They moved slowly side-to-side, arms raising and flowing back down, all together in graceful unison with others all over the world that practice Tai Chi and Qigong.
At exactly 10:00 am local time on April 26, in all four corners of the world, people in hundreds of cities across 70 countries gathered to celebrate World Tai Chi and Qigong Day (WTCQD) – just as they did in Mattapoisett that morning.
The rain dampened the group’s plan to meet outdoors at Ned’s Point, as they had done last year for the first annual Mattapoisett WTCQD, so they moved things indoors into the downstairs room of the Mattapoisett Free Library.
The limited space was cozy for a group of 15, which limited some of the movements to ones that did not require so much personal space, but that did not disturb the flow as the group started warming up under the direction of Colman Fink, a Southcoast Tai Chi practitioner, who stood barefoot and poised at the front of the room.
The room quieted, with only the prevailing sounds of fabric moving and mindful breathing filling the space.
Fink led the group, guiding them through warm-up routines that continuously flowed in a stream of conscious movement, and then asked the group to be seated on the floor so he could demonstrate the first series of movements they would practice all together.
Fink, who has practiced martial arts for about 40 years, moved his arms and swayed back and forth with skill and intent as soft Chinese music played in the background – just as others in other times zones that day had done.
The official WTCQD website has a mission statement promoting the day as a celebration of “thousands worldwide who share a common vision of hope and healing for our planet…”
WTCQD is even recognized by the United Nations World Health Organization, proclaiming the last Saturday in April World Tai Chi and Qigong Day. Its purpose is to educate others of the healing benefits of Qigong, and its variation, Tai Chi. It is also an act of gratitude towards Chinese culture for “sharing these profoundly valuable gifts with this world,” and also to bring people together from all walks of life in the name of health and healing, as the website states.
Tai Chi and Qigong are widely practiced for their ability to assist in stress relief and general health.
Mary Beth Soares of Mattapoisett, one of Fink’s Tai Chi students was there, wearing her WTCQD T-shirt and smiling at the sight of the 15 people who gathered that morning.
“I’m seeing some of our students here today,” said Soares. “This is the second year we have done this. It’s really beautiful outdoors … but we are grateful that the library has let us have it here.”
More information about World Tai Chi and Qigong Day can be found at http://www.worldtaichiday.org.
By Jean Perry
