Meet Shravan Avyukta | Martial Artist – Wu Style Tai Chi Practitioner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shravan Avyukta and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shravan, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
Success means different things to different people. For me, it’s defined by my ability to learn, adapt, grow, and make a positive impact in the world. The habit of continuous learning has propelled me to new heights, and I want to share how learning truly works.

I strongly believe that in order to learn effectively, you must have an open mind—a mind receptive to new ideas. Interestingly, the reverse is also true: if you have the willingness to learn and grow, your mind naturally opens up. It’s a cycle, where it feels like the openness and the desire to learn feed into each other.

When learning something new, it’s crucial to approach it without any assumptions. Assumptions are like clouds that obscure the clear, sunny sky of understanding. When I began my martial arts journey, I approached Tai Chi with a clear mind, free of any preconceived notions—whether about what it would be like, how it might benefit me, or if it was even worth pursuing. My only intention was to learn without any prejudgments. Unfortunately, I see many new martial arts students form misconceptions about Tai Chi before they even start. When they finally begin practicing, they often feel disappointed, thinking, ‘This isn’t what I was looking for.’

Learning should be intentional. It’s not about mindlessly scrolling through social media and consuming whatever comes your way. I always advise people to search more than they scroll on the internet. The old saying ‘knowledge is power’ is outdated. In today’s world of content overload, intentional knowledge is the real power.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I specialize in Wu Style Tai Chi, a martial arts practice that emphasizes slow, continuous physical exercise with an internal focus. What sets me apart is my commitment to the art despite starting later in life. Wu Style Tai Chi’s practicality and alignment with the body frame have made it a perfect fit for me. I’m particularly proud of how far I’ve come within two years of training—performing in over 15 events and beginning to write a book about Tai Chi. My dedication to asking insightful questions and learning from seasoned practitioners is also a unique aspect of my wellness pursuits.

Initially, I pursued a career in engineering, but after experiencing stress-related health issues, I turned to martial arts—a lifelong passion. I began my Tai Chi journey in the last quarter of 2022, searching for a meaningful way to kick stress out of my life. However, catching up with experienced practitioners posed a significant challenge, as I needed to make up for lost time. I overcame this by dedicating extra hours to daily practice and focusing on mastering fundamentals like the Tai Chi Walk, which required over 100 hours of training. This intense practice, combined with my engineering mindset, helped me adapt quickly and integrate Tai Chi into my life.

Tai Chi has taught me invaluable lessons in patience and persistence. The process of recalibrating my body due to weight loss and the need to listen to my body’s signals were crucial lessons in martial arts practice. I’ve discovered that success in Tai Chi about completely embracing the journey and growing with each challenge.

I want people to know that it’s never too late to start a journey of health and wellness, and that Tai Chi offers benefits beyond physical fitness. My story underscores the importance of commitment, curiosity, and resilience. Through my practice, content creation, and writing, I aim to share the power of Wu Style Tai Chi and inspire others to explore this path of personal growth.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend were visiting Dallas for a week, I’d take them to enjoy the city’s natural beauty. We’d explore White Rock Lake for kayaking and trails, hike at Cedar Ridge Preserve, and visit Dallas Arboretum. We’d also enjoy a day at Lake Lewisville for some boating and relaxation.

For dining, I’d go for Korean BBQ places, Chinese Skewers, and South Indian Cuisine.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, I want to dedicate this shoutout to my martial arts teacher, Dr. Henry Su, for helping me become a better person holistically, in addition to teaching me martial arts. I also want to recognize my teacher’s teacher, Grand Master Johnny Kwong Ming Lee, for pioneering and cultivating Wu Style Tai Chi in our lives. It is a true blessing to be a small part of Grand Master Lee’s 50 years of dedication to teaching and learning martial arts.

I would also like to dedicate this to my Tai Chi group, Team Wu Yi of Coppell, TX. They’ve always had my back, helping me learn, grow, and feel included. I’m approaching my second anniversary, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the encouragement and positivity of my team.

Website: https://shravanavyukta.com/