Right here, meet Wuxia Guji 👋🏻.

I have gradually discovered that many people are losing faith in themselves, losing their strength and axis, and beginning to uncontrollably spread negative assimilation. The crowd is diverging; I am startled to see those who once stood before me or walked beside me coming to a standstill. I tried to change things, but found it futile—I cannot intervene. Thus, I have retracted my mental energy and placed it back upon myself. Others have their own paths; I no longer intrude.

I withdrew my emotions and interventions so they no longer cloud my thinking, and I continue on my own path. Writing and continuously updating my “Personal User Manual” has become an urgent necessity. Based on my recent reflections and adjustments regarding various sports, let’s start with movement. I will slowly expand this to other aspects; if it happens to influence a few people, it would be an honor.

In the gym, you are passive; it feels like a chore or a mission, and the space is narrow and enclosed. People often listen to music or use machines while being distracted. My favorite activity in the gym is running—I prefer starting to run immediately rather than fast walking or incline walking. A run that doesn’t produce sweat or last 30 minutes is unthinkable; my OCD threshold is at least 30 minutes. Only then do I move to the equipment. Although gym slogans say “anaerobic before aerobic,” I personally prefer starting with some cardio to quicken the breath and sweat before moving to weights.

This is a method I’ve explored through trial and error, fitting for my new series “Personal User Manual”—discovering what suits me in all activities instead of questioning why I “can’t do it” during a breakdown. Everyone’s factory settings are different. I happen to be someone who believes in destiny and genetic code. Just this morning, I was listening to Luo Yonghao’s podcast and found myself laughing at certain points. Luo mentioned being a naturally combative person; he took a genetic test which showed he was in the top 0.3% of the population for stress tolerance. He was disappointed, as he thought this was a skill he had cultivated. He also mentioned he gains energy from arguments and confrontations—a trait supported by literature.

Even while believing in destiny and genetic code, I also completely believe in subjective initiative—a ‘my fate is in my hands’ kind of momentum. These two are not contradictory. Belief in destiny drives me to find the path that fits; belief in subjective initiative allows me to drive myself towards set goals with unwavering resolve. This compatibility allows me to turn back and run when a path is wrong, ignoring sunk costs.

Movement as Focus

Climbing is different; it demands your absolute focus on the present. You can’t have anything in your pockets, and ideally, no headphones. You focus only on the now—feeling the strength in your arms, the friction against the rock, the slide of your feet, finding the pivot for the descent. You are engaged from the start. Unlike the gym, where it feels like a chore until the dopamine kicks in after 20 minutes, climbing is immersive immediately.

In the climbing gym, you can stay for hours without boredom. You can sit on a soft chair, look up, and observe others, or start a conversation at any time. The crowd is a mix of ages, genders, professions, and nationalities. You observe others as equals—watching why someone can summit while you stay halfway, or why a small child can navigate a route you cannot.

The other day, a five-year-old boy kept competing with me. Every time he reached a certain spot, he got stuck. I followed behind him intentionally. He wasn’t a skilled climber; his innocence and fragility were endearing. Displaying vulnerability is sometimes necessary. He climbed again and again, got stuck again and again, and kept inviting me to compete. Because I was enjoying the playfulness, every time I saw him fall, I would relax my body and let the rope carry me down until I lay on the floor.

“Come on, let’s race!” “One more time!” “Let’s compete again!”

He took my hand, saying he wanted to take me to his house to play. I smiled and touched his hair: “Okay, I remember. I’ll visit you next time, okay? Or tell me when you’re coming here again.” He insisted. His mother nearby said they had to go home. I asked how old he was.

Boy: “I’m 1,000 years old.” Wuxia: “Oh, I’m already 2,000 years old. I’m older than you; I’ve lived on this Earth for a long time.”

We were both sliding down freely on the ropes when I said this, eventually landing on the mats. A child’s innocence and imagination always soften the heart.

The Dance of the Self

As for dancing, the early stages usually involve teaching one move at a time. However, I wish to just follow the music and move. Fewer rules, more movement and spontaneity. But I find very few teachers who think this way. It depends on the teacher’s state. Younger teachers without a personal style can be stiff, unable to interact. Strict teachers obsess over every movement, which I find draining.

So I try classes from different teachers. I love the lyrical choreography of Wan Wan, the Hip-Hop of Gussi, and the Zumba with Chris. Lyrical choreography is complete release, flowing with emotion; it’s like an emotional discharge. Gussi’s Hip-Hop class is also joyful. Although he is an introvert, he talks a lot in class, interspersing personal experiences and insights. Most importantly, he provides a pressure-free sense of humor. He refuses to change his style even when students report him for talking too much; he gains joy from the interaction. Zumba is also pure happiness—not bound by moves, just following the rhythm. Sea’s class is powerful; the teacher is cool, sexy, and the dance is a mix of both.

The direct feeling these classes give me is that the person comes before the dance. I value the individual over their functional utility.

My principle for dance is: movement first, technique second. Everyone is born a dancer; you just need to find the right frequency and music and start moving.

To be continued…

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• Email: rightheretc@163.com