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Tai Chi in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China |
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 Creeping down..
One of the features of cities such as Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Zhongdian (better known as Shangri-La) in Yunnan Province, are the old towns in the centre of the cities, together with the town markets, that are full of vibrant colours and people in traditional clothes. However, the highlight for me was the second morning in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan with a population of about 3 million people.
Our guide had shown me the location of the large central town square where several hundred people gather each morning to learn and practice Tai Chi.
On the first morning that two of us visited the square, we joined in on the fringes of several groups and tried to follow along. Although some were doing routines that are similar to our classic Yang style and Beijing 42, there were many differences. However, our training at Celestial, gave me the background to fit in easily with most of the styles. Most of the groups, which ranged from about 10 to 100, had a leader and music.
 Be like water
On the second morning, I decided to practise Beijing 42 routine on my own. After doing the routine, or at least the part that we have learnt so far, a couple of times. I was approached by an elderly local whom I had noted doing Tai Chi on his own earlier.
Using sign language, he indicated that he would like to show me a couple of improvements in my routine. I gratefully indicated that I would like this and what followed was close to an hour’s private lesson from a “master”. He was patient with my clumsy attempts to improve, and according to my friend who had started watching, he appeared to enjoy teaching me. I am in my mid 60’s and he was probably 10 years older, but to watch his fluid style and flexibility was like watching a ballet primadonna, or more appropriately, Master Eng Chor or Chin Min.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 16 March 2007 )
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