By KELLY WILSON

Herald-Whig Staff Writer

People who enjoy the centuries-old practice of tai chi, or those who are just curious about the gentle form of exercise, are invited to a World Tai Chi Day celebration April 26 in Quincy.

The event will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Johnson Park, 18th and Harrison. Other tai chi celebrations are being held at the same time worldwide, with the motto "One World ... One Breath."

"This is a way to get to be involved in something that's worldwide," said Jessica Myers, a tai chi instructor who is organizing the local celebration. "At the same time, some people who haven't been taking classes will come see what's involved, and it's an opportunity to just have some fun.

"I hope it's a nice day so we can have some fun outside, have a picnic and celebrate tai chi together."

In its 10th year, World Tai Chi Day is celebrated in 60 countries and each of the 50 states. It celebrates the health, stress management and community-building characteristics of tai chi, an enjoyable form of exercise that almost anyone can do.

"Tai chi is a good, gentle health practice," Myers said. "More and more research is being done on it. The Mayo Clinic recommends it as a general health practice and for a number of conditions like Parkinson's, diabetes and arthritis. People who feel there isn't much exercise they can do, this is a wonderful exercise to do."

Myers said that tai chi improves balance better than any other exercise studied, and for more advanced practitioners it is a martial art.

People who want to participate in the local celebration should meet at Johnson Park at 9:30 a.m. April 26. Gentle warm-ups will begin at 9:45. Tai chi will start at 10, followed by demonstrations at 10:30 and a potluck lunch at 11:15. Those who attend the potluck are asked to bring a dish to share and their own plates and utensils.

"It's for anyone who's interested," Myers said. "The warmups are pretty easy to catch onto. Anybody could do those just following along. They can also just watch if they'd rather."

Myers hopes that other local instructors will bring their students and participate in the demonstrations. Those instructors are asked to call her at 222-8965 by Friday.

She thinks people will enjoy doing tai chi outdoors, as long as the weather is nice.

"It really is different doing it outside," she said. "You can hear the birds sing and as you slow down and do tai chi and breathe deeper, you can smell flowers you didn't even notice were around you."

-- kwilson@whig.com/221-3391