Morning Exercise, A Panorama of Lifestyles

Morning Exercise, A Panorama of Lifestyles

The one thing that newcomers to Chinese society will notice is how busy people are in the morning doing exercises. An old Chinese saying perhaps reveals why: “One hour in the morning worth two hours in the afternoon.” There is also a well-known Chinese philosophy for long life that goes, “Sleep early and get up early will keep you fit”.

Chinese people, especially the elderly, like to get up very early in the morning and go to a park or nearby practice field to do various kinds of exercises. This has created a very special feeling of fitness in Beijing, and the country at large.

Upon the first sunlight in the morning, locals of all ages gather in the parks, and every little available space is taken for morning exercise. In addition to traditional practices such as taijiquan and qigong, the locals also setup a stereo and do western ballroom dancing. Some people may practice with their wooden swords (wujian); others take their birds out for a walk (liuniao). The latter tradition is due to an ancient Chinese practice where morning exercise and Dim Sum breakfast are always accompanied by one’s companions— the birds!

Another aspect of Chinese tradition is the revered art of fan dancing. The practice continues as a form of exercise in the morning. You may also see the elderly practice calligraphy and painting. While you may not see people do extraordinary feats of Chinese martial arts such as breaking concrete slabs with their heads or “flying” long distances through the air, as shown in movies, you will surely see them enjoy their morning calisthenics. With slow and peaceful movement, your body becomes awakened and energized.

One of the favored sports for citizens of Beijing to do morning exercises is the Temple of Heaven. It was once the most holy of Beijing's Imperial temples in ancient times, a place where the Emperor came every winter solstice to worship heaven and to solemnly pray for a good harvest. Whereas in Imperial times commoners were not allowed to enter the enormous park, now for a minimal fee Chinese citizens can enjoy it all day long. Today, it’s a real treat for visitors to meet the locals and learn about the culture at the Temple. Next to an older person practicing the slow and flowing movements of Taiijquan there might be a younger one performing vigorous karate-like punches and kicks. One group might be learning the ancient martial art of sword-fighting, while another might be practicing a traditional dance. Should you have the energy and the inclination, it is well worth waking up early one morning and visiting this park to watch such magical events take place.

Source:www.virtualtourist.com, www.chinahighlights.com