10th World Health Qigong Day

The Confucius Institute at Newcastle University (NUCI) celebrated the 10th World Health Qigong Day with a community event at Newcastle Civic Centre on Saturday 12 September.

Led by Associate Professor Li Rensong of Xiamen University's Department of Physical Education and a full-time NUCI instructor, around 40 local participants took part in demonstrations and practical sessions. The event was also streamed live through the official platform of the International Health Qigong Federation, with Health Qigong enthusiasts around the world joining the session and practicing alongside participants in Newcastle in real time.

The programme opened with remarks from Dr Hu Yue, Chinese Director of NUCI, followed by a joint demonstration of Health Qigong Yi Jin Jing by Dr Hu and Associate Professor Li. Participants then performed Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan, 24-form Tai Chi, Ba Duan Jin, Liu Zi Jue and Wu Qin Xi.

The event concluded with an English-language introduction and practical session on Yi Jin Jing, welcoming participants of different ages and levels of experience. Passers-by at the Civic Centre also stopped to watch and join the activities.

NUCI, co-founded by Newcastle University and Xiamen University, has supported Chinese language education and cultural exchange in North East England for 13 years. The event also coincides with the 70th anniversary of Xiamen University's international Chinese education programme.