Our Mission
Promoting health and well-being through the practical application of Tai Chi and its philosophy.
The development of healthier individuals and communities through the practice of Tai Chi is at the core of our foundation.
What is Tai Chi
Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese martial art, originally developed for combat and self-defense. Over time, it has evolved into a practice centered on health, fitness, and inner balance.
As an exercise, Tai Chi is performed as a series of gentle, low-impact, flowing movements coordinated with deep, slow breathing. Often described as “meditation in motion,” it helps calm the mind, strengthen the body, and improve focus.
At its core, Tai Chi seeks to cultivate and balance qi — the body’s vital energy — offering wide-ranging benefits for both physical and mental well-being.
Founders
Amin Wu, Chair
Master Amin Wu is a world-renowned Tai Chi champion, educator, and founder of Amin Wu Tai Chi. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, she co-leads the Open Tai Chi Foundation and teaches students worldwide.
Dino Oliva, PhD, President
Dino Oliva’s technical career has led innovations in large-scale distributed systems that impact billions of people worldwide. Since beginning Tai Chi in 2008, he has dedicated himself to the art and co-founded Open Tai Chi to make its practice and philosophy accessible to communities everywhere.
Board Members
Bonnie Joe, MD, Secretary
Dr. Bonnie Joe has studied Tai Chi with Sifu Wu for more than 13 years and has made it a practice her entire family enjoys together. Her son Evan continues to train in Tai Chi as well as other martial arts, and together they occasionally volunteer to teach or assist with classes at Open Tai Chi.
Daniel Austin, Member-at-Large
Daniel Austin is a technologist and scientist in Silicon Valley. Daniel has been practicing Tai Ci for many years, especially the Yang, Chen, and Sun styles. He lives in the Santa Cruz mountains where he practices Tai Chi daily and studies poetry and calligraphy.
Joy Ou, Treasurer
Joy Ou, Managing Partner of Group I, blends design, business, and philanthropy to create community-oriented spaces. Beginning Tai Chi in 2019, she found daily practice of Tai Chi and Qi Gong brought balance, joy, and resilience. Inspired, she was engaged in formation of the Open Tai Chi Foundation in 2023 to share wellness and happiness, hoping Tai Chi flourishes globally with the reach yoga enjoys today.