Learn Min Chinese

Learn Min Chinese Getting to Know Min Chinese ChaptersThe Origins of Min ChineseThe Varieties of Min ChineseThe Difference Between Min Chinese and other Chinese LanguagesGetting Min Chinese Lessons“To have another language is to possess a second soul.” - CharlemagneChina is a vast country with a fascinating culture including Chinese languages. In terms of language, Chinese has a few tricks up its sleeves. In fact, Chinese isn’t one single language or just Mandarin but rather a group of related languages, regional varieties, and a multitude of dialects. One of these languages is Min Chinese.This Chinese language is spoken in the south of the country (mainly in the Fujian Province) by around 70 million people. This figure is quite important as it shows there are around as many people speaking Min Chinese as there are people in the UK. It shows that Min Chinese is more than just a Chinese dialect or an accent but rather a language that has its own history and culture linked to it.So what makes Min Chinese different to Mandari n, Cantonese, and Wu?You’ll have the answers to your questions soon enough as this is exactly the topic of this article! NingChinese Teacher 5.00 (10) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorraineChinese Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoyceChinese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicoleChinese Teacher £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KatyChinese Teacher £16/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YangChinese Teacher £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChengChinese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Origins of Min Chinese“The more languages you know, the more you are human.” - Tomáš Garrigue MasarykFrom Taiwan to Yunnan, the Great Wall to Hangzhou, Chinese languages take on many different forms depending on where you are. Min Chinese is a fine example of just that. It has a long history and has played an important role for the Chinese civilisation.Each language has its own interesting nuances and accompanying culture. (Source: sasint)Fujian is where Min is mainly spoken, in the southeast of mainland China, near Taiwan. Following the defeat of the Minyue Kingdom, the region was subject to waves of immigration. This took place around 110BC.While most variants of Chinese arose during the Medieval Period, Min Chinese had been around for ages at this point. Linguists estimate that the oldest dialects of Min Chinese diverged from other Chinese languages around the time of the Han dynasty.This has helped make Modern Min Chinese the language we know today. Jerry Norman, a sinologist, identified four main layers of Modern Min Chinese vocabulary:A non-Chinese layer that originated from Minyue languages.Ancient Chinese vocabulary that Han Dynasty colonists brought to the Fujian region.Vocabulary from the Northern and Southern Dynasties period.A literary layer from the koiné of Chang’an, the capital of the Tang dynasty.There’s a rich history to be discovered and another great reason to learn more about the language, travel to where it’s spoken and discover the particularities of this fascinating lexicon.The Varieties of Min ChineseJust like customs in China and Asia, Min Chinese has a large variety of different local variations within in a single language. Firstly, you should know that Min Chinese is thought of as one of the most varied Chinese languages. This means that it has a large number of different dialects.Just like there's no single Chinese language, there's also no single dialect of Min Chinese. (Source: Engin_Akyurt)We’ve mentioned that Min Chinese is spoken in the Fujian region and the east of Guangdong. It also spread to the islands of Taiwan and Hainan as well as along the southern coastal parts of mainland China. Min Chinese is also spoken in other southern regions such as Shengsi, Putuo, and Wenzhou, as well as in smaller villages and nearby r ural areas. There are a few main variants of Min Chinese:Min Bei is spoken around Naping, in the Fujian Province.Min Dong is present in the Fuzhou region, the capital of Fujian Province.Min Nan is the largest of the dialects and is spoken in a number of different places in Guangdong and Taiwan.Min Zhong is the variety spoken in the Sanming prefecture.Pu-Xian Min is spoken in Putian and Xianyou County.In short, Min Chinese has a good number of variants, rendering the language rich, diverse, and interesting.The Difference Between Min Chinese and other Chinese LanguagesNow that you’ve seen where the language is spoken and the different dialects, would you like to know exactly what makes it a language in its own right and not just a dialect of another Chinese language, such as Wu Chinese?With so many different variants, it can be tricky choosing the right one to learn. (Source: ItthiC)There are a few things that make Min Chinese worthy of being called a language rather than being cons idered a dialect of Mandarin, for example.  Min Chinese actually uses the same characters as Mandarin Chinese for a number of terms. By that, we mean that certain characters have a shared root with those used in Mandarin. There are a few special characters also used, mainly for words that don’t have an obvious etymological root, an alternate pronunciation, or a different meaning.All these differences make us think that employing a private Min tutor is probably the best solution for learning how to speak the language. Given just how difficult Chinese can be for those in the West to learn, it’s probably better to enlist the help of someone who’s more familiar with the language as well as all the related culture.If you’re really struggling with the characters, don’t forget that you can romanise them in order to make them easier to pronounce.What’s romanisation?This is when you convert the writing system of a foreign language into the Latin alphabet that all English speakers are used to. Of course, this won’t always work as we don’t necessarily have letters that accurately represent the pronunciation of certain Chinese phonemes.And you may not even use romanisation during your Cantonese language lessons!Getting Min Chinese Lessons“Knowledge of languages is the doorway to wisdom.” - Roger BaconAfter having learnt a bit about Min Chinese, what do you reckon?It’s certainly a rich and interesting language that’s worth learning and speaking.When you learn a language, you also learn more about the history and culture of the places where it's spoken. Put simply, languages can open doors! (Source: naidokdin)So why not get a private Min tutor to help you learn it?A tutor could help you learn the language as well as all about life in modern China, the history of the country, traditions around the nation, and help you organise trips to visit all the wonderful parts of this vast and fascinating country.You won’t be surprised to learn that as an Engli sh speaker, you’re probably going to struggle with learning all the different Chinese characters and how to write them. Don’t panic, though. With the right resources and support, you should be able to get to grips with what you need to learn in order to master Min Chinese.When it comes to learning languages, there are a number of ways you could go about it:With a private tutor.With an online private tutor via webcam or video conferencing.Using Superprof to find either of the above.In a group class.In intensive classes.Or just by going to where the language is spoken!There are so many different ways for you to learn Min Chinese that you really have no excuse not to learn the language!As you’ve probably understood, there are a lot of things to learn in order to get to grips with this language, so you should probably get started as soon as possible.Why not start looking for your tutor on Superprof now?Language learning is a rewarding experience and it doesn't really matter whethe r you learn Chinese Mandarin, Cantonese, Wu Chinese, or Min Chinese. It's up to you how you learn Chinese and which Chinese language you want to get started with depending on what you want to know about the language and culture of a vast country.Chinese culture isn't a single culture, after all. It's a multitude of cultures and there are language courses on learning the Mandarin language (or Putonghua as it's known locally) for those interesting in studying the official and de facto language of the country and the dialect of Beijing.However, there are also private tutors teaching the other Chinese languages you can find in places like Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau, for example. You can also learn a lot about Chinese online with YouTube videos on language and culture, tutorials on Pinyin (the system for writing a Chinese character using the Latin alphabet), simplified Chinese, Chinese grammar, common phrases, and other language skills you'll need if you want to speak to Chin ese people. If you can't make it to China or don't live somewhere where you can find Min Chinese tutors, don't forget that online tutors also offer tutorials over Skype!It's really up to you whether you choose to learn Mandarin classes London, the Cantonese language, Hakka, Wu, or any other Sino Tibetan language. The important thing is that you enjoy it and choose a language that works for you!Isn't it amazing that, for as diverse as Chinese is, there are so many different dialects yet to learn?

The Yoga Poses in the Five Tibetan Rites

The Yoga Poses in the Five Tibetan Rites How Can You Get the Most Out of the Five Tibetan Rites? ChaptersThe Tibetan Spin, for Improving Your BalanceProne To Upward Staff PoseThe Rabbit To Camel Pose, the Third Tibetan RiteThe Staff To Upward Plank PoseUpward Dog to Downward Dog“There is one unity, unified wholeness, total natural law, in the transcendental unified consciousness.” - Maharishi Mahesh YogiWhether you’re standing, sitting, kneeling, or lying, yoga poses take work. Both experienced yogis and beginners might have wondered just how many poses there are. The answer is both simple and vague... hundreds! In the sacred texts, there are thousands of asanas, but only a few of them are regularly used. The Five Tibetan Rites are part of them.So what are the Five Tibetan Rites that you do in yoga?In this article, we’ll look at the essentials of each of the Five Tibetan Rites. CarleyYoga Teacher 5.00 (5) £100/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GenYoga Teacher £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JulieYoga Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our t utors LynnYoga Teacher 4.89 (9) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AliceYoga Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LauraYoga Teacher 5.00 (6) £70/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors UndramYoga Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LottieYoga Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Tibetan Spin, for Improving Your BalanceEven though the name’s a bit odd, this is essential when starting your journey. The first pose, the Tibetan Spin, is quite simple. You just have to spin around. Here’s how you do it:Stand up with your arms out. Your right palm should be facing upwards and your left palm should be facing downwards.Now turn clockwise if in the Northern Hemisphere and anticlockwise if in the Southern Hemisphere. You can do the Five Tibetan Rites in a yoga class. (Source: janeb13)Do this 12 times in total. If you start feeling dizzy, keep in mind that the Five Tibetan Rites are to help you and not an exercise to repeat at any cost.The objective of the Tibetan Spin is to use your magnetic field to work on your energy.You can change the speed or the balance (by closing your eyes). There’s always a way to improve upon your first Tibetan Spin.Tip: Breathe naturally as you do the exercise.Find out more about how to do the Five Tibetan Rites.Prone To Upward Staff PoseThe Second Tibetan Rite isn’t very difficult but you do need to focus on your breathing. Prone to Upward Staff Pose involves moving your legs without any support from the wall. Yoga and the Five Tibetan Rites require very little equipment. (Source: ArtCoreStudios)Here’s how you do it:Lie on the floor with your back straight.Place your hands under your buttocks to protect your lumbar (optional).Raise your head and legs as you breathe out.Lower your head and legs as you breathe in.While it might seem simple at first, it’s not always easy to repeat. It’s recommended that you do between 3 and 21 sets. Start by doing 3 at first, then move to 5 after a few sessions, and keep going up in odd-numbered sets.The objective of Prone to Upward Staff Pose is to work on your solar plexus chakra, strengthen the abs a neck, and stimulate the thyroid and pancreas.The key to this Tibetan Rite is breathing; you can’t do it if you don’t breathe correctly as indicated.  In general, the movement of your head and legs will make you want to breathe in, you’ll need to focus on breathing out.By acting on the abdominal muscles, this Tibetan Rite can stimulate your pancreas . If you breathe in while raising your legs and your head, the intra-abdominal pressure will cause you to be out of breath.Tip: When you start, you can bend your legs. This can make the exercise easier to do.Discover the benefits of the Five Tibetan Rites. CarleyYoga Teacher 5.00 (5) £100/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GenYoga Teacher £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JulieYoga Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LynnYoga Teacher 4.89 (9) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AliceYoga Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LauraYoga Teacher 5.00 (6) £70/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors UndramYoga Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LottieYoga Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Rabbit To Camel Pose, the Third Tibetan RiteWhile there are a few ways to do this one, it’s recommended that you do it on your knees. Some of the Tibetan Rites are harder than others. (Source: shushipu)For the third Tibetan Rite, do as follows:Kneel down.Place your palms on the back of your thighs.Dip your head so that your chin presses onto your chest as you breathe out.Lean backwards as far as you can without falling over and lift your chin upwards as you breathe in.Make sure you contract your glutes and stretch your thighs. This will help you to get the most out of it and to avoid muscle strain.Surely this is what exercising is all about, isn’t it?Do this between 3 and 21 times (like with the other Tibetan Rites).The Rabbit to Camel Pose is for moving energy from your solar plexus chakra to your heart chakra and also stretch your hips and abdominal wall.  Again, breathing is important if you want to get this Tibetan Rite correct. Breathe in as you extend your chest cavity as it’s better for you.There’s a second variation of this pose you can do once you’ve mastered the other:Start on your knees, with you r forehead on the floor and your hands crossed behind your back.Lift yourself up progressively, with your hands on your buttocks, and stick out your chest as much as you can.Tip: While more complicated, the latter method is also more energising so don’t hesitate to occasionally change the Third Tibetan Rite so that you don’t get bored.Find out how to include the Five Tibetan Rites in your next yoga session.The Staff To Upward Plank PoseNow it’s time for the Fourth Tibetan Rite, which is undoubtedly the most complicated one for beginners. You need to make yourself into a bridge while looking upwards.Here’s how you do it:Sit on the floor with your legs stretched out in front of you.Place your hands by your pelvis.Raise your pelvis upwards as you breathe in and bend your knees so that your shins are vertical but your thighs are horizontal.Move back to your original position with your back straight and your legs outstretched as you breathe out.It should be noted that in this pos e, you have to have your pelvis between your hands. As you finish breathing out, press your chin against your chest.This rite works on your muscles, particularly those in your shoulders, back, and buttocks.You need to repeat this between 3 and 21 times. It can be tiring for beginners, so we recommend that you rest between the two stages if you feel tired.Tip: To get the most out of this pose, you should warm up beforehand.Upward Dog to Downward DogThis popular yoga pose is also from the Five Tibetan Rites and you'll need to concentrate when you do it.Start this pose by sitting on your heels, then going onto all fours:Spread your legs as wide as your hips.Spread your hands as wide as your shoulders.From there, do as follows:Raise your pelvis while keeping your legs straight.Press your hands and feet into the floor while keeping your chin against your chest as you breathe out.Lower your pelvis, contracting your buttocks, and raise your head upwards as you breathe out. The Downward Dog is one of the more famous yoga poses. (Source: AndiP)To get the most out of this pose, make sure you can feel the stretching in the backs of your thighs and your back. This can be really relieving.The Upward Dog to Downward Dog can stretch your entire body and free your mind. This is a good pose for those who suffer from back pains.Repeat this between 3 and 21 times. The same goes for this rite as the others; work your way up to more sets. This is the most liberating of the Five Tibetan Rites, which is why it’s the last one.Tip: if you’re just getting started and aren’t flexible enough to do this, you might want to bend your arms a bit.Most yogis, regardless of their age, can do the Five Tibetan Rites without too much training!You need to practise these poses in the same order every time. Repeat each pose of the Five Tibetan Rites between 3 and 21 times. Start off slowly and soon you’ll be a master of them. It’s good for the body and the mind and there’s no reason you can’t get started tomorrow.Ready for your yoga routine?If you need help with yoga or the Five Tibetan Rites, you could always get a tutor from Superprof. On Superprof, there are three main types of yoga tutorial available: face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, and group tutorials and each of them has its advantages and disadvantages.Face-to-face tutorials are personalised sessions with a single student and the most cost-effective type of tutorial available. However, they tend to be the most expensive, too.Online tutorials take place over webcam using video conferencing software and allow you to get tutorials from anywhere with a decent internet connection at any time of the day. With fewer overheads, these tend to be cheaper per hour than the face-to-face tutorials.Finally, group tutorials include several students and are useful for those needing to share the cost of private tutorials. If you and some friends are interested in yoga classes near me, you should con sider giving it a go! Of course, you won't get as much one-on-one time with the tutor.