Every year on the last Saturday of April, tens of thousands of people in more than 70 countries come together, to practice tai chi and qigong and to provide a healing vision for our world. World Tai Chi & Qigong Day is Saturday, April 27 at 10am, in every time zone, creating a wave of healing qi (energy) around the world. Please see the location update below. Check out the Facebook page for World Tai Chi & Qigong Day in Central Texas to find out about the official Austin gathering.
AOMA and Sheng Zhen Austin are co-sponsoring a free Qi “Tasting” in the afternoon from 2-5pm. Find out more details here. This event is suitable for all ages and abilities. Participants may come and go or stay from the entire program. Here’s the schedule of events.
2:00pm Welcome and Opening
2:15pm Practice movements from Heaven Nature Gong
2:45 pm Learn the form Awakening the Soul Gong
3:15 pm Practice movements from Return to Spring
3:45 pm Practice movements from Sheng Zhen Healing Gong
4:15 Master Li Junfeng will discuss Sheng Zhen philosophy
What is Qigong?
Qigong is an ancient Chinese health care system practiced for health maintenance, healing and increasing vitality. It is practiced through an integration of physical postures, breathing techniques, and focused intention.
The word Qigong (chi kung or chi gung) is made up of two Chinese words. Qi (pronounced chee) is usually translated to mean the life force or vital-energy that flows through all things in the universe. The second word, Gong (pronounced gung) means work or cultivation. Together, Qigong means life energy cultivation.
Widely practiced in Asia, qigong has recently become popular in the West as an approach to overall health and well-being. Practicing qigong induces a relaxation response that can positively impact your body’s natural healing ability and increase your sense of balance in our stressful society.
Visit the National Qigong Association website for more resources about qigong.
What is Tai Chi?
T'ai chi ch'uan or Taijiquan, often shortened to t'ai chi, taiji or tai chi in English usage, is an internal Chinese martial art originally practiced for both its defense training and its health benefits. Today, it is primarily practiced to maintain good health, both physical and mental. Tai Chi has been recommended as an adjunct therapy for chronic pain, arthritis, insomnia, asthma, high blood pressure, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and many psychosomatic illnesses.
Here are some recognized benefits of practicing tai chi and qigong:
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reduces stress responses, lowering the incidence of anxiety, depression, fatigue, and general mood disturbance
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minimizes the effects of chronic conditions such as allergies and asthma T'ai Chi improves breathing capacity
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regular practice can lower high blood pressure
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improves balance and coordination TWICE as effectively as other balance training
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improves postural control, while stretching, toning and relaxing the body in a cumulative way that no other exercise can achieve
AOMA offers informal classes in taiji and qigong in south Austin. You can search for classes worldwide on the World Tai Chi Day website.
