World Tai Chi Qigong Day

World Tai Chi & Qigong Day is an annual global celebration held on the last Saturday of April, promoting the practice of Tai Chi and Qigong for health and well-being. Around the world, people gather in parks, churches,  and public spaces to participate in synchronized sessions—sharing in movement, mindfulness, and a spirit of unity. The day highlights the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of these ancient practices, encouraging people of all ages to embrace balance, relaxation, and a healthier way of living.

Over the years, our TQSpirit photos have been brought to life by a dedicated and talented team, including Shelley Walker (Walker Design & Communications) and professional photographers Ken Parkinson and Ana Padrero, along with our wonderful TQSpirit students who participate so wholeheartedly. We also extend our sincere thanks to our webmaster, Swaty (Wiser Software Solutions), for helping share these moments with the world.

What a beautiful event this continues to be. World Tai Chi & Qigong Day was founded by Bill Douglas and Angela Wong Douglas, who launched this global initiative in 1999 in Kansas City. Today, it is celebrated in over 80 countries, uniting people across cultures through a shared commitment to health, peace, and mindful living.

The concept is simple, yet powerful: beginning in the earliest time zones at 10:00 a.m., a “rolling wave” of Tai Chi and Qigong practice moves across the globe—connecting people through a shared experience.

One World… One Breath.

Our TQ Spirit Celebration that took place on April 25th at Highlands United Church in North Vancouver. Our TQ Spirit Practitioners are seen here in front of Science World, BC Place Stadium and Downtown Vancouver. It was a great morning, complete with a Tai Chi Demonstration followed by everyone here practicing various Health Qigong Routines. Our groups have been practicing at Highlands since 2008.

Our Tuesday morning TQSpirit students are perched on the rocks in front of West Vancouver’s famous Lighthouse Park. This is a Beginner Tai Chi and Qigong group that just started practicing North Lonsdale United Church in January 2026. They are a very enthusiastic group!

On Tuesdays, since 2014, TQSpirit students have been practicing in Lions Bay. This dedicated group of TQ Practitioners have been enjoying the practice for over 12 years now. This is a view from a home in Lions Bay. Spectacular. This location has been managed and supported by an amazing organization, the Lions Bay Seniors Social Circle

The views of Vancouver are always amazing when in English Bay by the “Inukshuk” installation, created by Alvin Kanak. The Inukshuk serves as a major cultural symbol of friendship, teamwork, hope and welcome. Our TQSpirit practitioners on Wednesday (early evenings) are practicing the 108, first section, and they represent the meaning of the Inukshuk very well.

Our Wednesday early evening tai chi group at Highlands United Church is currently learning the Chen Style Fan, Competition Form. The Chen Style Competition Fan form is a dynamic fusion of traditional Chen Tai Chi principles and theatrical flair, characterized by its high-contrast rhythm. It seamlessly blends fluid, circular transitions with the style’s signature Fajin, or explosive power, often punctuated by the sharp, rhythmic crack of the fan opening. Our TQSpirit Practitioners are featured here on the Capilano Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver, an iconic North Vancouver landmark that stretches 137 metres (450 feet) across a lush canyon, suspended 70 metres (230 feet) above the rushing Capilano River. This historic site offers a thrilling walk through a West Coast rainforest. Highlands is located just minutes away from the Capilano Suspension Bridge.

Our Thursday morning group that practices beginner Tai Chi and Health Qigong at North Lonsdale United Church are shown here saying hello to the World. Behind them is Downtown Vancouver, in between Burrard Street Bridge and Granville Street Bridge. This group is comprised of both beginners students and others who have been practicing with the TQSpirit for 15-20 years! This 1.5 hour class is unique for its one hour training of Tai Chi along with a dedicated time for Health Qigong. Tai Chi Fusion at its best!

Our TQSpirit practitioners along with our Admin Staffer at the North Shore Neighbourhood House are shown here in front of the Vancouver Convention Centre with beautiful Vancouver in the background. This group practices Beginner Tai Chi, Health Qigong, as well as Intermediate and Advance Tai Chi forms. Your Sifu has been attending this location for over 23 years and it is where she took her first tai chi steps!

Past Celebrations

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    Refund Policies – Video Policies – In-Person Covid Policies – On-Zoom Policies – Waiver 2022

    REFUND POLICIES
    1) Requests must be submitted in writing by email and is effective the date of the email.
    2) Refunds will not be given after the 3rd class unless it is for medical reasons.
    3) If you must stop class because you have contracted Covid 19 please contact us immediately.
    4) Refunds provided will be calculated in the following manner – Classes already taken will be converted to a Drop-In Rate of $15.00/class, plus an added administration fee of $10.00. The balance will be refunded and sent to you by Interac or by mail.
    5) Please note that if locations close due to Covid restrictions then all classes will continue on Zoom.
    6) Some In-Person locations have special event days where all classes will either be On-Zoom or In-Person at an alternate location. No credit for class missed will be provided.

    VIDEO POLICIES
    Whether On-Zoom or In-Person the registered student understands that the North Shore Tai Chi Spirit & Chinese Health Qigong organization has a strict no-video-of-the-Instructor or the Assistants without express written consent. Additionally, all students agree that any videos sent to them by the Instructor are for “your eyes only” and should never be shared with any other person or posted, in full or in part, on the Internet.

    IN-PERSON COVID POLICIES (as of April 2022)
    North Shore Tai-Chi Spirit & Chinese Health Qigong wants to create a safe place for indoor tai chi and qigong group practice. Many of our classes are both In-Person and On-Zoom at the same time.

    In accordance with the Provincial Health Authority wearing a mask will be a personal choice at this time. However, we will continue to require that all In-Person students practice social distancing.

    If a shut-down to all In-Person classes is mandated by the Provincial Health Authority, then all classes will continue on Zoom. No credit will be given to students unless they do not have adequate access to the Internet.

    ON-ZOOM POLICIES

    IN-PERSON OPTIONS FOR ZOOM
    Anyone signing up for In-Person classes will always have the option to be on Zoom where that option is available at that location. Some classes do not have the Zoom option.

    Any In-Person registration means that you are guaranteed a spot in the class. When and if the need arises: if you are not feeling well , if you are out-of-town, or if you are running late; On-Zoom is an option for you.

    WAIVER FOR ALL STUDENTS
    Thank you for your registration.
    In registering for this class our Instructor assumes you have talked to your doctor before starting this health and fitness regime. If you have any medical conditions or physical concerns please participate at your own pace and also let your Instructor know by emailing taichispirit@shaw.ca.

    Agreement of Release and Waiver of Liability:
    I (referring to the student, the undersigned) voluntarily supply my contact information so that representatives of the North Shore Tai-Chi Spirit (& Chinese Health Qigong) can contact me regarding class changes, cancellations, course updates, and tuition reminders, and special event updates. Participation in tai chi & qigong classes involves exercise. Exercise can result in accidents or injuries. I assume the risk connected with participation in tai chi & qigong classes and represent that I am insufficiently good health and condition and do not suffer from any physical or mental impairment which would put me or anyone at risk of injury while receiving tai chi & qigong instruction from representatives of the North Shore Tai-Chi Spirit. I understand that North Shore Tai-Chi Spirit is a management company only. All Instructors represent themselves. I specifically agree that the North Shore Tai-Chi Spirit, the general manager, volunteers, and instructor(s) of any In-Person or Zoom classes I am participating in, and/or his associates, shall not be held liable for any claim, demand, cause of action of any kind, resulting from or related to my use of the facilities or instruction.

    I have read the above release and waiver of liability, as well as the refund policies, On-Zoom policies, In-Person policies, Covid policies, and fully understand their contents. I voluntarily agree to the terms and conditions stated above. I verify that all answers in my Registration are true.