Fung Loy Kok Taoist Tai Chi achieves 40th anniversary goals

Celebrating 40 years of Taoist Tai Chi in Stratford has inspired goals of doing 40 public demos and inspire 40 new members to join.

It has been 40 years since Master Moy was instrumental in bringing Taoist Tai Chi arts to the community of Stratford, and goals were set in recognition of the anniversary.

For 2024, the goal was to bring in 40 new members and to perform 40 demos out in the public eye. Not only has the tai chi studio met its goals, but it has also exceeded them. Through open houses and word of mouth, there are now 43 new members and an impressive 52 demos were performed for the public. People were attracted to join for a variety of reasons, sometimes personal and sometimes social.

“I joined because my friend, Marsha started,” said Bonnie Steinman, who is also an instructor. “She saw it and really like it and got in contact with someone in Toronto. She gathered some people, so I went. We had an instructor come from Toronto every Thursday for about a year and a half, then Master Moy said they couldn’t come anymore. It meant that we had to take the initiative and go for training in Toronto.”

That newfound interest sparked the beginning of what the centre in Stratford is today, 40 years later.

Brenda Ferguson has been on her journey for 30 years, inspired to pursue it by seeing a group of people practicing in the park.

“I retired early and had seen the little ads in the Beacon Herald for a few years, and I saw these guys in the park. It’s funny, you didn’t want to stare but you want to see without thinking you’re intruding. I saw it was for me. It was peaceful, quiet. I knew I needed exercise as well,” said Ferguson, who is on the southwestern coordinating committee.

The demos sometimes just involved going out into the parking lot at the centre on Ontario Street to show people driving by a glimpse of what the set is about. Others were more organized and publicized like a demo held one sunny afternoon at the library. There, people were in attendance to observe, learn a bit about Taoist Tai Chi arts and to try a few moves themselves. It was a tremendous success.

“We usually talk a bit about the organization, do a little demo and then get people trying it. We are not doing this to gain lots and lots of members; the goal is to let people know who we are and that it is available for those who wish to start on a path to better health,” said Ferguson.

During the open houses, members will gather to welcome the curious public and to perform a demo, which does not necessarily consist of all 108 moves. They have also gone to workplaces to perform demos for employees.

“We do presentations for groups that is sometimes part of their training day or some other part of their workday,” said Audrey Miller of the central region management committee.

The open houses have been instrumental in attracting new members, with approximately 35 of the 43 new members joining after participating in open houses. Others came by word of mouth or even through the advice of health-care professionals.

Sessions are held throughout the week and participants can come to as many sessions a week as they like after completing the introductory session. There are two beginner’s sessions each week, Monday and Saturday mornings, offering the opportunity to fit tai chi into different schedules.

Practicing the Taoist Tai Chi arts melds body mind and soul. As members’ mindsets soften, it’s an opening to new ideas. Instructors will often ask, “How does that feel?” With an opening and contraction of our physicality, we find balance in mind.

“This practice may not be for everybody. It may not be a good fit for you today, but it might be good for you tomorrow. I would recommend that everyone come in to try it for the physical, mental and spiritual benefits. Even if you just get the physical part to start with, there’s room for you to grow,” said Stratford committee president Grant Dillman.

The next open house for Fung Loy Kok Taoist Tai Chi is Saturday, Jan. 4 at 10:30 a.m. at the centre. The public is welcome to attend and learn, and join in for a few moves.