Tai chi

Tai chi at the Temple of Heaven, Beijing, on a Sunday in October 2007 A group in matching red trousers moves through a tai chi form in dappled light under the park's old trees. The Temple of Heaven is the classic place to watch Beijing's morning exercise: hundreds of people gather in its grounds every morning. Tai chi's slow weight shifts and deep, controlled stances work balance and leg strength without impact, which is why it suits beginners. Groups like this one rarely mind a quiet newcomer copying from the back row.