Community · TaoTik

Every November I start my ginger-date water ritual: 3 slices of fresh ginger, 2 dried red dates, simmered in water for 10 minutes. It warms from the inside out. The dates add a natural sweetness and are traditionally used in Chinese cooking to nourish blood and calm the mind. Thi……

Not all hot water is equal. Boiling water (100°C) is too harsh for the throat and digestive lining. The sweet spot is 50–65°C — warm enough to feel therapeutic, cool enough to sip comfortably. I use a temperature-controlled kettle set to 60°C. In winter I go slightly warmer, in s……

Three years ago I replaced my morning coffee with a large cup of plain hot water at around 60°C. The shift was subtle at first — less bloating, calmer digestion, a gentler wake-up. In Chinese wellness tradition, hot water is considered essential for maintaining the body's interna……

In TCM, spring corresponds to the Liver and Gallbladder meridians. This is the season to eat green, sour, and lightly cooked foods: spinach, chives, vinegar-dressed dishes. Avoid heavy, greasy meals that burden the Liver. I swap my winter bone broths for light mung bean soups and……

Three points I press every evening: Neiguan (PC6) on the inner wrist for anxiety, Baihui (GV20) at the crown of the head for mental clarity, and Yongquan (KD1) on the sole of the foot for grounding. Hold each for 60 seconds with firm circular pressure. This is not a substitute fo……

Traditional Chinese Medicine identifies 9 body constitutions — from Qi-deficient to Phlegm-damp to Yin-deficient. Knowing yours changes everything: what you eat, when you sleep, how you exercise. I took a constitution assessment last year and discovered I'm Yang-deficient. Since ……

Tui Shou (push hands) transformed my understanding of Tai Chi. Practicing with a partner teaches you to listen through touch — to feel force and redirect it rather than resist. It's like a slow-motion conversation between two bodies. Find a local club if you can

The biggest mistake beginners make is trying to learn too many forms too fast. Pick one style — I recommend the simplified 24-form — and practice just the first 3 movements for a full week. Feel the weight shift, the breath, the intention behind each motion. Tai Chi is 70% intern……

I wake up at 6am every day and spend 20 minutes doing the Yang-style 24-form sequence in my backyard. The slow, deliberate movements calm the nervous system before the chaos of the day begins. After 6 months of consistent practice, my lower back pain has almost completely disappe……

White tea requires almost nothing from you — just 75°C water and 2 minutes. Silver Needle (Bai Hao Yinzhen) is my daily ritual. The delicate floral notes and natural sweetness are unmatched. It's the least processed tea, preserving the most antioxidants. Perfect for beginners.