At the entrance to the gym at Beijing Sport University's health qigong training center, a dark plaque with the two bright Chinese characters ping jing easily draws the attention of visitors.

Literally meaning calm in English, it is a state of mind demonstrated by the slow yet smooth moves of Hu Xiaofei, founder of the center.

He demonstrates iconic health qigong gestures in accordance with breathing rhythms during training sessions every Thursday afternoon.

Hu, a health professor at BSU and renowned health qigong master, always impresses visitors with his composed approach, but he stresses the practice delivers more than the just a quiet slow-motion exercise.

"Especially those under high pressure can achieve a health status combining mental serenity and physical fitness," Hu said. "But that only happens after long-term practice in peaceful mind."

"Qigong is neither a kind of superstitious behavior nor a religious habit. It's just a traditional health-maintaining exercise, which requires patience and focus."

After studying and practicing health qigong for more than 20 years, Hu has high reputation among practitioners globally but remains modest about his contribution its the popularization.

"I just try to share my understanding of the age-old exercise with as many people as possible," said Hu.

During the celebration of the United Nations' 5th Chinese Language Day in April, Hu demonstrated methods and gave speeches about the exercise's effect on fitness. Hu has earned recognition overseas, proven by his five consecutive sessions as chief judge of the International Health Qigong Tournament and Exchange from 2007 to 2013.

As the deputy director of International Health Qigong Federation's technical committee, Hu has visited more than 20 countries and regions to train local practitioners and has taught more than 1,000 overseas students since 2000.

Addis Ababa, an international student at BSU from Ethiopia who started to learn traditional Chinese health-preserving methods in 2012, hails Hu as an respected and approachable mentor.

"Teacher Hu is a true master of qigong who is always keen to share his knowledge with us without hesitation," said the 25-year-old.

"He's so patient when explaining us what it is and its difference from wushu or other forms of traditional Chinese exercise. His training helps me clear up many misunderstandings of the practice."

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily USA 11/28/2014 page14)