Tai Chi Yukon’s 20th Anniversary; World Tai Chi and Qigong Day

For the last 10 years, the last Saturday of every April has been celebrated as World Tai Chi and Qigong Day. People from over 65 countries around the world get together at 10:00 a.m. to practice the relaxing and healing arts of tai chi and qi gong. This year our WTCQ Day event was doubly wonderful as we were also celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Tai Chi Yukon.

Festivities began a few days earlier when a small delegation attended the City Council meeting to hear Mayor Bev Buckway proclaim April 25 as World Tai Chi and Qigong Day in the City of Whitehorse. Then on Saturday morning about 50 of us gathered at Shipyards Park in Whitehorse by the Yukon River surrounded by mountains. We stretched, breathed, practiced forms and became part of the stream of chi moving around the world.

After, we shared tea and cookies in the Frank Slim building allowing us to visit old and new friends and exchange memories. Our founder Cheryl Buchan was presented with a gift, a lovely teapot, to go with the porcelain souvenir cups commissioned from Larry Duguay of Ptarmigan Pottery. To their immense surprise, long-time instructors Pam Boyde and Helene Dobrowolsky also received teapots. President Jo-Ann Gates formally kicked off our 20 hour challenge. In the afternoon, Pam taught a free two-hour workshop. Many thanks to the organizers of this wonderful event and especially to our talented photographer Tony Gonda. All in all, most joyous occasion!

We will continue to mark our 20th anniversary year with other special events. Please keep checking the Coming Events page.

To see more of Tony Gonda’s terrific photos, check the link to his album.

To see images of World Tai Chi Day around the world, check this link. To see our contribution, scroll down to Canada, see Cities, then Whitehorse.