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One of the most popular activities at the garden takes place early every morning: Dozens of senior citizens meet at the garden to practice Tai Chi. Arms and legs swing rhythmically in the wind as the participants stretch, bend and breathe according to the ancient Chinese art. "We old people, get together, do a little exercise, talking," said Howard Mark, 68, who came from Hong Kong in 1948. The club's founder is Raymond Chen, 71. He has lived in Flushing since 1965 and taught Tai Chi for about 10 years. "Having this garden is a tremendous help, because we have a nice environment," Chen said. "We used to do it on the side of the garden, there was not enough room. Here you have benches, you can go to a toilet." "They’ve been very nice to us, they opened up earlier and seven days a week," Chen said about the staff of the garden. "They’re accommodating and we appreciate that." To express their gratitude for the hospitality of the Garden, the seniors make yearly donations. Last year the group gave about $1,500. The group of Tai Chi aficionados numbers over 30 people in winter and about 70 in summer time, said Ging Li, who spends his mornings these days practicing Tai Chi stick maneuvers with his friend John Sears. The two of them are practicing for an upcoming Chinese New Year celebration. Li said, "For the retirees, you have a sense of companionship over here. It’s more or less like brothers and sisters here. You can’t find a friendlier group of people here." In the club "there are 90 percent Chinese, but we used to have Indians, Koreans; we don’t discriminate against anybody," Chen said. Sears agreed, saying, "It’s a rainbow."
Sears, a black man in his 60s, said he saw the group of Tai Chi people while he was taking his grandchildren to school several years ago. He liked their activity so much that he decided to join the group immediately. For the club's lifetime $5 membership fee, he got involved in this activity that improved his health. "My doctor said, 'Keep it up. I don’t know what you’re doing, but do it,'" Sears said, laughing out loud. Those who visit the garden at Tai Chi time appreciate the healthy effects, whether or not they actually do the art. Looking at the dozens of people who were doing Tai Chi, Mark said he used to belong to the group, "but I’m a little lazy. When I get together with some friends I start yapping."
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