At 10:00 am on April 24, 2010, people around the world will join in a cooperative effort to transmit their positive energy (chi) around the world through the performance and celebration of the Chinese martial art known as tai chi chuan (tai chi). Tai chi and qigong practitioners (both teachers and students) will commit themselves to perform, demonstrate, train, and study the tai chi and qigong forms and exercises for one hour beginning at 10:00 am, each according to his or her local time zone. This year marks the 12th anniversary of World Tai Chi and Qigong Day.
What is Tai Chi?
Tai chi chuan is a Chinese martial art that also works to promote health and well-being in an individual. In the west the focus of study is usually on the latter. Through the performance of tai chi forms, a practitioner can improve their overall health. Tai chi has been found to enhance a number of health factors.
- Balance. Studies have shown a decrease in the number of falls in seniors that practice tai chi regularly.
- Flexibility. Performance of the 108 movement “long” tai chi form has been shown to use over 90% of the muscles in the human body.
- Lower blood pressure. To practice the form a person must be relaxed and research suggests this relaxation is retained outside of the form with lower blood pressure measurements.
- Reduced Bone Loss. While practicing tai chi does not stop bone loss altogether, it appears that the rate of bone loss is decreased.
To find information about medical research on the effects of tai chi and qigong on various health conditions, go to the World Tai Chi and Qigong Day (WTCQD) website and click on “Medical Research” on the left side of the screen (very small print).
What Style of Tai Chi will be Demonstrated on World Tai Chi Day?
There are five major styles of tai chi and many minor ones. The major styles are:
- Chen
- Sun
- Wu
- Wu-Yu
- Yang
While each style has different characteristics, the basic principles of movement and balance are the same. The style performed at the various local events will be determined by the participants.
Where Will the Tai Chi Day Celebrations Take Place?
WTCQD events will take place all over the world. To find a local event:
- Visit the WTCQD website
- Click on “Find WTCQD Events or Tai Chi & Qigong Schools.” (Left side of screen near top.)
- Enter criteria for searching locally (School, City, State/Province, Country)
- Click on the Search button.
The data base search is very specific. If a person is from a small town that is not having a celebration and a nearby city or town is having a celebration the nearby town won’t show up in the search.
The best way to search is by state/province. This will definitely bring up some local schools. Not all schools will hold their own event. Some schools will use WTCQD as an opportunity to work with other schools, teachers and practitioners.
When looking at the school listings, immediately below the school contact information, at the left will be a link marked: “+ Show World Tai Chi & Qigong Day event plans.” Click on this to see if any events are planned. If an event is planned it will appear below the school contact info with a bold heading of “WTCQD Event Details:” and additional information posted.
Benefits of Attending World Tai Chi Day Event
- WTCQD is an event that can be beneficial to all who participate.
- It allows experienced practitioners to meet and share their skills with others.
- It provides new students with an opportunity to see and learn other styles and forms of tai chi and qigong.
- Those who are just thinking about beginning their study of tai chi chuan or qigong can speak with teachers from different schools and a variety of styles. (See also Advice to Beginning Tai Chi Chuan Students.)
- Those same potential new students can also talk with students and find out what they think of their school and teacher as well as how their studies have affected the rest of their life.
On April 24, 2010, thousands of tai chi and qigong practitioners will be performing tai chi and qigong. Some of these performances will involve multiple schools and teachers and boast hundreds of participants. Others will be smaller in scope with perhaps a special Saturday WTCQD class. Whether it’s celebrated with elaborate dragon or lion dances and fancy silk uniforms or just a small local group or even a lone practitioner in the park, the positive chi energy will be flowing around the world. Become a part of the event.
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