The Dragon's Head Blog

The Vancouver branch celebrated the arrival of the Year of the Monkey with food and games as well as by joining the local Chinese and other communities in the annual Chinatown Spring Festival Parade. On Saturday February 13th about 60 participants and friends gathered for a six-course vegetarian jai meal, prepared in our own kitchen […]

(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. […]

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 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, […]

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 […]

Here’s what participants in Western Region are saying about their practice: “It’s a good way to start the day.” Audrey “It softens the stiffness in my hips.” Phyllis “I’m doing the same number of Dan Yus every day, and it feels like it’s getting easier.” Eileen “The more Dan Yus I do, the more I […]

Many welcome thoughts on the Danyu Challenge…… The Danyu challenge has encouraged many participants to extend their limits and to discover the benefits of the extra practice. Je sens la chaleur sous mes pieds ..Jean/ Moncton, NB It makes shovelling snow easier..Claude/ Dartmouth, NS Il faut en faire plusieurs chaque jour, pour sentir une différence […]

Energy and excitement are building as we approach the Calgary National Program only one week away.  We caught our Calgary volunteer sewing team in action preparing a gorgeous Monkey King costume for the upcoming Chinese New Year Banquet on Friday February 5th 2016.  Tickets are now sold out!  

The Southern Interior Branch of the Pacific Region is holding our annual Chinese New Year workshop at our Vernon, British Columbia location.  We are planning an Asian themed dinner for Saturday night and we wanted to include spring rolls.  Rather than just make enough for the workshop we decided to make a whole bunch more.  […]