Saturday, April 26, 2014, started out as a chilly morning at the Kettering Recreation Complex for the 2014 World Tai Chi and Qigong day event. The wild Canadian Geese were playing on the pond next to the center and people were out strolling along the walk paths enjoying the spring day. As many of the Tai Chi players started to assemble, old and new friends said their greetings. The sun was trying to peak out from behind the clouds as if to say welcome to this day of healing and peace.
The Event started with introductions and Special Thanks to the volunteers (Nancy Boss KRC , Steve Warner, Bill and Sue McCabe, and Master Manuel Taningco) that help organized the WTCQD. We had several schools represented; the McCabe’s brought their “Lovely Ladies of Tai Chi” in from Huber Heights, while the group from KRC was represented as well. We even had a few first time beginners. We then proceeded into 30 minutes worth of Qigong breathing exercises beginning with the Eight Brocades, followed by the Cosmic Vessel and finishing with the Bone Marrow Cleansing. Now that everyone is feeling warm and comfortable, we separated the group by experience and interest.
The groups varied from the beginner to the more advance players. The advanced player grouped together to go through the Ancient Yang long form, and those who only knew the first section, practiced off to one side with the guidance of an instructor. The people who have never done Tai Chi gathered near the pond and took their first “Tai Chi” steps on their journey. The instructor reminded the beginners of a time when they first learning to walk, where everything was new and exciting and they should take that approach with “Tai Chi”. The instructor suggested that the beginner should be mindful of their movements, and explore what was once taken for granted.
After the groups finished with the forms and basic instruction the entire group gathered for a quick photo before people had to be on their way. The Senior TAMA students stayed for a bit longer and performed the “Butterfly Fan” form, then invited everyone else to join them in the 24 movement form. At the conclusion of the demonstration, we were treated with rousing round of Push Hands. Then we did a few closing Qigongs so that everyone would leave with feeling positive and energized for the weekend. We wish our participants a great weekend and that we will hope to see them in class soon. As people were leaving we encourage them to keep practicing and to come out again next year for the 2015 World Tai Chi and Qigong Day celebration.
Learn More About Tai Chi
If you’d like to learn more about tai chi, qigong, or push hands, contact TAMA Martial Arts. We offer child and adult classes in a number of martial arts styles including traditional tai chi and qigong.