2017 World Tai Chi and Qigong Day

SUMMERLAND — In these days of worldwide turmoil and unrest, it can be a wonderful release to help celebrate a happy worldwide event in our communities. For example, Earth Day, has raised awareness of nature and our beautiful, yet fragile, planet.

Another upcoming world-wide event, not yet as widely-known, follows one week later: World Tai Chi and Qigong Day. This annual event, held on the last Saturday in April (April 29 this year), celebrates peaceful and healthy activity.

Most people have heard of Tai Chi and may have seen people doing the gentle, flowing, dance-like exercises in parks during nice weather.

Fewer people are aware of Qigong. Qigong works on many of the same principles as Tai Chi, but involves more repetitive motions. This gives participants a chance to ‘click’ in with the manoevers. It may also be easier for people who need to be seated or are confined to a wheelchair.

It is far more common to see both of these exercises done in large groups in public in China, where these forms originated. But they continue to make inroads throughout North America and the rest of the world.

Originally these disciplines were used as fighting forms. But fighters were found to derive great health benefits from the practice. So the focus is now mainly on the health benefits gained by tuning into the body’s natural alignment and energies.

Health benefits that are attributed to Tai Chi and Qigong are many and similar. A summary of studies shows an impressive list of health improvements, for those who suffer from arthritis, heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, balance problems (a cause of falls), breast cancer, depression, and Parkinson’s disease, to name a few.

The summary, published in the American Journal of Health Promotion, also noted that there were no adverse events reported. Few activities can boast the same.

World Tai Chi and Qigong Day gives people around the world the opportunity to participate, to try it out and experience this peaceful, gentle, and healthy form of exercise.

The public is invited to try it out at Summerland’s second annual WTCQG Day, taking place at the Memorial Park bandshell on Saturday, April 29 from 10 - 11 a.m.

Three Okanagan teachers will be leading the groups: Doug Mathias of Naramata, Sandra Lee of Penticton, and Susan Norie, of Faulder.

The event is open to the public and is free of charge. However, if you are able, a donation of $1 or $2 would be very much appreciated to help defray the cost of organizing the event.

For further information please contact Susan Norie at 250-494-3370.