Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy Cupertino Celebrates 24th Anniversary

On April 13, 2025, Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy in Cupertino celebrated its 24th anniversary with a heartwarming event themed “Forever Young.” Embracing the values of health, joy, and hope, the celebration welcomed over a hundred distinguished guests and local residents from across the Bay Area. The event radiated positive energy and uplifting moments, fostering a sense of unity and well-being within the community. For those unable to attend in person, the festivities were shared via a live broadcast on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KuX8B47I6g&t=1547s), spreading the joy and spirit of the day far and wide.

Tai Ji Men disciple Jeff Kuo, delivered the welcome speech on behalf of Tai Ji Men’s Zhang-men-ren, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze. He remarked, “In these trying times of global crises -climate change, ongoing geopolitical conflicts, and growing economic disparity - all of which threaten sustainable development. The United Nations declared on March 4, 2025, during its 79th General Assembly, that July 12 of every year will be designated as the “International Day of Hope.” The creation of this day is the result of a united wish across all six continents to spread the message of hope through education and related activities. Only when people have conscience and a will to act can there truly be hope—hope that can enhance social safety and global stability.

Distinguished guests who attended the event in person included Nicole Waring, representative of U.S. Congressman Ro Khanna; Phuong Nguyen, representative of California State Senator Dave Cortese; Barbara Ledesma Rhinehalt, representative of California State Senator Aisha Wahab; Saratoga City Council Member Tina Walia; Fremont City Council Member Raymond Liu; and Palo Alto City Council Member Greer Stone. Members of Congress and the California State Senate also presented commendations recognizing Tai Ji Men’s long-standing contributions to the community. Prior to the event, the San Jose City Council issued a special commendation honoring Tai Ji Men’s efforts in promoting physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, preserving cultural heritage, and advancing international peace—bringing hope, light, and love to the Bay Area and the world.

Phuong Nguyen, on behalf of State Senator Dave Cortese, recognized and commended the academy for 24 years of dedicated service in promoting education, as well as physical, mental, and spiritual health in California's District 15.

Nicole Waring, representative of U.S. Congressman Ro Khanna, expressed, "It's always super inspirational to see how hard everyone works and to see how committed and dedicated they are to spreading peace and love and hope. It really inspires me to hope for a better and more peaceful future, not only here in Cupertino, but globally as well.”

Barbara Ledesma Rhinehalt, representative of California State Senator Aisha Wahab, stated, “I just want to express my joy towards today's message of hope and towards the celebration of the Day of Hope. That is a very noble cause that the Academy here is a part of, and we are very happy to be supporting their efforts in seeking greater recognition for the Day of Hope and all that it does to our community. Bringing hope is essential at this moment in time when a lot of things feel very divisive and our community feels very split over very basic issues but we all need to remember that hope at the end of the day brings us all together and that is something that we will always share with each other.”

Palo Alto City Council Member Greer Stone stated: “I think it's so important to both recognize and celebrate the International Day of Hope, because we've had such a challenging time in world history where we're, we're seeing divisions across the world, war happening, economic issues, and so for all of us I think to be able to come together and recognize the importance of hope and the importance of world peace and the bit that we can do in our small corners of the world if everyone across this planet is practicing and celebrating this International Day of Hope, I think you can make a really positive difference.”

In the face of rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, software engineer Jeff shared how practicing Qigong has helped him maintain a calm and balanced mindset, enabling him to navigate future uncertainties and transform challenges into opportunities for growth. Product manager Yvonne also spoke about the positive impact Qigong has had on her health, noting that it not only improved her physical and mental well-being but also helped her remain composed during job interviews—leading to a series of fortunate outcomes. She further revealed that her long-standing pollen allergy had significantly improved through consistent Qigong practice.

The cultural performances were a major highlight of the event. A sign language performance set to the original “Love and Peace Song” touched the hearts of every guest with its warm and heartfelt energy. The graceful and elegant lantern dance symbolized the hope of moving toward a brighter life, encouraging everyone to seek inner peace and joy. It also conveyed the wish for each guest to become a beacon of light—illuminating their own path and that of others, and living a life filled with happiness and hope. The powerful martial arts demonstration showcased the resilience and determination of Tai Ji Men disciples, inspiring all to bravely pursue a more fulfilling life.

Fremont City Council Member Raymond Liu shared, “What I enjoyed the most was the sign language performance, where they not only sang but also signed the meaning of the words. I’ve never seen anything like that before, and I thought it was really fantastic. It showed inclusivity and allowed deaf members of our community to participate and understand the words being spoken. I really enjoyed that part in particular.”

For the past 24 years, Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy in Cupertino has been deeply rooted in the local community, dedicated to promoting qigong for health and the ideals of peace. The spirit of “Forever Young” continues to uplift hearts, guiding the community toward a brighter future.