World TaiChi & QiGong Day (WTQD) in Nashville
online on 4/24 at 10 AM
TaiChi, or Tai Chi Chuang (also written as Taijiquan) is an ancient form of exercise originally created as a fighting art. Today TaiChi is an excellent form of exercise with many health benefits. QiGong is also known as Chi Kung, practiced by millions of people worldwide everyday. QiGong means vital energy and breath skill. When practicing TaiChi, we also use QiGong methods.
There are various perspectives on how TaiChi works. Eastern philosophy holds that TaiChi unblocks the flow of Qi. When Qi flows properly, the body, mind, and spirit are in balance and health is maintained.
World TaiChi & QiGong Day is happening the last Saturday in April at 10 AM annually worldwide. Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville is honored to host this worldwide event in Nashville since 2004 with support coming from local TaiChi and QiGong practitioners and instructors.
We canceled 2020 WTQD due to the Pandemic of COVID 19, and will resume this meaningful event in 2021 on Saturday, April 24, at 10 AM online.
We invite the public of all ages to join us! See you there!
Check it out our photo books video of WTQD since 2004! (click here)
Click the pictures to view videos.
2021 WTQD in Nashville online workshop leaders:
Ryan Black, Peter Hodes, Dr. Cindy Hui-Lio, Jen-Jen Lin, Dr. Sally Miller, Joe Rea Phillips, Julie Russell, and Rusty Rust.
We thank them for their support and contribution to make this WTQD a successful and enjoyable event for the public!
2021 WTQD planning committee:
Justin Chatman, Cindy Hui-Lio, Jen-Jen Lin, Joe Rea Phillips
Meet the instructors
-the 2021 World TaiChi & QiGong Day online workshop-
Ryan Black learned Tai Chi from Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming of YMAA, after years studying Taekwando, Wing Chun Kung Fu, and Kendo. Ryan is a strong believer in the health benefits of Tai Chi for people of any age, but he recognizes that as we get older, it becomes an especially powerful practice. He is also interested in mindfulness and is currently a co-teacher at the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program at Vanderbilt’s Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, and a regular facilitator for Mindful Mondays. He incorporates mindfulness in his teaching of tai chi as well.
(Nashville Tai Chi & Wellness: ryandblack@yahoo.com)
Peter Hodes has always been interested in martial arts and in Asian culture since childhood. After completing a B.A. in Asian Studies and Japanese, and studying abroad in Japan, Peter began practicing T’ai Chi Chu’an in 1990 on a beach of Thailand’s Koh Phangan Island. While pursuing an international M.B.A degree, Peter met fellow-student Jay Boyle and learned the rest of Professor Cheng’s Short From while being introduced to Push-Hands, and the Sword Form. Peter also attended Sifu Tom Wang’s classes at the Vanderbilt Memorial Gym for years, and later with Dr. Tao Ping-siang before he passed away in 2006.
(Tai Chi River: peterhodes7777@gmail.com)
Cindy Hui-Lio, Ed.D. teaches Tai Chi and Qigong at the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at Vanderbilt and Vanderbilt Dayani Center. Dr. Hui-Lio additionally teaches Tai Chi at the Vanderbilt Blair School of Music as an Adjunct Assistant Professor and several community centers to include Abe's Garden. For the past 6 years, Dr. Hui-Lio has been furthering her Tai Chi study under Master Yang Jun, the descendent and lineage holder of the Yang Style Tai Chi, in the United States and in China. She feels ongoing study keeps her personal practice alive and teaching in perspective.
(Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville/ Osher Ct for Integrative Medicine, Vanderbilt University: chuilio@gmail.com)
Jen-Jen Lin, is the founder and director of Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville, a non-profit organization that promotes Chinese arts and culture. Her 1st Taijiquan teacher was KeShen Ma from Henan, China in 1999. She later studied Yang TaiChi Chun with WenZheng Chen in Taiwan. Lin teaches “TaiChi at Metro Parks for beginners since 2016. Lin has been coordinating WTQD since 2004. Other than being passionate about TaiChi, she is a choreographer and dancer.
(Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville/TaiChi at Metro Nashville Parks: ChineseArtsAlliance@gmail.com)
Sally Miller, PhD, RN, is passionate about the health benefits of Tai Chi. She studied with Dr. Lijun Ma and is currently a student of Dr. Cindy Lio at the Vanderbilt Osher Center for Integrative Medicine. Sally received her PhD from the University of Arizona where her dissertation focused on the association of Tai Chi exercise and physical and cognitive measures related to automobile driving among people 65 and older. She has several publications focused on Tai Chi exercise in peer reviewed journals and continues to pursue her scholarly work while engaging in the personal benefits of her Tai Chi practice.
(School of Nursing, Vanderbilt University: sally.m.miller@vanderbilt.edu)
Joe Rea Phillips has trained in Chinese martial arts for over 40 years. He is a Senior Student of James Cravens of the Chinese Boxing Institute International. His Taiji training began in 1986 with the Yang style of Cheng Man-Ching through Master Tao Ping-siang before he started training in Chen Taiji in 1996 with James Cravens, Chen Xiaowang, Chen Quanzhong, Chen Zhengleis, Chen Xiaoxing, Chen Bing, Chen Yingjun and Yan Gaofei. In 2012 Phillips became a Disciple of Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang. He founded the Vanderbilt Kung Fu Club in 1991 where he taught and served faculty adviser.
(Founder of the Vanderbilt Kung Fu Club: phillijr@me.com)
Julie Russell teaches T'ai Chi at Dragon Park, and 50 Forward in Brentwood. Her teachers are Chungliang Al Huang and the late Cielle Tewksbury. She has been teaching since the mid 80's, and welcomes all beginners to this life-enhancing practice!
(Journeying Toward Wholeness: julierus@bellsouth.net)
Rusty Rust is a Licensed Massage Therapist with a certification in CranioSacral Therapy. He has been teaching Tai Chi in Nashville for over 20 years. He taught Taichi at the Dayani Center at Vanderbilt Medical Center. Many students were physically compromised from strokes or accidents. By isolating the elements of the movements and teaching only one aspect at a time, Rusty developed a balance training curriculum to assist clients regain lost balance and strength. Rusty also teaches a regular class Thursday evenings at KSA Martial Academy.
(Tai Chi River: rusty@rustyrust.com)
Justin Chatman, Digital Stage Manager for the event
Annibelle Chatman, Assistant to the Digital Stage Manager.
(Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville: justin.chatman@gmail.com)