August 11, 2026

Hinsdale, IL — August 11, 2026 — Hinsdale Multicultural Arts & Education Association (HMAE), in collaboration with Wellness House and the Midwest Asian Health Association (MAHA), presented an interactive Chinese tea culture program, “Tea as a Gentle Pause,” for Wellness House members.

The program introduced participants to the history and culture of Chinese tea, different types of tea, and the traditional art of tea preparation. Dr. Ying “Lucy” Zhou, President of HMAE, also discussed how a simple tea practice can be adapted for everyday life.

Rather than focusing only on cultural information or performance, the program emphasized participation and practical experience. Following a traditional tea demonstration by Caizhi Cao and Maruko, participants practiced a simplified tea routine using their own tea sets and learned how the experience could be adapted into a short, calming pause at home.

The program also explored why tea practice may feel calming from several psychological perspectives, including focused attention, sensory awareness, and slowing down through an intentional sequence of movements. At the same time, the presentation clearly emphasized that tea and tea practice are not medical treatments and should never replace appropriate medical care.

MAHA’s Chicago Tai Chi Team added another dimension to the evening with a Tai Chi fan performance, extending the themes of balance, rhythm, attention, and movement from the tea table to the whole body.

Mike Tilden of Wellness House welcomed participants and introduced the program. MAHA Community Service Promotion Manager Jun Wu shared information about community resources, while Ailin Chang, MAHA Suburban Program and Clinical Director, introduced MAHA and its suburban programs.

The event marked an important step in HMAE’s developing Eastern Culture Series, which is designed to make traditional culture not only something to observe and learn about, but also something people from different backgrounds can experience, practice, and bring into everyday life.

Future programs may explore Chinese food traditions, calligraphy, Tai Chi, and other cultural practices through a similar combination of cultural learning, artistic demonstration, hands-on participation, and everyday application.

HMAE looks forward to continuing its collaboration with Wellness House, MAHA, and other community partners to create meaningful cross-cultural learning experiences.

One Community • Many Cultures