WHAT: World Tai Chi and Qigong Day
WHEN: April 27, 10 a.m.
WHERE: Cane Creek Recreation Center, 180 C C Camp Road, Cookeville
ADMISSION: Free
CONTACT: Cane Creek Recreation Center, 931-520-5286
COOKEVILLE – “One world… one breath.”
That’s the motto of a global event Cookevillians are invited to take part in on April 27 – World Tai Chi and Qigong Day.
“This event is about health, healing, keeping fit and promoting peace throughout the world,” said Nikki Desch, who has more than 35 years of martial arts experience and regularly teaches Tai Chi and other martial arts classes for Cookeville Leisure Services and Tennessee Tech University.
Desch will be leading free demonstrations beginning at 10 a.m. at Cane Creek Recreation Center, 180 C C Camp Road. Also on hand will be 20th generation Chen Tai Chi master C.P. Ong, a native of Malaysia. Attendees may participate or just observe.
Hundreds of cities in more than 80 nations on six continents participate annually on the last Saturday in April in an effort to educate people on the benefits of mind-body practices and provide an example of how the world can come together across racial, ethnic, religious and geopolitical borders to focus on personal and global health and healing. Participating countries hold the event at 10 a.m. in their own time zone.
Mildred Garrett, Cookeville Leisure Services programmer, said, “We have been observing World Tai Chi and Qigong Day for several years now, and Cookeville was the first city in Tennessee to get the proclamation signed by the governor.”
Tai Chi, an ancient Chinese tradition, is described as “meditation in motion.” It is a graceful form of exercise practiced both for defense training and health benefits.
“It’s great for all ages,” Desch said.
While Tai Chi promotes serenity through gentle, flowing, low-impact movements, Qigong is an ancient Chinese health care system that integrates physical posture breathing techniques and focused attention.
The event will also include sword demonstrations and more.
For more information about World Tai Chi and Qigong Day or Tai Chi classes at the Cane Creek Recreation Center, call 931-520-5286 or visitwww.cookeville-tn.gov/ls.
“We would like to invite the community to this event that connects the world,” Garrett said.