Eva Wong, renowned author and translator of 12 books on the Taoist arts of health, meditation and qigong, will be introducing traditional Chinese qigong in a weekend program offered in Toronto on Saturday and Sunday April 18 and 19.

Qigong (also spelled Ch’i Kung) is a system of exercises that cultivates strength of body and calmness of mind. In this weekend program, Eva Wong will be presenting levels one and two of her nine level training program.

Eva Wong is the holder of two unique lineages of qigong: The Pre-celestial Limitless Gate School (Xiantianwujimen) and the Yiquan School. Xiantianwujimen was founded in the Song dynasty (circa 10th to 12th centuries) by Taoist sage Chen Xiyi, who is recognized as “the father of qigong.” The Yiquan School was founded by Wang Xiangzhai in the early 20th century. Yiquan is most well-known for its standing qigong postures called Zhangzhuan.

Eva Wong says of her own background in the traditional Taoist culture: “My experience with Taoism began in my childhood in Hong Kong, when my grandmother told me stories of Taoist immortals, those enlightened beings who had attained union with the Tao. At fourteen, I learned feng-shui, the Taoist art of terrestrial divination, from my granduncle, and T’ai-chi Ch’an, a form of Taoist martial arts, from my uncle. Later I was introduced to the Taoist arts of longevity.”

For more information about this weekend program, visit the Shambhala Meditation Centre of Toronto website.