World Tai Chi Qigong Day is always the Saturday morning at 10AM after Earth Day, or on the last weekend in April. This year, I was honored to be one of the presenters interviewed. The founders, Bill and Angela Douglass, started this organization the same year I began teaching Tai Chi for Kids, now known as Pushing for Peace, or the 9 Peace Games.
CJ Rhoads, Cari Shurman, Jill Basso, Ken Cini and I postered at the bi-annual symposium at Harvard. Our 59 page paper entitled: "Tai Chi and Qigong for Children: A Summary of Benefits and Programs" was published in JTS, the Journal of Tai Chi Science. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/405744549_Tai_Chi_and_Qigong_for_Children_A_Summary_of_Benefits_and_Programs
The Immortal Sisters, a fantastic non-profit, raised nearly 5K in the first week of May for their scholarship fund. This worthy cause will provide Tai Chi/Qigong training to low-income women who want to provide healing energy to other members of their respective communities.
I am teaching an ongoing, free class at Orinda Senior Village. Most of the residents there speak very little English, but we all share the same problems. Aging is the same for all of us.
Our greatest accomplishment to date remains the ongoing lessons online for Josh Wesley at his refugee camp. He continues to make progress with his own training and share his skill level with the children and youth at Nakivale. In Josh's words:
"Peace Games is more than a practice. It is a journey back to yourself. Through gentle movement, stillness, and connection, we learn to quiet the mind, strengthen the body, and heal the heart.Under the guidance of Grand Master Marilyn Cooper, Peace Games creates a space where stress is released, inner peace is restored, and compassion begins to flow naturally. It teaches us that true wellness comes when the mind is calm, the body is balanced, and the heart is open. Every session is a reminder that healing is possible, growth is beautiful, and peace begins within us. When we nurture ourselves with love and awareness, we unlock the wholeness we were always meant to live in."
The seated Qigong video was made for folx during the Pandemic. This is a seated program for anyone who has problems with mobility, or is healing from surgery or injury. I just sent this to Josh for his mother, who is unable to walk after their 1000 mile walk from their home in the DRC to Uganda. I have no idea why I was wearing a facemask in an empty hallway, except fear is a powerful force. Please try it, and if you like it, share it! https://youtu.be/WsUtZb4pTiI?si=gM20Ls7uUtZEe58x
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I would like to conclude with my much loved Shaolin Student Sifu Sheldon's Fundraiser for his temple in Oakland. Donate whatever you can spare. It is for a perpetual place to gather and train. https://gofund.me/122d7ca86
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