INTERVIEW WITH JI ZHANG

Ji Zhang: How did you discover Tai Chi ?

John LeKay:  During the mid 90s, I became very interested in traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, calligraphy, music, poetry, painting, sculpture, Feng Shui and Qi Gong which eventually led to Tai Chi.

JZ:  What styles of Qi Gong have you practiced and who did you learn from?

John LeKay:  Wuji, (infinite void/chaos system) and some other forms. I met this old Chinese healer in San Francisco's Chinatown who resembled a Taoist wizard. He seemed like he was levitating when he walked across the room.  His steps were as light as a ghost, but deeply grounded. Quite extraordinary. 

I  also studied with a beautiful young Chinese master who is also a practitioner of an unorthodox ancient form.

 

Master Cheng Manching demonstrates Yang style barehand form

 

Ji Zhang:  How has your Tai Chi practice helped you with your art and working process and in your everyday life?

John LeKay: Yes, essentially finding the right balance and probably not being so extreme. Also staying much more present, flexible, relaxed and aware of subtle energies.

Ji Zhang: So you have become much more aware of this in others too.

John LeKay:  Yes. Sometimes I see other people walking around with their shoulders up to their necks without even realizing it. You can almost see the blocks.

Ji Zhang:   What about your creative process, has this changed?

JL:  Yes. I have learned not to resist or force anything. Not to try as hard and let things happen by themselves.  It's as if something else is in control and I just step aside and watch it unravel.  It feels as if struggling with an idea, a work, or anything else is a waste of energy. If it starts to become a struggle or begins to feel like work, I immediately stop and relax. Excessive work feels unnatural.

JZ: What about your work with heyoka magazine?

JL: Yes the exact same principals apply.  I just take it one moment at a time and do not make any plans and just wait and see what happens. 

JZ: Where do you think it's going from here.

JL: Don't know but I think it will change. I like to experiment so nothing is set in stone.  Keeping it fluid and fun is the way to go.

Qi  2001. Indian Ink on paper