Manatee County To Host Free Tai Chi, Qigong Lessons

BRADENTON, FL – For the third year in a row Manatee County is inviting its residents to join with people around the world to celebrate ancient Chinese arts.

The Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department will offer free lessons during World Tai Chi and Qigong Day on Saturday, April 29 form 10 a.m. to noon at G.T. Bray Park, 5502 33rd Ave. W. in Bradenton. Participants will have the opportunity to sample a variety of tai chi styles.

“we are excited to once again bring this health practice to Manatee County and share it with the community on a larger scale,” said Aedan Stockdale, the volunteer and education program manager for Manatee County’s Parks and Natural Resources Department. “We began offering free tai chi classes quarterly at Robinson Preserve as part of our ‘Vitamin N’ program, promoting health and wellness in the preserves.”

The Vitamin N (which stands for Nature) program offers yoga, running, walking and meditative walks through Manatee County’s different parks.

“Through this event, Manatee County residents and visitors are able to be part of something larger, our community in breath and in step with the rest of the world,” Stockdale said.

Tai chi and qigong are movement practices that evolved over several thousand years of research in China and a growing in popularity worldwide, according to Manatee County. The arts are used in hospitals, businesses, prisons, schools and other institutions.

These ancient arts are said to reduce anxiety, depression and chronic pain conditions, and also boost the immune system, improve respiratory function, burn calories and dramatically improve balance and provide stress management tools.

The event is being sponsored by the parks department and Cypress Pillar Healing Arts. For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/678899452315100/.

Image courtesy of Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department