Stillness and strength on display at the second annual Redding Tai Chi Festival
Dozens gathered in Lake Redding early Saturday morning to connect over a shared love of Tai Chi.
The event, put on by the Redding Tai Chi Meditation Garden, brought in instructors and admirers alike, all there to appreciate the meditative practice that is Tai Chi.
The low-impact exercise, modeled from ancient Chinese martial arts, seeks to relieve stress, improve balance, and has been shown to improve the quality of life in people with heart disease, cancer, and other chronic illnesses. The event organizers hope that, through ingraining Tai Chi into the community, they'll be able to foster good health, relaxation, and peace throughout Redding.
Redding Tai Chi Meditation Garden has received support for a space within Turtle Bay Exploration Park, and is planning to build a dedicated Tai Chi site within the park's McConnell Arboretum & Gardens. The group is currently fundraising for this site, and are asking for donations through their website or Facebook page.
