“World Tai Chi and Qigong Day (WTCQD), also spelled World T’ai Chi and Ch’i Kung Day, is an annual event held the last Saturday of April each year to promote the related disciplines of T’ai chi ch’uan and Qigong in sixty countries since 1999.

The annual April event is open to the general public, and begins in the earliest time zones of New Zealand at 10 am, and then participants across Oceania, Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, and South America take part, with celebrations in sixty nations and several hundred cities, ending with the final events in the last time zones of Hawaii almost an entire day later. Celebrations include mass t’ai chi ch’uan and qigong exhibitions in many cities, and free classes in most participating cities. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Tai_Chi_&_Qigong_Day)”

World Tai Chi and Qigong Day’s stated goals are to (http://worldtaichiday.org/ABOUTwtcqd.html):

1. To educate the world of the profound health & healing benefits of Tai Chi & Qigong for individuals, communities, and nations
2. To thank Chinese culture for creating and sharing these profoundly valuable gifts with the world
3. To bring together people across racial, economic, religious, and geo-political boundaries, to join together for the purpose of health and healing, providing an example to the world.
4. To give a powerful example of how the power of the internet can be used to foster global health & healing.

One suggestion would be to add a fifth goal to include thanking and acknowledging the Taoists and Taoism; if not for their tireless research and cultivation the world would have neither Tai Chi or Qigong, since both are rooted in the Tao of Revitalization. Huang Di and Lao Tzu (as well as other Sages and Classics) both mentioned the importance of the Tao of Revitalization. Huang Di’s (Yellow Emperor) original name for the exercises was Yang Sheng Shu which translates as Tao of Revitalization or

“the achievement of a happy, healthy, and long life through the utilization of a single or a group of mental and physical movements to prevent and correct all ailments, reverse the aging process and improve all functions of the body. (Dr. Stephen T. Chang, The Great Tao p. 56)”

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Tens of thousands of people, most likely many more, in more than 70 countries will participate in World Tai Chi and Qigong Day activities on Sat. April 27, 2013.

The annual event began in 1999 in order to introduce Tai Chi and Qigong as well as promote the many health benefits to people who are unfamiliar with the systems, as well as become an annual meeting for like minded practitioners.

The following list are events hosted by members of the National Qigong Association, visit the official World Tai Chi and Qigong site for a list of events around the world.

CALIFORNIA

World Tai Chi & Qigong Day Celebration
Saturday April 27, 2013
9:30AM (see event listing)
Special Guest: Mark Johnson
Cloverdale City Park
(Go to the West end of 2nd Street)
Cloverdale, CA 95425
Contact/Host: Janet Seaforth

707.894.7345

PYNKQigong.com
www.WorldTaichiDay.org

World Tai Chi Qigong Day Celebration

Saturday April 27, 2013

10:00AM

Balboa Park, 6th & Upas St. San Diego, CA

Contact: Chris Enders

c.enders@cox.net

COLORADO

Mayfair Park World Tai Chi & Qigong Celebration

Saturday April 27, 2013

11:00 – 12:30 PM (MDT)

Southeast corner of Mayfair Park

(at the intersection of 10th and Jersey Sts.)
Contact/Host: Eric Imbody

303.355.1239

ericimbody9@gmail.com

If the weather is poor the event will be held across the street at Dancing The Soul studio,
950-C Jersey Street

303.502.4586

dancingthesoul.com

CONNECTICUT

World Tai Chi Qigong Day Celebration

Saturday April, 27, 2013

10:00AM – 11:00AM

Madison Senior Center

29 Bradley Road Madison, CT 06443

Contact: Suzanne Hanley

203.444.2856

Susyclaire@hotmail.com

***************************

World Tai Chi Qigong Day

Saturday April 27, 2013

10:00AM – 3:00PM

Town Green – Colchester, CT

Contact: George Hoffman

860.742.5892

George@silverbirds.com

www.connecticuttaichi.us

***************************

Milford World Tai Chi Qigong Day Celebration

Saturday April 27, 2013

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Milford Town Green,
Broad Street, Milford, CT 06460

Contact: Lamont Thomas

203-843-1595

ldtlamont@sbcglobal.net

FLORIDA

World Tai Chi &Qigong Day

Saturday April, 27, 2013

9:45AM —

Ingalls Park

East of I95 and South of Hallandale Beach Blvd.

Hallandale FL,33009 South West 8th Ave.

Contact/Host: Raven Cohan

954.457.1450

ILLINOIS

14th Annual World Tai Chi Qigong Day
“Global Wave of Healing Energy”

Saturday April 27, 2013
9:00 AM – Until??

KVPD’s “Bird Park” 893 W. Station St.

Kankakee, Illinois 60901
Contact/Host: Gary Paruszkiewicz

visit us on Facebook

k3wellness@gmail.com

KENTUCKY

Ashland Area World Tai Chi & Qigong Day Event

Saturday April 27, 2013

Central Park at 17th St. and Lexington Ave.

Ashland, KY

Contact/Host: Nancy Compton

606.465.0317

nancycompton54@yahoo.com

MASSACHUSETTS

World Tai Chi & Qigong Day – Worcester

Saturday April 27, 2013 10:00AM – 12:00PM

Elm Park, Worcester, Massachusetts

Contact/Host: Gary Lachapelle

508.793.2072

sifugary@charter.net

NEVADA

World Tai Chi & Qigong Day – Las Vegas

Saturday April 27, 2013

Event starts at 9:00AM

Delmar Gardens of Green Valley

100 Delmar Gardens Dr., Henderson, NV

(near Pecos & Wigwam)

Contact/Host: Kat Reyes-Campbell

702.743.3786

NEW JERSEY

World Tai Chi Qigong Day – Practice in the Park

Saturday April 27, 2013

10:00 AM

Verona Park, Verona, NJ

Contact/Host: Mir-Yam School of Tai Chi Qigong
and Meditation

Miriam: 973.857.9536

miriam@mir-yam.com

NEW YORK

World Tai Chi & Qigong Day – Patchogue

Saturday April 27, 2013

9:00AM – 12:0PM

(Rain Date – Saturday May 4, 2013 9:00AM – 12:00 PM

Shorefront Park – Ryder Ave. & Smith St. Patchogue Long Island NY

Contact/Host: Laurince McElroy

1.631.475.5730

Laoshi@WaterTigerTaiChi.com

***************************

2013 World Tai Chi Qigong Day

Saturday April 27, 2013

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Southern Saratoga YMCA

Clifton Park, New York 12065

Sal Casano

518-371-2139 (YMCA)

OHIO

World Tai Chi & Qigong Day Event

Saturday April 27, 2013

10:30AM – 12:00PM

Howard Long Wellness Center Gymnasium800 Medical Park, Wheeling, WV 26003

Contact/Host: Steve Perdok Sr.

740.633.9731

sperdok6@aol.com

T’ai Chi and Qigong: Sunset Health Arts FB.

Just off Interstate 70 Washington Ave. Exit

Minutes from Bridgeport, Ohio

PENNSYLVANIA

World Tai Chi & Qigong Day Celebration
Saturday April 27, 2013
12:00 Noon
Ambler Borough Park
Located at the intersection of Hendricks St and Valley Brook Road
Ambler, PA
Contact/Host: Karen Steinbrecher

215.836.7184

Karen4Qigong@gmail.com

World Tai Chi Qigong Day Celebration

Saturday April 27, 2013

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

Sun Style Taiji Workshops:
Intro to 31 Form

10:45 AM – 11:30 AM
73 Form Study
12:00 – 1:00PM
Health By Design Natural Clinic

12 Keystone Court

Leola, Pennsylvania 17540

Jeannie Peck

717-556-8103

info@healthbydesignnaturally.com

Health By Design Natural Clinic on Facebook

TEXAS

World Tai Chi Qigong Day

Saturday April 27, 2013

9:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Northrup Park Pavilion
37550 IH-10 Boerne, Texas

Contact/Host: Joellen Kaczorowski

210.888.0846

joellen@vibrantlotus.net

www.vibrantlotus.net/wtcqday.html

World Tai Chi Qigong Day
Join the Qi – Flow Around the World
Saturday April 27, 2013
Serene Harvest –

Art of Qigong, Meditation & Yoga.

2401 Canyon Creek Sherman, Texas 75092

Contact/Host: Maria Silen

903.436.0569

sereneharvest.qigong.yoga@gmail.com

Space is limited! Register early for this FREE event.

VIRGINIA

World Tai Chi & Qigong Day 2013
Saturday April 27, 2013
9:45AM – 12:00PM
Forest Hill Park
4021 Forest Hill Ave.
Richmond, VA
Contact/Host:
Joy Black

804.971.7135

joycblack@gmail.com
Mary Vilcheck

804.314.3368

playfulnrg@verizon.net

World Tai Chi Qigong Day

Saturday April 27, 2013

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

Vienna, Virginia
Contact/Host: The Peaceable Dragon Internal Arts Consortium

703-625-8431

www.peaceabledragon.org

Remember to send photos and relevant follow up information to the National Taoism Examiner if you attend any of the World Tai Chi & Qigong Day events.

Don’t miss another National Taoism Examiner article. Receive e-mail alerts when new articles are available. Just click on the “Subscribe” button below; also make sure you click all of those social network buttons and share the article with your friends and family as well. You can also follow the Qi Institutes Taoism blog.

Do you have a story, photo or video from your area that would be of interest to Taoists? Feel free to email (TJ@theQiInstitute.com) and they may be included or featured in a National Taoism Examiner article.

For over 30 years a trip to New York City would not be complete without visiting Pearl River Mart in SoHo (477 Broadway, NYC, between Broome St. & Grand St., 800-878-2446). According to their brochure, Pearl River is:

“New York’s most celebrated Chinese-American department store….Pearl River features a staggering assortment of traditional products from across Asia including Chinese fashion…, Japanese ceramics, Chinese cookware, ornamental lighting … and much, much more. With over 30,000 square feet of items flowing across three giant floors, Pearl River invites urban trekkers into the heart of the Far East…[to visit] a New York cultural institution. (Pearl River brochure)”

The store has a large selection of Chinese fashion including: Kung Fu & Tai Chi clothing, ladies dresses, children’s clothes, Kung Fu & Tai Chi shoes, scholars robes, tailored suits, Japanese kimonos, embroidered slippers etc…

They also have a large assortment of tea sets, sake sets, Chinese and Japanese bowls, woks, as well as snacks which come in handy walking NY’s streets. What Pearl River lacks in food (this is not a grocery store or restaurant), they more than make up for in authentic Chinese clothing and merchandise.

The upstairs tea bar serves more than 100 varieties of loose leaf tea from China, Japan and South Asia, which can be purchased by the pot or the pound. There is a lovely seating area where you can sip handpicked tea while watching the shoppers below. They periodically offer tea ceremony demonstrations and are more than willing to answer any questions you may have regarding tea. Keep in mind that the prices may be more than you are use to since the quality of the tea offered at Pearl River is much higher than you would typically find in a grocery store, even in an Asian grocery store.

“Best value for anyone wanting to experience NYC on a budget. (Today Show)”

“New Yorker’s secret of affordable Asian goods now has a SoHo address. (House & Garden Magazine)”

“Pearl River … has long been considered a hidden gem by fashionistas and others in search of everything from affordable silk jackets to hand-painted dinnerware. (Crain’s New York Business)”

For those unable to travel to New York City, or for those who can’t get enough of Pearl River, you can enjoy the store via www.PearlRiver.com which offers many of the items from the store. A tip regarding the website: if you do not see an item listed, then call the store directly rather than assuming they do not carry it.

Also, if you are ordering clothes, the sizes listed are Chinese sizes and usually are one size smaller than many people would usually purchase. The staff provide excellent customer service, even over the phone, with ensuring the proper sizes are ordered, they will even walk you through the method of measuring someone for their shirt or jacket size etc…

Don’t miss another National Taoism Examiner article. Receive e-mail alerts when new articles are available. Just click on the “Subscribe” button below; also make sure you click all of those social network buttons and share the article with your friends and family as well. You can also follow the Qi Institutes Taoism blog.

Do you have a story, photo or video from your area that would be of interest to Taoists? Feel free to email (TJ@theQiInstitute.com) and they may be included or featured in a National Taoism Examiner article.

For many around the world, spring represents a return to life and family. People begin to look forward to improved weather, spending more time outdoors and to finally working towards some of the New Years goals/plans they created. This is often a time for people to also reconnect to God through their religious or spiritual practices as evident with the numerous holidays from many different religions and cultures.

As with the other seasons, spring has a major impact on our lives, nature and Earth as well. According to Huang Di (aka Yellow Emperor: Taoist Sage and Emperor):

“The three months of the spring season bring about the revitalization of all things in nature. It is the time of birth. This is when heaven and earth are reborn. During this season it is advisable to retire early. Arise early also and go walking in order to absorb the fresh, invigorating energy. Since this is the season in which the universal energy begins anew and rejuvenates, one should attempt to correspond to it directly by being open and unsuppressed, both physically and emotionally.

On the physical level it is good to exercise [Internal Exercises] more frequently and wear loose fitting clothing. This is the time to do stretching exercises to loosen up the tendons and muscles. Emotionally, it is good to develop equanimity. This is because spring is the season of the liver, and indulgence in anger, frustration, depression, sadness, or any excess emotion can injure the liver. Furthermore, violating the natural order of spring will cause cold disease, illness inflicted by atmospheric cold, during summer. (The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine by Maoshing Ni p.5)”

It is important to also protect oneself from the effects of wind by covering the head, protecting the throat, keeping the body warm with jackets etc… If one does not protect themselves from the effects of wind or at least expel the trapped wind during spring they will suffer problems with their spleen resulting in diarrhea, indigestion and food retention/poisoning.

Qi Bo (Huang Di’s Taoist adviser and physician) informed Huang Di that:

“…with the arrival of spring the weather warms the earth. All plants begin to sprout and put forth green leaves, so the color associated with spring is green. Since most fruits and trees are immature and unripe at this time, their taste is sour. This sour taste can strengthen the liver, and the liver can then nourish the tendons and tendomuscular channels. The wood element of the liver can produce the fire element of the heart… (The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine by Maoshing Ni, p.20)”

Thus the liver as the bodies representation of the wood element helps to nourish and protect the heart, thus if a person suffers from liver problems or has anger and stress issues, they will eventually harm their heart. This is also reflected in the connection between a weakened liver affecting cholesterol and saturated fat problems in the blood which will lead to heart disease and other cardiovascular problems.

There is much wisdom to be learned from the five elements/five phases of change and the associated seasons and its impact on our overall health and longevity.

Don’t miss another National Taoism Examiner article. Receive e-mail alerts when new articles are available. Just click on the “Subscribe” button below; also make sure you click all of those social network buttons and share the article with your friends and family as well. You can also follow the Qi Institutes Taoism blog.

Do you have a story, photo or video from your area that would be of interest to Taoists? Feel free to email (TJ@theQiInstitute.com) and they may be included or featured in a National Taoism Examiner article.

Some of you may be aware that the Chinese calendar is divided into 12 months represented by 12 animals. What you may not be aware of is that the Chinese calendar is the oldest calendar still in use. Our modern view of the calendar stems from a very basic understanding of the ancient Chinese calendar. The explanation of this tidbit of historical data will need to wait for a future article.

The common 12 animal delineation that many of you have seen while dining in a Chinese restaurant is purely for entertainment value and it does not carry much scholarly weight. In fact, most interpretations of the 12 animals are quite comical and fun to read for their entertainment value.

This year the Yang Water Dragon is transitioning to the Yin Water Snake as the cycle of change continues from Yang to Yin. The snake is also known as the minor or little dragon and has some of the same attributes of Dragon years.

In general, Snake years are regarded as auspicious years and a time for great change. It is also not uncommon for natural disasters, war and financial crisis to occur during these years as well. According to Master Zhongxian Wu in his Year of the Snake greetings newsletter:

“In general, I [Master Wu] expect that the climate will be drier than it was during the Yang Water Dragon year. Si Fire will transform to JueYin 厥陰 Wind Wood, which provides a clue that the first half year will be windy and the second half of the year will be warm, including an unseasonably warm winter (in the Northern hemisphere).”

In our next article we will look back over the last 150 years to examine prior Snake year occurrences.

Don’t miss another National Taoism Examiner article. Receive e-mail alerts when new articles are available. Just click on the “Subscribe” button below; also make sure you click all of those social network buttons and share the article with your friends and family as well. You can also follow the Qi Institutes Taoism blog.

Do you have a story, photo or video from your area that would be of interest to Taoists? Feel free to email (TJ@theQiInstitute.com) and they may be included or featured in a National Taoism Examiner article.

Citrus has long been a favored fruit, especially during long winter months, when the bright colors of its skin and flesh, remind us that winter cannot last forever and the warmth of the sun will soon return.

A new report featured in “Stroke: a journal of the American Heart Association”, states that eating citrus may lower the risk of ischemic strokes (clots), especially in women. Ischemic stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked.

The researchers analyzed 14 years worth of data on 69,622 women nurses that participated in the nationwide study. Every 4 years the participants had to fill out a survey listing their food intake. The women, who consumed the most citrus, in particular oranges and grapefruit, had the lowest stroke risk.

One flaw in the study was the over emphasis on the high intake of flavanones, which is found in many foods including chocolate and red wine. The largest concentrations, however, are in oranges.

What did the study leave out and what is the major flaw?

The study, as many do, did not consider the fact that people who consume daily fruit, will also on average consume daily vegetables, eat a healthier diet and usually have healthier lifestyle habits such as proper exercise, not smoking etc…

The main flaw however, as mentioned earlier, was the focus on flavanones as the key to reducing strokes. This is a flaw rooted in reductionism which is ever active in Allopathic medicine and research. While flavanones may, or may not, be important, to focus on one component at the exclusion of the other components that make up oranges and grapefruit, as well as, other citrus is misleading and potentially counterproductive.

What would a Taoist interpretation involve?

Using the Taoist understanding of the five tastes, we can determine how, or why, citrus could lower the risk of strokes. According to the five tastes, and the Taoist understanding of the organs/bowels, citrus, as well as raw fruit in general, is labeled as a sour food type. The sour taste affects the liver and gallbladder, and provides the essential energy and nutrition for the liver/gallbladder to function normally and maintain balance. If the sour taste is consumed too frequently or too infrequently, the liver/gallbladder could be harmed.

When the liver and gallbladder are functioning normally the liver is able to remove toxins from food and together the liver and gallbladder are able to remove fat and properly handle harmful oils as well. Thus, reducing the amount of fat in the blood stream will reduce the risk of stroke. Citrus, also has the added benefit of containing mild acids, which also help to breakdown fat and oils.

So according to Taoism, the results of this study, has less to do with flavanones, and more to do with how the sour taste affects the liver and gallbladder, and the role that a properly functioning liver and gallbladder plays in sustaining health and wellness.

Taoist nutrition has long advocated eating one apple and a half an orange daily to help keep the liver and gallbladder healthy.

What are the benefits of oranges according to Taoism?

Maoshing Ni states in “The Tao of Nutrition” that oranges:

“lubricate lungs, resolves [removes] mucous, increases appetite, strengthens spleen, quenches thirst, promotes body fluids”. It can also be used to invigorate the Qi (energy) and remove dampness…”

In “Chinese Natural Cures”, Dr. Henry Lu states that:

“orange leaves relax the liver, promote energy circulation, remove phlegm, heal swelling; orange peels regulate energy, remove phlegm and congestion, strengthen the spleen; sour orange peels remove phlegm, stop vomiting, promote digestion; tangerine orange seeds regulate energy flow in the body and relieve pain…”

As you can see, there are many benefits to eating the entire orange including finding interesting ways to utilize the peels and seeds as well. Also, Taoism would recommend eating the entire fruit rather than drinking the juice, as fruit juice is too concentrated and lacks the balancing effects of the other components found only in the pulp, seeds and skin.

Don’t miss another National Taoism Examiner article. Receive e-mail alerts when new articles are available. Just click on the “Subscribe” button below; also make sure you click all of those social network buttons and share the article with your friends and family as well. You can also follow the Qi Institutes Taoism blog.

Do you have a story, photo or video from your area that would be of interest to Taoists? Feel free to email (TJ@theQiInstitute.com) and they may be included or featured in a National Taoism Examiner article.