Tai Chi demonstrations to be held in celebration of Chinese New Year

The Tai Chi Chuan Institute, part of the greater Tai Chi Ways and Associates, was invited by the Chinese Association to take part in the opening ceremony of the Year of the Fire Monkey.

Celebrations started on Saturday, February 6 in the Old China Town, Commissioner Street, Johannesburg, and ended at the Nan Hau Temple in Bronkhorstspruit on February 7.

The Chinese New Year 2016 is the year of the Fire Monkey, bringing lots of good fortune.

This is an auspicious year in the Chinese calendar because it will only happen again in 823 years’ time, when, in February, there will be four Tuesdays, four Wednesdays, four Thursdays, four Fridays, four Saturdays and four Sundays. This year there are five Mondays, because 2016 is a leap year.

The Tai Chi Chuan Institute demonstrated different forms of tai chi, with the emphasis on everybody and anybody being able to practise and do tai chi.

It opened with a very unusual Qigong sequence, monkey Qigong, followed by a cane walking stick form for the elderly, an energising form for those requiring a boost, a broadsword demonstration to get the blood pumping and a unique form where both crippled and blind people can take part, emphasising that the disabled can also do tai chi.

“The streets were lined with both Chinese and other Asian foods – delicious to say the least. There was a balloon lady, lucky palms, year of the monkey T-shirts and much more. It was fun to see all different cultures coming together to share the festivities.

“The evening ended with a magnificent fireworks display that everyone enjoyed. Definitely a night to remember and to diarise for next year. It is an evening that the Tai Chi Chuan Institute Alberton will not forget,” said Craig Boden from the institute.