Tai Chi regional intensive in Sharbot Lake

Jeff Green | Jul 13, 2016

Over 100 Tai Chi practitioners from as far afield as Ottawa and Belleville traveled to Sharbot Lake on Monday, July 11 to participate in a three-hour intensive session, which featured instructors from the Ottawa and Kingston regions.

The event, which was the first of its kind in a rural location, was put on in order to provide practitioners with a chance to work for a longer time on their positions, and to access different teachers than they are used to at their home centers.

“Even though everyone learns the same moves and sequences, sometimes hearing the same information in a new way can make a difference,” said Jim Gazzard, the Ottawa-based regional vice president of the Fung Loy Kok Taoist Tai Chi organization, which is affiliated with the International Taoist Tai Chi Society, the largest non-profit Tai Chi organization in the world.

Gazzard said that since the Sharbot Lake chapter, which is affiliated with the Kingston branch of the organisation, has been very strong in recent years, the decision was taken to try to bring people together in the summer for a large event.

“Judging from what we see here, it has been quite a success,” said Gazzard.

After working with instructors in small groups, the assembled group, which made full use of the entire gym at Granite Ridge Education Centre, completed the full set of 108 moves that are shared by all members of the Taoist Tai Chi Society.

Then it was time for a tea break, followed by more work in small groups. The entire event ended with a potluck lunch and a chance to share experiences.

“It's not that surprising that Tai Chi is so strong in Sharbot Lake. Rural communities are often successful in building up a strong group. Also, for a community with an active senior population, Tai Chi is a very good way to help seniors continue to be strong and healthy at any age. Our top instructor in Ottawa is 72 and he is as fit or fitter than any 40-year-old,” said Gazzard, who has been practicing Tai Chi for 38 years and is an instructor as well.

After the potluck was over, there was an instructor session in the afternoon.

There are ongoing Tai Chi classes in Sharbot Lake, Sydenham, Westport and in Kingston. For further information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.