TAI CHI

Yesterday as part of our culture class, we learnt a thai chi routine. Tai Chi is very special in China, it is the way that most older people get their exercise and has distinct ties to their heritage many years back. Walking around the city, you will see groups of people gathered in parks, on street corners, and in front of buildings practicing tai chi and it is a very beautiful artform. I was very excited when I learnt that we would be learning some tai chi moves. Like yoga, it has a large focus on breathing and uses the same muscles. The difference between the two is that tai chi has more fluid movements that flow together. The lady that was teaching us must have been around 50 or 60 years old and man was she flexible and strong! The moves she was able to perform with such diligence was really quite something. She taught us a short routine and I quickly realized that it was much harder and required a lot more work than I originally thought. It's one of those things that is made to look very easy, when in fact it requires the performer to work very very hard to achieve fluidity and grace. That being said, wow what a workout and so much fun!! I will post pictures of our tai chi soon!