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Happy Dancing helps health - 1st September 2023

There are lots of old people in China. It's a problem for society. So, now it's important to keep old people healthy.

In China, people like exercising in big groups. People do exercises like tai chi in town squares. And now, 'Happy Dancing' is popular.

Yu Jicheng started this exercise. He's surprised by what happened.

Yu Jicheng: "When I first started to do this exercise, I had no idea that these people would follow me. I created this set of broadcast exercises unconsciously. As the old Chinese saying goes, 'An untended willow grows and provides shade'. I never expected that so many people would join me. What could I do? I had no choice but to continue."

Yu made the exercises in 2008. He still teaches groups every day. For him, Happy Dancing is special. People have to move different parts of their bodies.

Yu Jicheng: "Other broadcast exercises don't include movements that exercise the shoulders and hips, see, but ours do. The movements can aid with the recovery of conditions like frozen shoulder, arthritis, and others. Look at me, I'm 73 years old this year. Don't I look healthy? This is not something money can buy."

Yu is 73 years old. He's a good example! He wants the Happy Dancers to continue until they're 99.

Yingzi's a woman from Yu's city, Jiamusi. She loves Happy Dancing. She knows it helps her to stay healthy. She can see the difference.

Yingzi: "I come here every day, and I have been doing this exercise for 14 years. Since I started this exercise, my health has really improved, and I feel very young."

Happy Dancing groups are starting across China. That might help lots of old people stay fit and happy too.