Tai chi day gets Cape Town moving

Tai Chi master, Dr Michael Lan.

For the past 10 years Jing-an Wellness Sanctuary in Cape Town has been promoting the healing power of tai chi and qi gong in South Africa through, World Tai Chi and Qi Gong Day.

The event, on the last Saturday in April, has grown to include hundreds of cities, over 80 nations and spans six continents.

Founder member, Bill Douglas, and his wife, Angela, are based in America. The aim is to create a healing wave of chi which sweeps around the planet, as each city, country and group joins together at 10am on the day, to focus on world health and healing.

Dr Michael Lan, owner of Jing-an in Oranjezicht, and the South African representative of World Tai Chi and Qi Gong Day, is hosting this year’s event at the V&A Waterfront.

Dr Lan is hoping to reach a wider audience and demonstrate the standards of tai chi and qi gong in South Africa.

Tai chi and qi gong have an ancient history. On the day, different tai chi and qi gong forms and styles will be demonstrated. Each has their own signature. Students from Somerset West will be a part of the demonstrations.

There are four main tai chi styles: Chen, Yang, Wu, and Sun. Although they may look different in their external form and technique, the internal principle of focusing the chi energy in the body’s focal point – called the Tan Tien – is the basis of all Tai Chi styles. Moving chi energy as a continuous flow in the body benefits the whole system, which improves health, vitality and quality of life, said tai chi proponents.

World Tai Chi and Qi Gong Day takes place from 10am to 1pm on Saturday April 28. There will also be dragon dancing and traditional drumming.

The guest list includes Kang Yong, the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China and dignitaries from China, local government and the health industry.

Mr Kang will be the opening speaker. It is a non-profit event and all are welcome.

For more information, contact Clement Lan at 021 422 5608 or info@jing-an.co.za, or visit www.jing-an.co.za