Aquatic Exercise Association

Ai Chi Day 2025

Saturday July 26, 2025

10:30 am – 1:30 pm (Eastern time zone, Atlanta/New York)

Non-Members - $99 (AEA/ATRI Members get 20% Off)

Recording will be available to all registered attendees for 90 days from original air date.  Attendees do not need to join in real time to earn CEC/CEUs.

3.0 AEA/ATRI/AF CEC/CEUs

Schedule*     Presenter

10:30 am.       Ashley & Ruth - Welcome & Rules/Protocol

                        Konno Family Message Yoko & Ai 

10:45 am       Javier Bergas

11:00 am        Mary Wykle 

11:15 am         Jennifer Perrin

11:30 am        donna Mooneyham

11:45 am        BREAK

12:00 pm       Katrien Lemahieu

12:15 pm        Melinda Pierce

12:30 pm       Mari Fujita

12:45 pm       Ruth Sova

1:00 pm        Q&A | Wrap Up

*Schedule subject to change without notice

Ai Chi Day 2025 Presentations

Emotional Freedom through Ai Chi: Where Water, Breath, and Presence Meet

(Discussion)

Javier Bergas, MS, AEA, ATRIC, Ai Chi Master Trainer (Majorca, Spain)

Discover how the integration of breath and movement in Ai Chi can unlock emotional balance and inner calm. This session explores the vital role of the diaphragm as a bridge between body and emotion, guiding participants through fluid movement sequences that promote release, presence, and resilience. 

Thoracic Fusion Challenges in Ai Chi (Video & Discussion)

Mary Wykle, PhD, AEA, ATRIC, Ai Chi Master Trainer (USA - Virginia)

The thoracic vertebrae are built for stability. Thoracic fusion eliminates natural movement and restricts BLTs. Learning to modify the postures without twisting, rounding or bending while still employing the diaphragmatic breath is essential for the advantages of Ai Chi.

Ai Chi Deck Presence (Participation Movement/Discussion)

Jennifer Perrin, AEA, Ai Chi, ACE (USA - Virginia)

Participants will experience teaching Ai Chi from the deck using a variety of equipment examples such as a stool, planter, stand, or mat to enhance visibility and accessibility. Clear and visible movement patterns will be emphasized, ensuring all participants can follow along regardless of where or when Ai Chi is being taught—whether in Private Training, Group Exercise Classes, or Small Group Training sessions.

Kata Reflections in Balance (Video & Discussion)

donna Mooneyham, MS, ATRIC, Ai Chi Master Trainer (USA - North Carolina)   

This session focuses on lengthening the time in kata practice while changing base of support throughout the Ai Chi practice. This includes single and double arm movement with changing foot positions from shoulder width, wide leg, tandem, single leg and various foot shifting for balance assessment and development.

Ai Chi Positioning (Video & Discussion)   

Katrien Lemahieu, BS, AEA, ATRIC, Ai Chi Master Trainer (Zwolle, The Netherlands)

Neutral alignment is unique to each individual and differs from postural alignment. Certain Points of Focus (POFs) in the positioning on the different stances can help coach participants in their execution using balance, stability and mobility as reference. Let’s explore these POFs and observe how they shift.

The Joy of Ai Chi (Video & Discussion)

Melinda Nygren Pierce, PhD, ATRIC, Ai Chi Master Trainer, (USA - Florida) 

In this segment we will explore the delightful experience of Ai Chi as a ritual practice, beginning with the introspection of a mindful walking warm-up, the mind-less (but equally pleasant!) phenomena of finding flow, and the awakening of the spirit facilitated by appreciation of our senses.

Ai Chi E・N（円：circle）to   ME・N （面：plane）(Video & Discussion)

Mari Fujita, AEA, ADI, Ai Chi (Yokohama, Japan)

The basic movements of Ai Chi are mainly composed of circular movements in the horizontal plane. In this session will explore ways to convert these circular movements into the sagittal and frontal planes. By incorporating the little finger’s touch to the thumb’s touch, we can effortlessly enhance the joints’ range of motion.

Soothing (Video & Discussion)

Ruth Sova, MS, ATRIC, Ai Chi Master Trainer (USA - Florida)

We’ll apply many different ideas for various client needs to the Soothing posture. Consider the modifications for pain, stroke, stress, LE or UE issues, balance, etc., then ask questions about someone you want to help.

Videos at Leisure Included in Ai Chi Day Registration (available starting 5 days prior)

Ai Chi Compassion Visualization Journey (Video Only) - Donna Lewen (USA - Arizona)

A recorded 15-minute Ai Chi visualization journey that can be used as the Ai Chi practitioner guides participants. Compassion, loving, kindness, acceptance and letting go will be the focus. 

"Braichi": Ai Chi and Brailletonik (Video Only) - Zeinab Sadat Mousavi (Tehran, Iran)

Brailletonik is a sport invented in 2002 by Iranian entrepreneur Yasman Moyidi and uses Braille coding. While it’s not specifically for the blind, it enhances concentration, coordination, and cognitive development for anyone familiar with Braille. I combined this discipline with Ai Chi kata to create a new trend called Barichi.

Presenter Bios

Javier Bergas, a primary school teacher specializing in sport and physical education, is passionate about applying research into everyday workouts for our customers.

Mari Fujita teaches group and personal aqua therapy, yoga and Pilates classes at fitness centers, hospitals and public facilities with a focus on women’s health.

Katrien Lemahieu has over 30 years of experience in aquatics and brings energy, charisma and creativity in everything she does.

Donna Lewen provides community-based aquatic and land wellness programs, personal training and Trauma Informed Yoga Therapy in addition to offering holistic services including spiritual and rapid transformation coaching. 

donna Mooneyham is an aquatic therapist that creates haiku while educating and practicing ways to find balance in the pool.

Melinda Nygren Pierce has worked for over 40 years as a physical therapist specializing in musculoskeletal physical therapy, geriatrics and as a rehab administrator at a CCRC.

Jennifer Perrin brings over 10 years’ experience in aquatic group fitness, personal/small group training and in her spare time acts as half marathon coach & head training coach for the Monument Ave 10K.

Zeinab Sadat Mousavi has a master's degree in Sports Tourism Management Researcher and is a lecturer in hydrotherapy and aquatic sports.

Ruth Sova, an internationally recognized leader in the aquatic therapy industry, is dedicated to the growth and betterment of the industry through her development efforts. 

Mary Wykle, involved in all areas of aquatic therapy and aquatic exercise since 1997, specializes in aquatic program development for special populations.