Smile, Breathe and Go Slowly*: Peace Blossoms Internal Arts Society Organizes the 2011 World Tai Chi and Qigong Day in the Philippines

On April 30, 2011, the country’s biggest gathering of tai chi and qigong enthusiasts happens at the Valdes Hall of Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) on North Avenue, Quezon City. The World Tai Chi and Qigong Day (WTCQD) celebration is an annual event that is celebrated across 70 countries all over the world. Peace Blossoms Internal Arts Society (Peace Blossoms), a recreational club founded in 2008, has been hosting and organizing this global activity for four years now. Its predecessors, Spring of Harmony Internal Arts Club and Blue Dragon Society, in partnership with the Chevalier Monks of Christ, have been organizing the WTCQD celebrations since 2003.

Antonio Delgado, President of Peace Blossoms, says “We are celebrating World Tai Chi and Qigong Day to express unity and radiate positive energy towards our environment; at Peace Blossoms, our focus is to radiate peace, love and harmony through the practice of tai chi.” Delgado adds that the celebration will also put the Philippines on the map of countries that practice tai chi. “Starting at 10am on April 30, different countries from all over the world will be doing tai chi together, so because of the different time zones, the effect will be such that the whole world will be doing tai chi together for 24 straight hours,” Delgado explains.

Like Delgado, Irene Chia, Director of Peace Blossoms, also stresses that the group aims to promote peace, harmony and unity among diverse groups through the practice of tai chi and qigong. Peace here pertains to peace on all levels, be it physical, mental, emotional, psychological, economic, or spiritual.

Chia adds, “Peace Blossoms sees its role as an agent of change that moves people from diverse backgrounds towards the transformation of their consciousness.” The organization believes that there can only be real change in society if there is change in consciousness. She also adds that the more people who have transformed their consciousness, the quicker this process of change will be. “We want to help people become better, more caring, more loving persons, and to become more ‘evolved’ beings for the greater good of humanity,” Chia says. By hosting this event, the group also hopes to educate the general public about the health and healing benefits of tai chi and qigong.

This year’s celebration will revolve around the history and development of tai chi, including the evolution of different tai chi styles and lineage. Chia will give a lecture on tai chi and qigong’s rich history. Her talk will be highlighted by live demonstrations from different tai chi groups and individuals, mostly coming from members and affiliates of Peace Blossoms. Program will showcase different Chen, Yang, Wu, Sun routines, including demos of Wudang Tai Chi, Kung Fu Fan routine, and Tai Chi for Health demo (diabetes). Finally, the Senior Citizens Group from Brookside Hills Subdivision, Cainta, Rizal will lead the group shibashi, accompanied by live electronic music courtesy of Blend:er.

To give the opening remarks and read the opening statement of this year’s WTCQD celebration will be Karen Tanada, one of the organization’s officers. Tanada is the Executive Director of Gaston Ortigas Peace Institute, an NGO that works on peace issues. Dr. Edgardo Uyehara of VMMC will talk about tai chi’s role in rehabilitation therapy. Delgado will expound on the science and application of the group’s Tai Chi for Health Programs: Tai Chi for Diabetes, Arthritis, Osteoporosis and Back Pain. Jundio Salvador, owner of Pan De Amerikana Bakery and Garden Restaurant and supporter of Peace Blossoms’ efforts in promoting tai chi and qigong for health, will give the closing remarks.

Tai chi is an ancient Chinese form of movement which integrates mind-body coordination, proper breathing and cultivation of internal energy (chi). It is considered to be the melting pot of the internal arts, and one of the earliest sources of the different martial art styles that we know today. Tai chi relaxes the mind and body and helps fight stress, improve balance, flexibility and posture. Regular practice generally leads to better mind and body health. Qigong, on the other hand, is defined by the National Qigong Association in the US as “an ancient Chinese health care system that integrates physical postures, breathing techniques and focused intention.” Tai chi, specifically, is a form of qigong. Millions of people from all over the world practice qigong to maintain health, heal their bodies, calm their minds and reconnect with their spirit.

This year’s celebration is made possible with the help of our sponsors (in alphabetical order) and donors: AquaHealth, Big Banners, Blend:er, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine (Veterans Memorial Medical Center), Rosanna L. Duavit, Dulcofiber and Boehringer Ingelheim (Phil.) Inc., Hilot Pinoy, Rey Jose, Jugno’s Monster Pizza, Kebab Fil-Sian Grill, Julie Lim, Pan de Amerikana, Richard Paredes, Premium Gift Center, Inc., Premium Graphics Asia Center, Inc., and Sassa Activewear.

The program will run from 9am to 12 noon on Saturday, April 30, 2011. It is free and open to the public. Hilot practitioners from Hilot Pinoy will be present during the event to offer massage therapy for a minimal fee. For inquiries about the 2011 World Tai Chi and Qigong Day, please contact Irene Chia through 0917-845-6856 (mobile), 436-1860 (landline), or email her through peace.blossoms.society@gmail.com. For more information on tai chi and Peace Blossoms Internal Arts Society, visit the website on peaceblossoms.weebly.com

*”Smile, breathe and go slowly” is a quote from Thich Nhat Hanh.


Note: Thank you Peace Blossoms for this article.