Sports:
Tai Chi event's goal is to raise awareness of art form's benefits
05:29 PM CDT on Friday, May 20, 2005
By Kristie Rodriguez / Contributing Writer
In late April, people from across the world gathered in Dallas to promote and experience an ancient Eastern
art form of healing that helps strengthen the inner spirit as well as the body.
The annual event, World Tai Chi and Qigong Day, allows people to experience the benefits of Tai Chi and
share the awareness with others.
This year’s eighth annual celebration was co-hosted by the Arthritis Foundation of North Texas and
SimplyAware.com. Several local Tai Chi schools attended as well as community members.
“Tai Chi combines physical training with mental focus and a smiling heart into a graceful series of
movements,” said Chris Bouguyon, this year’s host and founder of SimplyAware, an organization that
provides wellness programs at centers throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area including Tai Chi for
Arthritis and Tai Chi for Back Pain.
“Oxygen is used for virtually every process in the body, so special emphasis is placed on relaxed, deep
breathing to increase circulation and healing energy throughout the body,” he said.
Originating in the Tang Dynasty, Tai Chi creates a spirit, body and mind connection that helps improve
the immune system, increase circulation and stabilize core muscle groups. The practice has also been
said to help with lower back pain by focusing on proper posture with special movements that
help strengthen core muscles in the abdominal cavity. Meditation is also incorporated as a combination
of deep breathing and focused relaxation techniques.
“By teaching the students to release tension — often caused by pain — while they move through the
form they learn to better manage their specific condition,” noted Bouguyon, who is also a head instructor.
The event began with demonstrations from each of the five main houses of Tai Chi, including sword, staff
and fan weapons sets, followed by an hour of instruction.
Jeff Savage, program director for the Arthritis Foundation, also helped coordinate the event and shared
with participants the various benefits of Tai Chi for people afflicted with arthritis.
Tai Chi classes are held across North Texas. To view a listing of one near you or to find out more about
the practice, visit www.simplyaware.com.
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