Wuhan, China
Friday, July 25, 2008

Today we “completed” our training in the eight steps of Tai Chi. I am certain that none of us, besides me of course, is ready to go out and practice this Chinese art form but it was a lot of fun to learn. After our morning session we were taken on a tour of the gyms facilities. The place has bowling, a climbing wall, squash courts, a gymnastics room, an indoor track and a ping pong/table tennis hall.

Dr. Mei does a demonstration for the class

I felt the need to show off some of tumbling skills at the gymnastics hall. I did a few rolls and then closed the session of with an impromptu performance of rhythmic gymnastics. In the absence of a proper ribbon I used a towel. If the Olympics had a Clydesdale division I would certainly be a medal favorite. I channeled my inner Will Farrell. I am sure that the many witnesses of my performance feel I am completely demented and without reason.

Will Farrell could not handle my skills on the mat

After lunch I took a quick nap. I have foolishly started napping in the afternoon before the second class. Foolish, because I will not be able to do this once I return to work. Our afternoon session was on acupuncture and other Traditional Chinese Medicines. Our instructor gave a lecture and showed us a short film of the methods of TCM and specifically, acupuncture. It was awesome.

The model

He took us to the on campus clinic after the first part of the lecture to demonstrate acupuncture. You have to know already that I volunteered to get stuck. He worked on my right ankle which really has not been the same since by car wreck nearly eleven years ago, has it been that long? So he stuck me with three needles in different points and then left them in for about twenty minutes after occasionally twisting and/or pulling on them. It did not hurt at all. I can honestly say that my ankle has more flexibility than it did yesterday so no complaints here.

Two in, one to go

The ankle really feels better

I spent the bulk of the night catching up on lesson plans, cleaning up the room, and packing to take off to the Wudang Shan Mountains for the weekend. We leave Hubei U. at 7:30am to catch a five hour rain to the mountains. The mountains are famous for their scenery and the prevalence of the Daoist culture. I grabbed a nightcap at our “local” with some of the gang, it is Friday night. It is nice to be recognized at a spot.

I will be out of pocket from the old internet this weekend so I will check back in with you on Monday morning.

There are more photos of the acupunture here