Tai Chi Newsletter
Grandmaster’s Journey from small Paddington Studio to Tai Chi Celebrity
by Rowan Cowley – Updated July 10th 2025 – 4:20pm.
When Grandmaster Gary Khor started teaching Tai Chi in Sydney, it was hard to find people who took the martial art seriously. In the intervening years, he has earned the moniker of the Father of Tai Chi in Australia, mentored a world boxing champion, and even given on-screen lessons to superstar Chris Hemsworth. Gary started teaching tai chi in Australia in 1976. He ran just two small classes out of Paddington in those days and said most Australians viewed Tai Chi as a waste of time. “[People would say] How can Tai Chi, slow motion moving, you know, how can you be fit? How can they be regarded as exercise?” He said.
“Exercise means that… you got to be huffing and puffing… back in the 60s and 70s, we still [thought] like that, no pain no gain.” But in the intervening years, Gary has seen a significant shift in philosophy. For Australians, adopting eastern practices like meditation and Tai Chi into their daily routines has become more and more commonplace. Interest in Gary’s classes started to grow after former ABC journalist and Four Corners presenter Caroline Jones invited him into the studio to do an interview. Soon he was featuring on all the major TV networks, giving live on-air demonstrations for the likes of Mike Walsh. Interest in his classes continued to grow.
Now he has trained more than one thousand instructors and taught more than 200,000 students. The organisation he founded, the Australian Academy of Tai Chi, currently boats multiple studios in NSW and Queensland, and two studios apiece in Western Australia and New Zealand. “Tai Chi, you know, was always considered as a kind of soft martial art in the sense that we call it the internal form of martial art,” he said.
“Internal power means that you build up chi or you build up energy through breathing and coordinating your focus, you know, your body’s movement into one point.” Gary was introduced to tai chi as an infant in his birth country of Malaysia. One of his first memories is being placed on the shoulder of an uncle while he went about his morning exercises.
Over the years, he has trained some notable celebrities. One day in the early 1990s he found himself sitting next to former WBC light heavyweight boxing champion Jeff Harding on a plane. The pair struck up a conversation. Harding asked for some personal one-on-one training. He would go on to win the light heavyweight championship for the second time.
In 2022, Gary got to give on-camera lessons to Chris Hemsworth during an episode of the famous actor’s popular docu-series Limitless. “He’s a very relaxed, easy-going guy. He’s a really typical Aussie guy, very humorous, very generous, very kind.” In addition to teaching his classes, Gary has recently developed an “emergency brake” system he believes could prevent deaths and serious injuries due to falls.
He said that when most people realise they are about to fall, they tend to tense up, meaning they are likely to hit the ground hard. He said that people also tend to put an arm out to brace themselves for a fall, increasing the risk of a fracture.
Gary said that by using his three-step technique, falls can be prevented, or in a worst-case scenario, if the fall cannot be avoided, the centre of gravity will be lowered and the impact minimised. So, what is the strategy? Gary said that as a person starts to stumble, they should throw one leg out in the direction they are falling, then tuck their tailbone in as they bend the leg at the knee, thus bracing the legs and stabilising the body. “If your legs are weak, as in elderly people, it’s still that break [that] stops the fall for a few seconds for you, [so] you can then think or work out a strategy, how you want to fall.” For more information on tai chi classes available in your area, visit australianacademyoftaichi.com.au.
Falls Prevention – Grandmaster Gary Khor
Tai Chi Newsletter:
Extract from “WHY WE FALL AS WE AGE” Sydney Morning Herald and Melbourne Age health feature on 8th June 2025. Every year in Australia, one in three people older than 65 has a fall. But it’s when you get to 80 or older that the risks increase by 50 per cent compared with those aged 65 to 69. In the US, falls are the leading cause of injury-related death for adults aged 65 and older. Ever since humans began walking on two legs, about 6 million years ago, the risk of falling has been a fact of every step we take. “Walking on two legs is inherently unstable,” says Professor Lord, a world-leading falls expert at Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA). “As we walk, every step is a controlled fall forward. So, we throw a leg forward each time to regain balance.
How to prevent Falls with Tai Chi
So, what can you do if you’re about to fall?
There’s no way to prevent every fall. Trips and slips and being knocked off balance are common falls.
Balance is really how well we can control the position and movement of our centre of mass. If at any time you lean in any direction, and your bodyweight falls outside of your base, you are primed to fall”, says Professor Lord. Grandmaster Gary Khor, a falls specialist who has taught Tai Chi for more than 50 years has devised a technique he calls a Falls Emergency Brake.
He explains that stopping a fall is like learning defensive driving. The strategy is to break the fall, just like applying a brake to stop the fall momentarily, allowing your brain time to decide on your next move.
If your legs are strong enough, it will prevent you from falling onto the ground.
"Spread-Tuck-Brace" Technique to prevent Falls
The best part of the technique is that it can be learned in 3 minutes. People who learn this Falls Reaction technique will minimise falls injuries and may even prevent death from falling.”
Five Elements Qigong and Wild Goose Workshop The “Spread-Tuck-Brace” technique will be featured at the Wild Goose workshop. You will learn how to exhale and relax your centre of mass down to your legs.
How to be sensitive to the feeling of your body in motion, accelerate your body-mind connection. strengthen your legs and posture. Loosen up your joints and muscles, increasing mobility. Expand your lung capacity and increase blood circulation. The Power of Qi. Qi affects every aspect of our lives.
Yet, to date many people still see the world from a physical point of view. For the Chinese people, Qi underlines their whole culture.
Tai Chi for Falls Prevention
From the martial art power of Bruce Lee, to the healing herbs of Chinese Medicine, in everyday living, nutrition, arts, etc., the principles and philosophy of Qi are applied and intrinsically understood.
Five Element Qigong guides you in the meditation and practice of these five energies. Wild Goose Qigong embodies and illustrates the physical movements and mental exercise in the healing power of Qi.
Upcoming Events:
Channel 9 A Current Affair to featureGrandmaster Gary and Master Aaron Khor.Foxtel Health series to feature Gm Khor.Gm Gary and Master Aaron Khor has con-ducted rehab program in hospital for patientsand physiotherapists. Presented at Falls Con-ferences, and conducted Train the Trainercourses for carers and physiotherapists.
Tai Chi Newsletter – CHINA TOUR 18th to 30th September 2025
Our China tours began 40 years ago when instructors asked Grandmaster Khor to take them to visit the mystical places where he learned his martial art skill.
Now, after 45 years of exploring China, and steed in Chinese culture and history, the Grandmaster will take you on a magical tour to explore amazing sights, enjoy sumptuous cuisine, and discover the wisdom of famous emperors of ancient imperial China.
China Tour Ancient China 2025
The Great Wall of China, the Terracotta Army, and even the word “CHINA”, were all created by the one same person Qin Shi Huang. Around 200 BC, he conquered the neighbouring six kingdoms and united them into one “Qin Kingdom”, translated as “CHINA”.
Were it not for him, China would still be like Europe, made up of numerous little countries. Grandmaster Khor will reveal the secrets and unique brilliance of various emperors.
Visit their imperial courts, royal residence, and exclusive hunting resorts. (imperial Mar-a-lago of Qing emperors). We will also visit a Tibetan Monastery (replica of Dalai Lama’s Potala Palace in Tibet).
Explore a hidden “Eco-Valley”, film location of a famous movie, “Curse of the Golden Flower”. You will be blown away by sight of the massive Terracotta Army in the archeologic pit, humbled by the Wild Goose Tower, and thrilled by the mind boggling city scape of Chongqing!
Tai Chi Newsletter Ancient China Tour April 2026
Ancient China Tour April 2026
Australian Academy of Tai Chi Tour - 2025
Tai Chi on Great Wall with Grandmaster Khor.
Emperor’s Forbidden Palace, Temple of Heaven.
Summer Palace. Hunting & Leisure Resorts
XIAN – Terracotta Army, Shaanxi Museum
CHONGQING – Ancient/Futuristic City scape
CHENGDE – Tibetan Palace & Imperial Resort
Plus Two Gigantic Live Stage Show !!!
Beijing Duck Banquet & Local Specialties.
Every meal a Chinese Health Banquet !!!
Shopping in Exclusive Resident malls
Roots of Tai Chi September - 2025
Tour itinerary designed by Grandmaster Khor with 45 years China experience, focusing on historical culture, inspiring sights, adventure,
and sumptuous cuisine. Apart from that, you also get to practice Tai Chi and Qigong with Grandmaster Khor and Wendy. Traveling with the Academy is a safe relaxing adventure. You are never lonely or neglected. You are with like minded friends, traveling like an extended family. There is always someone to share your delights and excitements. You are in safe hands. This is an opportunity of a lifetime. Places are limited. So, Book Now.
AND BEST OF ALL! NO COOKING OR WASHING UP FOR 2 WEEKS! BOOK NOW AND SAVE YOURSELF A SPOT BEFORE ALL SPACES ARE FILLED!
Flights, Hotels, Meals, sightseeing all included, Book now with a $500 to secure a spot.
Send an e-mail [email protected] or contact (02) 9797 9355.
Traveling with the Academy is a fun-filled adventure. You are never lonely or neglected, traveling like an extended family. There is always someone to share your delights and excitements. And with Wendy and Grandmaster Khor leading the tour, you can truly relax, knowing that you are always in safe hands. Friends and spouses are welcome. Tai Chi practice is optional. Join in only if you wish.