Living La Vida Local: Time for Tai Chi, Tying Knots and Tea Tasting

Tiffany Wang | Jul 27, 2012 10:00 am | 3 comments | 1553 reads

The clammy weather has slowed life down in Beijing for a bit. Luckily, we have the perfect line-up of activities for you this week, many of which take place inside.

First up, tea tastings. Ordinarily the thought of sipping steaming tea in the summertime is dreadful. Right now, it sounds pretty damn cozy. Culture Yard’s got a workshop on oolong tea tonight, July 27 at 7pm, while The Hutong introduces several varieties on Saturday, July 28 at 2pm.

Then there’s the not-as-tedious-as-it-sounds Chinese Knots Class at the Beijing Mandarin School today from 1.30-3.30pm. Seriously, according to the Internet, this local handicrafts tradition dates all the way back to the prehistoric times. In the span of two hours, you can make a wall decoration for your home, a cell phone keychain or a bracelet. Pretty neat, if you ask me.

Did you know that China Culture Center hosts tai chi classes every Monday? Actually, we’re not entirely sure this exercise is suited for rainy weather, but it sure will give you peace of mind, no matter what it looks like outside. Call beforehand to reserve a spot.

And finally, get your butts over to the art auction at Yuanfen Flow on Saturday at 2.30pm. Proceeds benefit Golden Wings, a nonprofit organization committed to improving the lives of children with autism through art therapy. For more information, see our longer blog post on the event.

EVENTS (JUL 27-AUG 3)

Jul 27
Introduction to Tea - Oolong Tea
Learn the history and health benefits behind this tea while tasting its many varieties. RMB 70, RMB 50 (CY students). 7-9pm. Culture Yard (8404 4166)

Chinese Knots Class
Tie to your heart’s content. RMB 120. 1.30-3.30pm. Beijing Mandarin School, Guangming Hotel (8441 8391)

Jul 28
Culinary Walking Tour: Creating your own Chinese Kitchen
Create your own Chinese kitchen with the tips you get on seasonal shopping and food combining in this action-packed hour. RMB 100, RMB 80 (members). 12.30-2pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)

Full-Day Photography Workshop
Join Peter Carney on shooting and editing sessions in the surrounding hutongs. SLR required. RSVP at contact@cultureyard.net. RMB 500. 10am-6pm. Culture Yard (8404 4166)

Survival Chinese
Gain the vocabulary essential for getting by, from ordering food to bargaining. RMB 200, RMB 600 (advanced payment for 4). 10am-noon. Culture Yard (8404 4166)

Trap-Neuter-Return Workshop
Learn how to effectively and humanely manage the stray cat population. Register by Jul 15 at icvs_china@yahoo.com. Free. 1-2.30pm. ICVS (8456 1939/40/41)

Tea Lounge: Tea Tasting
Learn the history behind several varieties of tea, and how to taste, brew and select them. RMB 160, RMB 120 (members). 2-4pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)

Jul 29
Survival Chinese
Gain the vocabulary essential for getting by, from ordering food to bargaining. RMB 200, RMB 600 (advanced payment for 4). 10am-noon. Culture Yard (8404 4166)

Jul 30
Chinese Kitchen: Cantonese
Hone your quick stir-frying and steaming skills. RMB 249, RMB 200 (members). 7-9.30pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)

INN Monthly Meeting
Get expert advice on feeling great in Beijing from holistic health experts specializing in TCM, nutrition, fitness, stress management and more. RMB 50 (includes coffee and pastries). 10am-noon.The Capital Club Athletic Center (8486 2225 ext 136)

Life Drawing Club
Meet others and draw live models. Beginners welcome. Register at info@thehutong.com. RMB 70, RMB 60 (members). 7.30-9.30pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)

Tai Chi Class
What you get when you combine yoga and meditation. RMB 160, RMB 500 (4 classes). 10-11.30am. China Culture Center (6432 9341)

Jul 31
Chinese Bird Flower Painting Beginner’s Class
Bring peaceful images of nature to life with this thousand-year art tradition. RMB 160, RMB 500 (4 classes). 7-9pm. China Culture Center (6432 9341)

Chinese Kitchen: Homemade Organic Tofu
Soak, puree, cook, drain, pour and press your way to making creamy yet firm tofu. RMB 249, RMB 200 (members). 2.30-5pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)

Chinese Kitchen: The Basics
Cook savory dishes that require sugar to balance out the flavor. RMB 300. 2.30-5pm. Black Sesame Kitchen (136 9147 4408)

INN Night Out
Meet up with newcomers and long-term residents to swap stories about living in Beijing. RSVP by Jul 29 at innbeijing@hotmail.com. Free. 7-9pm. Venue TBD

Exploring Chinese Social Trends
Improve your topic-based conversational Chinese. RMB 60, RMB 35 (CY students). 7-8.40pm. Culture Yard (8404 4166)

Chinese Corner
Practice your Chinese and make new friends. Free. 1-3pm. Beijing Mandarin School (6508 1026)

Culinary Walking Tour
Create your own Chinese kitchen with the tips you get on seasonal shopping and food combining in this action-packed hour. RMB 100, RMB 80 (members). 9-10.30am. The Hutong (6404 3355)

Aug 1
Chinese Through Media
Discuss a new piece of current events every week. For intermediate to advanced Chinese speakers. First class is free. RMB 500 (4 sessions). 7-9pm. Culture Yard (8404 4166)

Chinese Kitchen: Gourmet Dumplings
Learn how to make delicious jiaozi with healthy local ingredients. RMB 249, RMB 200 (members). 10.30am-1pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)

Chinese Kitchen: Hand Pulled Noodles
Make meters of noodles and great sauces. RMB 249, RMB 200 (members). 7-9.30pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)

Talk: Smartphone Photography
Tips on making the most out of your phone’s camera. RMB 35. 7.30-8.30pm. Culture Yard (8404 4166)

Aug 2
Chinese Through Media
Discuss a new piece of current events every week. For intermediate to advanced Chinese speakers. First class is free. RMB 500 (4 sessions). 7-9pm. Culture Yard (8404 4166)

Live Zen: Practice & Meditation
Insight into the teachings of Zen Buddhism, with visits from real monks. RMB 150, RMB 480 (4 classes). 7.30-9.30pm. China Culture Center (6432 9341)

Chinese Landscape Painting Beginner’s Class
Bring peaceful images of nature to life with this thousand-year art tradition. RMB 160, RMB 500 (4 classes). 10am-noon. China Culture Center (6432 9341)

Aug 3
Chinese Kitchen: Cantonese
Seafood and stir-fry galore. RMB 249, RMB 200 (members). 10.30am-1pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)

Chinese Through Media
Discuss a new piece of current events every week. For intermediate to advanced Chinese speakers. First class is free. RMB 500 (4 sessions). 7-9pm. Culture Yard (8404 4166)

Chinese Corner
Practice your Chinese and make new friends. Free. 1-3pm. Beijing Mandarin School (6508 1026)

Photo: mi9.com

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BumbleBeeTou's picture BumbleBeeTou Submitted by Guest on Tue, 07/31/2012 - 13:00

Hey Tiffany. Thanks for the reply.

I would agree with you; CCC isn't teaching 'real' TaiChi. What they are teaching is a watered down, 'soft' style, that really can't be called TaiChi if it lacks any martial content.

Seeing as Chen style is considered one of the more 'aggressive' styles of taichi, that focuses a lot on explosive, slamming and smashing actions, it seems either the use of words like 'yoga and meditation combined', are extremely inappropriate, or, as we have both said, CCC simply doesn't know what it's taking about.

Chinese Culture Center? I think the CCC needs to learn more about Chinese culture.

twang's picture twang Submitted by Guest on Mon, 07/30/2012 - 10:58

Hi BumbleBeeTou,
According to our research, there's at least five traditional schools of taichi. Either CCC isn't teaching "real" taichi, or is focusing on a different style than the one you're familiar with. In any case, their exact description of the event is as follows: "Taichi, a moving form of yoga and meditation combined, is ancient Chinese meditative exercise for the body, aiming to foster a calm and tranquil mind. CCC's Chen Style Taichi master speaks English and has experience in teaching Westerners."

Tiffany Wang
Style & Living Editor, the Beijinger

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