Inspiring Conversations with Maki Guelcher of Mazen Tai Chi

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maki Guelcher.

Hi Maki, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I often describe myself as a “Samurai girl from Japan.”

Growing up in Japan, I was drawn to martial arts from an early age. I began practicing Kendo, the traditional Japanese sword art, as a child. Later, I studied Karate, and eventually discovered Tai Chi. Looking back, these practices shaped not only my character but also the path of my life.

More than twenty years ago, life brought me to the United States. I met the love of my life, John, while I was bartending in Japan. No, he was not my teacher—he was an English professor who loved singing karaoke at the bar where I worked. What began as a chance meeting became a lifelong partnership, and eventually brought me to California, where we built our family together.

My career journey has been anything but ordinary. I have worked as a bartender, sous chef, barista, and special education teacher. Each role taught me something valuable about people, service, patience, and connection. Yet despite these experiences, I always felt that I was searching for something deeper.

In Japan, there is a word called Ikigai—a reason for being. After many years of exploring different paths, I finally found mine through teaching Tai Chi.

Today, I am the founder of Mazen Tai Chi, where my mission is simple: to spread peace. Through movement, breath, awareness, and community, I help people reconnect with themselves and find greater balance in their lives.

What I love most about Tai Chi is that it is an endless journey. The deeper I go, the more wisdom I discover. Every day brings new lessons about the body, the mind, and the human spirit. It is both a martial art and a path of self-discovery.

Perhaps the greatest gift of this journey has been learning who I truly am. Now in my fifties, I feel that I am finally embracing and accepting myself. The path has not always been easy, but every experience—from Japan to America, from bartending to teaching, from martial arts to motherhood—has helped shape the person I am today.

My life has taught me that true strength is not about fighting. It is about balance. It is about peace. And it is about sharing that peace with others.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Mental health is an important part of daily life. As a Reiki practitioner and Tai Chi teacher, I help people ease stress, tension, and emotional burdens. However, I am not an exception to life’s struggles.

In my twenties, I experienced deep depression, an eating disorder, and financial difficulties. Even now, it is painful to remember those years. With the support of my family, I was eventually able to find my way out, but those experiences never completely disappeared. If I am not mindful, old fears and insecurities can still resurface.

The challenge has never been the past itself—it is the unexpected moments when those old feelings reappear. Certain situations can trigger them and make me want to retreat into a dark place.

One of my greatest challenges has been language. Even after living in the United States for more than twenty years, English is still difficult for me. Many people assume it should be easy by now, but learning a second language while building a life and career is not always a simple journey.

One of my most difficult experiences came while I was attending graduate school to become a Special Education teacher. I worked hard and completed my coursework, but I struggled to pass the required English examination. I took the test multiple times and could not pass. As a result, I was unable to complete the program. Even today, I am still paying the student loans from that chapter of my life.

That experience hit me hard. It was more than a failed test—it awakened many of the old feelings I thought I had overcome. I felt small, defeated, and not good enough. For a while, I found myself slipping back into that dark place.

Then COVID arrived.

Strangely enough, that difficult period became a turning point. The world slowed down, and so did I. The pause gave me time to reassess my life, recover my energy, and reflect on what truly mattered.

During that time, I made a decision that changed everything: I stopped trying so hard to become someone else. I stopped forcing things that were not aligned with who I really was.

In a way, I quit.

And it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

When I stopped fighting myself, my mind relaxed. When my mind relaxed, joy returned. Instead of chasing someone else’s definition of success, I began following my own path. That path led me to becoming a business owner, teaching Tai Chi, building Mazen Tai Chi, and discovering my true Ikigai—my reason for being.

Today, I still face challenges. I still have moments of self-doubt. But I have learned that peace does not come from perfection. Peace comes from accepting ourselves, embracing our journey, and continuing to move forward one step at a time.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Mazen Tai Chi was created from my deep love for Tai Chi. I fell in love not only with the beauty and grace of the movements, but also with the profound ancient philosophy behind the practice. Through more than ten years of study and practice, I have come to understand that Tai Chi is much more than exercise—it is a path of self-discovery, awareness, healing, and personal growth.

The wisdom found in the Dao De Jing and other classical teachings becomes meaningful through Tai Chi practice. It teaches us how to cultivate awareness both internally and externally, strengthen the body while remaining soft and flexible, open the heart, and develop kindness toward ourselves and others. As awareness grows, we experience a deeper connection with ourselves, with others, and with the world around us.

Over the years, I have noticed that many people who come to the studio are searching for peace, balance, and a greater sense of connection. Modern life often leaves us feeling disconnected from our body, mind, and spirit. Many students tell me that as soon as they enter the studio, they feel a sense of relief and calm, and they leave feeling lighter, more centered, and smiling.

What sets Mazen Tai Chi apart is our focus on helping each individual reconnect with their authentic self. Tai Chi is a practice of letting go—letting go of tension, stress, limiting beliefs, and distractions—so that we can discover who we truly are. By finding our center physically, emotionally, and spiritually, we create a more balanced and joyful life.

In addition to Tai Chi, I offer Reiki healing through Kilahku (気楽) Healing, an energy healing practice that supports relaxation, self-awareness, and emotional well-being. Many people discover hidden stress, emotional burdens, or energetic blockages during their sessions, allowing them to gain greater clarity and move forward with more confidence and purpose.

At Mazen Tai Chi, we combine movement, meditation, ancient wisdom, and Reiki healing to support the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. More than anything, I want the studio to be a place of peace, healing, and genuine human connection. My hope is for Mazen Tai Chi to serve as a lighthouse in the community, helping people discover their true selves, cultivate joy, and live with greater balance and harmony.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://MazenTaiChi.com