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

REFUND POLICY AS OF SEPTEMBER 2026

All Zoom or In-Person Students were required to read and sign a waiver prior to taking your first class, whether the waiver is on-line or on paper when you register. The refund policy is always been available upon request. (updated July 26 2026)

- All requests for a refund must be submitted in writing by email and is effective the date of the correspondence.
- A pro-rated refund will be given for withdrawals up to the start of the third class of the program. To receive a refund you must withdraw by sending us an email, to taichispirit@shaw.ca, prior to the start of the fourth class. The classes you did attend will be charged out at the $20.00 drop-in charge plus a $15.00 administration fee. Your refund will be the balance at pro-rated fees. You will be e-transfered or mailed the refund. Refunds will not be given after the 3^rd class unless it is for medical reasons.
- Single Day Events or Workshops: To receive a refund you must withdraw by emailing, in-person, or by phone more than seven (7) days before the first day of the program.
- Medical Refunds will be given if you are sick or unable to attend the remainder of a program for medical reasons. Written confirmation is required. Please contact the TQSpirit so another person can take your place. No refunds will be given for individual missed classes.
- Instructor Absence Policy: If the instructor is unable to teach a scheduled class, whether advance notice is possible or the absence is unexpected, TQSpirit will make every reasonable effort to provide a suitable substitute instructor. If a suitable substitute cannot be arranged, the class will be cancelled and a replacement class will be added to the end of the current session whenever possible. For an ongoing class that continues from one seasonal session to the next—Autumn to Winter, Winter to Spring, or Spring into Summer—the replacement class may instead be added to the following session. Students will be notified as soon as reasonably possible. Because the missed class will be replaced, no refund or credit will be provided.
- Bad Weather Policy: The safety of our students and instructors is always important. When severe weather or unsafe travel conditions are expected to significantly affect attendance, TQSpirit reserves the right to move an in-person class to Live-On-Zoom. Students will be notified of the change as early as reasonably possible. When a class is moved to Zoom, the class will proceed at its regularly scheduled time and will be considered fully delivered. Credits, refunds, or make-up classes will not be provided to students who are unable to attend the Zoom class.
- Drop-Ins Policy: Policies differ depending on the class and the Location. Some classes do not have drop-ins or 4 packs. If you drop in and want to continue taking classes with North Shore Tai Chi and Health Qigong after your first drop-in, we will be happy to provide you with a quote for the balance of fees owed, pro-rated.
  1. If you purchase a 4-pack, it must be used during that current session: September-December, January-March, April-June or July. All 4-packs must be used within 6 weeks from the start of your first class.
  2. A 4-pack can only be used at the location of the original class.
  3. A 4-pack is not transferable to another session or for use by a different person or transferable to another location.
  4. Any portion of a 4-pack not used within the current session will be forfeited and cannot be used at the start of the next session.
  5. Single drop-ins are for first-time students only, not regularly-attending students.
  6. 4-packs are not available for Tai Chi classes after the start of the first month of a new “session” of classes. 4-packs in Tai Chi are meant to be used consequtively if possible. After your first 4-pack is used tai chi students must pay for the balance of classes, pro-rated.