MY PAPER FRIDAY MARCH 6, 2009
HUAYU ALIVE!
PART 12
mind, body and soul with Mandarin
Join the Fluid Movement
Taijiquan is gaining fans among young S’poreans with its health benefits
CHEN JINGTING
T
AIJIQUAN is often mis-
taken as a form of exercise
only for the old.
However, more and more
young Singaporeans are realis-
ing the health benefits – and dif-
ficulties – of learning the seem-
ingly languid martial art.
Just ask freelance multime-
dia designer Kenrick Goh, 29,
who has been practising taiji-
quan for 10 years.
He told my paper: “Taiji-
quan seems slow and easy to
learn. But there’s a lot more to
it. It requires a lot of muscle con-
trol and coordination.”
He is a student at Xin Ying
Wushu Training Centre at Wa-
terloo Street, which conducts tai-
jiquan and qigong courses.
It also offers wushu classes
for adults and children, and
holds corporate courses for com-
panies.
The centre has seen a 30 per
cent spike in the number of
working adults aged between 20
and 40 signing up for taijiquan.
It has more than 80 partici-
pants now, an increase from 60
last year.
They come from various in-
dustries, such as the IT and
banking sectors, said Master
May Tan Mui Buay, who found-
ed the centre in 1993.
A taijiquan teacher for about
20 years, she won a South-east
Asia Games wushu gold in taiji-
quan when the event was held
in Singapore in 1993.
According to Xin Ying’s
project manager, Mr Li Yunxiu,
27, the centre has almost 500
members.
Master Tan said: “Taijiquan
strengthens one’s immune sys-
tem. Hence, practitioners are
less likely to fall sick.”
She added that a practitioner
can see an improvement in his
overall well-being as early as
one month after taking it up, if
he practises properly.
Practising taijiquan also
helps in relaxation and de-stress-
ing. According to Mr Goh, he
could concentrate on his work
better while feeling less stressed
by it, after taking up taijiquan.
HELPDESK
Languid: Coordination:
!"# wú lì de &! xié tiáo
Martial art: Immune system:
$% wǔ shù '()*+miǎn yì xì tǒng
HOME MY NEWS A5
ढ Take a journey into the Chinese way of wellness,
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䇁 with the Speak Mandarin Campaign. You can also
view these articles online at www.stomp.com.sg
MARTIAL
ART TALKS
TAIJIQUAN
MARTIAL ART
A workshop on Hunyuan
Tai Chi, a form of taijiquan
that helps to relax one’s
body and mind and streng-
then the immune system,
by Master May Tan. Con-
ducted in English, with key
Chinese terms highlighted.
When: Saturday,
2.30-3.30pm
Where: The Plaza, National
Library
WING CHUN
MARTIAL ART
A demonstration and work-
shop on Wing Chun, a form
of close-range martial art
which develops a person’s
intrinsic energy, by Master
Chua Kah Joo. Conducted
in English, with key Chinese
terms highlighted.
When: Saturday, 4-5pm
Where: The Plaza, National
ATTUNED TO HEALTH: Master May Tan (centre) and taijiquan practitioners (from left) Kenrick Goh, Luey Library
Bing Lun, Norvin Chandra and Li Yunxiu say the martial art improves well-being. (PHOTOS: JAMIE KOH)
Student Luey Bing Lun, 18, He added that he used to be conception that learning taiji- She urged them to have bal-
also found it easier to cope with an impatient person, but can quan will prevent them from fall- ance – the fundamental princi-
stress after he picked up the now better manage his emo- ing sick. That’s not true,” she ple of taijiquan – in their lives.
martial art two years ago. tions. said. “Your lifestyle and dietary Her advice: “Don’t just work
“When practising taijiquan, However, Master Tan was habits play a part as well.” and work. You need time to re-
I’m disciplined (in) emptying quick to point out that practis- She added that working peo- lax as well.”
my mind in order to relax. Now, ing taijiquan alone is not ple tend to suffer from tight
when I get stressed about school- enough to ensure an illness-free shoulder muscles and necks be- jtchen@sph.com.sg
work, I would also empty my life. cause they work too hard with-
mind to relax,” he said. “Some people have the mis- out proper rest.
WHAT IS HUNYUAN TAI CHI?
HUNYUAN Tai Chi is a style of taijiquan developed Master May Tan Mui Buay, founder of the centre,
by Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang from China. said that those who learn the routine without
It is suitable for a wider age group of practi- getting their basics right are missing the
tioners as its moves are slower and more fluid. essence of taijiquan.
“It helps its practitioners to remain calm and She said: “To them, learning taijiquan is
relaxed,” said Mr Li Yunxiu (right), project manager just memorising a sequence of steps. They
of Xin Ying Wushu Training Centre. get stressed when they cannot remember
or keep up with the steps. They may also
On top of that, learning this form of taijiquan also
end up with joint pains because they
strengthens core body muscles, improves flexibility,
are not learning the steps right.”
enhances coordination and fortifies the immune Courses are conducted in
system. English, with Mandarin used for
This year, Xin Ying will introduce its Hunyuan Tai medical terms such as names of
Chi Baton course, which teaches students the acupoints. For more information,
fundamentals of this style before they move on to call 6338-5626 or visit
practise more difficult movements. www.singapore-wushu.com
Disciplined: Illness-free: !56 Dietary habits: #"89 Fundamental:
,-./01234 wú bìng tòng yǐn shí xí guàn <=# jī běn de
xùn liàn zì jǐ Misconception: Balance: Principle:
(zuò mǒu shì) 7 wù jiě :; píng héng >? yuán lǐ