Weekend Excursion

Observers of the holiday will start performing T'ai Chi at 10 a.m. local time, beginning in Australia and sweeping across the globe. In Connecticut, the celebration will occur in Waterford's Harkness Memorial State Park, where the initial demonsrtation will be followed by lectures, demonstrations, and workshops presented by more than a dozen hosting schools and teachers.

HYURA CHOI/YH

T'ai Chi, a 900-year-old martial art developed in China, was initially created as a way for isolated farmers to practice self-defense. The practice has evolved over thousands of years to encompass thousands of "forms," or routines, some incorporating the Chinese philosophies of Ying Yang and Tao. Elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the movement and stimulation of energy, or Chi, are also involved in the discipline. T'ai Chi has proven beneficial to maintaining and improving one's health, both physical and mental, in Western medical studies.

Saturday's celebration of World T'ai Chi Day presents an ideal chance for the overworked Yale student to slow down. All will appreciate the opportunity to join with the Connecticut community and, on a broader scale, practitioners of T'ai Chi throughout the world. The day will begin with a mass exhibition on the lawn led by Master Malee Khow, followed by demonstrations of T'ai Chi Sword and T'ai Chi 24 Forms, The Forms of Hsing-Ye, and Taoist Bagua Circle Forms.

From noon to 4 p.m., 40 workshops will be available to choose from, including Wind Horse Walking Qigong, Lazy Coat Chen Tiaji Eight Energies, Joint Loosening Qigong, Reiki "Lazy Qigong," Doa YinYang Sheng Gong, Eight Pieces of Brocade, and hourly sessions in T'ai Chi for beginners. Whether you're an expert or will be attending each beginner session on the hour, the trip to Waterford should be well worth it: who couldn't use a good dose of relaxation, well-being, and energy after a long week of classes that doesn't guarantee a throbbing headache Sunday morning? —Diana M. Aleman

Connecticut's Third Annual World T'ai Chi Day will be celebrated at Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford at 10 a.m. Admission to the event is free. For further information, call 1-800-676-5559.

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