Keeping fit, in Hong Kong

Press, 28 March 1981, Page 16

Keeping fit, in Hong Kong

in the early hours of the morning, every day of the week, in Hong Kong parks and gardens, one of the most popular and puzzling forms of “keep-fit” in the East is enacted — Tai Chi Chuan. , It all began when a bird swooped down from a tree and started a vicious attack on a snake. The serpent evaded the attacks time and time again by coiling itself so as to present no vulnerable target to the,, lance-like beak. Finally, the bird tired from its repeated attempts, relaxed.. * Instantly the snake struck back — and so accurate was £ its venomous aim that in seconds the bird lay dead. This life and death struggle was observed by a Taoist priest named Cheung Sam-fung, a legendary name in a long •, line of famous Chinese boxers who lived during the Sung Dynasty (960-1279 AD). From this, it is said, Cheung evolved the art of Tai Chi Chuan (which literally means “great ultimate fist”), for self-defence.' Priests in those days were often the targets of robbers. Religion barred priests from carrying weapons, so Tai Chi Chuan became the substitute and proved to be a very effective deterrent against attack. Today, virtually ail those who practise it do so to promote health rather than for its value in overpowering an assailant.

“Shadow boxers” are early risers. From dawn, thousands of Tai Chi Chuan practitioners can be seen all over Hong Kong, in parks and gardens, on rooftops, and on tiny balconies high above street level. For a few hours each day the territory’s Chinese population moves together ! in harmony “catching a peacock’s tail,” “playing the ; guitar,” and even “finding a needle at the bottom of : the sea.” These are some of the enchanting names given to the movement sequences. » The movements, performed deliberately as if in slow ! motion, are .aimed at giving perfect balance. Most I movements are performed in a semi-crouching position ' which gives greater muscular control. It is claimed ! that through Tai Chi Chuan taut nerves are relaxed, and that functions of the internal organs are improved through deep breathing. The circulation of the blood is i | believed to be stimulated. ' < It is a popular remedy for rheumatism, among other I ailments, and it is even said to cure some “incurable j diseases.” It is a part of Hong Kong that melts away as ■ the morning draws on and commuters take to the I streets, buses, ferries, anditrains, brief-cases in hand—• | ’>• ( many of them Tai Chi Chuan practitioners only hours <before. ‘ ‘ :