Qigong 氣功 and Tai Chi (Taiji 太極拳) are treasures of traditional Chinese health and physical cultivation culture. In the United States, the last Saturday of April each year is celebrated as World Tai Chi & Qigong day. This is done for several purposes:
- To educate the world of the profound health and healing benefits of Tai Chi & Qigong for individuals, communities, and nations,
- To thank Chinese culture for creating and sharing these profoundly valuable gifts with the world; and
- To bring together people across racial, economic, religious, and geo-political boundaries, to join together for the purpose of health and healing, providing an example to the world.
The reasons to practice Qigong and Tai Chi are numerous, and modern research has shown them effective in maintaining health as well as in treating a number of diseases, including high blood pressure, diabetes, anxiety and depression, arthritis, knee pain, back pain, and fibromyalgia, just to name a few. The bigger picture is that Qigong and Tai Chi practice creates a dynamic balance in the body that supports our natural vitality.
This year we will celebrate World Tai Chi & Qigong Day on Saturday, April 28 from 9 - 11am with free classes that are open to all who would like to attend. People of all experience levels are welcomed, include those with no prior experience at all.
The first class (9-10am) will focus on Qigong. During that time we will explore various exercises that allow the body to absorb the core vitality of nature, and then learn how the powerful combination of movement, breathing and visualization can balance movement of Qi internally.
The second class (10-11am) will focus on Tai Chi (Taiji), and in particular Hunyuan Chen Style Tai Chi. We will start by warming up with silk-reeling exercises, gentle spiraling movements that stretch the connective tissue. After we will have a group practice of the basic 24 movement short form (beginners can follow along with the group), and then finish with an introduction to Tai Chi Push Hands practice.
Please join us on the last Saturday this April so we can all celebrate healing movement together! Classes will be held at the Wushu Kung Fu Fitness Center in East Hanover - click here for more information and location of the East Hanover school location. For more information please email us or call our office at (973) 660-0110.
For those of you who teach Qigong or Tai Chi to your own students or patients, I would encourage you to set up a free even on the same day. To read more about World Tai Chi & Qigong day click here.