World Tai Chi and Qigong Day

Experience the healing benefits of Tai Chi and Qigong.

Submitted by Richard Nieman and Shelia Baker

World Tai Chi and Qigong Day (WTCQD) is an annual event that has quietly spread across the planet. It brings people together worldwide across economic and geopolitical lines coming together to celebrate health and healing. Founded by Bill Douglas of Olathe, Kansas, WTCQD has been held since 1999. It is held the last Saturday of each April to promote the related disciplines of Tai Chi and Qigong in sixty countries and to include all 50 states.  This world-wide event begins at 10:00 a.m. with groups performing Tai Chi in New Zealand.  It then crosses each time zone across the world and finishes with final events in Hawaii.

The mission of this multinational effort is ongoing, to expose people to the growing body of medical research related to traditional Chinese medicine and to direct them to teachers in their home towns. There are different styles of Tai Chi and Qigong.  Who actually created Tai Chi is a subject of much argument and speculation. Both Tai chi and Qigong consist of precise yet gentle movements and breathing which reduce stress, improve balance and concentration, lower heart rate and blood pressure as well as provide numerous other health benefits. Richard Nieman, Tai Chi instructor at Sagasu Family Martial Arts states, “This is why a straightforward answer of what Tai Chi is(is) at best, vague.  If you are asking the question, the lack of a clear answer is puzzling and frustrating.  Pose the question to an experienced practitioner and the eye will twinkle and a smile will emerge and soon that person’s mind may drift off to somewhere far away.  Hmmmm.”

“Why then celebrate some abstraction?” he asked. His teacher describes Tai Chi as “a vehicle for immortality. Its concepts and exercise strengthen the physical body, quiet the mind and if you receive appropriate training, allow the spirit to blossom.” Millions worldwide have experienced the healing benefits of Tai Chi and Qigong. People who've felt the profound stress management benefits of these ancient tools, and realize what they offer humanity, have begun to come together to share that awareness with society at large and at a time when the world needs it the most. This April 26th at 10:00 a.m., several Tai Chi and Qigong groups of Leavenworth and surrounding communities will assemble at Landing Park as part of this worldwide celebration.  These are fine and thoughtful people who have taken positive steps to improve their lives.  Beginning at 9:00 a.m. will be an introduction followed by some short demonstrations of various forms of Tai Chi and Qigong to include. We invite you to come out and discover for yourselves why we practice and feel this ancient art, that has enriched the lives of so many people, deserves to be celebrated.