WORLDWIDE TAIJIQUAN (TAI CHI) EVENT IN RYDE

On Sunday July 25th a worldwide Taijiquan lesson took place in Ryde on the Isle Of Wight. 

This event took place the world over and at  the very same time – here it was 11am until 1130am.

It was led by the two most senior and qualified Taijiquan teachers here on the island – Mr Lawrence Bridgeland who has spent many years in the Far East learning this incredible art-form, and Mr Keith Graham, Chairman of the UK leading national Tai Chi ‘body’  (fronted by Mr. Dan Docherty).

There was a fee of £1 which we all paid whilst all the money raised went to “Breakthrough” – a breast cancer research group base here in England.

Although here on the Isle Of Wight we were competing against a “Race For Life” event in Newport and the not-so-great weather (which did improve!) we still had 39 individuals turn-up and so raised £79.

Every litle helps!

All but three members of my Taijiquan group came along whilst some individuals who had never before experienced Taijiquan also turned out.

For us, this event was a success.

Last year, Mainland China had 40,00 individuals all doing Taijiquan at the same time so our bid, this year, was to have 40,000 individuals all practice this unique martial art at the same time and thereby qualify us for an entry into the “GuinnesS Book Of Records”.

Did we manage it?

We do not know yet.

We’ll see.

This event was masterminded by a mainland group called “revitalise taichi” headed by a Mr. Andy Spragg.

Here on the island this event was featured on “Isle of Wight Radio” and in the Isle Of Wight County Press” newspaper. My thanks to those two media sources.

One of my students, Mr. Dave Russell, also covered it for “Meridian” television news although I do not know if his report and filming actually made onto the news.  Regardless as to whether it did or not, thank you very much indeed for that Dave!

Our practice was conducted on the playing field of “Ryde School” (on Queends Road) so I would like to thank Mr. Keith Dubbins who very kindly allowed us to use the premises. It was a perfect spot! For that act of kindness and support I am very grateful indeed! 

Video clips and more photographs to appear shortly on my facebook whilst also here on this website.