Tai Chi in LuoYang China
After 48 hours of straight travel, finally arriving in LuoYang China, about 1000 miles inland from Beijing…I was looking forward to a good nights sleep…
And at first I thought that my “dreams” would come true. My host had arranged for no meetings til mid afternoon and I was alllll set…
At first I thought I was hearing things, the sound of dissonant blaring music that seemed to be outside my window,
I was disoriented to say the least… what was wrong with this picture?
Yes the the music was foreign but to a western beat… I looked at my clock … 6 AM!!
Wait a minute, it can’t be outside my window, I was on the 8th floor of the hotel!
Through this cognitive dissonance, I stumbled to the window and squinted through the curtains to see the main town square far below filled with people doing Tai Chi and Qi Gong in a myriad of forms.
I am not an impulsive person by nature, but something told me to get dressed, get down there and get in to the middle of it! I mean WHEN would I have a chance to do this again???
The Chinese are a curious and welcoming people and being one of only a few Caucasians in LouYang – a city of about 1 million people, certainly contributed to their interest. But they really paid little attention to me in the square; it was natural to them to be there early in the morning and exercise….
The music, the extreme humidity and the crowded square; the forms were intoxicating, exciting and these early mornings were some of the fondest memories of my trip… but if I never return, I will always have that experience.
Be receptive to the opportunity before you, you may never have it again…
Walking the Tai Chi Walk
Years ago I had a Tai Chi instructor that taught us to walk, hands on the small of the back, moving mindfully, rolling on the heels and the balls of our feet… It was relaxing and probably did some very good things for the flow of Chi…
That was a long time ago.
Fast forward 30 years – I am walking through the town square in Luo Yang China, about 1000 miles inland from Beijing… people brush painting on the concrete, others doing sword forms others doing hand forms in unison… when all at once an older man walked by me doing my Tai Chi walk!
9000 miles and 30 years, I guess it’s just a spec on the Tai Chi time line.
While I do go on walks every day, I don’t do “the walk”, as a matter of fact, I probably would not have thought about it except for the old man in the town square.
The moral of the story, keep your eyes open, be receptive to what’s going on around you… Lessons can come at any time…
I think I will incorporate it. What the heck … balance, breathing, gaze the whole deal – Stay tuned…
Oh, if you like my posts, please be sure to tell your friends and definately subscribe to the feed…
Until next time.
Rick
