Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy

Embracing Tradition and Innovation: The 2024 Tai Ji Men Lunar New Year Gathering

On the auspicious afternoon of February 25th, Tai Ji Men Qigong Academies in Cupertino and Santa Clara, California, joyously celebrated the arrival of the Year of the Dragon with a vibrant celebration. Over a hundred guests gathered at the Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy in Santa Clara to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year.
The gathering showcased the timeless allure of Lunar New Year traditions. It provided guests with a rich tapestry of activities to partake in and relish. Attendees were invited to explore a Tai Ji Men cultural corridor, savor broiled tangerines, participate in the symbolic "stepping on the year," try their hand at Chinese calligraphy, draw red envelopes, and capture selfies with the dragon. A highlight of the activities was the innovative use of Augmented Reality technology to showcase Tai Ji Men’s Year of the Dragon Lunar New Year greeting cards. Through the lens of a mobile phone, guests were treated to captivating visual effects, seamlessly blending modernity with tradition and enchanting many with its immersive experience.
The program commenced with the magnificent momentum of the Tai Ji Men Drum performance, which sent forth wishes of abundant luck and prosperity to all guests in attendance!
Distinguished guests in attendance included US Congressman Ro Khanna, represented by Simeone Chien; California Senator Dave Cortese, represented by Phuong Nguyen; California Senator Aisha Wahab, represented by Elizabeth Vacca; California Assemblyman Evan Low, represented by James Wang; Saratoga Mayor Yan Zhao; Milpitas Mayor Carmen Montano; Sunnyvale Mayor Larry Klein; along with former Mayor Anthony “Tony” Spitaleri; Fremont Vice Mayor Yang Shao; and councilmember Raj Salwan. Also present were Santa Clara Mayor representative and councilmember Kathy Watanabe; councilmember Kevin Park; Palo Alto councilmembers Patrick Burt and Lydia Kou; and Los Altos councilmember Lynette Lee Eng.

Members of Congress, California senators and assemblymen, and mayors graced the stage to present Certificates of Commendations, acknowledging Tai Ji Men’s invaluable contributions to the community throughout the years. Their remarks underscored the profound impact of Tai Ji Men’s cultural values and teachings, which advocate for love, peace, and sustainable development within society.
Tai Ji Men disciple Duncan Lee, speaking on behalf of Dr. Hong Tao-Tze, Zhang-men-ren of Tai Ji Men, extended a warm welcome to all attendees, conveying Dr. Hong’s blessings and highlighting the importance of conscience in guiding virtuous actions. Dr. Hong emphasized the significance of the dragon in Asian tradition, symbolizing strength and auspicious power, with its spirit of "compassion, courage, and true wisdom" holding particular relevance in today’s tumultuous world. He encouraged every one of us to dedicate five minutes daily to quiet meditation, send heartfelt blessings to the world, earnestly reflect on ourselves, and motivate ourselves to do more good deeds to atone for our past mistakes.
California State Senator Dave Cortese conveyed his delight in reconnecting with Tai Ji Men through a heartfelt video message. He extended warm wishes for a joyous Year of the Dragon, filled with peace, prosperity, and harmony. Senator Cortese recognized the organization’s steadfast dedication to fostering peace within the community and worldwide. He reaffirmed his support for a nonviolent community that embraces all individuals.
Mayor Yan Zhao of Saratoga conveyed gratitude for the academy’s enduring dedication to cultivating peace, love, and well-being through qigong and meditation practices. On behalf of Saratoga, she presented a Certificate of Recognition to the academy, lauding its exceptional community initiatives and highlighting its significant global impact in promoting the values and culture of qigong.
Mayor Larry Klein of Sunnyvale expressed gratitude to Tai Ji Men for their unwavering dedication to building hope, peace, and promoting community health both during and before the challenges of COVID-19. Having been a participant in Tai Ji Men’s Lunar New Year celebrations for numerous years, Mayor Klein extended his heartfelt thanks to Dr. Hong and the entire Tai Ji Men community for their continuous efforts in fostering peace and well-being. He commended the fantastic community Tai Ji Men has cultivated in Cupertino, Santa Clara, and across the globe.
In an interview, Fremont Vice Mayor Yang Shao expressed optimism about the prospect of a new Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy in Fremont, believing it would greatly benefit the local community. He shared how deeply he was moved by the auspicious dragon’s performance, noting its significance as an embodiment of Chinese culture, symbolizing strength and ushering in good fortune for all.
Lydia Kou, former mayor and current councilmember of the city of Palo Alto, extended her wishes for everyone to experience a year of fulfillment, self-discovery, and energizing both themselves and others. Reflecting on her attendance at the celebrations, she shared how each visit has been deeply soul-searching, contributing to her personal growth and confidence while nurturing her conscience.

Lynette Lee Eng, a councilmember of Los Altos and the first Asian female councilmember said, “ I’m honored to be here at the Tai Ji Men Academy, celebrating their New Year event and helping to spread love and peace to everyone in the community.”
During the event, three Tai Ji Men disciples shared their transformative experiences with qigong, and highlighted the simplicity and effectiveness of Tai Ji Men qigong. They emphasized how Tai Ji Men qigong practice had led to improved mental clarity, concentration, and emotional stability. Regardless of their professions—whether nurses, software engineers, or restaurant owners—all reported significant benefits. Nurse Terry, previously struggling with weakness and stress, attributed her transformation to qigong sessions, which enabled her to approach life with newfound optimism. Restaurant owner Rommie, after years of work-related stress in China, found solace in Tai Ji Men practices. He experienced reduced anger and a more stable mindset, allowing him to prioritize conscience in his business. Software engineer Edward reported enhanced focus, mood stability, and improved overall health within just three months of practicing qigong. The serene atmosphere of Tai Ji Men fostered a sense of calmness, contributing to their positive experiences and personal growth.
Representing Congressman Ro Khanna, Simeone Chien expressed her admiration for the shared experiences, finding them a poignant reminder of the stresses of work life. Intrigued by the potential benefits of qigong, she contemplated exploring it herself. Recognizing its health benefits, she saw an opportunity to promote its virtues globally.
Tai Ji Men unveiled its Celestial Dragon, evoking tremendous excitement among the guests as they felt the warm energy radiating from it. Maneuvered by nine Tai Ji Men members, aged 12 to 64, the Dragon’s appearance was a highlight of the event. Despite the challenge posed by its bamboo skeleton, the team flawlessly navigated its movements. Notably, 64-year-old Robert stood out, attributing his agility and endurance to regular qigong practice. He emphasized that age does not limit his abilities, effortlessly matching the agility of younger participants during the dragon dance and finding running to be effortless.
Additionally, there was an endorsement of declarations including the Declaration of International Day of Conscience, the Declaration of World Day of the Power of Hope, and the Declaration of World Prayer Day. This endorsement initiative aimed to awaken individuals’ conscience, ignite hope, encourage prayers for global well-being, and inspire acts of kindness. By fostering personal improvement, community engagement, and positive global impact, it sought to bring about positive change at every level—from individuals and communities to nations and the world at large.