Published: 10.06.2025
Today, after a typical Chinese breakfast, which I held back on a bit, I went to the public park to practice Taiji and Qigong. Qigong isn’t as well known here. People practice more Taiji.
But that's not all: Upon arriving at the park, I discovered people of all ages engaging in sports activities. There were so-called senior playgrounds, equipped with sports equipment. They were all busy. The park was full, and it was 8:00 AM. Practice sometimes takes place before work, during breaks, and after work. The older folks, who are no longer employed, tend to practice a bit longer.
Our group practiced parts of Taiji. I stood a little at the edge and tried to do my Qigong exercises, but I was repeatedly encouraged to join the Taiji practitioners. I really have no clue about it, but I did sway a bit along with them.
Afterward, with our bags already packed, we headed to a museum. It was a really old museum, similar to a regional museum but an open-air one.
We were given a room. It was like an old tea house. The room was cleared for us. There is a stage and a large room with stone tiles; the stage has carpet flooring, and we were allowed to practice there. There are light wooden sliding doors that were closed, keeping the room cool. Later in the afternoon, the air conditioning was turned on, but it became too cold even though it was over 33°C outside.
The practice with the master was very well organized. It involves the Four Ends of Qigong, which correspond to the layers: the skin and pores, the tendons, the connective tissue and fascias, as well as the bones, bone marrow, and teeth.
The master speaks Chinese, and a fellow traveler translated.
After 5 hours of practice with a lunch break, we were pretty exhausted, and after a shower at the hotel, we headed to dinner. We were invited by the so-called Taiji community, and once again, we had no idea what to expect.
There were two large rooms with about 50 people, and then we joined in and were warmly greeted with a big hello.
And we didn’t understand a word!
There was hotpot, meaning everyone had a soup pot in front of them on an induction plate, and you could fill your own pot with whatever was spinning in the middle of the table. And let it cook. At an extra buffet, you prepared your dipping sauce, and since we had no idea what those various things were, except for garlic and chili, we didn’t know what we were mixing together. But it tasted wonderful, and the party really got started. When the first table stood up and came to our table with spirits and beer to toast everyone, joy and noise filled the air. Well, I stuck to my chrysanthemum tea. This means everyone talked, looked at each other, and drank together. There was such warmth; you don’t often experience something like that.
And the atmosphere rose. Speeches were given. Thankfully, we had a translator with our group. Our group leader, Norbert Staab, also gave a small speech, introducing me as the chair of the German Qigong Society, which I am. This received great applause. As a result, tomorrow morning, the regional Chinese television will come to the park where we practice to conduct a small interview with the master and with Norbert and me as the German delegation. That's what happens: an appearance on Chinese television!
I am already considering what I want to say and what I will wear…
