Photo:Tai Ji Men members join the Fourth of July Parade in South Pasadena, California.

 

(July 11, South Pasadena, CA) — In celebration of Independence Day, the Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy delivered a remarkable cultural performance during South Pasadena’s Fourth of July Parade. This year's parade theme, "Hometown Heroes: Celebrating the Spirit of Community," drew a substantial crowd.

 

Prominent leaders in the city, including Mayor Evelyn Zneimer, Mayor Pro Tem Jack Donovan, Councilmembers Jon Primuth, Janet Braun, and Michael Cacciotti, as well as California State Assemblyman Mike Fong attended, too. Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy joined dozens of other organizations to celebrate the nation's birthday.

Photo:Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy presented its magnificent Celestial Dragon, bestowing wishes for safety, health, peace, and prosperity upon South Pasadena and beyond.

 

As 2024 is the Year of the Dragon, Tai Ji Men brought their joyous Celestial Dragon to the parade. This 68-foot-long dragon immediately received enthusiastic applause and cheers from the crowd. Spectators along the route frequently exclaimed, "Wow! It’s so beautiful!" Debrah Lemattre, a photographer present at the event, expressed her gratitude for the dragon, saying, "It was absolutely gorgeous. It was breathtaking the way it wrapped around the streets of the beautiful South Pasadena. It was just a work of art. Thank you very much for bringing it to the parade today.”

 

Photo:Tai Ji Men’s young ladies made a dazzling appearance with a ribbon fan dance, infusing the event with abundant positive energy.

 

This Celestial Dragon was created under the leadership of Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, the leader of Tai Ji Men, and his late wife, Ms. Yu Mei-Rung. Tai Ji Men members climbed mountains to select bamboo for the dragon's skeleton and meticulously crafted the dragon. The bamboo frame made the dragon quite heavy, making it a significant challenge to bring it to life through the dance. For several weeks leading up to the parade, Tai Ji Men members dedicated their weekends to dragon dance practice. On the day of the parade, dragon dancers ranged from a 12-year-old to a 64-year-old.

 

Among the dancers was 63-year-old Nunu Tun. She stated that the weekly practice sessions were not just about mastering the dance, but also about learning patience and the importance of collaboration. Ms. Tun expressed her delight in performing the dance with younger participants during the Independence Day celebration. Together, they embodied the dragon’s spirit–compassion, courage, and true wisdom, praying for safety, health, peace, and prosperity for the city, California, the United States, and the world.

Photo:A crowd gathered to view the parade.

 

Pin Xie, a 20-year-old with Asperger’s syndrome, was among the dragon dancers. Having practiced qigong since he was six, Xie has experienced significant improvements in his physical and mental wellbeing as well as his social skills. This year, he joined the dragon dance for the first time, radiating positivity and energy to the public. His participation in this joyful event underscored the inclusive and nurturing environment of Tai Ji Men, demonstrating its transformative power.

 

In addition to the spectacular dragon dance, Tai Ji Men’s young ladies made a dazzling appearance with a ribbon fan dance, infusing the event with abundant positive energy. Through these performances, Tai Ji Men aimed to extend blessings of peace and prosperity to the United States and the world, hoping everyone's dreams will come true.

Photo:Jean happily interacted with spectators.

 

The Teen Energy Girls, including 18-year-old high school graduate Jean Chang, captivated the audience at the parade with their vibrant performance. Their popularity was evident in the crowd’s warm reception. Jean, who initially trained in the Ribbon Fan Dance, built a strong rapport with her fellow performers, enhancing their collective synergy. Their dedication and hard work were clear in their performance, leaving a memorable impression on the audience. Jean expressed her joy in participating in the parade, sharing the exhilarating energy with the crowd.

 

Following the energetic performance by the Energy Girls was a vibrant procession of flag-wavers. This group comprised primary school students in yellow uniforms and adults in white Tai Ji Men attire. Among them was seven-year-old first-grader Sophie, the youngest walker in the Tai Ji Men procession. Despite her age, Sophie completed the entire parade route, matching the stamina of her older counterparts. This wasn’t her first parade either; she proudly shared that she had participated in the previous year’s event.

Photo:Sophie (center with yellow T shirt) is the youngest walker in the Tai Ji Men procession.

 

The parade’s finale was a flag array, led by five female members of Tai Ji Men and their senior member, 72-year-old Howard Chan. Despite arriving from Seattle just the day before, Chan and his wife joined the practice after only a brief rest. Their participation highlighted the dedication and discipline of all involved. The ability to complete the parade route, despite the physical demands, attested to their commitment to Qigong practice and the transformative power of Tai Ji Men Qigong.

Photo:Howard Chan, 72, third from left, and his wife, second from right, had flown from Seattle to LA to join the parade.

 

Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy warmly invited locals to join the parade and festivities, offering a chance to imbue themselves and their families with positive energy for the latter half of the year. This event was not only a feast for the eyes and spirit but also a valuable opportunity to strengthen community bonds.

 

About Tai Ji Men

 

Tai Ji Men is an international, non-profit cultural organization dedicated to preserving Tai Ji Men culture and promoting the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of people worldwide. Starting in the year 2000, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, the head of Tai Ji Men, established two Tai Ji Men Academies in California. In October 2023, Dr. Hong hosted the inauguration of two more new academies, one in Santa Clara and the other in Pasadena. 

 

Over the years, Dr. Hong has led members of Tai Ji Men and the Federation of World Peace and Love to take on self-funded tours across six continents to promote a culture of peace rooted in love and conscience. Dr. Hong played a pivotal role in the United Nations’ adoption of the International Day of Conscience and received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award from the office of President Joe Biden in March 2023. This award recognized the 1.2 million hours that Dr. Hong and members of the Federation of World Peace and Love have dedicated to the nation.

 

About GPDN - Global People Daily News  

 

GPDN (Global People Daily News, https://www.globalpeopledailynews.com/) is an independent non-profit web media organization based in Pasadena, California. Our mission is to serve as a beacon of positivity, connecting with people around the world through the dissemination of good news.