Ken Jern leads Jackson’s tai chi practitioners through a moving meditation: balancing on one leg, pushing an invisible ball through space and fighting with imaginary opponents. Tai chi originated in China in the 17th century as a martial art for combat and defense. It is now popular around the world.
The 78-year-old retired ski and climbing instructor first encountered tai chi nearly three decades ago when he was on a backpacking trip.
“I was in the Wind Rivers up in Titcomb Basin, these people came in behind us and they dropped their bags and did Tai Chi, and I went, what is that?”
He was soon hooked. Jern started practicing weekly and going to camps to deepen his study. He now teaches at the Teton County Recreation Center twice a week and at the Senior Center.
Jern said tai chi is something you can take anywhere. It’s a way to reset, even in the middle of a hectic day.
“You can do it waiting in line. You can get rooted. You can breathe and relax,” Jern said.
On Saturday, he’ll be joined by people across the globe for World Tai Chi Day, starting in the earliest time zones and rolling west hour by hour.
In Jackson, the free World Tai Chi Day event takes place at 10 a.m. at the Teton County Recreation Center. No experience is needed.
