The Dragon's Head Blog

(Version française plus bas) The Eastern Region held its New Year’s Banquet on Friday February 4th at its headquarters in Longueuil, just before its Regional Instructors Workshop Weekend. The Montreal Lion Dance club opened the festivities, finding a way around the tables to perform the traditional lion dance. They invited our regional president to welcome […]

Lundi le 15 février, 47 participants se sont réunis à Saint-Augustin, emplacement à l’ouest de Québec, pour un intensif de trois heures. Simplicité, alignement des pieds, équilibre et confort ont semblé plaire aux nouveaux participants des classes continues entourés d’autres plus anciens participants. « Repousser le singe » et « Effleurer le genou », sont des mouvements qui ont […]

Following on from an FLK Day with a focus on the shrine and its symbolism and place in our training and tradition, we gathered this month on the 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th to participate in the commencement of the Chinese New Year celebrations offering chanting and short talks to our members interested in learning […]

A little over 700 people sat down in the Banquet Hall at the International Centre on February 21st, 2016 for 8 courses of delicious Chinese vegetarian dishes. Followed by about a 100 volunteers that helped with the setup, serving, bussing, dishwashing and the many many other tasks that are a part of this wonderful annual event. […]

  As a result of corrections in the sitting meditation and in my tai chi, a new part of my back opened up that had been hurting before. — Matt from Oregon       You have to pay attention to your task, watch the other people, if you want to learn about something and […]

Osprey were sighted today on the new nesting platform at the International Center in Dunedin, Florida. The osprey originally had their nest in one of the chimneys that needed to be removed. The society asked forestry officials and the National Audubon Society to oversee the move of the nest to the platform on top of […]

The evening of February 13th, 2016 saw over 60 Surrey, British Columbia participants and their families celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Fire Monkey with a pot-luck dinner. In addition to a wonderful meal, attendees were entertained by singer, magician, clown, and balloon maker extraordinaire Mr. Bubbles (incarnated by a local participant).  They […]

Awaiting the arrival of 800 guests for Lantern Festival Jai Lunch.

Another successful beginner weekend was held on January 30 and 31 at the Atlantic Region Centre.  These weekends, more and more popular, provide an excellent opportunity for new participants to experience immediately many of the things we do together: practicing the 108 moves, setting up for meals, cooking, and cleaning up.  As we are fortunate […]

Participants attending the five-day International Program held last week at the International Center in Florida enjoyed the beautiful sunshine and pleasant weather. Participants working in small groups discovered the circle in the square doing dan yus.  The balance of palms pushing out and relaxed dropping opened the pelvic floor. They were given a special treat on Friday:  […]

On February 5 and 6, 2016 the Fung Loy Kok Taoist Tai Chi Calgary Branch hosted a successful two-day national program event led by Verity Rolfe. Sixty-nine people (including a visitor from England) gathered to deepen their understanding of the Taoist Tai Chi® arts, make connections with other participants, and work together. Volunteers kept everyone […]

Participants from across Canada are taking part in a six-week national dan yu challenge.  One only challenges one’s self to do more dan yu’s, not others.  Donations are freely given to support fundraising for the International Center in Florida.  Better health for the individual and for the organization is the best reward.  Here are some comments from participants in Canada’s Pacific […]

The Western Region celebrated Chinese New Year on the 6th of February at their centre in Newport. The day started with chanting followed by the usual housecleaning and then preparing of food and decorating tables for the evening. This was followed by the practice of Taoist Tai Chi® arts in the afternoon. Members were treated to beef, salmon, […]

This is the International Center Florida construction update for the week ending January 31, 2016. Building A Windows Window installers continue to install the east and west windows on the center wing of Building A. Exterior Stairwells The exterior stairwells on the north and south sides of the building have surveyors’ stakes in place prior […]

The Taoist Tai Chi Society was invited to be part of a day-long programme of events celebrating Chinese New Year at the University of Essex. It was a cold but fun day and it was nice to meet and talk with the students about how Taoist Tai Chi(R) arts can help reduce the stress of studying […]

On February 5, 2016 the Calgary branch hosted a sold-out crowd of 120 people to celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Monkey. Guests were treated to snacks and beverages as they arrived. A lion dance performed by members of the Kugekai Lion Dance Team welcomed in the new year. A delicious ten-course Chinese banquet […]

Participants in Billings, Montana held their Chinese New Year celebration including a talk about the origin and meaning of the year of the fire monkey. A delicious pot-luck dinner was enjoyed by all and there was no shortage of volunteers to demonstrate the Tai Chi Set when requested by a participant’s spouse.

The International Centre in Orangeville, Ontario is pleased to be hosting this year’s Lantern Festival on Sunday, February 21st at 12 noon. Everyone is welcome to this event, which will feature a traditional jai banquet, chanting, entertainment, and of course lantern sales! The Lantern Festival is a Chinese tradition going back many centuries. Typically held […]

The year of the Monkey is only a few days away! Festive decorations are finding their way around our Wong Dai Sin Temple on Steeles Avenue in Toronto. There will be chanting all day on Chinese New Year (Monday, Februari 8th).  The temple will be open on New Years Eve (Sunday evening until 2am Monday morning). Everybody is […]