Tai Chi Yukon’s
20th Anniversary:
Our Tai Chi Summer

Classes may have ended in May, but summer 2009 ended up becoming a very busy one for the instructors and members of Tai Chi Yukon as we continue to celebrate our 20th anniversary.

Some highlights
10 May – Run for Mum. During this popular fundraising event, Cheryl Buchan and Joan Wilson practiced by the Millennium Trail, extending chi to the hundreds of runners and walkers.

1 June - The seniors did a demonstration at the Golden Age Centre BBQ. A lovely sunny day and kudos to Joan Wilson for both organizing the event and learning sabre form for the occasion.

7 June – Relay for Life. Tai Chi Yukon took part in this event from 2-5 a.m. Jo-Ann Gates, Rita Mackenzie-Grieves, Joan Wilson and Helene Dobrowolsky did qi gong and form while giving people the opportunity to learn and practice tai chi. It was especially inspiring to do long form at dawn as the weary walkers and runners were readying themselves for a pancake breakfast.

5-10 July – Helene Dobrowolsky and Pam Boyde travelled all the way to Nashville, Tennessee to take part in the International Tai Chi Chuan Symposium hosted by the Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Association. This was a most inspiring event attended by Chinese grandmasters heading the five major styles, leading teachers, academics and practitioners from around the world.

July 23 – A special evening class with Tanya Epp Schmid, a teacher and doctor of Chinese Medicine from Switzerland. Tanya taught us the Eight Brocade set of qi gong. On July 25, she also taught a day-long seminar to instructors and senior practitioners at the wilderness dojo of Helene Dobrowolsky and Rob Ingram.

30 July – Four people have now officially completed the 20 hour challenge. We still have 16 of our special edition teacups for those who manage to log at least 20 hours of practice before September classes begin.

July-August – Jo-Ann Gates taught weekly qi gong classes to students and staff of Teegatha ’Oh Zheh. This program was geared for young adults with intellectual disabilities.

14-17 August– Laura Beattie travelled to Bowen Island to take part in a push hands seminar led by Jan Parker.

May to August – Most weeks a few people managed to get out and practice together at Shipyards Park.