Andy and Karen recently led members of the Prom Coast Martial Arts Club Tai Chi and Shotokan Karate groups (Linda, Terry, Ros, Michael, Jan, Nicole, Scott and Pete) to Yangshuo Town, Yangshuo County, Guangxi Province, Southern China, to extend their learning and practice of Tai Chi. The group learnt and practiced the Chen 18. Some members also gained some exposure to Gongfu which may be be likened to the perhaps more familiar term “Kung Fu”. Andy and Karen did a fantastic job organising all training and activities at an affordable cost for the lucky participants. Thanks Andy and Karen!
Yangshuo town is bordered by the Li River on one side and is situated on a small plain between numbers of Karst peaks. The uniqueness and beauty of the Karst country around Yangshuo is demonstrated by it gracing the Chinese 20 Yuan note. Yangshuo is a vibrant hub for both Chinese and Western tourists. The group interacted with delightful young people who came from all over China to practise their English by initiating conversation with foreigners.
Each day the group trained with Master Yang Dong Bao in Chen style Tai Chi in Yangshuo park. The group learnt the Chen 18 and will spend the next three years softly perfecting the gentle art of “No Push” before starting to practice the release of energy at appropriate points in the form. Tai Chi was immediately followed by training in Gongfu for a smaller number of the group who learnt some of the basics and a short form routine.
Following training people went for a massage at Dr Lily’s or went directly to lunch in one of the many cafes in Yangshuo before heading out for an afternoon of activity.
Activities during the stay included walking and cycling in the Yangshuo countryside and rice fields, bamboo rafting on the Li and Yulong rivers, visiting an ancient stone village and the 1000 year old Longshen rice terraces on Dragon Back Mountain, visiting the South China Pearl Museum, and visiting a tea plantation for a tea ceremony. The group also went on a night river cruise in Guilin (a neighbouring city about 65km away), visited caves, attended the famous Impression night lake show in Yangshuo, and..............went shopping.
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