World Tai Chi and Qi Gong Day – Celebrated in Whycocomagh, NS

What a gift of a beautiful day we had Saturday with the sun and light winds for the end of April. Tai Chi Cape Breton has been celebrating World Tai Chi and Qi Gong Day for over a decade, and we have often been inside. This year was bright blue in the sky and in the water. The day is a celebration of wellness and for gathering together to promote health and wellness. With millions of people doing Tai Chi and Qi Gong around the world on Saturday, it is quite a profound experience to be a part of. The creators of the event promote the idea that we are all one and we are one breath. Together we can create change if we focus on supporting each other and being a part of the whole. While we did our Tai Chi along the waterfront in Whycocomagh the sun was shining and the wind subsided so we could hear the water lapping up on the shore, and the birds overhead. It is so peaceful to be a part of it. After 45 minutes of Tai Chi, we celebrated with a trip across the road to Charlene’s Café for her world-famous chowder, and we were not disappointed. It is always great to gather as a group and enjoy each other’s company. We had members from Bras D’Or, Havre Bouche, Port Hawkesbury, Creignish, Judique, Port Hood, Glencoe Station, Hillsborough, and Mabou. We do meet from all over the island.

Our Tai Chi club has been serving Cape Breton Island since 2011. Offering Moy Tai Chi with the 108 Moving Meditation set, Sabre, and Lok Hup, we are also one of three clubs in the country that is devoted to the power of the Seated Form. Prior to the pandemic, the club was offering classes in Belle Cote, Mabou, Judique, and Port Hawkesbury. Today we are offering two classes, one in Inverness at the Fire hall on Tuesday mornings from 9 – 11 am, and Thursday evenings in Creignish at the hall from 6:30 – 8 pm. Our instructor, Michelle Greenwell, volunteers to support our learning and offers a specialty class online as part of her regular programming with movement for wellness. We are always looking for new members to join us, at any time of the year. We have several members who are arriving back for the summer that will join us, which includes some harp playing by Brenda Bowen Cox, an intuitive harpist. That is a true treat!

People often wonder about the Seated Form of Tai Chi. Because our club is so lucky to have this form, we explore the power of sitting with all of our sets. When we sit down we can focus on the internal rotations that are happening in the body, and develop greater skills for the standing form. Those who think there isn’t much movement or “exercise” in the form, will be very surprised. We are working with the whole body at one time in a coordinated and harmonious way. In fact, gardening, heavy lifting, housework, and hiking are transformed by the way the body learns to move and support itself for strength and flexibility. Tai Chi is supportive for improved circulation, lymphatic flow, open joints, deeper breathing, heart health, better sleep, mental well-being, emotional balance, back and neck tension, eye strength, and more. There isn’t a system in the body that isn’t affected by the power of Tai Chi to promote health and well-being.

You can find out more about Tai Chi Cape Breton by sending a message to info@dancedebut.com, or locating it on the website: www.dancedebut.com. For those who want more information on the Seated Form, check out the YouTube playlist for Tai Chi Wellness at: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzO-WRkzCZX5AwrzW9-zVPJANDpOHZomM. Following Master Moy’s wishes that Tai Chi be available to all, we have a very reasonable club fee and scholarships available too. Keep your eye out for the Qi Destinations this summer when we go on the road to do Tai Chi in different communities. Always great fun!

Photos were taken by David Greenwell