Health Qigong gala showcases global competitors

 　　VANCOUVER, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- 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 biennial¹ tournament was being held outside of China for the first time in an effort to promote the exercise that involves controlled breathing, body postures², 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 Federation³ vice⁴ president, said after three successful events in China, it was important to explore the possibilities of rotating the host venues⁵ 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 enthusiasts⁶ 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 Consul⁷ 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 harmonious⁸ 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 overview⁹ of what Health Qigong is about.

　　In addition to the two-day competition taking place over the weekend, there is also a referee¹¹ clinic, a Duan examination and training sessions in the different Health Qigong disciplines, Yi Jinjing, Wu Qinxi, Liu Zijue and Ba Duanjin, among them.

　　Ken¹⁰ 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 martial¹² arts.

　　"It is more than fitness, it's actually mental and physical. It builds inner strength and it builds your, strengthens your joints¹³ and muscles and tendons, particularly in your neck area, your shoulders, your spine¹⁴ 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 Jersey¹⁵ 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 destined¹⁶ 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 stagnant¹⁷ then you are going to be uneasy or diseased or unwell. You're not necessarily sick but you're stuck."

1 biennial   

adj.两年一次的

参考例句：

• The workers were strongly against the biennial election.工人们强烈反对两年一次的选举。
• His is a biennial,and one of the most useful pasture plants we have.这是两年生植物，也是我们最有用的牧草之一。

2 postures   

姿势( posture的名词复数 )； 看法； 态度； 立场

参考例句：

• Modern consciousness has this great need to explode its own postures. 现代意识很有这种摧毁本身姿态的需要。
• They instinctively gathered themselves into more tidy postures. 她们本能地恢复了端庄的姿态。

3 federation   

n.同盟，联邦，联合，联盟，联合会

参考例句：

• It is a federation of 10 regional unions.它是由十个地方工会结合成的联合会。
• Mr.Putin was inaugurated as the President of the Russian Federation.普京正式就任俄罗斯联邦总统。

4 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

5 venues   

n.聚集地点( venue的名词复数 )；会场；（尤指）体育比赛场所；犯罪地点

参考例句：

• The band will be playing at 20 different venues on their UK tour. 这个乐队在英国巡回演出期间将在20个不同的地点演出。
• Farmers market corner, 800 meters long, 60 meters wide livestock trading venues. 农牧市场东北角，有长800米，宽60米的牲畜交易场地。 来自互联网

6 enthusiasts   

n.热心人，热衷者( enthusiast的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• A group of enthusiasts have undertaken the reconstruction of a steam locomotive. 一群火车迷已担负起重造蒸汽机车的任务。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Now a group of enthusiasts are going to have the plane restored. 一群热心人计划修复这架飞机。 来自新概念英语第二册

7 consul   

n.领事；执政官

参考例句：

• A consul's duty is to help his own nationals.领事的职责是帮助自己的同胞。
• He'll hold the post of consul general for the United States at Shanghai.他将就任美国驻上海总领事(的职务)。

8 harmonious   

adj.和睦的，调和的，和谐的，协调的

参考例句：

• Their harmonious relationship resulted in part from their similar goals.他们关系融洽的部分原因是他们有着相似的目标。
• The room was painted in harmonious colors.房间油漆得色彩调和。

9 overview   

n.概观，概述

参考例句：

• The opening chapter gives a brief historical overview of transport.第一章是运输史的简要回顾。
• The seminar aims to provide an overview on new media publishing.研讨会旨在综览新兴的媒体出版。

10 ken   

n.视野，知识领域

参考例句：

• Such things are beyond my ken.我可不懂这些事。
• Abstract words are beyond the ken of children.抽象的言辞超出小孩所理解的范围.

11 referee   

n.裁判员．仲裁人，代表人，鉴定人

参考例句：

• The team was left raging at the referee's decision.队员们对裁判员的裁决感到非常气愤。
• The referee blew a whistle at the end of the game.裁判在比赛结束时吹响了哨子。

12 martial   

adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的

参考例句：

• The sound of martial music is always inspiring.军乐声总是鼓舞人心的。
• The officer was convicted of desertion at a court martial.这名军官在军事法庭上被判犯了擅离职守罪。

13 joints   

接头( joint的名词复数 )； 关节； 公共场所（尤指价格低廉的饮食和娱乐场所） （非正式）； 一块烤肉 （英式英语）

参考例句：

• Expansion joints of various kinds are fitted on gas mains. 各种各样的伸缩接头被安装在煤气的总管道上了。
• Expansion joints of various kinds are fitted on steam pipes. 各种各样的伸缩接头被安装在蒸气管道上了。

14 spine   

n.脊柱，脊椎；(动植物的)刺；书脊

参考例句：

• He broke his spine in a fall from a horse.他从马上跌下摔断了脊梁骨。
• His spine developed a slight curve.他的脊柱有点弯曲。

15 jersey   

n.运动衫

参考例句：

• He wears a cotton jersey when he plays football.他穿运动衫踢足球。
• They were dressed alike in blue jersey and knickers.他们穿着一致，都是蓝色的运动衫和灯笼短裤。

16 destined   

adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的

参考例句：

• It was destined that they would marry.他们结婚是缘分。
• The shipment is destined for America.这批货物将运往美国。

17 stagnant   

adj.不流动的，停滞的，不景气的

参考例句：

• Due to low investment,industrial output has remained stagnant.由于投资少，工业生产一直停滞不前。
• Their national economy is stagnant.他们的国家经济停滞不前。