Yangshuo has plenty of activities, but Tai Chi (Taj
Chi, Tai Qi, Taichi) is not commonly named as one of them. However,
Yangshuo is a good place to start exploring the world of Tai Chi.
Almost everywhere in China you will see people practicing this old form of
martial arts. Just go out in the early morning or
late afternoon to a central square and you will find plenty of people
practicing Tai Chi. One could say, it's a social activity for many Chinese.
However, to master the art of Tai Chi takes many years, so do not expect to
become a Tai Chi master in a few lessons, even though you will find a great
(and one of the few female teachers in China): Luo Mei Juan.
Luo Mei Juan owns the Long Tou Shan
Martial Arts School in Shi Ban Qiao village which is located just
outside Yangshuo in the very quiet countryside, an ideal location to
practice tai chi.
Long Tou Shan Martial Arts School
Why Long Tou Shan Martial Arts School?
There are a few tai chi schools in Yangshuo, so why would you want to choose
for the Long Tou Shan Martial Arts School?
Mei's father was a Kung Fu master and from her youngest days she loved
martial arts. However, her father, being very traditional refused the young
girl to teach his skills.
As soon as she was old enough, she went to study under Fu Neng Bin, in
Nanning, and later with Chen Zheng Lei, of the actual Chen family. Chen
Zheng Lei is recognized by the government as one of the ten great martial
arts masters of China.
Mei is a high qualified teacher in Tai Chi and Kung
Fu. Mei has the title of
China Traditional Wushu Advanced Trainer.
Mei explains: "It's a very high qualification". In the past
years Mei was involved in several international Tai Chi contests in which
she won several medals including some gold. The photo below shows Mei with
the two gold medals she won in 2008 in Beijing.
With her other instructors
(of course all certified masters) Mei offers an excellent introduction into
Tai Chi as well as training for the experienced.
The schools' location makes it easy to concentrate on what you want to
achieve. And with Mei and her other instructors will make sure you get the
best instruction possible.
What is Tai Chi?
Let me explain, I know next to nothing about Tai Chi other then that I
see many Chinese practicing in the morning and evening. Thus I need to ask
the master, Luo Mei Juan , herself.
Like many other martial arts, Tai Chi is a way of life. It's about
finding balance in everything you do. As Mei explains,
there are 6 elements:
The weak overcomes the strong
Mei explains: "The weak overcoming the strong is the ideal of Taichi.
How can this paradox be understood? By an other one!"
Non doing
This non-doing, which is at the same time a very central and very
controversial notion of the Dao De Jing, should in any case not be seen as a
static state. On the contrary, it's the ability of non resisting, like the
highest leaf of a tree is able to follow to the slightest breeze. The virtue
that Taichi practitioners call
,
light and alert.
Surrender
So Non doing implies never acting on your own, never forcing anything but
instead completely adapting to the circumstances by following your
opponent's moves.
No struggle
If one doesn't resist, there can't be any struggle. One doesn't use force
and as there is no opposition, the opponent doesn't know where to use his.
Clear vision
As there is no struggle, one is able to relax, both mentally and physically.
Mentally because he is not busy trying to find a weakness to exploit in his
opponent, nor is he afraid of not being able to block his attacks.
Physically because if the mental is relax, the body follows naturally and
one doesn't have to be tense to surrender and follow with fluidity, on the
contrary. Therefore, surrender leads paradoxically to a form of freedom...
Being relax and quiet, one's vision becomes clearer and he becomes able to
act on things before they grow.
Letting go
When one is quiet and relax, it becomes even easier for him to adapt to
circumstances and wait for them to change.
Mei concludes: "Instead of cultivating strength and speed like most martial arts, Tai Chi
emphases openness, quietness and softness. The first opponent is therefore
oneself. How can one vanquish himself? Well, just like this! There would be
of course a lot more to say but I'm afraid that you will have to come to see
us at Long Tou Shan Martial Arts School if you want to hear it and, more important, to
practice it!"
Mei is a great teacher and the school is located in a beautiful
environment that let you focus on why you did come for.
I was very impressed especially after Mei giving a demonstration with the sword
which shows (to me) the grace and beauty of Tai Chi.
The Instructors and the courses
When I visited the Long Tou Shan Martial Arts School I met a few
of the other instructors. The other instructors are: Tang en Xi, Zhang Xiao
Yuan. Mei will teach all of the following courses herself. Usually instructors stay for a period of time so it is very
possible when you visit there are some other instructors.
At the Long Tou Shan Martial Arts School you can follow the
following courses:
Tai Chi (Yang and Chen) for fluidity, balance and coordination.
Qigong for sensations and rooting.
Push-hands for application.
Massage for relaxation.
Yoga for flexibility and balance.
Prices and accommodation
Courses start in the early morning and the Long Tou Shan Martial Arts School
has accommodation including meals available. However, if you would want to
stay in Yangshuo town itself, the school is able to help you with transport
to and from the school.
Prices below are in Yuen:
1 week all-inclusive, training, and meals,
private room with fan: Y1300/person or Y2200 /couple
shared (2-bed) room with fan: Y1100 /person
The school has a few air-con rooms available. If you require one, add Y150/room
for a week.
Teachers and students
Single classes for
day students are taught by the hour, 50 RMB/hour
Location
The Long Tou Shan Martial Arts School is located a 2 km
outside Yangshuo town center in an amazingly quiet and beautiful valley.
The easiest way to reach the school is to contact Mei (86)13878376597),
but if you insist going yourself, walk outside of West Street and
follow the river north.
You will pass the local tourist market, where the boats from Guilin
arrive. After about 1 km you will see a sign for the school. Follow this.
Skip the first building, it's another Kung Fu school and keep left. As Mei
told me, just follow your heart and you will see a short steep path going uphill.
The school is at the end of the path. (see
also our Yangshuo map)
Tai Chi Auctions
Learn Tai Chi with Mei, that's a great opportunity. How about additional
audiovisual materials or other Tai Chi accessories? We have set up 3
different auctions all related to Tai Chi:
Mei's father was a Kung Fu master and from her youngest days she loved
martial arts. However, her father, being very traditional refused the young
girl to teach his skills.
,
light and alert.
