

Enhancing body, mind and spirit
with Tai Chi and Qigong
Shifu Amanda Heidke


To celebrate New Year
in the traditional Chinese calendar,
we invite you to celebrate with us.
Join in and experience a gentle morning of Tai Chi and Qigong as
Shifu Amanda Heidke guides you through these amazing healing arts.
Tai Chi and Qigong
10am - 11am
Saturday 8th February 2023
Jubilee Park
Tenterfield
(near the Rotunda)
Chinese New Year 2025
According to Chinese tradition, the Snake is a symbol of good fortune and prosperity, and honoring the Snake is believed to invite positive energy into one's life.
YEAR OF THE WOOD SNAKE
A year of transformation and growth.
According to Chinese tradition, the Snake is a symbol of good fortune and prosperity, and honoring the Snake is believed to invite positive energy into one's life.
The 2025 Chinese New Year ushers in the Year of the Wood Snake, a time filled with deep cultural meaning and significance.
Known for its intelligence, mystery, and ability to transform, the Snake's qualities are enhanced by the Wood element. This year symbolizes growth, renewal, and adaptability, encouraging people to reflect on their paths, embrace change, and seek personal growth.
Just as the Snake sheds its skin, this year offers a chance for personal renewal inviting us to embrace new opportunities and let go of old habits. It’s a year to foster both ancient and contemporary wisdom, allowing us to navigate life’s challenges with grace.
This is a FREE event,
no bookings required
and everyone is welcome
* Our Tai Chi and Qigong session is held outdoors
so please remember your water, hat and sunscreen.
It is said that long ago the snake had four legs just like most other animals however its pointed head, long body and menacing appearance made all the other animals that saw it feel afraid and keep their distance. The snake felt terribly helpless, sobbing sadly and hiding in dark corners every day watching other animals from afar and asking itself “why are they so afraid of me?, I just want to make friends…” Over time the snake became irritable and easily angered and the accumulated resentment turned into poison hidden in its sharp teeth, anyone bitten by the snake would quickly become paralysed and in some cases it could be fatal.
One day, a panda named Nana came up to the snake and said, brother snake you should try to be friendly with everyone, if you keep attacking others everyone will only be more afraid of you!” The snake sneered “they are scared of my fierce appearance; how can this be blamed on me? Every day I pray to the Jade Emperor to change my appearance, but he ignores me. If anyone is to blame it’s the Jade Emperor!”
The snakes’ words soon reached the Heavenly Palace, and upon hearing them the Jade Emperor decided to teach the snake a lesson. He sent a divine general down to earth, who performed a magical spell making the snakes four legs vanish. The snakes’ legs turned into countless tiny floating light points scattered around a stream, the tadpoles were playing in the stream and out of curiosity, swallowed these light points. Gradually the legless tadpoles lost their tails and grew four legs, becoming frogs and they were overjoyed.
After losing his four legs the snake deeply regretted its actions.
At this time the Jade Emperor was selecting twelve animals as zodiac signs, and the first-place winner in his competition would receive a special reward. Longing to regain its legs the snake decided to participate in the competition and prove itself to the Jade Emperor!
Despite losing its limbs, the snake with its indomitable will, crawled to the finish line of the zodiac race. The Jade Emperor was moved by its perseverance he forgave the snake for its past wrongdoings and included it among the twelve zodiac signs. Despite its strong efforts, the snake did not receive the special reward given to the first-place winner.
Since then, except when needing food to survive, the snake rarely initiated attacks on humans or other animals. Whenever evil thoughts arose in its heart, it would shed its old skin symbolising letting go of its past and starting anew.
The snake always hoped to regain its legs, so it sought out a frog to ask, however, the frog merely croaked in disdain and jumped into the pond. Since that day whenever the snake encountered a frog, the snake would chase it relentlessly, but as it was worried about harming its own legs, it would swallow the frog whole, it was to no avail, and the snake never did regain its four legs.

NB: Event venues are subject to change without notice (eg: inclement weather)
check website closer to the date for confirmation