Young people flock to the Taoist temple: practicing Tai Chi, worshiping gods, and calming their minds and bodies.

On weekends, young people in the city flock to Taoist temples to learn Tai Chi, which has become a way for them to settle their minds and bodies.

Beijing Baiyun Temple offers free Tai Chi and Eight Section Brocade classes, and the spots are often fully booked within a minute. The majority of participants are young people. Because the classes are open to the public, some people who didn't register also come to learn.

"I especially like the atmosphere of the temple. Every time I come, I will also worship the God of Wealth," "Practicing Tai Chi has cured my insomnia. After practicing, my body feels relaxed and my mood is cheerful."

Not only Baiyun Taoist Temple, but also Taoist temples in cities like Qingyang Palace in Chengdu and Xuanmiao Temple in Suzhou have opened Tai Chi public welfare classes, and more and more young people are actively participating.

Professor Xiang Biao pointed out the "hummingbird state", which has resonated with many people. The hummingbird is a very small bird that must oscillate its wings at a high frequency to keep itself afloat in the air. Focusing on practicing Tai Chi and Eight Section Brocade in Taoist temples is like self-settling for many young people, just like a hummingbird fluttering its wings.

"When the body is weak, we go to practice; when the mind is weak, we also go to practice."

Young people flock to Taoist temples to settle their body and mind.

In the Baiyun Temple, there are green pines and cypresses, and the birds are chirping. It's hard to imagine that within the Second Ring Road of Beijing, there is such a tranquil Taoist temple. Upon entering, one's mood immediately changes.

Every weekend, in the Xiaopenglai Courtyard, there are Tai Chi and Ba Duan Jin public classes, mainly attended by migrant workers, college students, and unemployed youth from Beijing. They practice moves such as embracing the yin and yang, separating the wild horses' manes, and grasping the sparrow's tail... Each move is executed with precision. It may seem slow and effortless, but trying it out for yourself reveals the need for intense focus.

The public classes are open to everyone and completely free. They began in 2017 and were temporarily suspended due to the pandemic. When they officially resumed last year, young people were surprisingly enthusiastic in signing up. Often, all the spots would be taken within a minute, but because the classes are held outdoors and completely open, those who missed out would still come to learn.

The teacher of the public welfare class is a 16th generation disciple of the Wudang Sanfeng sect. He started learning at Wudang Mountain at the age of 11 and came to Beijing two years ago to teach Wudang martial arts.

"Before the epidemic, the people who came to Wudang Mountain to study were mostly middle-aged and elderly. After the epidemic, more young people are inclined to come. Many young people have actually talked to me. When the pressure of work and study is particularly high, their enthusiasm has been worn away. They may see Wudang Mountain or this kind of practice as a gas station to go back and maintain a passionate state. When the body is weak, we practice, and when the mind is weak, we also practice."

Another teacher, Deng Jiayi, is a disciple of Li Xinjun, the supervisor of Baiyun Temple. "Master feels that the Taoist temple has a very good environment. As disciples with abilities, we open Tai Chi and Eight Section Brocade to the public in the form of public welfare classes, completely free of charge. I believe that in the near future, many Taoist temples may have this."

Teacher Deng Jiayi has practiced martial arts since childhood and has learned 7 sets of Eight Section Brocade. The set of Eight Section Brocade at Baiyun Temple is learned from Master Li Xinjun. "Like the Eight Section Brocade of the Wudang Sanfeng School, it is relatively soft and stable. But the set of Eight Section Brocade taught by Master is aimed at the sub-healthy population in Beijing, those who do not exercise regularly. The movements are simple, combined with strong force and breathing, allowing the qi and blood to circulate quickly, generating heat in the body, making the joints flexible. At this time, people will feel more relaxed and less prone to illness."

As for Tai Chi, it is a more advanced practice. "From my personal experience, I transitioned from martial arts to learning Tai Chi. In the past, I constantly learned some vigorous movements for competitions, which made me feel physically and mentally exhausted. Practicing Tai Chi makes people feel joyful and relaxed, both physically and mentally."

In the courtyard of Xiaopenglai, there is a large ginkgo tree. In the warm spring sunshine, the scent of Chinese medicine from the Taoist temple occasionally drifts over. Hou Shuxiang, a 26-year-old internet company programmer, is a student of tai chi class. She takes the subway for over an hour every Saturday to come to Baiyun Taoist Temple. She doesn't exercise regularly, saying, "I get tired climbing three or four floors. I sit at my desk for eight or nine hours at work. I feel mentally and physically exhausted. My back is hunched, and I can't stand up straight, but I have to sit there."

Struggling with insomnia and having previously learned the Eight Section Brocade in college, Hou Shuxiang seized the opportunity to join the tai chi class at Baiyun Taoist Temple. She said, "After practicing, I feel relaxed and at ease. It's easier to fall asleep at night, and I don't wake up as early in the morning."

Teacher Deng Jiayi has seen many urban white-collar workers like Hou Shuxiang. "In fact, many people in Beijing, due to the pressure of life and mental stress, have a tense and closed-off body. Long-term stress can lead to issues such as stiff shoulders and neck, and depression. Through long-term practice, people gradually become more optimistic because their breath is released."

31-year-old programmer Jiang Bin and his girlfriend's weekend activity is practicing Tai Chi together. The reason is that Jiang Bin had an asthma attack last year, and the doctor said it was due to poor resistance and lack of exercise. When he came to class for the first time, he was surprised to find that not only were there many young people in the class, but also in the Taoist temple. "Perhaps everyone places more hope on the pursuit of inner peace, seeking tranquility in their hearts."

Professor Xiang Biao pointed out the "hummingbird state", which resonated with many people. The hummingbird is a very small bird that must oscillate its wings at a high frequency to float in the air.

He said, "In a broader sense, the entire Chinese society has many people suspended. Everyone is busy working, busy pursuing a future. At the same time, the present is suspended, with no other meaning except as a tool for the future. Working hard is not because they enjoy the work, but often to save enough money so that they don't have to do this job in the future.

Everyone is pursuing a better tomorrow, but they are not sure what a better tomorrow looks like. What they can be sure of is that today's life is not worth living, so they need to deny the present and cannot truly engage in reality."

For many young people, focusing on practicing Tai Chi and the Eight Section Brocade in Taoist temples is like a self-settling of the hummingbird's wings, making today's life worth living.

Below are the self-descriptions of the students.

Simple happiness

Zhang Naimin, 25 years old, lawyer

I came to Beijing from my hometown Harbin in May last year. I really didn't expect the traffic pressure in Beijing, especially on Line 10. I feel like the pace is very fast every day, whether it's going to work or going home, I have to run and squeeze into the subway.

When I arrived at Baiyunguan, I felt like I entered a different environment, where people's hearts can really calm down.

I am quite sensitive and have trouble sleeping at night. I often have vivid dreams and wake up early. According to traditional Chinese medicine, my liver is too active and my spleen and stomach are damp and hot. I read online that practicing Baduanjin and Tai Chi can improve my physical condition, so I signed up. I heard that it's all booked within 1 minute and 30 seconds, and if you're not fast enough, you won't get a spot.

In this fast-paced life, everyone is actually trying to save themselves. My weekend schedule is packed. I go to practice Baduanjin on Saturday morning and Tai Chi on Sunday afternoon. I live near Panjiayuan on Line 10, and it takes me 1 hour and 20 minutes for a one-way trip. But I always look forward to it. I call the day I practice "energy day."

I especially enjoy the smell of incense at the temple. When I enter, I light incense, pay respects to the God of Wealth, walk to Xiaopenglai, and then start practicing.

The Eight Pieces of Brocade has functional aspects, such as "regulating the spleen and stomach with a single lift" and "shaking the head and swaying the tail to clear the heart fire." When practicing at home without incorporating breathing, after coming to Baiyun Temple and learning to coordinate with breathing from the teacher, the whole body heats up, and the overall energy level increases. Sleep has also improved, feeling sleepy around 10 pm and sleeping until after 9 am the next day.

I learned Tai Chi from Teacher Ziyu, and he taught each movement very meticulously. After the New Year, when the classes started, I was particularly anxious before the New Year, and everything was on my mind, causing internal consumption. I even cried when I got home at night. After coming to practice every week, my overall physical and mental state improved, and I became less concerned about some things.

I used to love eating super spicy food, the kind that makes your ears smoke after eating. Now I pay more attention to my diet and eat lighter foods, like winter melon soup and mixed grain rice.

The process of practicing has made me more interested in Taoist culture. For example, this year during the Qingming Festival, Baiyun Temple held a universal salvation ceremony. I was raised by my grandmother, and I registered for her as well. On that day, I specially came to listen to the Taoist priests chanting and performing salvation rituals. I also signed up as a volunteer at Baiyun Temple, hoping to have the opportunity to participate and contribute to Taoist culture.

Jiang Bin, 31 years old, programmer

I am from Liaoning and work as a programmer in Beijing. The work intensity is quite high, and everyone is very hardworking. There are many outstanding people around me. Last year, I suddenly had an asthma attack and went to the hospital for a check-up. The doctor said it was because my resistance was too weak and I lacked exercise.

I realized that it was true. I go to work and then go home every day, and there is little variation. Even on weekends, I just stay at home and use my phone. Later, my girlfriend suggested that we join the Baiguan Temple's Eight Section Brocade course.

This year, they also started a Tai Chi class. Maybe more people knew about the Baiguan Temple's public welfare classes, and we didn't manage to secure a spot, but we still come together every weekend to learn.

The process of learning is very comfortable. I didn't expect that in the area within the second ring road of Beijing, where there are tall buildings and concrete, there is such an ancient Taoist temple. Practicing Tai Chi inside gives a different artistic conception, very relaxing.

In the gym, I always feel the gaze of others, feeling embarrassed and worried that I might not be doing the exercises correctly. But here, everyone is a beginner, practicing outdoors under the open sky, starting from scratch together, with a teacher specifically guiding you, making me, an introverted person, feel more at ease.

After exercising, my breathing becomes noticeably smoother, especially in spring. I usually have allergies, but this year I haven't felt any allergic reactions.

Before coming here, I thought that Ba Duan Jin and Tai Chi were mainly practiced by the elderly, very slow, and couldn't keep up with the pace of young people. But after coming here, I found that it's not the case at all. It requires you to concentrate and think about whether each movement is standard. In fact, each movement requires a high level of precision.

During the lunch break at work, I review the movements in the nearby park, afraid of forgetting what I learned before going to Baiyun Taoist Temple on the weekend. We work as programmers, which requires concentration, but sometimes when working for a long time, it's easy to lose focus. After practicing Tai Chi, I feel that there has been some improvement in this aspect, and I can concentrate better on thinking about complex problems.

I have also recommended it to my colleagues. At first, they were very surprised, "You are actually practicing Tai Chi? Isn't that something for retirement?" Gradually, they became interested and wanted to learn with me when they saw me going to practice at noon.

I used to be a rather impatient person. Once I had an idea, I had to go and implement it. But after practicing, I was able to calm down. When encountering problems, I may think more and not be so hasty.

There have also been some changes in my diet, lighter and paying attention to health. Especially after the asthma incident last year, I found that my resistance had weakened, which could bring about so many negative situations. So I have made improvements in all aspects of my life.

In fact, it's not just about learning the Eight Section Brocade and Tai Chi. There are many young people in the Taoist temple. I was also surprised when I came to the first class. It may be the influence of the current social environment. We have become indifferent to many things, objectively recognizing our own abilities and the resources around us. We feel that reaching the best level we can is enough, and there is no need to pursue material things or desires excessively. This has made our mood much calmer.

Cai Jiani, 20 years old, student at Beijing Dance Academy

I am from Beijing and have always been fond of traditional Chinese culture. I am currently watching the anime "The King's Avatar" and my favorite quote from it is "When one can remain tranquil, the whole world will come to him." This quote is from the Taoist scripture "The Scripture of Purity and Tranquility." I am a dancer myself, and Chinese classical dance is influenced by Tai Chi, so I want to learn it firsthand.

Nowadays, people spend a lot of time on their phones and tend to stay at home more during their free time. However, when at home, energy cannot be exchanged outward. Learning Tai Chi here gives me a sense of purification.

In the process, it feels like a return to the "id", and there is a kind of plain happiness in the quiet that cannot be found in the fast-paced life.

I usually come in the afternoon, the sunlight shines on the small Penglai's artificial rockery, and the cat basks in the sun there, like a painting, it feels very beautiful. When the wind blows, I can smell the breath of spring.

I usually practice Chinese classical dance, focusing more on the basic skills of dancing. Tai Chi emphasizes more on internal feelings. When my classmates ask me what I do on weekends and find out that I learn Tai Chi, they are a bit surprised. They ask, "How can you calm down in that place?" Then I proudly say, "Yes, I learn Tai Chi!"

During practice, I feel the influence of Taoist culture, which advocates a kind of non-contention with the world, taking care of oneself, and after cultivating one's body and mind, then taking care of others. I think this can also be applied in daily life.

Zeng Jia, a graduate student

I am a postgraduate student studying in Beijing. Last winter, I faced the pressure of my graduation thesis. My habit is to write the thesis at night and rest during the day, which led to a reversed day and night schedule. As a result, I felt very sleepy and lethargic all day long, and there were heavy marks of teeth on the edge of my tongue, indicating excessive dampness. People around me suggested that I practice the Eight Section Brocade. After practicing the Eight Section Brocade at Baiyun Temple, I also started taking Tai Chi classes this year. Although I didn't get a spot, I still come to learn every week.

It takes nearly an hour for a one-way trip from the Third Ring Road to Baiyun Temple, but I come here every Saturday and Sunday. After more than a month of practice, I clearly feel a transformation. I can easily fall asleep and my mental state has also improved a lot.

The teacher will first teach the stretching method, warm up for about 20 minutes, and then start learning the Eight Section Brocade or Tai Chi. The teachers explain it very well, and I remember this whole process very clearly. After returning to the dormitory, I will spend an hour practicing every morning. The more I practice, the more I like it. It has become a habit, and I must do it every day. This also reminds me not to stay up too late and try to get up earlier in the morning.

When my classmates saw my changes, they asked me when the next class would start and wanted to sign up as soon as possible.

My awareness of health has improved, and I will look up health books. I used to be afraid of getting hungry while writing papers at night, so I ate a lot during the day. Now I understand that I shouldn't eat too much.

The Eight Section Brocade requires the body to exert force in coordination with breathing. After practicing, the muscles and joints of the whole body feel very smooth, relaxed, and pleasant.

Tai Chi movements are more complex and gentle. I have only learned two classes and have not fully grasped its true essence. However, when practicing, my mind becomes calmer. Using the words of Tao Yuanming's poetry, it is "the mind is in servitude to form." During the process of practicing, gradually placing the mind at ease and focusing on oneself, there is less anxiety about the outside world.

This traditional health-preserving exercise only requires a small space, even in the hustle and bustle of the city. In a 4-square-meter space, one can stretch and practice a set. I believe it will become more and more popular.