This morning I woke up early and drove about an hour and a half from Long Island to Columbus park Chinatown in Manhattan. My intention was to take photos of people who gather each morning to practice Tai Chi in the Park. I wanted to share these photos on my website. Traffic was clear today on the Long Island expressway so I arrived on time just before 7 AM.
When I arrived there was plenty of metered parking on Mott St. I put money in the parking meter and parked my car. I took a short walk up Mosco St. to Columbus park but when I got to the park entrance the gate was locked. Just then I saw a group of Tai Chi players practicing Tai Chi outside the park gate entrance so I walked over to the group to take some photos. The teacher looked very familiar to me, as I got closer to the group I realized it was my Tai Chi teacher Lin Sai Ying. Twenty or so years ago I would practice the Yang Tai Chi 24 form with Lin Sai Ying in Columbus park after working the night shift in midtown. My work hours as a photo retoucher were 7 PM - 7 AM. After work, I would drive to Chinatown to practice Tai Chi before my drive home to Long Island. It was good to see Lin Sai Ying after so much time had passed and also great to see she was still teaching and practicing Tai Chi in Columbus park Manhattan each morning.
At approximately 7:10 AM Lin Sai Ying and the group moved into the park, as usual, to continue practicing Tai Chi. After taking some photos of Lin Sai Ying and the rest of her students I walked around Columbus park and took a few pictures of other people practicing Tai Chi, Qigong, and exercise.
If you ever find yourself in Manhattan NYC and want to practice Tai Chi, take Tai Chi lessons or sightsee Tai Chi, try visiting Columbus park Chinatown NYC around 7:15 AM Monday - Friday.
Columbus Park, one of New York's first urban parks, gained its name in 1911. Named after Christopher Columbus, it has also been called Mulberry Bend Park, Five Points Park, and Paradise Park.
People of all ages and cultures gather daily at Columbus Park.
Learn more about Columbus Park, Chinatown New York.
Are they still teaching?