Tai Ji Circle Torch Relay Demonstration 2012

Union Instructors Chris Jones and Liu Qun Jun set news of the Tai Ji Circle Torch Relay Demonstration:

In 2012 Tai Ji Circle students with our master, Liu Quan Jun were invited to join two Olympic Torch Relay events. The team were coached hard by Liu Quan Jun who designed a combination routine from several Chen-style tai ji quan forms to demonstrate the aspects of soft and hard, slow and fast within the style, the yin and yang roots of tai ji practice, and part of which the students performed in a circle.

The first on the 22 July was at 7.30am at Fairlop Waters in Ilford, three different groups of tai ji quan practitioners came together to showcase Chen, Yang and Toaist styles, while the Olympic Torch was rowed across the lake. Tai Ji Circle team did our specially choreographed Chen routine with Liu Quan Jun performing in the front. We were very lucky after all the rain, the sun finally shone.

Later on the same day we all came together with some of out other students to perform in the Camden New Town Festival at St Paul's Church Hall in Camden Square, so it was a very busy day!

Later the following week on 26 July, Islington Council were also celebrating the Torch relay with a day of celebration and sport in Highbury Fields where we were also asked to take part with the Islington Chinese Association. It was a marvellous day with the chance (at last) to hold the Olympic Torch, given to torch bearer Freddie Hudson who has committed years of community service.

These demonstrations have been a great opportunity to promote tai ji quan during this Olympic Games year.

They have published lots more photos on facebook.