Thunder Bay residents find a bridge to culture and friendship through China Gong

Video: A bridge to culture and friendship through Taiji

(BEIJING, October 17) -- Taiji quan, a Chinese martial art, has long been practiced by the citizens of this country. But imagine a group of Canadians demonstrating the fluid movements of Taiji and Taiji fan with grace. This was exactly the scene in front of the National Stadium, otherwise known as the "Bird's Nest," Wednesday afternoon.

Some 20 members from the Peng You Taiji Quan Association in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, led by their Taiji master, Peng Youlian, performed the movements of Taiji quan and a variation of Taiji fan -- Taiji "maple leaf" fan -- before the Bird's Nest to offer their best wishes for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

"Great!" -- this was the most common exclamation among the performers regarding this experience. Every member of the visiting delegation can't wait to tell folks back home about their happy experiences here.

Albrecht Mauser, who has practiced Taiji for 14 years and is now on his ninth visit to Beijing, offered this observation, "I believe that the Beijing Olympics will succeed for sure because you Chinese are good at creating miracles!"

After the performance, the Canadian delegation visited the Beijing Chenjinglun School, a Heart-to-Heart program school.

The Peng You Taiji Quan Association was established in the 1990s by Master Peng Youlian, who immigrated to Canada in 1990 from China. Promoting health, happiness and friendship through Taiji, the association has drawn interest from a growing number of area residents through the years. The Peng You Taiji Quan Association has become one of the most influential and fastest growing non-profit organizations in Thunder Bay.