When Leia Cohen first set out into the world, she wasn’t searching for healing—she was running from pain. What she found, however, was a practice that would not only transform her body and emotions, but also lead her to a life of purpose. In this inspiring interview for Mystic Mag, Leia shares how Tai Chi and Qigong became the anchors in her journey from emotional turbulence to deep inner balance, and how she now helps others create lasting change through daily, intentional movement.
How did your personal journey with emotional and physical pain inspire you to pursue Tai Chi and Qigong, and how has it shaped your approach to teaching?
I have a theory: you can outrun your depression. At 17, as soon as I could leave home, I started running and I have been running ever since. As a teenager, I fluctuated between being very happy and exuberant or very sulky and depressed. I guess my curiosity to see the world is what saved me in a sense. I didn’t go to see any doctors, I just ran away as soon as I could.
At first, I taught scuba diving in Australia, Southeast Asia, and Central America. Being underwater brought me a sense of calm I couldn’t find on the surface. Unfortunately, it also exacerbated my physical problems, causing me to clench my jaw and develop hernias in my neck that radiated down my shoulders. Back then I didn’t know that constant jaw clenching was disrupting my sleep and causing me emotional instability. Living in these remote places I was able to have emotional and mental breakdowns without needing to medicate myself to fit in.
Eventually, when my body completely broke down, Tai Chi found me. I didn’t seek it out; it came to me. I was living in Panama City with my partner and two children, leading a very dysfunctional family life when we met our Tai Chi instructor. Having been a dancer and figure skater in my youth, I was immediately drawn to this art. Initially I didn’t think it would save me; I simply loved the practice. Being active and into sports all of my life, I understood the importance of practicing daily.
In 2010, my partner wanted to go to China to explore Daoist philosophy. I wasn’t interested in the philosophy, but I never wanted to miss a new experience. We weren’t getting along, and I was worried the trip would be very hard for me with our two young children but when I saw the high level of the martial artists in China I fell deeper in love with this sport. I still didn’t know it would change my life; I simply loved to practice and I practiced every day after we returned to our home in Panama.
Then, in 2012, everything fell apart, and we split up. My son was a talented martial artist, and his father wanted him to return to China to train full-time. I didn’t want him to miss school, so I insisted on taking him there with my daughter. We homeschooled and trained 6–8 hours a day, six days a week. During that time I was a complete wreck—I couldn’t sleep on the hard beds, and my jaw issues were severely affecting my emotions—but I got up every day and trained.
I went there to escape my broken relationship, but after one year I began to realize the training was healing my body. During this interim period, I didn’t know how I would support my children financially going forward. I prayed daily in the temple asking for guidance. Then one day, the master of our school told me that if my children practiced seriously, they could achieve anything in life. That day the universe game me the sign I was waiting for. It wasn’t just that this practice would open doors for my children; it would also create opportunities for me.
What I model for my students is that when you dedicate yourself to this practice—giving it your all and practicing daily for the pure pleasure of it, you change yourself from the inside out and you can build the confidence and courage to transform your life.
What specific benefits did you experience from practicing Tai Chi and Qigong that you believe can help others achieve balance and emotional stability?
I believe transformation comes from the consistency of a practice. Practicing once a week isn’t sufficient; establishing a daily routine is essential. Even on slower days, maintaining a daily practice is crucial. I like to tell my students that some days they will have energy for a long practice and others days they may only practice for five minutes but they must always do something every day.
Training three times a week isn’t enough, in my opinion. One might engage in more intense sessions three times weekly and softer practices on the other days, but it’s the daily commitment that fosters long-term changes in the body, mind, spirit and soul.
Of course, my experience was more extreme—I left my regular life to train full-time. I recommend this to anyone with the time and means. Stepping away from everyday habits and forming new ones through this training can completely transform one’s life. If such a pilgrimage isn’t feasible, I believe in replacing old habits with new ones and the necessity of daily practice to experience transformation in physical and emotional health.
How do you integrate the teachings from your time in Wudang, China, into your courses, and how does this unique experience influence your approach to healing?
I’ve created prerecorded online courses in exotic locations available on my website, and I meet with students weekly via Zoom to review their practice and fine-tune their movements. They enjoy following my journey in Wudang and learning from my experiences shared on social media. They gain insights they might not receive from instructors without connections to the training in China.
Having been through my own healing journey, I have a better understanding of how my clients are feeling and I am able to meet them where they are at. I believe that I can provide them the tools they need to heal their bodies but in the end it is up to them to do the work.
A Chinese proverb that I appreciate says that the teacher opens the door but the student must walk through it.
I don’t spend all my time in China and I travel to locations where I can film, upload more content and work more closely with my students by offering them students 30-day challenges to help them strengthen their Tai Chi and Qigong daily habits. Generally I have them pay what they want so that I remain open to all economic levels and everyone has a chance to participate.
In your experience, how does the practice of Tai Chi and Qigong help individuals release emotional blockages and create lasting transformations in their lives?
I believe that our modern lifestyle lacks sufficient movement; prolonged sitting is detrimental to our health. These practices are designed to enhance the flow of Qi, or vital energy, throughout the body. When energy pathways are blocked because of one’s sedentary lifestyle, inactivity or poor posture, it can lead to physical discomfort and emotional imbalance. Tai Chi and Qigong, with their ancient movements, are designed to unblock stagnant energy in the body promoting better circulation, flexibility, and overall vitality.
While Westerners often seek explanations, the key is to engage in these movements and the body will respond accordingly. Even just brief but consistent sessions can lead to noticeable improvements. Over time, this daily discipline builds a deeper awareness of one’s body. I like to say that one comes back into their body through this practice.
Focusing on the pleasure derived from practice allows the body to heal from a lifetime of accumulated trauma. I tell my students to just enjoy the journey and release themselves from the pressure of the end goal.
The Chinese say that one inch on your tendon gives you ten years on your life— this is why we must practice Tai Chi and Qigong daily to build the flexibility in our bodies.
In 2016 I got certified as a Holistic Health Coach with the Online Institute of Integrative Nutrition. My students know that I believe cultivating healthy eating habits is crucial. Clean eating complements our practice in healing the body. The Chinese say that all poison goes in through the mouth— so one must do both, practice Tai Chi and Qigong and eat clean.
How do you tailor your private online lessons to address each individual’s specific challenges, and what are the most common breakthroughs your students experience?
I offer 30 or 60-minute private one-on-one Zoom sessions, working with individuals based on their current needs. I prefer to teach online group classes which fosters a sense of community between my students as we meet weekly. Some come to the classes just to move their bodies, while others come to learn a Tai Chi form and support their personal practice with the video courses. Others come to receive support for a specific health issue that we usually tackle in one or two sessions.
My students who practice regularly with me tell me that they feel more energetic, calmer, happier and have a stronger sense of purpose. They sleep better and cultivate better relationships.
For me, Tai Chi is magical, and the daily habit whether a long or short practice is the secret sauce to unlocking its full potential.
