Beijing (AP) — Every morning hundreds gather at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing for tai chi, a discipline blending physical movement with philosophical depth. This practice developed over 300 years ago continues to thrive in China today.
“The environment is great and the air is good too,” notes Ye Guirong, aged 64, surrounded by trees as she guides her group through these ancient movements. Many participants are retirees, mostly in their 60s or older, practicing individually or in groups.
Ye discovered tai chi in 2010, soon after retiring. Walking around Beijing, she found a group practicing and decided to join them. Today, she leads the Cypress Grove group, teaching newcomers the basic moves.
A new member’s progress is periodically reviewed by Ye until proficiency in the basics is achieved. Fundamental movements include “White Crane Spreads Its Wings” and “Part the Wild Horse’s Mane,” which involve graceful arm and body positioning.
Zu Hong, 59, is among the newer members, having learned a 24-movement sequence within a month. She is now ready to advance further. “I thought tai chi looked very beautiful,” Zu says. “I wanted to exercise, so I came here to the Temple of Heaven.”
Founded in the 15th century by a Ming dynasty emperor, the Temple of Heaven is a historic site where emperors connected with heaven for prosperity. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests remains a popular tourist destination, with gardens open to visitors.
Tai chi in China carries dual meaning: the martial art Taijiquan and the philosophy Taiji. An essential concept intertwined with tai chi is qi, or vital energy. Traditional Chinese medicine regards health as a balance of qi flowing through meridians in the body.
Practices like tai chi and qigong aim to balance and enhance qi‘s flow, linking to Daoist beliefs about the world and nature. According to Duke Kunshan University professor James Miller, such practices integrate qi into the physical and spiritual understanding of life.
Similarly, locations like mountain temples harness nature’s qi, reinforcing their significance beyond mere beauty by being closer to nature.
Ye’s group practices Yang-style tai chi every morning at 7:40 a.m., with sessions lasting an hour and a half. Participants rotate through various movement sets, some incorporating swords and fans, enhancing physical and mental vitality.
Chen-style, the oldest form of tai chi, was established in the 17th century by Chen Wangting. His journey from military service to spiritual enlightenment led to the creation of Chen-style tai chi, merging philosophical concepts with martial techniques.
Chen Haitao, a Tai Chi master, explains that Chen Wangting’s self-cultivation through meditation brought him a profound awakening, embracing wisdom through movement forms. Tai chi’s philosophical backing and physical method offer profound benefits to practitioners of all abilities.
AP video journalist Wu Jia and other contributors have enriched this report.