[Above - STEADY GOING:PM Lee displaying his qigong chops at a record-breaking event at Woodlands
Stadium yesterday.]

By Kenny Chee

THE number of residents in the North West District practising the Chinese exercise of qigong has more than doubled in the last two years, due to efforts to promote it.

In 2008, the North West Community Development Council (CDC) partnered the Qigong Shi Ba Shi Association to set up qigong clubs in the district.

The number of members has grown from 1,200 in 26 clubs then to 3,100 in over 35 clubs now.

Dr Teo Ho Pin, mayor of the North West District, said yesterday that the CDC plans to form 25 more clubs by March next year.

He said that the CDC chose qigong to promote healthy living among residents because it is easy to pick up and suitable for people of all ages.

He added that the exercise is a great platform for residents, even those from non-Chinese communities, to bond.

About 11 per cent of the qigong club members are non-Chinese.

One of them, housewife and qigong instructor Aisah Wahid, 58, picked up the exercise in 2001 on her father's suggestion. He had taken it up on a Chinese friend's recommendation and it had helped him feel less breathless from his heart problem.

Qigong has made her more energetic, and helped her make more friends from other races, she said.

Executive director Cheng Li Hui, 34, took up qigong as it helps her exercise and relieve stress.

Yesterday, a qigong display at Woodlands Stadium held by the CDC broke a Singapore record to become the largest such display here, involving 2,698 people - including Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. The previous record had been set last September by 765 people at an event held by the Ayer Rajah-West Coast Constituency Sports Club.

kennyc@sph.com.sg

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