Saish Prabhu performs some taichi moves along The Bund in Shanghai. The Goa-born student has been practicing the martial art since 2011. Photos by Alywin Chew / China Daily

Before Saish Prabhu started learning taichi, the only impression he had of the Chinese martial art was that it was a leisurely fitness activity that elderly people practiced to keep fit.

However, this misconception was corrected in 2011 when he was introduced to a taichi practitioner by a fellow student at the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (SUTCM).

And all Prabhu needed was, literally, a push in the right direction.

Following an explanation about the concept and benefits of Yang-style taichi, Prabhu was given a live demonstration of how one's qi, or life energy, can be effectively harnessed by those skilled in the martial art.

The Indian was first instructed to displace his American school mate who had adopted a split stance, but no matter how hard he tried, the burly Caucasian just wouldn't budge from his spot. However, using what looked like a feather-like touch, the taichi practitioner, Ying Yangzhong, immediately sent the American hurtling backwards a few meters.

Awestruck but sceptical of what he had just witnessed, Prabhu asked if Ying could perform the feat again, but this time on him.