This year’s annual Taiji Month, organised by London South Bank University’s Confucius Institute for Traditional Chinese Medicine (CITCM), began at the Regent’s Park on the morning of 2nd May. The event aims to promote traditional Chinese wellbeing and enable more Londoners to experience taiji. The first taiji workshop attracted people of all ages, from teenagers and young students in their 20s to the elderly, including one participant over the age of 80. Despite the age differences, all participants took taiji learning to their heart in following every move carefully. The martial arts masters patiently explained the moves and corrected the participants’ postures.
When asked the reason for signing up for the taiji practice, a variety of answers were given. Blu is a fan of China and has studied qigong and acupuncture in China. He said, “I learned from acupuncture lessons that taiji can help extend the tendons and foster the character. When I heard that CITCM was organising a Taiji Month, I signed up right away. I will invite my friends to come with me next time.” University student Sophie and Jane participated to challenge themselves, “We are willing to experience anything that is beneficial to health. We are practising yoga. Compared with that, taiji moves are more relaxed, thus making us feel extremely calm and peaceful.”
Many people who were jogging and strolling in the park stopped to watch the group. CITCM teachers patiently answered their questions and invited them to join in to experience taji. The two-hour event attracted approximately 100 people’s participation. Many expressed that they would come back next week.
Taiji Month is one of CITCM’s annual events and is highly popular among Londoners. Thousands of people have participated since its launch several years ago. This Year’s event will last for five weeks until the end of May.
