The fourth International Health Qigong Tournament and Exchange kicked off the competition portion of the Vancouver event Saturday to showcase the health benefits of this increasingly popular activity.

At a gala opening ceremony in the War Memorial Gymnasium at the University of British Columbia, the biennial tournament was being held outside of China for the first time in an effort to promote the exercise that involves controlled breathing, body postures, movement and mental concentration.

The Vancouver tournament has attracted 44 Health Qigong groups from 25 countries and regions, 327 participants in all. The event was last held in Shanghai in 2009.

Xiao Min, the All-China Sports Federation vice president, said after three successful events in China, it was important to explore the possibilities of rotating the host venues around the world to boost the exposure of Health Qigong to a wider audience, effectively strengthening the interaction of the Eastern and Western cultures.

Calling it "one of the best Chinese traditional sports," Xiao added, "we still have a long way to go in promoting Health Qigong. However, we will try our best to promote it so as to bring health benefits to more people in the world."

Sending a message read by Vancouver-based federal politician Wai Young, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said such a tournament would allow people to "cultivate their interest in and learn more about the benefits of this ancient Chinese healing system."

"I would like to commend the organizing committee for putting together a program that promotes cultural exchange and encourages others to embrace Qigong teachings and practices for health, fitness and personal growth. I'm certain that the enthusiasts will make the most of this exciting opportunity and will leave inspired to put what they have learned into practice," wrote Harper, who will be making his second official visit to China later this year.

In his speech to the dignitaries and public gathered for the opening ceremony, Liang Shugen, the Chinese Consul General in Vancouver, said it didn't matter who won medals during the competition as everybody participating was a winner.

"However, it is all the more important that your group build up friendship among the different peoples from different countries, so therefore I wish you all do your best and hope that through this competition you bring the friendship of the Chinese people, of the people from different countries, back to your home country and it is such a course that will be building a harmonious world."

With participants representing countries and regions from North America, Europe, Australia, South America, Asia and all over China, which has competitors from 10 provinces, as well as Macau and Hong Kong, the eight-day tournament is providing an extensive overview of what Health Qigong is about.

In addition to the two-day competition taking place over the weekend, there is also a referee clinic, a Duan examination and training sessions in the different Health Qigong disciplines, Yi Jinjing, Wu Qinxi, Liu Zijue and Ba Duanjin, among them.

Ken Low, who is considered Mr Wushu in Canada, has been instrumental in organizing the Vancouver event. As the president of the Canada International Health Qigong Association he said people need to know about what's involved in the exercise and how it's different from traditional martial arts.

"It is more than fitness, it's actually mental and physical. It builds inner strength and it builds your, strengthens your joints and muscles and tendons, particularly in your neck area, your shoulders, your spine and your inner organs and your breathing and your focus," he said.

"So it's not a martial arts, although it is connected somewhat to martial arts because the movements have no self-defence meanings. All the movements are designed to enhance your health."

One person who turned to the exercise for health reasons is Diane Hynes. A member of the 12-strong team representing the USA Health Qigong Association, the 50-year-old New Jersey native offers classes in Health Qigong with a cliental of students ranging from five to 84 years.

She explained Qigong "helps refine that movement of our eternal energy and makes more as you breathe and move. It has to do with your breath, your ability to relax, bringing your mind to your heart and really moving it out, the energy out to the limbs. That's why it helps with sleep and stress."

Hynes, who looked healthy and fit, said she realizes that she is influencing others who want to know what the mother of nine-year-old is doing to look good.

"And I'm not taking drugs to look well or having surgery," she said, adding the practice is destined to get bigger among westerners as the Baby Boomer generation ages and puts greater emphasis on health. ( "Medication can help for awhile but that takes from you as well, that takes from your energy. This just helps to build energy and move it in your body. Because the thing is, in Chinese medicine, it's about movement, everything's a flow and moving in a circle so it's a give and take.

"It's a movement and if you are not moving in harmony and you're stuck and stagnant then you are going to be uneasy or diseased or unwell. You're not necessarily sick but you're stuck."

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