Topics ranged from the economy to music to culture at the third annual “Introduction to Asia Conference.” Sponsored by the UTC Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Geography, the conference included a series of presentations by leading experts in the fields of anthropology, music, history, and geography.
Dr. Zibin Guo, UC Foundation Professor of Anthropology, presented “Stand like a Tree, Move like Water: The Cultural Metaphor of Tai Chi Movements.” Guo, a long-time practitioner of Tai Chi, explained how values of Asian culture are reflected in Tai Chi, one of the ancient martial arts, which has roots in China. Gou explained how values of Asian culture are reflected in the ancient martial art, which has roots in China. Guo has developed an adaptive form of Tai Chi to benefit persons who use wheelchairs.
Guo began his presentation with a quote from anthropologist Barbara Miller, “American football can also been seen as a model for corporate culture. There is a clear hierarchy of leadership, the quarterback, and its goal of territorial expansion by taking over areas from competition.”
According to Guo, Tai Chi models the values of Asian culture by using strong, fluid movements to control of one’s mind and create a strong body.
“Tai Chi is a way of training your body like water,” Guo said. “Water is soft, but has a lot of power.”
