Bastyr University is hosting a free “World Tai Chi and Qigong Day” event from 10 a.m. to noon April 24 at its Kenmore campus.

Bastyr University and the Institute of Qigong and Internal Alternative Medicine are inviting those who are beginners, advanced practitioners or just curious about qigong to attend this informal practice. Event participants will learn the therapeutic benefits, history and modern practice of both tai chi and qigong and receive hands-on instruction in Yi Ren Qigong from local practitioners.

Event participants will also have the opportunity to learn a qigong protocol (or a set arrangement of movements) for diabetes management from Guan-Cheng Sun, Ph.D., Bastyr University research scientist. Dr. Sun was the lead investigator on a study published in the January 2010 issue of Diabetes Care — the official journal of the American Diabetes Association — on the therapeutic benefit of qigong for type-2 diabetes.