WORLD TAI CHI & QIGONG DAY AUCKLAND | Last Updated 25 April 2010

MEDIA RELEASE

WORLD TAI CHI & QIGONG DAY 2010

One World ... One Breath

A relay of special events to celebrate World Tai Chi and Qigong Day (WTCQD) will begin in New Zealand and end 24 hours later in Hawaii, creating a "wave of healing energy" to encircle the globe.

The annual WTCQD is officially recognized by the United Nations World Health Organization and aims to promote and educate the world to the benefits of practising Tai Chi and Qigong.

Research have shown that the relaxed, slow, graceful, balanced, and coordinated movements of Tai Chi and Qigong can increase the flow of Chi (energy), reduce anxiety, depression, and chronic pain conditions. They can boost the immune system, improve respiratory function, burn calories, dramatically improve balance, improve cardiovascular benefit, provide powerful stress management tools, and slow aspects of the aging process.

Since 2002, at 10.00am local time, Tai Chi and Qigong enthusiasts in New Zealand have gathered to kick-start WTCQD to be followed by over sixty other countries time zone by time zone.

This year WTCQD will be held on Saturday, 24th April and in Auckland WTCQD will be celebrated in a whole day event. The morning programme will include demonstrations and mass displays of Tai Chi and Qigong by combined clubs and schools. A Tai Chi competition has been organized for the afternoon.

Not so well known in NZ is that Tai Chi is also a competitive sport and being a major part of Wushu (Chinese martial arts) it is recognized by the International Olympic Committee. The competition has been especially designed to cater for practitioners of all skill levels from the relatively new beginner to the best of our Wushu athletes and will be run under international rules.

The WTCQD event in Auckland is organized by the New Zealand National Tai Chi Chuan Association Inc. The event is opened to the public and spectators are welcomed.

Details of WTCQD in Auckland:

Date	Saturday, 24 April 2010
Venue	Tamaki Community Recreation Centre, Elstree Ave, Glen Innes, Auckland
Times	Opening of event and demonstrations 10.00 am (sharp) - 12.00 pm (Spectators are requested to be seated by 9.30 am) Tai Chi Competition 1.00 pm - 4.00 pm
Admission	Free admission to the public. All participants and competitors will be required to register before the specified closing date. Competition registration fees will be payable.