This is now also officially known as World Tai Chi and Qigong Day. This celebration of one of the world's oldest and most widely practiced martial arts is always celebrated on the last Saturday in April. In 2008, for instance, the Chi Day was celebrated on April 26th, 2008.

There are lots of reasons why hordes of people might want to celebrate World Chi Day. The physical art called Taichi is practiced by about twenty five percent of the world's population. Part of its popularity is that it shows results especially when it comes to helping people recuperate from illness and just feel good in general.

Although Tai Chi was originally a martial art and is increasingly offered by martial arts studios, it's now practiced in businesses, hospitals, and schools as a form of stress relief. Big corporations have also realized that a Chi Practice can save money because it keeps their employees from getting sick. It is quite simply a potent yet simple and cost effective way of avoiding big medical bills. It can help alleviate everything from back pain to constipation to depression. Not only that a Chi practice also helps people to be more focused, creative and calm which is a boon for corporations that want their employees to be more productive. The fact that this ancient art works when it comes to motivating and calming employees is why many of the biggest companies in the world will be also marking this day on their office calendars as a day to celebrate.

One of the reasons for Tai Chi and Qigongs huge popularity is because it helps so many deal with stress every day. The postures were specifically designed by the masters to help let go of both physical and mental stressors. At the end of a session many people feel more alert, confident and happy.

Letting go of stress is also often just what the doctor ordered. That is why it is one of the simplest and most effective ways of practicing preventative medicine. The movements in Tai Chi work directly on healing and repairing the central nervous system. It is much healthier to do a little Tai Chi rather than become dependent on tranquilizers or antidepressants.

Even better allowing Chi Flow int your life helps you create energy. The Chinese refers to this energy as the life force. The world for life force in China is Chi or Qi. It is a celebration that is becoming more and more popular, not only with corporation but also with small businesses, Taoists, Buddhists and organizations that deal with senior citizens. Many North American and European cities and chambers of commerce recognize it as a day that should be used to promote healthy forms of exercise as well as alternative forms of healing. World taichi day is also widely celebrated in the local Asian communities in both big and small towns all over the world.