Dear Editor:
World Tai Chi and Qigong Day took place on April 30 at 10 a.m. in each time zone across the world.
This year, Summerland participated by hosting an event at Memorial Park.
I didn’t actually count, but I think at one point in time we probably had around 50 to 60 people joining together in the park to do our simple and gentle “dance-like” moves and breathing exercises!
No public event like this can take place without people being willing to help.
First of all, thanks to the Summerland Review for providing great coverage for us with both a press release and a very lovely article in the Arts Spectrum column by Douglas Paton.
Secondly, thank you to everybody who came to participate in the event! I’d also like to thank instructors Sandra Lee of Penticton for both leading the first activity, and for doing a workshop on Qigong, and Doug Mathias who came from across the water in Naramata — probably foregoing the best sales in the annual Naramata Yard Sale — to do a demonstration of Moy-style Tai Chi, and to lead a beginner’s workshop.
I might add that also, if it wasn’t for Debi Johnson, who was kind enough to provide a wireless microphone PA for us, certainly Sandra and I would probably have developed very hoarse voices!
Tai Chi and Qigong have proven medical benefits as indicated in a book produced by the Harvard Medical School as well as numerous other studies.
We are fortunate to have a pretty active Tai Chi community in Summerland.
People can choose from three different instructional groups to suit their style preference or schedule: days or evenings.
If people would like information about trying Tai Chi at the Senior’s Drop-In Tuesday and Friday mornings, I invite them to call me at 250-494-3370.
I would be happy to provide contact information to reach the other local Tai Chi instructors, as well as qualified Qigong instructors in Penticton.
Susan Norie
Summerland