Chinese Opera Artists - Health secrets of Peking Opera masters

Born in 1934, Mei can still trounce a 20-something in wrist wrestling and usually works till midnight.

It is surprising but true that most Peking Opera masters usually enjoy better health, a longer average life span, and to top it off, more peace of mind than you or I do.

The profession itself requires a strict, lifelong diet in to protect the throat of the performer, diligent yet not too harsh Kongfu practice to finesse and perfect on-stage movements, and a lifestyle free of unhealthy indulgences in order to maintain the "Qi" of a Peking Opera master. It is certain they all have their own personal health secrets that we might learn from too.

Trust me, none of their tips are recommended by physicians. But, by Zen practitioners? Maybe. And that's why you should consider giving them a try.

Mei Baojiu: good eyesight equals energy

As a top-class national performer, Mei Baojiu is one of China's most distinguished Peking Opera performers and enjoys a worldwide reputation for his splendid achievements. Talent runs in the family; his father was the Peking Opera legend Mei Lanfang.

Born in 1934, Mei can still trounce a 20-something in wrist wrestling and usually works till midnight. These facts have actually stunned those who got to know the master, since everybody seems to suffer an ebb in well-being in a time of relentless competition.

One of the most frequently mentioned bits of advice dispensed by Mei is to stay away from heavy foods, not to mention fast food. And he does not mean go easy, or don't treat yourself often, he means give it up for life.

Another secret lies in good eyesight. Mei reminds us that Peking Opera performances require excellent eyesight, as eye-expression is one of the most important body languages in the art. In order to maintain his eyes in good condition, Mei raises pigeons and follows their "dances" in the sky with the naked eye.

This advice is indeed of a bit of Buddhism yet easy to understand, for eyes are the windows of our soul and thus need to be sharpened by daily workouts, not by watching TV, that's for sure.

Say you are motivated by such a lifestyle… then take up a hobby, be it Peking Opera or Chinese painting, because they are themselves excellent carriers of culture and effective tools for self-cultivation as well. In Chinese tradition, a well-cultivated and disciplined person would certainly have good eyesight. Don't ask for physical evidence, it's just "Qi" at work.

Li Muliang: live and learn

This 91-year-old master has produced many classic repertoire tunes for many classic repetories with Chinese violin for modern Peking Opera and is now considered a "state treasure."

Despite a passion for his instrument that makes this elderly gentleman rather more active than his peers, Li believes in the doctrine that one should study as long as one lives, and that's what keeps a master, even one of his age, much more healthy than average folks.

One may wonder if this has anything to do with health at all; well, it has. Modern science has proved that the more we keep stimulating our brain with new information, the more active it will remain, which is actually a highly-recommended strategy for weathering the aging process.

Another interpretation of this health code is that keeping physically and mentally busy will reward you beyond your expectations. Li the Peking Opera Master enjoys cooking, reading and painting, whenever he has the time. Can you image yourself at 91 still having the strength and will to engage in all these activities? If you can't, start now, and learn from the master.

Zhang Xuejin: a light heart lives long

Zhang Xuejin, 60, also comes from a distinguished family. His father, Zhang Junqiu, earned a place in the history of Peking Opera by founding the "Zhang School."

Those familiar with the artist say he never once displayed a bad temper or even bad mood. "He is always the most cheerful one around," said his student Wang Jinzhong, also a first-class national Peking Opera performer.

The secret lies in a light heart. Zhang has repeated his motto many times: a light heart lives long. He attributes it to Shakespeare, but this is a typical life code for Chinese too, as the old tradition always advised people remain open-minded and to pay less attention to gains and losses, a state designed to bring about internal peace and well-being.

Follow all these tips up and start becoming a person of wisdom and health today.