Senior people practice traditional aerobics at Temple of Heaven park in Beijing

Senior people practice Taiji sword at the Temple of Heaven park in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 19, 2020. For 68-year-old Zhang Liangui, the Temple of Heaven means more than a UNESCO World Heritage Site, since he often does morning exercise in the park around the historic site. On Aug.17, Zhang came early to warm up in a clearing surrounded by red walls and green trees amid echoes of birds and insects. Kicking, squatting, playing Taiji sword, a set of warm-up movements showed his flexible and sturdy physique. While warming up, he was waiting for master Yang Shuqin and other elderly friends. For more than six consecutive years, Zhang has followed master Yang Shuqin to work out on traditional Chinese aerobics like Taijiquan, Taiji fan and Baduanjin. Benefiting from constant practice of the sports, Zhang's hypertension and hyperlipidaemia have been cured, and even his bad temper has changed. Like Zhang, among the exercise group led by coach Yang Shuqin, most of the senior members have the similar experiences. Practicing traditional aerobics together not only has improved their physical condition significantly, but also enable them to make friends with others who have the same hobbies. According to coach Yang, under the support of local authorities, she began to teach traditional aerobics in the Temple of Heaven park in 2000. As a mass sport instructor, Yang Shuqin hopes to introduce them to more people, and "bring a happy and healthy later life to the elderly people, so that we won't be a burden to our young." (Xinhua/Meng Tao)