Student Spotlight: Susan Miller Hult

Susan practicing "Fist Under Elbow" from Section 2a of the Wu Style Long Form.

Susan— the dedicated Tai Chi Student

In 2016, following the recommendation of a Physical Therapist, Susan searched for Tai Chi instruction. She found Chicago Tai Chi.

“It was serendipitous,” says Susan. “I was looking for classes nearby. There you were.”

Susan’s extraordinary occupation (see more below) made attending Tai Chi classes challenging. But she stuck with it, and joined classes whenever she could.

“I love the Chicago Tai Chi community. Welcoming and friendly. The benefits I’ve experienced from Tai Chi are profound. For me, life-changing.”

Susan began her Tai Chi practice with the Wu Style Short Form. Over time, she added Dragon & Tiger Qigong and Marriage of Heaven & Earth Qigong.

This year, Susan started learning the Wu Style Long Form, joining our Tai Chi 4 classes.

“Learning a Long Form is a dream come true for me,” says Susan. “Chicago Tai Chi’s online classes have made that possible.”

We can report that Susan has made excellent progress through Sections 1 and 2a of the Long Form, and is now working into Section 2b, the challenging Kick Sequence.

Susan— the behind-the-scenes Opera Star

A highly trained classical musician, Susan has served as an Assistant Conductor and Prompter for Chicago’s world-renowned Lyric Opera for 22 seasons. You can read Susan’s impressive Lyric Opera bio here.

To get a better idea of what her work involves, consider this—

During a performance, Susan posts in a small enclosed space, the top of which opens to the Lyric Opera stage, facing the performers. If any performer misses a line or a cue, Susan, as Prompter, is there to help to get things back in sync, with verbal, singing, or hand cues. That can include missing lines of an aria.

Susan's "office" at Chicago's renowned Lyric Opera.

“I learn the entire score, how to sing every singer’s part, along with the translation and diction,” says Susan. “I’ll know the entire opera forwards and backwards. It takes innumerable hours to learn a score.”

Susan— Tai Chi and World Class Opera

Does Susan see any connections between her work and Tai Chi?

“Absolutely,” says Susan. “My work can be highly stressful, physically and mentally. Performances can last 5 hours or more. I am concentrating intently throughout, ready to respond at any moment.”

“For years, that stress accumulated in my body. Combined with old injuries, I experienced chronic pain for years.”

“Tai Chi has given me tools to release that tension, push myself less, and heal. With Tai Chi, my body has become stronger, my mind has become more settled, and much of my chronic pain has resolved.”

“Plus, as my Tai Chi practice advanced, I found I could do my work in more of a flow state, staying more grounded, calm, and clear headed. That’s been a huge benefit professionally and personally.”

Susan— Zooming to Chicago Tai Chi from Iowa

Sadly, but understandably, the Lyric Opera cancelled its 2020 season. So Susan found herself with extra time on her and her husband’s farm in rural Iowa.

Susan's garden on her and her husband's farm in Iowa.

“The Zoom classes have been fantastic for me,” says Susan. “Getting back to regular Tai Chi and Qigong classes have helped me immensely during these challenging months.”

“I’ve created a Tai Chi sanctuary on the property. Shaded by tall pines, it’s a lovely place to practice.”

Susan's Tai Chi sanctuary.