thinking – how Chinese people view themselves, the world, and the cosmos. That was when the Taiji diagram stopped being just a cool black-and-white symbol. I began to understand that it is a remarkably accurate representation of the universe and life itself. Wherever I look, I see Taiji: in the changing of the seasons, in the cycles of nature, in Chinese martial arts as a whole, in the human life cycle, and in countless other aspects of the world around us.

Taiji is everywhere. In everything.

That’s why I chose the Taiji diagram as the very core of my logo. The tree growing from it symbolizes life itself – constantly growing, adapting, weathering storms, yet always remaining deeply rooted. To me, it represents the lifelong journey of learning, self-cultivation, and finding harmony within ourselves and the world around us.

If you look closely, you’ll notice that the tree isn’t covered in leaves. Only a few fresh green leaves are beginning to emerge. That detail is intentional. It reminds us that we are never “finished.” No matter how much we learn or achieve, there is always another lesson waiting, another challenge to overcome, another opportunity to grow. Like the tree, we continue to evolve throughout our entire lives, one small step at a time.

That is what “Taiji Kat” stands for. It is more than a name or a logo – it is a reflection of the values that guide both my teaching and my own life. Whether we are learning Chinese, practicing Taijiquan, sharing a cup of tea, or simply exploring Chinese culture together, my goal is always the same: to keep growing while staying true to our roots, to seek balance without expecting perfection, and to find harmony within ourselves and the world around us. To me, Taiji is not merely an ancient Chinese concept but a way of seeing life itself – a reminder that growth never truly ends. There will always be another lesson to learn, another perspective to discover, another branch to strengthen, and another leaf to grow. Like the tree in my logo, we are all works in progress – deeply rooted, yet always reaching a little higher. And perhaps that is the most beautiful part of the journey.