Lunar New Year 2026
Year of the Horse
Each year many Asian cultures celebrate the Lunar New Year, based on the Chinese lunar calendar, with festivities lasting over 2 weeks. It is also known as the Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival. Marking a time of birth and renewal, it is also a time to honor one's ancestors. Each year features a different animal of the Chinese zodiac of 12 animals. Tuesday, February 17 marks the start of the Year of the Fire Horse. Each year Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi
hosts events over the course of a month to help usher in the Lunar New Year.
Events are in-person this year; but new students can try out our online class for free. Just contact us.
The events are designed for the general public and do not require any previous
experience. These events are popular, so be sure to register before all spots are taken.
We recommend that you arrive 10 to 15 minutes
early to in-person events to settle in and about 5 minutes before online events so that you can check your computer settings before the presentation.
*We will have a small silent auction that you can view in person that will benefit Maryland Therapeutic Riding.
Thank you to everyone who helped us raise money in 2025 for the Alzheimer's Association! Jing Ying also donated to other local organizations and is happy to donate silent auction items to your cause. Just ask!
Friday, February 13
Free Homeschool Kung Fu Class with Lunar New Year treats! (12:30-1:30pm) -
If you haven't tried a class with us yet, come try this class for free! If you are interested in continuing, you can join us for the 7-week session that begins the following week.
Since this month is the start of the Lunar New Year, we'll have some traditional treats, some activity sheets to take home, and hongbao (red envelopes).
We offer the benefits of our well-structured and dynamic program in a special class for homeschoolers. We will improve your strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, and endurance while teaching effective self-defense techniques in a non-aggressive environment. Kung Fu is really about learning to use your body properly. The skills you acquire will help with any physical activity you engage in.
Classes are taught by long-time homeschooling dad (and owner of Jing Ying), Billy Greer.
Register here
Chinese Calligraphy workshop (6:00pm-7:30pm) - Learn basic brush strokes and characters from Chinese Calligraphy. We will focus on auspicious characters for the Chinese New Year, so you can create something to display at home. We supply paper, ink and brushes for use during class.
Presented by Wendy Ng. Fee: $8 to cover cost of supplies. You must pre-pay to hold your spot.
Register here.
Saturday, February 14 (three different events)
Valentine's Day Tai Chi Class (9:30am to 10:30am) - Join us for our Saturday morning tai chi at Jing Ying. We will celebrate Valentine's Day with tai chi movement and also information on how tai chi helps your cardiovascular health in celebration of Heart Health month. Show someone you love and care for them by bringing them with you to class! It is suitable for all levels of fitness.
Wear clothing that allows for movement, such as a t-shirt and sweatpants. $14 covers class and chocolates.
Register here.
Free Valentine's Day Adult/Teen Kung Fu Class (10:30pm to 11:30am) - Join us for our Saturday kung fu class for ages 11 to adult at Jing Ying. We will celebrate Valentine's Day by ending the class with some sweet treats.
Wear clothing that allows for movement, such as a t-shirt and sweatpant Class is appropriate for beginners and open to ages 11 to adult.
Register here.
Free CPR/AED Class (1:00-2:00PM) - Learn CPR and how to use an AED (automated external defibrillator) When one of Jing Ying's students suffered cardiac arrest, Shifu quickly began CPR and used the AED which was retrieved by Arden as Chris called 911 and Alex went outside to direct EMTs to our location. The CPR and AED got the student's heart restarted. EMTs on site, and later the attending doctors, all said he would not be here today if not for the AED and quick actions of the Jing Ying team!
Inspired by this, one of our other students, who is also an EMT (Craig), is teaching a CPR/AED class at Jing Ying for FREE! If you would like to receive an optional book with a perforated completion card in the back, bring $3 cash to give to Craig
Class size is limited to 12.
Register here.
Monday, February 16
Annual Cleaning Celebration (5:30-7:00pm) - Before the Lunar New Year officially starts, it is important to clean your home in preparation for the new year. You symbolically clean away any bad luck left over from the previous year and make room for good luck coming in for the new year. We do the same at our Jing Ying facility, which is like home to us. We will dust off the trophies, sweep & mop the floors, clean the mirrors....and while cleaning look for the toy horse that Shimu Nancy has hidden away for the lucky cleaner to find (they get to keep the horse and win a prize too). Afterwards there will be some pizza (provided by Jing Ying). Students are welcome to bring any other treats and refreshments to share. This event is for students, their family, and friends of Jing Ying. Come help your school get ready for the new year. Registration is on the MyStudio app or at Jing Ying.
Wednesday, February 18
FREE Introductory Family Kung Fu Class (4:45 to 5:30 pm) - Suitable for children ages 5 to 10, this class is an
introductory lesson in Kung Fu. A parent/guardian and older siblings are welcome to join the class. Please arrive 5 to 10 minutes early to check in. Pre-registration is required so we can control class size. Kids will learn a few Chinese Lion Dance moves. There also will be a Year of the Horse craft and traditional Lunar New Year treats to try. Please register in advance so we have enough supplies.
There will be several giveaways and contests to add to the fun.
Register here.
Friday, February 20
Tai Chi Walking (7:00-8:30pm)
- Learn how this ancient practice can improve health and longevity! Shifu Billy Greer will lead this class to share the wonderful health benefits of Tai Chi Walking. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
Improve bone density, reduce arthritis pain, reduce blood pressure and stress, improve flexibility and strength, improve balance and reduce falls, boost immunity and cognitive function.
Wear clothing that allows for movement, such as a t-shirt and athletic pants.
Shifu Billy is one of the top Tai Chi instructors in the USA and has won national and international awards.
Register here.
Saturday, February 28
Free Open House with treats and entertainment from 2:30 to 3:30 pm. Bring your friends and family to enjoy the fun. The entertainment, crafts, and treats are all FREE. There will be several giveaways and contests to add to the fun.
Lion Dance Performance at 3:00 pm, followed by
demonstrations of Tai Chi, Kung Fu forms and weapons. The Chinese Lion Dance is often confused with the Dragon Dance. Both are a part of Chinese New Year and other traditional Chinese festivities. The Chinese Lion Dance is performed by two people, wearing a Lion Dance costume, and the Dragon Dance is performed by many more people.
Bring some optional cash if you'd like to "feed" the lion during its ceremonial dance. Jing Ying will provide the hong bao (red envelope) in which to place the money. This is supposed to bring good luck to the giver, and the more given, the better the luck! The money will be donated to Maryland Therapeutic Riding.
Year of the Horse Craft Activities - grab a theme-related, take-home craft and learn more about the traditions of the Lunar New Year!
Register here.
Sunday, March 1 (new date!)
Tea Tasting (2:00pm to 3:30pm) - Looking for something fun and interesting to do? Join us for an informative workshop presented by Lynayn Mielke, a tea professional with Level IV Certification from the Specialty Tea Institute. You'll try several teas, learn about their proper preparation, and gain knowledge about their health benefits.
Each person will receive a porcelain tasting cup that they get to take home. To celebrate the Year of the Dragon, the cup has a dragon embossed on it.
There also will be tea available to purchase after the in-person workshop. You can also order online any of the sampled teas in larger sizes afterwards as well as any other teas Lynayn has available.
Lynayn is a fun and engaging speaker, and you will walk away from the event knowing more about tea than you ever thought possible. Did you know that it is the most widely consumed beverage in the world? That there are more than 3,000 varieties of the tea bush (cameillia sinensis) and that herbal "teas" aren't actually tea? Lynayn will also be doing a mini tea meditation and discussing its importance for wellbeing on a body and spirit level. Join us to find out so much more during this fun event. We've designated @90 minutes, but Lynayn is willing to stay longer to ask questions.
REGISTRATION & PAYMENT
$39 (includes tea AND gift)*
Register here.
*plus credit card processing fee.
Sunday, March 8
Free Presentation: Ask Like You Mean it - What Horses Teach Us About Communication (2:00-3:00pm)
The Year of the Horse is the perfect time for Maria Alessandri of The Horse & People Project - and author of the new book, Ask Like You Mean It - to give a presentation! Ask Like You Mean It distills how horses reveal the truth of our communication by responding not to our words, but to the alignment — or misalignment — between our intention, energy, and behavior. Through stories and practical insights, Maria Alessandri shows how this honest feedback helps humans build clearer boundaries, deeper trust, and more authentic relationships in every part of life.
Maria Alessandri is an equine-guided communication coach who teaches how horses reveal the truth of our intention and presence. She founded the Horse and People Project® and wrote Ask Like You Mean It to help people communicate with clarity, trust, and emotional honesty.
Her new book will be available for purchase the day of the event.
Register here.
Sunday, March 15
Self-defense Workshop for Women & Teen Girls from
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Learn basic skills for
avoiding trouble and protecting yourself. The workshop will
start with a discussion on safety to help you avoid trouble.
That will be followed with a lesson on escape techniques for
situations you may not be able to avoid. Finally, self-defense
techniques will be covered for fighting back when you aren't
able to escape easily.
During the Lunar New Year, we offer this self-defense
workshop at a reduced price as a service to our local community.
100% of the proceeds will go to Maryland Therapeutic Riding, a local organization that offers several therapeutic riding programs that provides equine-assisted services to individuals with physical, emotional, and developmental challenges. Learn more about this wonderful organization at
Maryland Therapeutic Riding
Fee: $35 per person (after 3/8, the fee increases to $45)
Register here.
Class size is limited, so we recommend that you register as
soon as possible. Last year the workshop was full about a week beforehand, and
we could no longer accept new registrations. You must pre-pay to hold your spot.
If this date does not work for you, you can schedule a workshop for your group (examples: scouts, moms groups,
church groups). We will also hold our annual Self-Defense Workshop for College
Students in July or August based on interest.
Here's what one mom had to say about Jing Ying's self-defense workshop:
"My teenage daughter attended one of your self-defense
workshops for women, and I believe it helped prevent her
abduction. Two men tried to drag her into a truck, and she
was able to escape using your techniques."
Silent Auction - We are hosting a small silent auction that will run until the end of March 8. Proceeds will go to Maryland Therapeutic Riding.
