“One World … … One Breath”
A relay of special events to celebrate World Tai Chi and Qigong Day (WTCQD) will begin in New Zealand and end 24 hours later in Hawaii.
WTCQD is officially recognized by the United Nations World Health Organization and aims to promote and educate the world to the benefits of practising Tai Chi and Qigong.
Since 2002, at 10.00am local time, Tai Chi and Qigong enthusiasts in New Zealand have had the honour of kick-starting WTCQD for the rest of the world and to initiate a “healing wave of energy” to encircle the globe.
This year WTCQD will be held on Saturday, 25th April and in observance of Anzac Day the usual large public events will take place in the afternoon instead.
However, New Zealand at the prescribed time of 10.00am will still kick-start WTCQD. Individuals and small groups of practitioners will gather to perform Tai Chi and Qigong privately with the hope that the new “healing wave of energy” they initiate for the world in 2009, will also carry the Spirit of Anzac – for peace, freedom, unity, love of life.
In Auckland, the celebration of WTCQD will for the first time take place over two days. On Saturday afternoon the public demonstrations will include mass displays of Tai Chi and Qigong performed by combined clubs and schools. A special seminar is planned for Sunday to teach the Ba Duan Jin Qigong routine. This simple to learn, evidence-based health Qigong from China is currently being promoted world-wide.
Research have shown that the traditional Chinese health technologies of Tai Chi and Qigong can reduce anxiety, depression, and chronic pain conditions. They can boost the immune system, improve respiratory function, burn calories, dramatically improve balance, improve cardiovascular benefit, provide powerful stress management tools, and slow aspects of the aging process.
WTCQD in New Zealand is organized by the New Zealand National Tai Chi Chuan Association Inc.
Further information is available at the websites:
www.worldtaichiday-akl.org
www.worldtaichiday.org
Contacts:
Diana Lau, Ph: 638 5308, 021-182 4963
Orlando Garcia, Ph: 636 1329, 021-560 200
David Wong, Ph: 625 5197, 027-475 4162
NZ National T'ai Chi Ch'uan Association Inc. 