Tai Chi has always been a symbol of Chinese culture and is becoming popular around the world.

One thing that makes Tai Chi popular is its value in health. As you move, you breathe deeply and naturally, paying your attention to your body. This helps you relax and find peace in your mind. According to Harvard Health, Tai Chi is suitable for almost anyone, from healthy people to those who have disease. This is because its movements are never forced—the muscles (肌肉) are relaxed.

What makes Tai Chi even more interesting might be the philosophical (哲学的) ideas behind it. The word “Tai Chi” comes from Taoism (道家), which thinks that inaction, opposite to action, is the way to solve problems. That’s why Tai Chi movements are slow and soft. It is not used to fight an enemy it is used to protect yourself. That doesn’t mean it is weak though. The secret of Tai Chi is to use softness to beat hardness.

When you think of Tai Chi, you might think of the famous yin-yang diagram (图形). It shows how ancient Chinese people saw the world. The world is full of yin and yang: dark and light, soft and hard, male and female, life and death. But they do not absolutely opposite each other. After a dark night, the sun will rise. Leaves fall in autumn but grow in spring. Everything keeps changing—that’s how we should see the world.

Tai Chi also pays attention to the balance between yin and yang. For example, if you work too hard and feel tired, you have too much “yang”. So it’s time for you to calm down and get more “yin”. This idea of keeping a healthy balance can be used in almost everything in life. It makes Tai Chi far more than just a Chinese Kungfu.

Recently, there has been a survey called “Where do you usually go in your spare time?” in Yu Cai Middle School. 1,500 students have taken part in the survey. They have been to different places for fun, for exercise or for knowledge. They may go to a park, a sports field, a cinema or a museum.

Most students believe their experiences of visiting different places make a difference to their lives. They not only bring them a lot of fun, but also help them open up their eyes. They usually go to the sports field to exercise and reduce stress. It can make them happier and stronger. And they also go to the library to read books for relaxation. As for the museum, they say that they can learn more in different fields. We can learn more about the survey from the following charts.

Which place is the most meaningful to visit for students?

Why do people think going to the library is meaningful?

Because of COVID-19, people may have bad feelings, such as sadness, worries and fear. Helping yourself and your family members keep a positive attitude will be very important. Here are four ways to keep your body and mind strong.

When you stay at home for a long time, it is normal to feel upset or worried. The first step is to recognize and accept these feelings. 【小题1】 Don’t hide your feelings.

【小题2】

Keep a balanced diet and follow a daily plan. People who stay at home for a long time may easily have their life turned upside down. Some people may stay up late at night and fail to get up during the day. Sleep is important for your personal health. 【小题3】

Exercise is also a good way to make us relaxed. Even a small amount of exercise can make you feel better. At this special time, you probably could not do much outdoor exercise. 【小题4】 If you need exercise tips, try downloading an app or find them online.

【小题5】 It is easy for us to connect with relatives and friends. Call someone or send a private message on WeChat.