Students from our Moonee Ponds and Keilor centres share their highlights from a memorable Park Lesson at Riverside Park, Essendon, led by Senior Master Chin Min Lian. From refining Tai Chi fundamentals to learning Wild Goose Qigong and enjoying inspiring fan demonstrations, it was a rewarding morning of learning, friendship and fun. Read about their experience.
Over thirty people from the Moonee Ponds and Keilor centres were delighted to have Senior Master Chin Min Lian on our side of town for a two hour park lesson. The morning was crisp but dry and the sun emerged as we practiced our Tai Chi and Qigong on the riverbank along with joggers, walkers, cyclists and the sounds of birds.
We enjoyed revisiting the basics of Tai Chi foot, hand and body movements and applying this to enhancing our capacity to harness our Qi and to directing our power.
SM Chin Min demonstrated the Wild Goose Qigong form for us and taught us the first section. The movements were peaceful and gentle while we ‘journeyed’ with the goose as she leaves the nest flying high, seeking food and gathering her Qi to return to her nest to lay her egg.
It was also valuable to work through to the Level 3 of the Celestial Tai Chi form with SM Chin Min supervising our application of the effective Tai Chi movements he had highlighted earlier.
We finished with a demonstration of the lovely Fan 36 which SM Chin Min will be teaching at his Workshop on August 8 at Ashburton.
Afterwards, a number of us went to the nearby Poynton’s nursery café for lunch and to share our learning. All in all a very pleasant morning.
Maggie Safron
Student, Moonee Ponds
Despite the chilly winter morning, the sun was shining as students gathered for our recent Park lesson at Riverside Park, Essendon. The group was easy to spot, with the bright yellow Tai Chi banner flying proudly amongst the trees and, of course, the familiar sight of Senior Master Chin Min Lian in his trademark Tai Chi shirt with the traditional Chinese button knot closures.
It was a fantastic turnout, with an estimated 30 participants enjoying the morning together. David Brogden an Instructor from the Moonee Ponds Centre led the group through a series of Qigong warm-up exercises before SM Chin Min took over, teaching the fundamentals of Tai Chi walking – the latest "internet craze!" Rumour has it that just five minutes of Tai Chi walking is all it takes to reveal a six-pack... although we're still waiting for the scientific evidence! It might explain all the new faces...
The group then practiced the Celestial traditional 108 Yang Style Form together before Master Chin Min introduced the beautiful, yet intricate, Wild Goose Qigong. To finish the morning, and at the enthusiastic request of several students, SM Chin Min delighted everyone with a demonstration of Yang Style 36 Fan and Phoenix Fan routines.
The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, making the morning even more rewarding. A great day was had by all, and we look forward to the next park gathering.
Vi
Student, Keilor Centre
Updated: 26 July 2026
