The Elements of Transformation: Tai Chi with Scott Cole
Scott Cole is a former National Aerobic Champion, star of the iconic Abs of Steel videos, and creator of the over 1-million-selling Discover Tai Chi series. He trained Hollywood elites and appeared on LIVE with Regis and Kelly, The View, CNN, and others. Named one of the Top 5 Fitness Instructors in the World by IDEA, Scott has been featured in The Wall Street Journal for his unique blending of the martial and healing arts, specializing in better balance, strength, mobility, and stress reduction. Recognized for his work with HIV/AIDS and abused children, Scott brings his expertise and compassionate teaching to every session, including his recent time with us at The Ranch.
Q: Scott, can you tell us a little bit about how you first discovered Tai Chi and why you decided to teach it?
Scott Cole: Sure! In 1988, I went through a very tough time—my father and sister both passed away, and I was just 26 years old. It was a year after I won the National Aerobic Championship. I stuffed all that grief down and kept going, hiding behind my work and a very fit, chiseled body. Then, about seven years later, a friend in LA asked if I wanted to take a Tai Chi class. At first, I was a bit skeptical. I hadn’t thought about it before, but I went in, and as I started moving slowly, something powerful happened. I had to step outside and sit in the parking lot for about two hours because all this grief came rushing up. The slow, deliberate movements allowed my body to finally start letting go. That was when I realized Tai Chi wasn’t just a physical practice—it was deeply healing. It was a transformative experience, and I KNEW that I must learn more and share it with others.
So, I studied with Master Tim O’Connor in Los Angeles, began incorporating Tai Chi elements in my classes and convention presentations around the world, and was hired in 2001 to star in the Discover Tai Chi video series, which became a huge success. From there, it became my main focus, and I’ve dedicated myself to sharing Tai Chi in a way that’s not only deeply healing but also accessible and fun for people. Learning to move slowly in a very fast world has many rewards.
Q: It’s interesting because I think of Tai Chi as a muscle memory slow exercise or self-defense, but you mentioned it was also about releasing grief and emotional healing. Can you speak more about that?
Scott Cole: Think of Tai Chi as a way to move your Chi—your Energy. Tai Chi isn’t just about physical fitness; it’s about moving Energy through your body in a more efficient, free-flowing way. When we release stress, anxiety, tension, or grief, we’re directing and allowing our blocked Chi (Energy) to move THROUGH and OUT. I’ve worked in pain management and addiction therapy, too, helping people release addictive behaviors and pain through movement. When we’re grieving, for example, we often hold onto that emotion physically—our bodies store trauma and stress. The key is realizing that while we can’t change the situation, like losing a loved one, we can change how our bodies process and handle that grief. Tai Chi gives us the space to gently move through it—emotionally, physically, and energetically. It allows us to let go.
Q: That’s so interesting. It seems like Tai Chi could really be about more than just fitness—it’s almost like emotional fitness, too. Do you think it’s connected to how the body stores emotion?
Scott Cole: The body stores everything, and there are countless examples of how trauma is held physically. I’ve heard stories from massage therapists where, for instance, working on an older man’s hamstring led him to recall wartime trauma—he began talking about losing his friends on the battlefield. That trauma had been stored in his body for years. In Tai Chi, we’re opening up our bodies to release that Energy.
For example, one of the first things we do in Tai Chi is open our arms, like spreading our wings. In Chinese philosophy, this is great for the heart, as it opens the chest and allows Energy to flow. Just the act of opening your arms can trigger deep emotional release. I met a woman here at The Ranch who shared that on the first day of class, when she opened her arms, her grief started pouring out. We ended up having a whole conversation about it afterward.
The beauty of my teaching style of Tai Chi and Qigong is that it helps people realize that emotional release isn’t some mysterious, mystical process—it’s just a matter of letting your body move, open up, and let go, thus making room for newer healthier experiences and connections. Many of us are taught to hold in our emotions, which is not healthy, and is the cause of many energetic blockages. The body is designed to move, and it is a natural process to move Energy through the body. I’m here to remind people of that, make if fun, and to rediscover the breath-filled ease and magnificence that is possible to keep us happy and healthy.
Q: Scott, can you explain a little bit about Chi and how it plays a role in your Tai Chi practice?
Scott Cole: Chi is the Energy that flows through all of us. Here at The Ranch, we’ve learned to connect with that Energy in a powerful way. For example, when you rub your hands together, you can feel warmth and Energy in the Lao Gong points (L, A, O, G, O, N, G) in your palms. This is where we can tap into our healing energy, the power of touch, not just for ourselves but for each other. Before I did the Tai Chi movements, I touched a statue here at the Ranch. It was so grounding because it connected me to the Earth. Our hands are designed to touch, feel, express, and create. I prefer practicing barefoot, for energetic reasons. Our feet are designed to connect to, and FEEL, the beautiful Earth, an extra powerful and illuminating experience here at The Ranch.
Q: Can you walk us through the five elements and how they appear in your practice?
Scott Cole: In Chinese philosophy, there are five elements, each representing a different energy quality. The first is Fire, which is all about passion and intensity. Then comes Water, which is fluid, adaptable, and calming. The third element is Wood, symbolizing growth and creativity. Metal is next, representing clarity, strength, and structure. And finally, we come to Earth, which is all about grounding and stability.
Each of these elements is represented in our lives, and in the movements of Tai Chi. The sequence we practice mirrors the flow of these elements through the body and life. It felt especially meaningful when I did the ‘Dance of the Five Elements’ here at The Ranch. This dance is a symbolic representation of the harmonious interplay of the five elements, and it’s a powerful way to connect with the Energy of the environment. The Ranch itself is a place that embodies all of these elements—there’s Fire in the sunsets, Water in the streams, Wood in the trees, Metal in the rocks, and Earth in the soil. It’s a perfect setting to honor those elements.
Q: I love how the practice ties into the environment around us. It must have been powerful for your participants, too.
Scott Cole: It really was. The participants responded so positively to the overall practice. It resonated with them because the five elements are all present in the environment here. Tai Chi isn’t just about the physical movements; it’s about aligning with nature and the Energy surrounding us. It helps us become more aware, present beings. Tai Chi is known as a moving meditation, a string of pearls, both grounding and beautiful, which is why The Ranch is a special place for this practice.
Q: It sounds like a truly transformative experience. Thank you for sharing your insights with us, Scott!
Scott Cole: It’s my pleasure! Our feet touch the same Earth, so we are all in this together. A conscious, healthy ritual like Tai Chi can calm us, empower us, and bring about a greater sense of community in the World around us. I’m glad we could connect and explore this practice together.
