WTCQD is an acronym for World Tai Chi & Qigong Day, which was based by Invoice Douglass and Angela Wang of Kansas Metropolis in 1999 to rejoice the therapeutic artwork globally. WTCQD is noticed on the final Saturday of each April at 10 am native time, with practitioners from around the globe gathering to “play” Tai Chi and Qigong and rejoice the kindred spirit of the artwork. The occasion begins in Fiji and strikes westward by way of seven continents, culminating in Hawaii. Earlier than the Corona pandemic, WTCQD was noticed in lots of of cities massive or small if not in 1000’s.

One of many major goals of WTCQD is to deliver folks collectively throughout racial, financial, spiritual, and geopolitical boundaries for the aim of well being and therapeutic, offering an instance to the world. The celebrations happen in quite a lot of settings, with most occurring outside in a pure atmosphere that emphasizes the philosophy of Tai Chi and Qigong, which emphasizes harmonizing the connection between human and nature. However folks honor WTCQD in their very own means. In St. Louis, Missouri, there’s one group with a dozen folks collect round a lake in a nature reserve whereas others select to be in Lutheran Church of the Atonement to carry their celebratory occasions; in Mexico Metropolis, Mexico, there have been mega Tai Chi with greater than 3,000 members. Per Wikipedia, the Nationwide Council of Deputies in Brazil joined 22 U.S. Governors, the Senates of California, New York, and Puerto Rico and different officers and our bodies from around the globe in recognizing World Tai Chi & Qigong Day in 2013.

Las Vegas, sometimes called “Sin Metropolis,” is understood for its vibrant nightlife, together with over-powering neon lights, noisy slot machines, and limitless events with flowing drinks and enormous dishes, in addition to mega concert events with well-known stars and mind-blowing magic exhibits. This repute could seem at odds with the ideas of Tai Chi and Qigong.

Desert Breeze Park, an unlimited 240-acre public park with each indoor and outside services, is situated a brief 10-minute drive from the well-known Las Vegas Strip. It boasts facilities similar to assembly rooms, a swimming pool, pickleball courts, a baseball diamond, basketball courts, kids’s playgrounds, canine parks, picnic areas, soccer fields, and extra. It is among the largest neighborhood parks in Clark County, which incorporates the town of Las Vegas.

Kat Reyes, a Qigong instructor and medical Qigong healer who has lived in Las Vegas for years, has volunteered to arrange the WTCQD celebrations for a number of years. She has a broad understanding of Qi and considers any exercise that includes breath work to be Qigong. Because of this, the WTCQD celebration in Las Vegas has a practice of inviting varied modalities of Qi work, together with varied Chinese language martial arts, well being Qigong, Tai Chi, drumming, flute taking part in, Hawaiian chanting, and extra. With the assist of the Clark County Park Administration, this yr’s WTCQD celebration occurred within the southwest nook of the park, underneath the shade of a number of massive bushes. With the assistance of Tai Chi colleges, knowledgeable audio-visual system was arrange, banners was erected, and college pamphlets have been displayed on a desk. Over 100 practitioners, together with their households and pals, participated within the occasion, and even a toddler was having fun with the pleasant environment.

This system started at 9:30 am with a delicate warm-up led by Sifu Greg Pergament, which many newcomers additionally joined. Kat welcomed all attendees, and some phrases about Invoice Douglas and Angela Wang have been addressed by me. This was adopted by a spherical of Golden (Qi) Ball train led by Kat. At 10 am, the native group joined the worldwide celebration in motion and spirit. The occasion included a Lion Dance carried out by Lohan Faculty of Shaolin with 9 lions and the youngest performer was solely 6-year-old and varied Shaolin martial artwork maneuverings, a gaggle demonstration of Shibashi or Tai Chi Qigong 18 Kind, a high-energy drumming session by Kaminari Taiko Japanese Drummers, and demonstrations of normal Tai Chi 24 and martial strategies by Sifu Amin and his college students, a efficiency of “Simple Move,” a soothing routine with Tai Chi and Qigong actions choreographed by me, and exhibitions of Chen Model 18 type and a number of Shaolin kung fu by Shaolin Tai Chi Tradition Middle in Henderson. Lastly, Sifu Jack Soderberg showcased Liu-He-Ba-Fa. 97-year-young Marie, who couldn’t stroll 12 years in the past. However with day by day observe of Qigong, she now can stroll with help. She was current, which was very inspirational. All the occasion lasted for 2 and a half hours, however with many packed applications, it didn’t really feel lengthy. Shirley and her pals, who weren’t practitioners, got here to look at and sometimes joined within the group practices. Though the temperature climbed to the high-80s close to midday, the tree shades and breeze made it fulfilling for Shirley and her pals. In contrast to the glitz and glamour of the Las Vegas Strip, the WTCQD celebration at Desert Breeze Park is a grassroots occasion stuffed with enthusiasm and with none flashy shows.

Disclaimer: I used to be a performer throughout this occasion.

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