FOR
NEARLY two decades, a quiet, subtle phenomenon has grown across the planet.
Each year, on the last Saturday of April, in hundreds of cities in over 80
nations, spanning six continents, World Tai Chi and Qigong Day events have been
held.
In Charlton, south-east London, people
from many different groups gathered last Saturday to practice tai chi together in
the open air in different styles and to celebrate Chinese culture.
In addition to the tai chi there was
Chinese food, a Chinese tea ceremony, a demonstration of Chinese calligraphy,
Chinese music and of course a Chinese dragon, who took part in an enactment of
a Chinese traditional fairy story.
The event attracted attention from many
people who happened to be passing through the park at the back of Charlton
House, and one or two toddlers were inspired to join in with the tai chi
exercises for a while.
Advanced practitioners held onlookers
spellbound with dramatic sword exercises, backed with dramatic Chinese music.
