OPENING OF THE TAOIST TAI CHI CENTRE OF SPAIN

by IRENE TAYLOR
MORE than 300 people from all over the world attended the official opening ceremony of the Taoist Tai Chi Centre of Spain in Calle Pons y Gallarza 5A in Palma yesterday. Combining traditional Majorcan and Chinese culture, guests were welcomed by Xirimiers (Majorcan pipers), and a Lion dance, which combines art, history and kung fu moves and is said to bring luck and happiness. The Spanish Taoist Tai Chi Society was founded in 1982 in Majorca, from where it spread to other parts of Spain, such as Catalonia, Andalucia, Madrid and the Canary Islands. It forms part of the International Society, which was represented at the opening by its president, Karen Laughlin. On hand to welcome guests were Jesus Vicens, president of the Spanish Society, and Joana Vicens, president of the Balearic branch. Interspersed with the speeches were demonstrations not only of the Taoist Tai Chi set, but other Taoist arts such as Lok Hup, which is even older, after which the red ribbon was cut, and a buffet lunch, prepared by members, was served. Among the guests were Miquel Meli, the Balearic government's director general of linguistic policy representing Francesc Fiol, the minister of education and culture; Maurici Rovira, manager of the Palma city council's Sports Institute representing Mayor Catalina Cirer, Dolors Alemany, director general of the Council of Majorca's Social Services Institute; Inca town councillor Malen Cantarellas (Inca is one of the towns where tai chi classes are available) and Bartomeu Catal, president of the Projecte Home drug rehabilitation programme, where Taoist tai chi is also used as therapy. The Society was founded by Mr Moy Lin-shin, (1931-1998), a Taoist monk who studied Tai Chi and other Taoist internal arts for more than 30 years in China and Hong Kong before emigrating to Canada in 1970. He founded the Taoist Tai Chi Society of Toronto, followed by a national and eventually an international Society. There are now branches in more than 25 countries. It is a non-profit organisation run on a volunteer basis, with the chief purpose of promoting the health benefits of Taoist Tai Chi.
Following yesterday's opening, nearly 100 members will be attending a oneday workshop at the new centre today, conducted by Ms Laughlin, while tomorrow will be the first day of a five-day workshop for Senior Citizens, the first of its kind to be held in Europe will be conducted by Elizabeth Rigault of the Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism. More than 100 people will be attending, but not all of them are senior citizens, ages range from 25 to 86, and countries of origin from Spain, Britain, Germany, Holland, Sweden, Portugal, and Denmark, to Canada, the United States and Costa Rica. Many of the people attending the workshops have serious health problems, and have found in Taoist Tai Chi a way to improve their health and make new friends.