We have decided to do Qi Gong in the park everyday. Last night I had coffee and as a result had another terrible nights sleep, I am still not over jet lag, and it really was silly to make it worse. Any way, up at 7.00am and out to play in the park. Today we had a lovely spot looking out over the lake which is a little piece of tranquillity in this busy city of at least 12 million. We started our lovely routine, which as a stiff old bird, I am finding hard to look elegant. Half way through our set an old lady came towards the back of our group and joined in, then another two. They have asked if they can join us every morning, so we are looking forward to seeing if they do.
Our group of old men were out doing keepy uppy again with a shuttle cock, while the ladies with the fan routine were out with swords today. It is such a fantastic start to the day, of course the weather is good, which helps, but taking time to practice something good is such a wonderful tradition.
Our day in the hospital involved a lecture by our professor of flying needles and watching him in his clinic. He seems to get the really chronic cases, and has amazing results. But to get any result requires lots and lots of treatment. Stroke patients are treated daily, some of whom are in patients at the hospital. We were delighted to then spend some time with a different doctor and his staff, who were actually doing things that were very familiar to us! We could say here that the treatment chosen, we would have chosen. It involved moxa, the only difference being that the moxa was left to burn the skin. (Do not worry I will not try this at home). It seems that many of the senior doctors have developed completely their own styles, all however routed in classic theory.
Then we were asked if we would like to experience a foot massage, I am not talking reflexology, this was a doctor standing on your back to massage it. Muggins here and here pals decided it was a good idea, unfortunately the poor young doctor had not anticipated my shot back, he looked shattered afterwards! So was I, I think moving however many tons of earth in the summer has finished it off!
This evening we spent it doing a bit of local shopping and had a little tea occasion in a tea emporium. Then I am sorry to say we went to a Haagen- Dazs and had ice cream.
Got my pants back from the laundry, nicely ironed.....