At 10 a.m. on Saturday, the Yukon joined a wave of celebraters from across the world by taking part in World Tai Chi and Qigong Day.

About 40 people attended the event, held at Shipyards Park.

The original celebration began in New Zealand, at 10 a.m. local time, followed by every time zone following suite across the world.

Taking part in World Tai Chi and Qigong Day were 65 countries on six continents.

In Yukon, the celebrations on Saturday began with tai chi instructor Jo-Ann Gates leading participants in a beginner practice.

Tai Chi Yukon got involved in the world-wide celebration about six years ago, and instructor Helene Dobrowolsky, who also serves as secretary on the association's board, says they have watched it grow every year.

The first ever World Tai Chi and Qigong Day was held 12 years ago, organized by founders Angela Wong Douglas and Bill Douglas out of Kansas.

Tai Chi Yukon itself got its start when Cheryl Buchan re-located to the Yukon in 1989. She began teaching tai chi to Yukoners through the city's recreation program. Buchan was overwhelmed by the response, as more than 90 people tried to sign up for her first class.

The instructor began teaching eight hours a week to try to satisfy the demand.

Additional instructors were trained to help out, and the group began branching out and traveling to learn more about tai chi.

"When we started it was very humble,” Dobrowolsky said. "It has grown.”

Tai Chi Yukon practices yang-style taijquan that is based on grandmaster Yang Zhen Duo and his grandson grandmaster Yang Jun. The association hosted Yang Jun in 2004, bringing in participants from as far away as New York.

The association also hosts other styles occasionally. Every week there are about 10 different tai chi classes.

The association now boasts about 75 members overall, and celebrated its 20th anniversary last year together with World Tai Chi and Qigong Day.

"Last year was very special,” Dobrowolsky said.

The group had an extraordinary turnout for the special celebrations, which the achieved by appealing to former members.

The City of Whitehorse also officially declared the celebration as Tai Chi and Qigong Day in the Yukon.

Dobrowolsky says taking part in a world-wide event such as World Tai Chi and Qigong Day helps the association feel connected to the rest of the world.

"It's so easy to feel isolated up here from the mainstream,” she said.

Dobrowolsky adds that participants enjoy contributing to the "chi” going around the world. "It feels great.”

Tai chi in the Yukon is mostly based on improving health and developing balance, but it is derived from martial arts. Dobrowolsky

describes it as moving meditation.

"When I do tai chi I don't think about anything else, and I really enjoy that,” she said.

The instructor says the "moving meditation” is a great low-impact exercise for seniors.

Dobrowolsky and senior instructor Pam Boyde visited China in 2005 to celebrate the 80th birthday of grandmaster Yang Zhen Duo.

"There was an amazing celebration,” she said. "It was an amazing event.”

The two took part in the celebrations and had a chance to study under Yang Zhen Duo as he came out of retirement for the occasion.

"In China tai chi and qigong is alive and well,” Dobrowolsky said.

Boyde is the first Canadian to become certified as an instructor by the Yang family association. She achieved this in the fall of 2007, when she traveled to China again to study and learn more about tai chi.

Anyone interested in getting involved with tai chi in Yukon should visit the association's website at www.taichi-yukon.ca or email them at info@taichiyukon.ca

Dobrowolsky can be reached at 668 3814 for information as well.