Saturday, April 27, marked the annual World Tai Chi and Qigong Day, beginning in New Zealand at 10 a.m. and traveling around the globe at 10 a.m. in each time zone, and hundreds of locations in 80 countries. In the Midcoast, Marine Park at Rockport Harbor was the spot where residents gathered to participate under a warm Spring sun.

“On the last Saturday of April each year, the entire world is invited to move together, to breath together, one world, one breath,” said the organizers in flyers that had been circulating in communities.

“The day begins with mass Tai Chi, Chi Kung, and Mind Body events in the earliest time zones of New Zealand, and then spreads at the world turns, 10 am local time worldwide, ending with final events in Hawaii,” according to HPL Consortium.

From Dubai, where the message was about fostering a healthier, more peaceful world through the practice of Tai Chi and Qigong, to Hannover, German, where there were demonstrations, Daoyinyangsheng gong exercises and Dragon-Fitness, along with workshops in self defense Sun-Taijiquan and Kidney Qigong, the theme was the ancient martial arts of China.

In Vienna, they practiced Neigong, Taiji and Pushing Hands, as well as food for a potluck. In Ottawa, it was about using gentle exercises, breath and intention to take charge of one’s health and destiny. And in South Africa, the focus was on exercises and different Tai Chi forms where the morning was for participants, or to “simply observe.”

“We are building a worldwide Mind Body Movement (Tai Chi, Yoga, Meditation, Chi Kung, Mindfulness) involving top Scientists, Health, Education Experts who believe it is high time Mind Body Education becomes part of Public Education worldwide ... to save the world trillioins in future health and social costs,” said the HPL Consortium.

The consortium is a group based in Kansas that works to educate the world of the health and healing benefits of Tai Chi and Qigong for individuals, communities, and nations; to thank Chinese culture for creating and sharing the valuable gifts with the world; to bring together people across racial, economic, religious, and geo-political boundaries, to join together for the purpose of health and healing, providing an example to the world; and to give an example of how the power of the internet can be used to foster global health and healing.

Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657