Imagine 150 individuals moving in perfect unison, their hands, feet and bodies flowing through gentle, deliberate postures.
This was the scene at Mary Winspear's Bodine Hall in Sidney over the first weekend of May, as members of the Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism gathered to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Taoist tai chi in Victoria.
More than just a series of movements, Taoist tai chi, as explained by Marsha Eberhart, advisor to the institute's board of directors, is "a whole way of everything – body and mind, how you think, how you work, how you do things together."
The practice first arrived in Canada in 1970 thanks to Taoist master Moy Lin Shin, making its way to Victoria five years later.
Rooted in a 13th-century Chinese monastery, this ancient martial art, born from the Taoist pursuit of balancing yin and yang, has evolved into a practice renowned for its physical and mental benefits.
The anniversary celebration included workshops and talks dedicated to practicing the art, with members sharing personal stories of how tai chi has helped them manage anxiety, stress and various health conditions.
"It's not just about the physical practice, but it's also just coming together," emphasized Gwen Griff, Victoria branch leader. "We're very fortunate to have Marsha come here and help lead us through the weekend so we'll have a chance to practice tai chi."
Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism boasts four branches in Greater Victoria, with approximately 300 members spread across nine locations.
"Both teachers and volunteers are essential components of what we do," said Griff, highlighting the community aspect of the practice. "It changes your heart."
Ron Edwards, a longtime Victoria member, emphasized the diverse reasons people are drawn to tai chi, often seeking to improve their overall health.
"We have people with quite serious medical conditions who find this extremely beneficial, people with MS or Parkinson's even – sometimes it's hard to find other kinds of treatment that help."
Edwards, who began practicing tai chi at 21, credits the art with improving his strength, flexibility and overall well-being.
Tai chi involves a set of 108 flowing movements and emphasizes body alignment and proper posture.
While esthetically graceful, Edwards explains that the focus is on the internal benefits.
"What they're more concerned about, rather than looking pretty, is that it's working the body on the inside."
He emphasizes the importance of continuity in the movements to improve circulation and promote a sense of letting go, contrasting the practice with the more forceful movements of Western exercise.
