This month, for the first time, Broomfield will participate in a global moment of peace and unity through World Tai Chi and Qigong Day.

Broomfielders will join communities across the globe to take a much-needed deep breath.

“World Tai Chi and Qigong Day started in 1999 in Kansas City, Missouri,” Brandon Berman, tai chi instructor and event organizer said. “Starting in New Zealand at 10 a.m., everyone takes a breath and they move, and as the world turns each time zone at 10 a.m. is doing the same thing.”

Tai chi, the internal martial art where participants practice gentle and low-impact movement, is paired with the controlled breathwork called qigong. Together, they create a practice focused on health and peace, Berman said.

“For one day, the world is taking a moment to become present,” he said. “To stop and take a breath and honor these practices that are for health, peace and unity.”

Berman said that in previous years he attended the event in Denver, but decided it was time for Broomfield to join the practice.

“(Working toward the event) has been a really positive thing,” he said.

Broomfield City Council issued a proclamation last month officially declaring April 26 World Tai Chi and Qigong Day in the county.

“There’s a slew of health benefits (from tai chi and qigong),” Candace Hepner, a tai chi student, said. “It keeps me moving, it’s good for balance and it’s low impact which is good for seniors.”

The event will include demonstrations and guided tai chi and qigong classes, and it’s meant to welcome everyone of all ability levels.

“It’ll be a great introduction for people who have never done it before to see how much we all enjoy it,” Hepner said.

Bob Huckabee is another student who will attend the event, and said he’s practiced various martial arts for 50 years.

“As I’ve gotten older, the other martial arts have become too hard to do,” Huckabee said. “I tried tai chi and just got hooked on it.”

In addition to being a good low-impact form of movement, Huckabee said it’s a way to unify the body and mind.

“It’s hard to explain but easy to feel — it’s a unifying of the mind and the body,” he said. “It’s like a moving meditation.”

The event is set for 9:30 a.m. April 26 at Anthem Park, 15663 Sheridan Parkway. The event is free and open to the public, and RSVP is available at taichibroomfield.com/schedule.

“It’s really about the community coming together,” Berman said. “There are special friendships formed in martial arts groups, ones that last a really long time.”