Confucius Institute hosts Moon Festival
Jeff Sullivan
Issue date: 9/16/08 Section: News
"The advent of the Confucius Institute in Rhode Island has been, as they say, a game changer," said Carothers. "It is a new effort on behalf of the university to fully engage the Chinese community here in Rhode Island and New England, but also to bring to our students an opportunity to learn about, to work with [and] to be a part of the rising economic power in the world."
One interesting spectacle of the show was the Metal Chain (also called a steel whip), Tai Chi and Taiji Sword demonstrations. Wang Anling preformed all three displays, with long and flowing arcs and thrusts for the sword and amazing control of swinging circular strikes with the chain. The chain was traditionally used in the battlefield as a multi-purpose weapon. It could effectively stun a crowd of soldiers with its lasso-like rotations, but also could be used for a specific target by refocusing the circular momentum of the chain into a singular lateral direction. Much like the rock sling David used to defeat Goliath, the chain builds momentum by swinging in a fast circle and then is released in the direction of the target.
Wang also performed a Tai Chi form and breathing exercise. The breathing exercise is one of the more important aspects of Tai Chi, as it is believed to center one's chi, or living energy, in order to be focused into movements and strikes. While many may consider it a benign form of exercise and stretching, like Yoga, people forget that it is still a martial art and its ultimate purpose is for self-defense, not health benefits.
One interesting spectacle of the show was the Metal Chain (also called a steel whip), Tai Chi and Taiji Sword demonstrations. Wang Anling preformed all three displays, with long and flowing arcs and thrusts for the sword and amazing control of swinging circular strikes with the chain. The chain was traditionally used in the battlefield as a multi-purpose weapon. It could effectively stun a crowd of soldiers with its lasso-like rotations, but also could be used for a specific target by refocusing the circular momentum of the chain into a singular lateral direction. Much like the rock sling David used to defeat Goliath, the chain builds momentum by swinging in a fast circle and then is released in the direction of the target.
Wang also performed a Tai Chi form and breathing exercise. The breathing exercise is one of the more important aspects of Tai Chi, as it is believed to center one's chi, or living energy, in order to be focused into movements and strikes. While many may consider it a benign form of exercise and stretching, like Yoga, people forget that it is still a martial art and its ultimate purpose is for self-defense, not health benefits.
