Feature: Tai Chi gets popular in fast-paced New York

Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-10 05:57:38|Editor: Liu
Video PlayerClose

People learn to practise Tai Chi at Chinese Scholar's Garden in New York, the United States, on Sept. 23, 2017. The annual Asian-themed festival features activities including performances of Asian music and dance, demonstrations of martial arts, lessons in Chinese calligraphy was held at Chinese Scholar's Garden to celebrate the Autumn Moon Festival on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

By Qiu Junzhou and Yang Shilong

NEW YORK, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Tai chi, an ancient Chinese martial art that is often referred to as "moving meditation," is getting popular in fast-paced New York City and neighboring areas.

"More and more people have been joining, not only Chinese or Asians, but also people from various races and cultural backgrounds," said Sitan Chen, founder and chairman of Tai Chi Qigong Association of America (TCQAA), in an interview with Xinhua, on the sidelines of the 2018 Tai Chi & Health Qigong Festival held in Westbury, New York, in early June.

BENEFITS OF MIND-BODY PRACTICE

Now in its seventh year, the Tai Chi festival featured various presentations, demonstrations and mini-classes joined by dozens of teams from the New York City metropolitan area.

Chen, a world Tai Chi champion who started his martial arts career at the age of six in China, initiated the event in 2011 with his wife, Xu Lin, also a Tai Chi master. The couple founded Sitan Tai Chi and Martial Arts in 2007 in New York to promote Tai Chi and provide a forum for those interested in the ancient sport.

"We wanted to start something that the general public would benefit from," said Lin, also a TCQAA board member.

"Not anyone can just pick up Chinese," said Wei Fang, fellow board member of TCQAA. "But Tai Chi is a body language; there are no barriers in learning it."

Both of Fang's kids are learning Tai Chi. "This is a cultural treasure that our ancestors have passed to us," Fang said. "Even though both of my kids are born and raised in the U.S., I hope they can learn about this culture and pass it on."

Tai chi's slow, graceful movements are accompanied by deep circular breathing. The movements work with what is called "qi" or life force, a type of "flow" that everyone has, according to Chinese culture.

There is growing evidence that this mind-body practice, which originated in China as a martial art, has value in treating or preventing many health problems.

This gentle form of exercise can help maintain strength, flexibility and balance, and could be the perfect activity for the rest of your life, said a research by Harvard Medical School.

ENTRY TO CHINESE CULTURE

For 13-year-old Qifei Huang, Chinese martial arts meant a turning point to his interest and acceptance of Chinese culture.

The boy grew up in the United States, and started learning martial arts at the age of four. "I didn't like learning Chinese," Huang said. "But martial arts gave me a chance to learn about the Chinese culture."

Being part of the U.S. youth martial arts team, Huang had the chance to exchange in China at fifth grade. "I couldn't communicate in Chinese before going that," Huang said, "But I could when I came back."

Talking about his future, Huang said, "I want to be an actor. If I put martial arts and Chinese culture in movies, people will see how amazing it is."

"Tai Chi is a shortcut to understanding the Chinese culture," echoed Chen. "It's not simply a sport; the Chinese culture, philosophy, and humanitarian ideals are all imprinted in Tai Chi."

Antonio Livio, a member from Tai Chi Qigong Team at The Seasons, a senior living home in New York, has been learning and practising Tai Chi for four years. "I enjoy the philosophy of the Asians and also of Taichi," he said.

PERFECT WAY TO SLOW DOWN

Tai Chi is considered a flexible, fluid and connected practice that combines ancient martial arts, Taoist philosophy and traditional Chinese medicine. More and more people in the world are chasing longevity, stress reduction and improved health through the mind-body practices.

"Tai Chi is a sport that is relaxing and calming. It's different than (normal) martial arts, which is very aggressive," Huang said.

"Especially in larger cities like New York, people are constantly distracted and stressed. They need to keep calm and learn Tai Chi. This sort of slow-paced lifestyle is good for both mental and physical health," said Chen.

"As a Westerner, you know, everything is done fast, but in the Tai Chi world you do things slow," said Livio. "It teaches you how to live a peaceful and healthy life."

Jason Warshaw, who started practice of Tai Chi about four years ago, agreed.

"I think the Western mind likes to do things quickly, and then you realize that, maybe you could go a little slower. They will start to appreciate the process," he said.

"We all hope for peace, where does peace come from? It doesn't come from fighting, it comes from inner peace," Fang said. "It's about harmony between man and nature. Our motions might be slow, but we arrive at our destination fast. Through this calmness, we find the true direction of life. Otherwise no matter how busy we are, it's all for nothing."

"There is great value in fostering cultural communication and promoting these values," said Lin.

A SPORT FOR EVERYONE

Most health research into the benefits of Tai Chi focuses on people over 50. But the earlier one starts in life, the more one reaps the rewards, Chen said.

"There is great danger when seniors fall or lose their balance, and Tai Chi helps with that," said Chen. "It' s also safer and not aggressive."

"As you get older, Tai Chi helps with the balance and the circulation," said Livio, "Then for the Qigong, it helps the internal organs. It all blends in and it's very good for a person to keep more mobile, stronger and better with the mind."

"However, it is a misconception that only the elderly can practice Tai Chi," noted Chen. "Younger people learn how to focus, how to calm down and persevere through Tai Chi."

"Tai Chi helps with younger people with their mental strength and ability to adjust under pressure," added Lin.

"Our younger pupils had the chance to perform at the United Nations with a professional Tai Chi team from China," Fang said. "This has encouraged many kids and their parents to learn Tai Chi."

"There has been more and more younger people who are practising Tai Chi, and we have a youth group for contestants under 18th in our Tai Chi competition in New York," Chen said.

(Zhang Mocheng and Zhang Yichi contributed to the story.)

KEY WORDS: Tai chi
EXPLORE XINHUANET
010020070750000000000000011100851372431061
三分快3 大发app 凤凰彩票app 乐发iv游戏平台 凤凰彩票大厅 乐发彩票 乐发彩票app下载 大发彩票 乐发v官网 乐发lll 乐发lv入口 乐发iv首页 乐发ll登录 凤凰彩票大厅 乐发官网 乐发ii下载入口 乐发ll 乐发v平台 乐发v官网 乐发lll 乐发lv入口 乐发iv首页 乐发ll登录 乐发lv 乐发lll安装 乐发lv 乐发登录入口 乐发iv游戏平台 凤凰彩票登录 网信彩票 彩神 彩神彩票官方网站 彩神彩票官网首页 彩神官方app下载安卓版 凤凰彩票登录 彩神v3 凤凰彩票app下载 彩神官方app下载安卓版 网信快三 一分快3 快三彩票购彩平台 凤凰彩票官方 快3官网 网信彩票 快3app 网信彩票平台 百姓彩票平台 网信平台官网 快3app下载 百姓彩票 每日彩票 快3app 百姓彩票 每日彩票 快3app 百姓彩票平台 幸运5分彩快3 快3彩票app下载 百姓彩票网站网址 大发10分PK10 快3下载 网信彩票平台 网信平台官网 快3彩票官网app 凤凰彩票官方 彩神彩票 大发10分PK10 彩神v3 大发彩票app下载 百姓彩票网站网址 彩神购彩平台 每日彩票 官方正规快三彩票平台 彩神彩票购彩平台 百姓彩票 凤凰彩票购彩平台 凤凰彩票app下载 彩神官方app下载安卓版 网信快三 一分快3 快三彩票购彩平台 凤凰彩票官方 彩神彩票 大发10分PK10 彩神v3 凤凰彩票登录 乐发lv 乐发∨Il 百姓彩票网站网址 乐发彩票 乐发彩票官方网站 乐发lll安装 百姓彩票网站网址 凤凰彩票app下载 大发10分PK10 乐发2 乐发app 凤凰彩票 大发彩票app 乐发登录入口 乐发ll登录 乐发v官网 乐发官网 大发彩票app下载 凤凰彩票购彩平台 彩神彩票 官方正规快三彩票平台 一分快3 百姓彩票网站网址 凤凰彩票app下载 大发10分PK10 乐发2 乐发app 凤凰彩票 大发彩票app 乐发登录入口 乐发ll登录 乐发v官网 乐发官网 大发彩票app下载 凤凰彩票购彩平台 彩神彩票 官方正规快三彩票平台 1分快三平台 百姓彩票平台 凤凰彩票登录 幸运5分彩快3 彩神 乐发彩票 乐发 大发彩票 乐发iv游戏平台 乐发lv 乐发lll 乐发ii下载入口 乐发彩票官方网站 凤凰彩票官方网站 凤凰快3 彩神彩票官网首页 1分快三平台 百姓彩票平台 凤凰彩票登录 幸运5分彩快3 彩神 乐发彩票 乐发 大发彩票 乐发iv游戏平台 乐发lv 凤凰彩票app 乐发app 网信彩票平台 网信彩票平台 乐发iv游戏平台 凤凰彩票app 乐发lv 乐发彩票app下载 凤凰彩票app 网信彩票平台 乐发彩票app下载 乐发lv 乐发app 大发彩票安卓下载 大发彩票安卓下载 大发彩票 乐发彩票app下载 网信彩票平台 乐发iv游戏平台 彩神彩票 乐发彩票中心 极速快3彩票平台 人人快三凤凰 大发彩票app 大发彩票大全 乐发彩票 彩神彩票官方网站 乐发app 酷天堂彩票平台 凤凰彩票app下载 凤凰彩票大厅 凤凰彩票app 极速快3彩票平台 凤凰彩票 凤凰快3 乐发ll官网 乐发彩票中心 正规快三送彩金平台 凤凰彩票官方 乐发ll 乐发 网信彩票 彩神彩票 彩神彩票官方网站 大发彩票app 网信彩票用户 百姓快三 百姓彩票平台 乐发lv 乐发彩票app下载 彩信平台 网信彩票 乐发彩票官方网站 乐发∨Il 人人快三凤凰 凤凰彩票 凤凰快3 乐发ll官网 乐发彩票中心 正规快三送彩金平台 凤凰彩票官方 乐发ll 乐发 网信彩票 彩神彩票 彩神彩票官方网站 人人快三凤凰 乐发彩票 彩神彩票 乐发iv游戏平台 乐发彩票 大发彩票中心 凤凰彩票登录 凤凰彩票app 彩神彩票 大发彩票 乐发ll 大发彩票app 凤凰快3 凤凰彩票 彩神彩票 乐发ll 凤凰彩票 乐发lll 凤凰彩票大厅 网信彩票 彩神彩票 乐发lv 快盈彩票 乐发彩票官方网站 盈彩网投资平台 大发官网 一分时时彩 乐发lv 快3平台 凤凰快3 乐发ll 全民彩票 乐发彩票官方网站 百姓彩票 乐发彩票 大发彩票 极速快3 乐发app 大发官网 乐发lll 快3平台 凤凰快3 乐发ll 全民彩票 乐发彩票官方网站 百姓彩票 乐发彩票 大发彩票 极速快3 乐发app 彩神iv 大发彩票app 大小单双平台 一分pk10 乐发lv 快盈彩票 乐发官网 快彩彩票 百姓彩票 凤凰彩票大厅 网信彩票 乐发彩票中心 网信快3 乐发 彩神xl 三分快3 大发彩票 大发官网 乐发lll 快3平台 凤凰快3 乐发ll 全民彩票 乐发彩票官方网站 百姓彩票 乐发彩票 乐发彩票官方网站 大发彩票 乐发 分分快3 彩神vl 55世纪 55世纪 凤凰快3 乐发彩票 乐发lv welcome凤凰彩票 乐发ll 1分快3 彩神 彩神ll 1分快3官网 1分快3的平台 welcome凤凰彩票 三分快3 彩神x 彩神vl 凤凰彩票 彩神xl 大发彩票 凤凰彩票大厅 乐发官网 乐发ll 乐发lll 乐发lv 大发彩票app 大发彩票 乐发 乐发彩票 乐发彩票中心 凤凰快3 乐发彩票 彩神xl 腾讯快3 大发彩票 彩神xl 大发彩票 乐发彩票 大发彩票app 快3平台 乐发 1分快3 乐发彩票 彩神x 凤凰快3 彩神xl 彩吧助手 大发彩票app 快3平台 大发排列3 彩神iv 彩神vl 乐发IV 彩神x 一分pk10 大发排列3 乐发lv 快3彩票 乐发app下载 三分快3 快三平台助手 乐发彩票ll 彩神iv 乐发lll下载 盈彩网投资平台 乐发Ⅲ 一分pk10 凤凰彩票 乐发Vll 大发官网 乐发ll 大发彩票 乐发1 凤凰快3 彩神vl 乐发lx 百姓彩票 乐发VI 彩神x 乐发IV 极速快3 乐发 凤凰快3 网信快3 乐发lv 快3彩票 乐发app下载 三分快3 快三平台助手 乐发彩票ll 彩神iv 乐发lll下载 盈彩网投资平台 乐发Ⅲ 凤凰彩票大厅 乐发lv 乐发lv 乐发lv 凤凰彩票 大发彩票 大发彩票 凤凰彩票 乐发lv 凤凰彩票 凤凰彩票 乐发lv 乐发ll 凤凰彩票app下载 凤凰彩票 凤凰彩票 乐发lv 乐发ll 凤凰彩票app下载 凤凰彩票 凤凰彩票 乐发lv 彩神x 乐发 乐发ll 极速快3 乐发lv 乐发彩票中心 快3彩票 凤凰彩票大厅 彩神x 凤凰彩票app 分分快3 网信彩票 网盟彩票 凤凰彩票 百姓彩票 乐发 快彩彩票 乐发彩票 快3平台 百姓彩票 大小单双平台 凤凰快3 彩神xl 一分pk10 乐发lv 三分快3 大发彩票 乐发彩票 快3平台 百姓彩票 大小单双平台 凤凰快3 彩神xl 一分pk10 乐发lv 三分快3 大发彩票 极速快3 乐发ll 网信彩票 乐发lv 全民彩票 凤凰彩票app下载 快盈彩票 大发彩票app 大发官网 凤凰彩票 彩神iv 大发彩票 网信快3 凤凰彩票 百姓彩票