Many of our members like to purchase a school polo shirt, it not only makes them feel they are part of the Tai Chi family but also it alleviates the problem of what to wear to the class.

​Please let either Mardiyah, David or myself know if you are interested and I will make enquiries regarding availability and price.

For our new members I have included information on World Tai Chi and Qigong Day. World Tai Chi and Qigong Day is the brain-child of Bill Douglas and was first celebrated on April 10, 1999, following the United Nations World Health Day. It is now celebrated each year on the last Saturday in April.
At Tai Chi Association’s Official Park Session at peace Park, several Tai Chi

schools in and around Adelaide came together to enjoy this special day. World Tai Chi and Qigong Day (WTCQD) is recognized as a Universal Day by the United Nations. At 10.00 am, beginning in New Zealand, practitioners around the world will be out in the parks and on the beaches, enjoying the friendship of other Tai Chi players and promoting the health benefits Tai Chi offers. If you are interested in finding out more, simply put WTCQD into search on the internet and the website will come up.
This year WTCQD falls on Anzac Day. We thought very carefully whether we should run on this sacred day. However we consider our message of peace and love around the world was appropriate and our thoughts and prayers are to honour those many brave soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and democracy.
Our celebration for WTCQD this year will be very special and we hope, as our thoughts travel around the globe, we will be One World, One Breath.
Please come along and join us, we hope the weather will be kind and the sun will shine.
Where: Mitcham Reserve, Old Belair Road.
When: Saturday, 25th April
Time: 10.00 am

1. Smile—Comforting Qi: Perform movements slowly in a relaxed but alert manner—use the inner smile.
2. Grounding Qi: Hold a quiet reverence for each posture.
3. Nourishing Qi: Visualise yourself as a tree. Each posture speaks to you directly and is unique to you.
4. Dantian—Strengthening Qi: If you wave your hands around you will not get the benefits of Qigong. If however, you visualise moving mountains with the turn of a wrist, then the effects of the exercise become profound.
5. Out-Flowing Qi: You will feel different each time you play Qigong. Go with the flow and enjoy the moment.
6. Connecting Qi: Qigong has a power if it’s own. It is unique to you. Release yourself for a short time and enjoy the solitude of playing Qigong.
7. Uplifting Qi: Be aware of every breath, every movement.
8. Balancing Qi: Play Qigong as part of your life, your breath—let it become part of your mind, body and spirit.
9. Protecting Qi: Each posture must flow naturally and spontaneously—do not force it.
10. Intuitive Qi: Let your Qigong become a part of you and you a part of Qigong. Enjoy, be relaxed, happy and energised.

Qigong is life, it is love, it is what you want it to be, it is you.
“Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex and more violent. It takes a
touch of genius—a lot of courage—to move in the opposite direction” Albert Einstein.
“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art
and science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, can no longer pause to wonder and stand
rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed”. Alfred Einstein 1930

With Tai Chi and Qigong when we refer to sinking this does not necessarily mean sinking
low physically.

Two important aspects of sinking are:
1. Sink the mind (or spirit) and Qi (energy) to Dantian.
2. Sink the vital energy to the feet (rooting or grounding)

To sink the mind to the dantian is more than simply thinking of this area, you need to think
through it. It is possible to partially sink the Qi to the dantian without Shen (spirit) and
although this can generate large amounts of energy, without Shen to influence this energy
imbalances and inefficiencies can develop. If we think through the dantian and not simply
think of it, the Qi is nourished and activated. In Tai Chi this activation can reach a point
where Qi causes physical vibration in the dantian (by advanced practitioners of the art this
power can be directed through the body by the mind).

We often talk in class about the power (Jing) as being from the foot, directed by the waist
and expressed in the hands. However, this is not only the physical strength from the legs
but the transfer of energy from the source (dantian) to the soles of the feet. This vital
energy is then directed through the body by the mind, giving enormous power to adepts in
the practise of Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan). As we play Tai Chi and become more aware of
our bodies we will gradually feel this energy direction.

For home practice your stance work or standing meditation are the best methods to obtain
the feeling of grounding. It is essential however to relax when working on these aspects
otherwise tension will cause aching and block the flow of Qi. For your stance training you
can utilise any of the Tai Chi or Qigong postures. As you feel the effect of grounding and
connecting to the earth, your Tai Chi will improve and you will feel more confident and
balanced.

The root in the foot is referred to as yongquan, which is an acupoint under the foot and is
known as Kidney 1. The stronger the root the more energy will move within your Tai Chi
form. Opening the meridians to a free flow of energy requires time and patience - it should
not be forced but must occur naturally. If your posture is correct and you are relaxed, your
energy will flow from the dantian to the feet, from where it is directed to the waist (the
commander of the movement) and finally to arms and hands.
​
By relaxing, sinking the breath and directing the mind through the dantian your movements
will expand naturally without physical help.

Source: Larry Johnson, Energetic Tai Chi Chuan

​TERM DATES 2026
Term 1: 2nd February—30th March
Term 2: 27th April—22nd June
Term 3: 3rd August—26th September
Term 4: 19th October—12th December

Hello Everyone,
Welcome to our new members this term and to those of you who are continuing to support us
and enjoy the benefits Tai Chi and Qigong. Without you we would have no school so thank you. Our weather is warming up and I think, in this Year of the Fire Horse, the fiery nature an uncertainty in the world is far from calm.
I often think how lucky we are to live in Australia and that we have the Chinese art of Tai Chi and Qigong to balance us in what promises to be another unpredictable and volatile political year
.
For those of you not familiar with the Chinese Calendar, the horse is is one of twelve
creatures which make up the sixty year cycle. Why sixty years? Each year we have a
different symbolic creature and every twelve years the element relating to each symbol
changes. There are five elements, Wood, Earth, Fire, Metal and Water. The horse is one of
the three most dominant signs in the Chinese zodiac, together with the tiger and, to a lesser
degree, the monkey.

It is interesting to note that the hour of the horse is at noon and the horse month in China is
when the summer solstice occurs, making it very yang. Usually the Year of the Horse is one
of consolidation, but it could also be a time of increased commercial activity in the world
markets.

The Horse personality is cheerful, independent and charming, although sometimes impatient
with others. The Horse is a keen traveller and enjoys the active, outdoor lifestyle. Social
contact is most important therefore, whatever career is chosen, there is sure to be close
liaison with others. Tai Chi and Qigong are ideal choices of exercise for the active horse as
it has a calming, therapeutic effect and helps to balance the very yang temperament.
The 25th April (Anzac Day) is also World Tai Chi and Qigong Day. We have decided to run
our park session as usual on this day as it sends the message of peace and love around the
world. There are more details further in this newsletter.

Best regards, Rosemary

You may be able to benefit from Qigong in your overall health. As with all exercise please see your doctor beforehand who can discuss the benefits with you.

Stress & Anxiety Relief: Qigong can help with relaxation and emotional balance.
Enhanced Immune Function: Gentle movements and breathwork stimulate lymphatic flow
Pain Management : Qigong, like other gentle exercise may help to reduce pain, including low back pain and other symptoms. For benefits it is necessary to practice regularly.
Improved Sleep Quality Regular practice may help regulate circadian rhythms and reduce
insomnia.
Better Digestion: Movements stimulate internal organs
Respiratory & Cardiovascular Benefits: Qigong breathing techniques strengthen
respiratory muscles and may lower blood pressure.

​We teach Tai Chi and Qigong for people of all ages and fitness levels, and they can be
adapted for seated or standing positions.

Tai Chi and Qigong are like gentle powerhouses for your health—low-impact, deeply restorative,
and surprisingly effective. Here’s a breakdown of some of the potential key health benefits of Tai Chi.


Improved Balance & Fall Prevention: Tai Chi, with regular practice, strengthens the
lower-body muscles, which could reduce fall risk—especially in older adults.
Muscle Strength & Flexibility: Regular practice builds both upper and lower body strength
Stress Reduction & Mental Clarity: Tai Chi may be able to help improve mood, focus, and sleep quality.

Cardiovascular Health: Tai Chi can potentially lower blood pressure and improve heart function,
making it a good option for people with heart disease. Medical clearance is required if you
would like to join one of our classes.
Pain Relief: Regular exercise like Tai Chi can be effective for managing pain conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, and back pain. Seek medical attention before engaging in Tai Chi if you have these issues.
Respiratory Support: Breathwork in Tai Chi strengthens lung capacity.​

World Tai Chi and Qigong Day is recognized as a universal day by the United Nations. At 10.00 am, beginning in New Zealand, practitioners around the world will be out in the parks and on the beaches, enjoying the friendship of other Tai Chi players and promoting the benefits to health Tai Chi offers.

If you are interested in finding out more, simply put WTCQD into search on the internet and the website will come up. It is always on the last Saturday in April.

This year we are celebrating WTCQD at Kingston House. This is one of the best locations for Tai Chi in the southern area, overlooking the ocean, and has much history linked to it. Friends are most welcome and a teacher will be available to give a free introductory session.

Where: Kingston House, Cameron Avenue,
Kingston Park.
When: Saturday, 26th April
Time: 10.00—11.00 am
We look forward to you joining us on this special day and meeting other members of our school. WTCQD is also is a good beginning to our second school term, which commences on Monday, 28th April