Whitby, Markham Stoufville’s Fall Colour Tour at the International Centre

Monday, October 6th, approximately 50 participants from Whitby, its four Satellites and Markham Stouffville boarded a bus at 7:30 a.m. to begin an excursion to Orangeville. Under the guidance of their continuing instructors, the participants began what turned out to be an wonderfully informative day.

They enjoyed a journey through nature’s fall colours while partaking in activities that supported the day’s objective – “to learn more about the International Centre in Orangeville”. Upon arrival at our destination, the first stop was the Columbarium to pay respect to our founder and mentor, Master Moy Lin Shin. All left in awe of this man who accomplished so much.

Following a snack and a set, the instructors began a guided tour through the grounds, buildings and amazing points of interest.  Later a great lunch demonstrated what it meant to be a ” volunteer”. Nearing the end of the visit, the participants had a few minutes to explore on their own. Many just walked about in awe of the marvellous place that is OURS. We all were inspired to return. What a great opportunity.

A Magical Night of Taoist Tai Chi™ in Oslo, Norway

The long summer evenings are over and the long dark evenings quickly emerge upon us. On the 25^th of September the Taoist Tai Chi Society of Norway, together with thousands of citizens of Oslo, celebrated equinox. On this particular evening all the electric lights were turned off along the Akers River in Oslo, and were replaced with thousands of torch lights.  About 40 000 people took part in this year’s cultural event along the river in order to experience live music, dance, fakirs, light installations and Taoist Tai Chi™ arts.

Several members of the Taoist Tai Chi Society Norway participated in this year’s celebration. We decorated the surrounding trees and a sculpture we stood on with Chinese lanterns. We performed amongst torch lights and wood fires. Dressed in white trousers and dark tai chi T-shirts we demonstrated some of Master Moy Lin Shin’s traditions including the set, the foundation exercises and the Sabre set. During the 3-hour demonstration we received much interest. Lots of people passing by stopped to have a look and many were interested in receiving information about the Society and what we offer. A few people enthusiastically joined in.

Practicing tai chi under a clear starry night sky surrounded by flames, lots of Chinese Lanterns, in front of a large but quiet crowd made this a truly magical night for us all. We are already looking forward to taking part in next year’s ‘Elvelangs i Fakkelys’. In the mean time, we will be practicing indoors and inviting all those who are interested to join us in experiencing the wonderful health benefits of Taoist Tai Chi™ arts.

Aruba celebrates Awareness Day with an Open House

On Saturday morning September 27th the Taoist Tai Chi Society Aruba celebrated Awareness Day together with quite a lot of visitors, since the public had been invited to join us on this special day, at our completely renovated Center at Stadionweg 13.

It was a non-stop tai chi practice event! Demos were given constantly. Demos by all the members; demos by the instructors; by instructors and set leaders…. a rotation of a variety of demos, including one of Lok Hup. The only interruption was the free introductory class for our visitors. And even this class was concluded with a section of the set being practiced by our visitors joined by our members.

Throughout this Open House information about the physical and mental health benefits of Taoist Tai Chi™ was given. Any other questions were answered by our members and additional information, for example, the class schedule and registration was available at our info booth. It was certainly a successful Open House!

We are hoping that next time you will also join us! Come and visit your home-away-from-home!

Participate in our International Workshop and celebrate our Grand Opening, both happening during the weekend of the 22nd- 23rd of November. That is soon! Visit our website for more information and register now!

Autumn Moon Banquet in Costa Rica

Enjoying ourselves with an exquisite banquet, more than 70 members of the Costa Rica Taoist Tai Chi Association celebrated the Mid-Autumn Moon Banquet last Saturday, September 13^th. Our MC was Liseth Weigelt, a 24-year-old young woman diagnosed 10 years ago with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, who has been practicing Taoist Tai Chi™ for the past 2 years, gaining lots of benefits for her physical health and wellbeing. After spending 5 hours preparing 300 won tons for the banquet with two other members she was on her feet for another 5 hours MC ing. After starting her Taoist Tai Chi™ on the floor as she was too weak even to sit, and her contribution was a pure joy to experience.

Many new members received the opportunity to learn more about diligent practice, responsibility and propriety when she shared the legend of Chang-O, entertaining everybody with beautiful images of the story, one of the most important holidays in Chinese communities around the world. Tales of mooncakes and the Jade rabbit followed before a beautifully scripted and managed links to testimonials from Marielos and Fransisco and illustrated sections on our help with families in need in the community and the development of our three new satellite locations. We had 12 new members from Tibás alone, for their first Banquet.

The special guest table included Mr. Rafael Gamboa, the building owner; Mrs. Roxinia Arguedas, our accountant and Dr. Ricardo Sáenz, Rheumatologist, who came with his young daughter. Dr. Sáenz has been frequently referring people to the arts without knowing who we were, but aware of the benefits of practicing Taoist Tai Chi™ arts. In gratitude to this selfless recommendation to his patients we wanted to receive him as our special guest for the night.

Starting with Indonesian prawn crackers and 3 different won ton varieties made by three Club members, DJ, Katherine, and Liseth, we opened the menu and relished the flavors of a great Chinese dinner.

The music came along with three Club members: Phillip Reed, guitar; Dimas Barrantes, voice and harmonica; and DJ Gonzalez guitar with a very sweet melodic voice (I guess that three was our lucky number for the evening!)

During the banquet we shared stories, images and videos about CIT Week & International Awareness Day, also about our next big new International Centre project, The Fenway! It was an opportunity to remind all the attendants of the many ways we can be involved in its development, showing that when we come together, we practice more than 108 moves and we can make this is an opportunity to keep offering the arts for future generations to come.

Without a doubt…a lovely evening!

When Ancient Art met Ancient Arts in Great Britain

Sunday 14th September 2014 dawned cool and misty and breezy, as members from across the south of England (Chiltern branch, South Wales branch, and one hardy traveller from London branch) gathered on a hillside in Oxfordshire, wearing the Taoist Tai Chi Society of Great Britain’s year of  the horse T-shirt. Their destination, the Uffington White Horse, situated on the upper slopes of White Horse Hill in Uffington,  Oxfordshire,  emblazoned on their chests. The band of 20 cautiously approached the ancient monument, a highly stylized prehistoric horse, 110 m long (374 feet), formed from deep trenches filled with crushed white chalk, first setting up a camp half way up the hill, down in a dip, doing a couple of sets, and getting ready for the climb.

Approaching the horse means losing sight of it, as you climb the steep path, to come out near the horse‘s head. Though in photographs the top of white horse hill looks relatively flat, it’s oddly steep and uneven, So when the group began the first set, it was even slower and even more considered than usual. Bemused onlookers trying to make sense of the ancient art they had come to see found themselves captivated by the ancient art of tai chi, as the 20 moved together as one through a series of sets.

During a brief lunch break at ‘base camp’, the call came in that at 2pm there would be a flypast by two more members in a light aircraft to get some nice aerial photographs.

Gathering back up at the summit, the group lay down along the horse‘s neck, forming a mane which could be seen from the passing plane. The excitement was palpable, the onlookers astonished as the plane circled twice and the members rose to do a couple of full Tai Chi sets as the plane waved its wings and faded into the distance.

We decided then that there was no way we could leave without paying a visit to dragon hill, so we carefully made our way down the steepest part of the escarpment, then back up and onto the flat(ish) topped hill for a set. We all agreed that it would be great to have the dragon dance on dragon hill!

Definitely time for tea-break, so we headed off to the local tea rooms for cream teas and a well earned sit down!

St Pete’s 25th Anniversary and Lok Hup Program

Friday, September 19^th, 2014, was proclaimed as the Taoist Tai Chi Society Day. The Proclamation was presented and read by St. Petersburg, City Council member, Darden Rice. Barbara Duffy, a founding member of the St. Petersburg Branch in Florida took us down memory lane after a handoff from Pegoty Packman, President of the Taoist Tai Chi Society of the United States of America. 

Ms. Duffy recalled from memory the birth and development of the Society here in the Tampa Bay area. Stops along the way in St. Petersburg include Eckerd College, the original center on 4th Street North, to the rear of the present building, to the whole building.  Master Moy Lin Shin was personally involved with the opening of the Shrine on 4^th Street.

 The Friday Anniversary was followed up with a two-day Lok Hup International Program in Dunedin, led by Dr. Karen Laughlin, President of the International Taoist Tai Chi Society.  She humbly reminded us that we are all mere mortals so don’t try to memorize the set in one weekend.

A workshop highlight was the group picture at the Fenway Hotel, the new headquarters of the Taoist Tai Chi™ Center of the U.S. A.  Over 150 participants attended the workshop. The Kitchen Crew was headed by Sean Dennison and other volunteers, and hosted by the St. Petersburg and Dunedin Branches.

Taoist Tai Chi™ Awareness Day, Puerta del Sol, Madrid

It was a memorable day, more than 100 members gathered in the Puerta del Sol in the centre of Madrid, to promote Taoist Tai Chi™ and the Society’s activities among the general public. The event was a huge success thanks to the enthusiasm of all those taking part in this Taoist Tai Chi™ Awareness Day.

All the years we have been attending the Awareness Day in Toronto served as an inspiration to organize this event.

It was the first time in Spain that we have set up a stage and presented the Society in public at this level, with television stations, journalists, representatives of associations and foundations which focus on health, the arts or culture, city hall officials, all gave their support and attention to the Taoist Tai Chi Society on this occasion.

It was a very special day for members, we felt relaxed, and the members’ smiles and readiness to help or take part in each of the different tasks meant that the organization of the event was almost like a party. We did several Tai Chi sets, Tai Chi with Sword, Lok Hup, the seated set and the impressive demonstration of the Dragon Dance, undoubtedly the highlight of the day. With Chinese music in the background, our magnificent master of ceremonies handled the presentations, introducing directors and representatives of the society and members who spoke about their experiences in the practice of Tai Chi. The free Tai Chi classes which instructors gave in the centre of the square were well attended, and many people stepped up to try the first movements of the Tai Chi set. The dragon brought us good luck and as the morning progressed, the autumn day became sunny with a very pleasant temperature.

A lot of information was distributed among the spectators and together with the members from Portugal we all felt part of one big family. The enthusiasm and selflessness of those taking part helped sow the seed of Taoist Tai Chi™ among people who did not know about it. We all have fun learning to share with others what we do in the Taoist Tai Chi Society.

We were featured on Telemadrid, Madrid’s regional tv station! Click here to watch the video

Netherlands Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Taoist Tai Chi™

25 years ago, Taoist Tai Chi™ started in the Netherlands. We celebrated this milestone during a 5-day workshop with a celebration lunch on Friday, the 19th of September. The new mayor of Helmond, Mrs. Elly Blanksma – van den Heuvel welcomed all 244 program participants from 18 countries but she also welcomed the Alderman of Health, four City council members and the former mayor who attended the celebrations as a friend of the society. There was also a welcome for the local members and friends who joined just for the celebration.

We enjoyed the speeches, the fantastic food, a moving testimonial and great music. But most of all there was the realization of what a special gift Master Moy gave us by making these arts available to all of us. The last 25 years are just the beginning.

The workshop was led by Andrew Hung, and one of the things we worked on was the constant coiling of the arms and hands. We all realized that we have a life-time commitment to these arts because we are still changing into better, healthier, happier version of ourselves. And this change won’t stop as long as we keep practising the Taoist Tai Chi™ Arts.

Taoist Tai Chi™ in St. Petersburg, Florida: For Health and a Healthy Yard!

 

St. Petersburg Taoist Tai Chi™ Center, 2007

Late this summer the St. Petersburg Florida Branch was honored to receive three awards for its natural-scaped yard and garden: just in time for its 25^th Anniversary celebrations. With all the great news about the Fenway Center blooming out of the Dunedin Branch you could say that celebration was a real growth industry for in the Tampa Bay area in September!

When the Branch moved into their new location on Dr. Martin Luther Jr. Street North near central St. Petersburg in 2007, the yard was a pretty dismal sight. Under the leadership of then President Jean Swantish, the Branch Council and Patty Callaghan, chair of the Gardening Committee, the membership jumped in and got to work in tidying up years of neglect. Numerous “Weeding Days” took place and before long things began to come alive. But all the while members were very mindful of the need to respect the surrounding environment and the decision was taken to investigate how best to adopt a natural gardening approach, called “xeriscaping”, to move forward in a harmonious and balanced fashion.

That’s where Bill Bilodeau of the Pinellas County Native Plant Society came in. After fundraising the required funds, the Branch was able to follow Bill’s inspired direction and in 2009 replaced species that were not flourishing with Florida native plants, shrubs, and other vegetation that would be water-wise, attract pollinators and continue to propagate in a sustainable fashion. To further help achieve that vision of sustainability and naturalness that is the Taoist way, the well on the property was deepened and a low-volume drip irrigation system was installed.

Five years in (and after tons of hard work and mulch!) and the results are dramatic as evidenced by the awards by the City of St. Petersburg and Pinellas County. Not only was the Taoist Tai Chi™ Society named as the 2014 City Beautification Award winner, we also received the Community Water-Wise Award and a Gold medal for Florida-Friendly Landscaping from the County and the University of Florida.

As the City of St. Petersburg award states:

The Society demonstrates the use of sustainable concepts for reduced reliance on water, fertilizer and pesticides as well as an interesting use of native plants in both form and location and a landscape that is evolving and improving over time, with an unhurried spirit.

Taoist Tai Chi™. It works in the garden, too!

St. Petersburg Taoist Tai Chi™ Center Today

Beginner Weekend TTCS Centre, Colchester, Sept 26th – 28th

After talking to people from many different countries at CIT week, who’ve already helped to run Beginner’s Weekends, we decided we were ready to go ahead in the UK. And we’re glad we did. It was a great success. So a big thank you to all those who’ve shared their experiences with us and helped to make it so.

 There were 29 participants, a mix of completely new people, people already participating in beginner’s courses, some returning after a break and a few continuing students. Some travelled from as far away as London and Suffolk. We had a lot of fun, found our balance and everyone said they would keep coming back.

 Friday 7:30 – 9:30pm

After introducing everyone to Taoist Tai Chi™ and Master Moy Lin Shin we got going with the first few moves. Everyone worked well together and were soon enjoying tai chi.

 Saturday 2-5:30pm

The group just kept soaking up the silent instruction and finding their own balance as suggested and so we just kept going to move 108. During tea break we also watched Taoist Tai Chi™ arts: A moving meditation for body, mind and spirit, which of course we all found fascinating..

 Sunday 2-5:30pm

We practised the set together several times, looked at the first two foundation exercises, talked about health benefits in general, put some more content and detail into the first 3 moves and reviewed fair lady. At tea break we ‘walked the walls’ of the centre talking about some of the items on display; we discussed meditation and other Taoist arts, the international nature of what we do, branches, International Centres, volunteering, fundraising, aims and objectives, intensives, workshops and other events, health, Awareness Day, the internals and the shrine.

 It was quite a roller coaster ride from start to finish but all the participants entered into it whole heartedly and seemed to have a great time.

One completely new member told us on Sunday that the previous day she had knelt to weed the garden when she got home – the first time in 10 years – citing the previous two days of tai chi as the reason. Another said he was already feeling much calmer and many commented on the calm atmosphere in and around the centre. Someone who started in June told us that she can now stand happily on one leg for the first time with a feeling of being balanced. Our youngest new member, 14 years old, said it she found it lovely and relaxing and every enjoyable. Currently studying for exam’s she said that she particularly enjoyed it being non-competitive. Her friend noticed her t-shirt on Saturday night, was shown a few moves and now wants to start too.

A couple of people remarked that the timings were great for them as they could get things done that they needed to before they came out and get back in time for dinner. Some also said the weekend was ideal because their work or studies meant they couldn’t commit to the same evening each week.

 Everyone involved was happy with how this wonderful event went and we look forward to many more.