Elderly cheer up the morning

Every morning before the sun rises they come out en masse. They are China's elderly, and for them rising early for exercises and activities is not only healthy, it's a lifestyle.

People from all over the city gather here at the Temple of Heaven to stay limber, improve strength and socialize.

Plenty of activities here emphasize flexibility, strength and grace. Others rely on a subtle but skillful flick of the wrist. This exercise almost defies words, and gravity. Still others simply require a willing partner to have fun. But then again, no one ever said you couldn't have fun flying solo.

There is also plenty to feed a person's musical side. A more than healthy dose of tunes blast from nearby boom boxes, but others take time to liven the morning air with their own melody. From the sweet high notes of a Hulusi flute quartet to the rich sounds of a trumpet solo, Beijing's elderly definitely walk, or dance, to their own beat.

But besides keeping a hop, skip or in this case a spry kick in Beijing's elderly, this morning's ritual is becoming increasingly important for keeping China's aging population healthy.

And if you want to join in but are not Chinese or elderly, don't worry about feeling out of place. All are welcome, just don't be surprised if it is hard to keep up.

Script: Casey Chin

Video: Christie Lee