西南佛州华人协会文化交流
SWFCA Cultural Exchange
Come Learn Taichi（太极拳） with Mr. Ma!
Taichi is widely regarded as one of the most powerful mind‑body practices for building long‑term health. Even a few minutes of gentle practice each day can lead to meaningful improvements in balance, strength, relaxation, and overall well‑being. Research from Harvard Medical School, Johns Hopkins University, the National Institutes of Health, and many other institutions consistently shows Taichi’s effectiveness for both prevention and treatment of numerous health concerns.
We are truly fortunate to have Mr. Ma as our instructor — a Taichi master with decades of experience and rare expertise in both the physiological and martial foundations of the art. In most parts of the country, learning from a teacher of his caliber would come with significant cost, yet members of our Association can study with him completely free.
Come practice Taichi with Mr. Ma every Wednesday and Friday afternoon. Your body and mind will thank you. Contact us to reserve your spot now!
Experience the Art of Chinese Paper Cutting （剪纸艺术） with Jingjing Wu!Unleash your creativity and explore the timeless art of Chinese paper cutting! Join our Chinese Paper Cutting Art Workshop to learn how simple pieces of paper can be transformed into beautiful designs filled with cultural meaning and tradition.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crafter, you’ll enjoy this hands-on experience while creating your own unique artwork to take home. Come discover this cherished Chinese folk art in a fun, welcoming environment—everyone is invited! Paper cutting is a traditional art form that creates intricate openwork designs from paper. With a history spanning over 2,000 years in China, it is crafted using scissors or carving knives and is officially recognized as part of China’s intangible cultural heritage. As a bearer of this cultural tradition, Mrs. Jingjing Wu has developed a deep passion and emotional connection to paper openwork art from an early age. Alongside this love comes a strong sense of responsibility—to preserve its legacy, encourage its evolution, and explore new possibilities through innovation. Art knows no borders. It is Mrs. Wu’s hope that the beauty of paper openwork will reach every corner of the world, offering visual delight and artistic inspiration to all. Contact us to reserve your spot now! |
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Learn Chinese Language （汉语） with Ying Li!
Join our Chinese Language Class and start your journey into one of the world’s most beautiful and widely spoken languages! Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to improve your speaking, reading, or writing skills, this class offers a friendly and supportive environment for all levels. Learn practical conversation, explore Chinese characters, and gain cultural insights along the way. Come learn with us—everyone is welcome!
Ying Li is a native Mandarin speaker and bilingual educator with more than ten years of teaching experience across the United States, Thailand, and China. She currently teaches middle and high school mathematics at Island Park High School and holds Florida teaching certifications in Math 5–9 and 6–12, along with a 60‑hour ESOL endorsement.
In addition to her work in mathematics, Ying teaches Mandarin Chinese to learners ages 5 to 40 through Ms. Dan’s Chinese and is a registered Step Up provider offering both online and in‑person instruction. Her international background includes teaching Chinese language and history at Halio International School in Thailand, tutoring English through PalFish, and leading an intensive Chinese immersion program for Cornell University Ph.D. candidates.
Ying began her career as a teaching assistant in the Chinese Language Program at Webster University Thailand, supporting lesson planning, materials development, and student assessment. She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in English and Business, as well as TESOL and CTCSOL certifications. A Level A Mandarin Proficiency Certificate holder and published author on language learning topics, Ying is committed to creating engaging, culturally rich lessons that empower learners of all ages to grow with confidence.
Contact us to reserve your spot now!
Ying Li is a native Mandarin speaker and bilingual educator with more than ten years of teaching experience across the United States, Thailand, and China. She currently teaches middle and high school mathematics at Island Park High School and holds Florida teaching certifications in Math 5–9 and 6–12, along with a 60‑hour ESOL endorsement.
In addition to her work in mathematics, Ying teaches Mandarin Chinese to learners ages 5 to 40 through Ms. Dan’s Chinese and is a registered Step Up provider offering both online and in‑person instruction. Her international background includes teaching Chinese language and history at Halio International School in Thailand, tutoring English through PalFish, and leading an intensive Chinese immersion program for Cornell University Ph.D. candidates.
Ying began her career as a teaching assistant in the Chinese Language Program at Webster University Thailand, supporting lesson planning, materials development, and student assessment. She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in English and Business, as well as TESOL and CTCSOL certifications. A Level A Mandarin Proficiency Certificate holder and published author on language learning topics, Ying is committed to creating engaging, culturally rich lessons that empower learners of all ages to grow with confidence.
Contact us to reserve your spot now!
Practice Guzheng (古筝） with Prof. Qin!Professor Qin Xiaoning, of Yao ethnicity, has dedicated more than thirty years to guzheng performance, music education, and ethnic music research at the School of Music and Dance of Guangxi Science & Technology Normal University. Trained at Guangxi Arts Institute, she studied under leading guzheng masters and became the formal “closed-door” disciple of Zhao Dengshan, inheriting the refined tradition of the Shandong School while building a strong academic foundation in ethnology and cultural studies through her doctoral training.
Renowned as both a scholar and an artist, she has held influential roles in music education, professional evaluation, and public cultural service at the regional and national levels. Through her academic leadership and civic engagement, she has consistently advanced ethnic music preservation, education standards, and cultural communication. Internationally, Professor Qin has studied, taught, and performed across Asia, Europe, and North America, becoming the first musician from Guangxi invited to perform at Vienna’s Golden Hall. Her award-winning solo album Zheng Yu Jue Xiang and her recognition as a Sino–U.S. Yao Cultural Exchange Ambassador reflect her lasting impact on cross-cultural exchange and her success in mentoring students now active around the world |
Contact us to reserve your spot now!
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Come Explore Chinese Culture, History and Literature at the Elling Eide Center!
The Elling Eide Center is a research library and nature preserve overlooking Little Sarasota Bay in Sarasota, Florida. Dedicated to the study of classical Chinese literature and art, the Center fills a unique role in the cultural and scholarly landscape of its coastal Florida location that includes a rich assortment of native and exotic plants. The Center’s collection contains comprehensive library holdings and special collections of rare books, manuscripts, and artwork that represent a significant resource for scholars of China and East Asia. The library itself houses more than 60,000 volumes covering every period of Chinese history from ancient times to the modern era and an extensive collection of more than 300 scholarly journals from around the world. Areas of concentration include medieval China from the fourth through tenth centuries, pre-modern peoples and languages of Central and Inner Asia, and poetry of the Tang Dynasty. Visit https://ellingoeide.org/ and sign up for an arboretum tour, lecture, or conference.