No longer standing in our ranks is instructor Joanna Zorya. She passed from us Sunday, March 6th after a long struggle against a fistful of dangerous conditions.
She leaves behind her beloved Julie Hinder along with many people and a large number of martial comrades. Joanna was always a woman of principle willing to speak up regardless of the intolerance and sometimes unfair responses her honest opinions elicited. She was also the vehicle of a dry humor and a fine lush vein of whimsy. She was a spiritual person with a deep interest in truths ineffable and non-ordinary. Though they never met face to face, Joanna and my wife, Debbie Shayne, built a strong bond through correspondence. They shared many topics outside the normal range of the martial, roaming through subjects such as Kabbalism, the vagaries of family, the demands of a moral life.
Joanna was that rare person who could say what she believed, freely express her distaste for some viewpoints and yet, simultaneously, keep both her own dignity and humanity while, somehow, also preserving her opponent’s.Those who did not come away with this boon only lost face by their own hands, not her unconcern.
We will miss the instructor, writer, creator of DVDs: her incendiary enthusiasm, her demonstrations on days so cold you could not see her for her breath; that sheep walking around in the background; and her self defense moves squashed into a corner of their house where the ever-cheerful Julie withstood the punctuating blows.We will miss the person, loving and fierce.
Joanna, keep fighting. Heaven admires the upright.
I will miss her with all my heart . She was so kind and gentle and was a living angel. She always helped other people before herself . The world has lost such a precious person .
I will miss you
Until I see you again .
Love
Daniel
Joanna was a remarkable person. She balanced ferocity, tenacity, kindness, generosity, and a formidable wit. She was in fact one the kindest people I’ve ever known. The world has indeed lost a very precious person who had much to say, and much to contribute, on many levels.
Julie, you know that our thoughts and prayers are with you, and will always be with you.
Jo, you are so dearly missed; but you will always be with me in everything I do. You set quite the example, my friend, and you leave a hefty body of work for those brave enough to embrace it.
I miss you, and always will.
Love always,
Pete and family.
The universe sheds tears in the rain that falls from the sky….
I am really sorry to hear about Joanna’s passing. I had some contact with her through email in the past, and we sharply disagreed on a series of occasions over at the Formosa Neijia or Emptyflower sites. Joanna was a weirdo, and I say this with the utmost admiration. I really liked the straightforwardness of the applications she showed in her videos, and much as I disagreed with her on a number of thing (on qi, or traditional chinese medicine or the fact that I am confirmed agnostic bordering on atheistic, and she obviously wasn’t) I frequently found myself on her side in the sometimes “ferocious” discussions on various forums; it was obvious she had a very good grasp of the practicalities of the internal arts. And she had a wonderful sense of humour, as anyone who saw her infamous Iron Shirt Skill video can attest to. I think our little community of the chinese arts is much poorer for her passing.
Joanna was always willing to fight for whatever she believed to be truth. That is a virtue all too rare; and in this and other areas, many in the Tai Chi community would do well to follow her passionate example.
I was so shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Joanna.
We had many an interesting internet chat over the years, and like many I did not agree with all her opinions.
But Joannas strength in her own beliefs was an inspiration to us all.
Joanna opinions, training methods and her many written words will live on as controversial and inspiring to newer generations as she was to ours.
May you rest in peace.
This is sad news. After coming across Joanna’s articles here, and reading more of her ideas on her website, I knew that I wanted to travel to England in the not-too-distant future to learn from her.
Sadly, that will never happen now. Still, she inspired me, and continues to inspire me, reminding all of us that Tai Chi Chuan is, first and foremost, a MARTIAL art. Whether or not one agreed with her opinions on chi, we can all be thankful for her tireless efforts to reclaim Tai Chi Chuan as the Supreme Ultimate Fist.
I know how she felt about “titles,” but it somehow seems appropriate to say this now:
Rest In Peace, Laoshi
Dear Johana
I never met you but I received much from your video tapes with Julie on the practice of “your Martial Arts” which I found – by the way – to fit my needs so well that I am still dependent on it.
You bring me a sens of honor and fight, still peaceful and respectful, which is exceptional on this planet earth.
As I live in France i was asking to myself : I should cross the Channel and meet Johana Zoarya some day, but this is not possible now. May you receive the Blessings as a rightful sanctity for all the Good you did to all of us through your kind and efficient teachings,
Bernhard
RIP,
The “iron shirt” clip was a favorite of mine.
How have I missed this all these months! I had no idea Ms. Zorya had been so ill. I always enjoyed her articles and dvds– and I was dead chuffed when she actually subscribed to MY stupid little YouTube channel chronicling my attempts to learn baguazhang.
She is missed. đ
Oh my God! What an absolute tragedy. She will indeed be missed.
I’m sorry to hear of your passing. I only found out just now. You will live on through everything you said and sharedâwhich I can’t do withoutâso I won’t have to miss you, although I do.
Goodbye,
Romke.
Her talent, spirit, art, and knowledge live on in her DVDs.
I’ve been studding Bagua Zhang, Hsing I Chuan and Tai Chi Chuan; I’m very fortunate to have a great teacher with over 40 yearsâ experience . I purchased Joanna Zorya’s Bagaua Zhang and Xing Yi Quan DVD’s; and was quite impressed with her experience and knowledge. The instruction was straight forward with clear explanations the camera angles were very good. I would recommend to anyone who is studying Bagua Zhang, Hsing I Chuan and Tai Chi Chuan; if they want to get better and gain knowledge is to purchase any of those DVD’s.
Unfortunately, it’s a huge loss to the Chinese Arts; to lose someone with so much passion and pride in dedicating her life to the Chinese Arts. May God Bless you in Heaven and may God look after and comfort Julie.
MG