Blimey the sun’s out! Tai Chi in the Square 2008
Phil Shelton -Kai Ming Association Instructor
I’m looking out the window at the miserable weather, trying to cast my mind back a few months ago to Tai Chi in the Square. What leaps to mind is the fact that the sun was out, in a summer lacking in any sustained warmth. This brings us round to the reason for this event, namely the environment, or Birmingham City’s attempt to raise awareness of issues pertaining to this topic. Kai Ming is involved as part of this concern.
I don’t get off to a good start on the day, by arriving late and missing the first segment. I hear the familiar relaxing music drifting across the stalls and stands, and follow this until faced with a great number of people in Centenary Square. These are a diverse bunch ranging from Kai Ming instructors and students, to idle passers by. As an incentive, participants are given a free commemorative white tee-shirt. Mark is positioned on a large stage, armed with only a microphone, starting a Chi Kung session. He intones people to breathe in, breathe out, sink and, above all, smile. This seems to work: people are genuinely enjoying themselves, relaxing in the sun.
This is followed by a demonstration of the fan, which is hugely impressive; it looks so graceful, with the martial application hidden. In direct contrast, there’s an impromptu demonstration from a kung fu guy who acrobatically hurtles across the grass, throwing himself about in a number of contorted moves, seemingly felling invisible opponents at will. On completion, this draws a round of applause. The gentleman joins his wife and children, puts on his glasses and goes on his way. A kind of Kung Fu Robert Crumb.
The day rounds off by a mini set from the Sun form which people can use at home. There is a knack to conveying the intimacy of tai chi to a large group, which Mark handles with aplomb. People seem to have genuinely enjoyed the session and are enthused to know more.
On my way home, beyond the fumes of the passing cars, a stillness pervades my body: breathe in, breathe out, it’s so simple. I find myself smiling; the sun continues to shine…
Article first appeared in the Kai Ming Tai Chi Chuan Newsletter: http://www.kaiming.co.uk/newletters/Nov_2008.pdf