I am now half way through the Tai Chi lessons. The school is very basic with a shared shower and funny squat toilets. I am so pleased I paid extra for the air conditioning as it is so hot here, it is like being in a permanent sauna. The food is plentiful with lots of vegetables but always Chinese as you would imagine.
When I arrived there were 6 of us, now there are 9 with other people from all over Europe. Some are staying as long as a month. We have 4 hours of lessons a day, starting with a vigorous warm up and stretches, then Qigong which is like relaxation and breathing technique which should complement the Tai Chi, followed by Tai Chi. Everything we do is based around the central energy (our Chi, not sure I've exactly located mine yet). All the movements in Tai Chi have a purpose, they are performed slow and as a way of maintaining health and well being but actually it is all based on self defence and the teacher shows us how it would be applied.
The teachers are very good. Mei who has been teaching me is a Master and is very famous in China, she has won many gold medals in competitions. The competitions are against opponents but in technique and form and not in combat. She has a really small frame but is extremely strong and flexible. She explains how we should not keep our energy base still and static as that does not allow us to easily change our movement if avoiding an attack. I am finding it very interesting to learn about a totally new way of moving.
As well as our energy, we hold imaginary balls and the hand movements are usually keeping our Ying and Yang. If observing it looks very gentle but it involves strengthening the deep core muscles and is more tiring than I ever imagined, plus the addition of the high temperatures. I really like the Qigong as it leaves me totally relaxed and sleepy, even though my muscles have been working. I think this would be really good to be used with children who are stressed or have anger issues.
