Each June Tai Chi Australia (TCA) conducts a series of workshops with Professors and Masters from the Chinese Health Qigong Association (CHQA). This year we were honoured to have highly acclaimed Professor Wang Xiaojun, an expert in Health Qigong and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), from the Beijing Sports University and Professor Qin Zilai who generously shared their knowledge and expertise in Health Qigong by teaching, demonstrating and lecturing at workshops to TCA instructors, students and members of the public in public venues in Victoria and Tasmania including an indigenous group in Hastings, Victoria.
On Sunday, June 14th, Tai Chi Australia (TCA) in conjunction with the Chinese Health Qigong Association and the Margaret Young Memorial Group conducted a Health Qigong Ba Duan Jin (Eight Golden Treasure Brocade) workshop at the Launceston General Hospital where the Margaret Young Memorial Garden located. Twenty eager students from various parts of Tasmania attended the workshop, which was held in memory of Margaret Young who tragically died in a car accident in 2005.
Margaret began teaching Tai Chi in 1983. A pupil of TCA’s Chief Instructor, Master Han Jin Song she was highly skilled radiating the essence of tai chi; the ability to balance body, mind and spirit. She became the head teacher of Tai Chi Australia (Tasmania) when it was founded in 1993. Her energy inspired all her students and she worked tirelessly to make Tai Chi accessible to everyone. She encouraged practice in public spaces and often performed Tai Chi at community events.
After her death her former students formed the Margaret Young Memorial Group and applied to the Launceston City Council to have a space allocated in the ground of the Launceston General Hospital where she had voluntarily taught patients tai chi. Over $40,000 was raised for a sculpted screen and frieze depicting tai chi figures. This was dedicated in 2010. However, more funds are required to complete the landscaping.
Acclaimed visiting Professor Wang Xaiofun, an expert in Health Qi Gong and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Beijing Sports University, and Master Han Jin Song, Chief Instructor, Tai Chi Australia patiently taught Ba Duan Jin a dynamic Qi Gong form comprising eight movements based on Traditional Chinese Medicine theory. Details of each movement were carefully explained and how they affected and benefited health well-being.
Professor Wang gratefully acknowledged the support and the cooperation of the Launceston City Council and the Memorial Group for establishing the Margaret Young Memorial Garden in a public space. It is the first time outside China, that a Tai Chi and Health Qi Gong teacher has been honoured by an authority for her contribution to better understanding Chinese culture.
