A former kick boxer is trying to spread tai chi to youngsters in Shanghai with free training classes that have attracted hundreds of white-collar workers, the sort of people who previously scoffed at the martial art as something to keep the elderly busy.

Huang Zhongda, who spent 10 years mastering tai chi before opening up a training center at Shanghai Stadium last December, says many young people are taking up the exercise to stay fit.

His center offers free training for beginners, but members who wish to master the skill are expected to pay for lessons.

"The number of new members is increasing almost every day, even some in their early 20s come for tai chi though it was traditionally thought of as a sport for elders before," said Huang.

"People have many misunderstandings about tai chi. They consider it a movement only designed for elders," Huang said. "But that was never the truth."

Born in Chongming County, Huang practiced kick boxing for 20 years and won many matches, but an illness forced him from the ring.

He went into business, but found he spent too much time drinking with associates and not enough getting exercise.

"I could feel myself getting weaker and weaker day by day," Huang said. "At last I choose tai chi to keep fit."

Last year, famed tai chi master Chen Xiaowang named Huang his eleventh disciple.

"Chen told me that tai chi is not a simple movement elders play without using their minds." Huang said. "Real tai chi contains a series of skills and trick that make it different from common sports, but somewhat like kung fu, requiring repeated and accurate movements."

Now Huang's disciples are teaching elders almost every morning from 7 AM to 10 AM in Zhabei Park for free, rectifying their nonstandard movements and showing them new skills.
 
"Thousands of tai chi fans have learned from me or my disciples and changed their attitude and former misunderstandings to the movement, many of whom are young persons." Huang smiled.

Earlier this year, Huang's tai chi training center has signed agreements with the city's cancer clubs, dispatching his disciples to give free lessons to those battling the disease.

(Shanghai Daily June 23, 2007)