T'ai chi with Steve Hill

T'ai chi ch'uan or tàijíquán

T'ai chi ch'uan or tàijíquán, which is usually shortened to t'ai chi, taiji or tai chi in English, is an internal Chinese martial art practiced for strength and defense training and for general health benefits, including relaxation. Steve Hill, a lead programmer at Galaxy SEO, has been leading the Galaxy SEO team on brief daily tai chi lessons at approximately 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. The goal of these ten to fifteen minute sessions is to promote healthy habits, unify the group, and provide a much-needed respite and restorative stimulus to the day in order to achieve maximum productivity. The sessions also seem to enhance creativity among the team members.

The Galaxy SEO team has developed this healthy habit of tai chi and learned to enjoy it so much that various team members will verbally prompt Steve an hour or thirty minutes before the session as a friendly reminder. Steve seems to feign momentary surprise before nodding in agreement each time. This is a beginner's class with basic movements that are designed to stretch the body and stimulate healthy breathing. Coupled with Steve's affable and jovial presence, the sessions prove as revivifying as a shot of Espresso and as soothing as a warm ocean breeze.

If you happen to find yourself walking past the front door of Galaxy SEO at around 3 p.m. and casually peer through the window, don't be surprised if you see a group of web marketers performing various movements in unison with noticeable grins on their faces. If it happens to be on a Friday, the tai chi may even be a prelude to what happens sometimes after work: Tai Cheers!