UNDER THE ASIAN INFLUENCE

I have a neighbor named Min. Min is Chinese and does not speak English. I am American and don't speak Chinese, but under Min's tutelage I am having a Karate Kid experience. Min in my coach/teacher. I walk each morning, then do a round of exercises that she leads, then take a Tai Chi lesson. When Min smiles I become a happy child. It's a good thing because there's a real nip in the air at 7:00 AM and we do everything outside.

As a child, I had the common sense of a flea, and have never liked hats and gloves, but as I mimic Min I wear a skull cap and gloves when I work out. I'm not into suffering needlessly. The exercise reveals all sorts of things my aging body has difficulty doing. The cold brings my arthritic joints to life. Muscles that had not been used often sing out for attention. I can't stop that, but I can wear a hat and gloves!

Min executes everything gracefully. When I compare to her, I am one of the Keystone Cops, so I dare not compare to her. I laugh too much when I do! As I compare myself to myself, I can see slight progress. It has to do. Min doesn't appear to mind that I am learning so slowly. I think she's pleased that I want to learn.

One day Min asked (through an interpreter) how old I am, and when I told her I was 69 she laughed! To her I am young. That makes me wonder how old she is, but I don't dare to ask. As she stands on one leg with her hands clasped behind her back liftening and shaking a foot for an extended time, and I mimic, step on the ground, try again, and step on the ground, I marvel at her sense of balance. Min has destroyed any concept I held of a little old lady. She's taller than the other Chinese women and could lead a class of young women and give them a true work out.

When East meets West, West benefits.