People

People in Taijiquan in the past and present: masters, teachers and students.

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Authorized Instructors Chen Fake Chen Zhonghua Disciple List Feng Zhiqiang Hong Junsheng Masters List Resume

The “Relationship” in Taiji i

by Yuxin Liu on 2021/09/09

Chen Zhonghua Zhuanyong-Punch Cover Hand

Master Chen Zhonghua demonstrates Punch Covering Hand in front of Yulan Pavilion. Observe again and again the relationship between the fist, kua, knees, head, shoulders etc. and dantian shown in the picture. Read more

Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang Chen Style Taijiquan Routines in the 1980s i

by Chen Zhonghua Taiji Academy on 2021/07/16

This is a personal video from one of his students. Taken on a street at an impromptu demonstration in the early 1980s.

Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang Push Hands Instructions i

by Chen Zhonghua Taiji Academy on 2021/06/16

Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang Push Hands Instructions. This is part of an instructional video made in the Tiantan Park in Beijing with the assistance of Wang Fengming. It was made in the 1980s.

Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang Hunyuan Applications at Tiantan Park 1

by Chen Zhonghua Taiji Academy on 2021/05/16

Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang Hunyuan Applications at Tiantan Park. This is an earlier video of his teaching.

Ami Ganiel discipleship application 20201024 i

by Ami Ganiel on 2020/10/25

Dear Master Chen Zhonghua,

I started following you and Taiji practical method in the middle of 2016, after my friend and teacher Ong Wenming, who we practiced together deferent styles of kongfu, introduced me to your school. Read more

One Year Notes from Mike Menzies New Zealand 2

by Yuxin Liu on 2020/10/10

A few days ago my Tai Chi Practical Method teacher here in Queenstown, NZ took this video of me to mark exactly one year of practice for me in the Practical Method. I am one of Yuxins foundation members. Prior to starting on the Practical method my only Tai Chi experience was approximately one year of Yang style. Read more

GM is asking for an attitude change… 1

by Doug Gauld on 2020/10/02

…one of the messages I hear, daily, from GM Zhonghua Chen is that he wants us to use our head as much as we use our body…

Observations of GM, teaching / Sept.29, 20 i

by Doug Gauld on 2020/09/29

…in my experience, great teachers are the ones that do certain things…

Sooyeon Zacharias Became Chen Zhonghua’s 372nd Disciple i

by Chen Zhonghua Taiji Academy on 2020/09/13

Sooyeon Zachrias discipleship Group 2020.09.13

On Sept. 13, 2020, Sooyeon Zacharias became Master Chen Zhonghua’s 372nd disciple in the Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method lineage..

Sooyeon Zachrias discipleship Sitting 2020.09.13

Because of various reason including Covid-19, her discipleship ceremony was postponed several times. Finally on Sept. 12, she drove 14 hours from Litton, BC. to Edmonton, Alberta. The next day, she was inducted as Master Chen Zhonghua’s 372nd disciple in a simple ceremony in Master Chen Zhonghua’s Headquater in Edmonton.

Sooyeon Zachrias discipleship Certificate 2020.09.13

Sooyeon started learning the Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method system in 2018, joining the Maple Ridge practice group. She has not missed one single workshop since then. In 2019, she participated at the 7th Annual Daqingshan International Taiji Competition.

Naomi Ishii Resume i

by Yuxin Liu on 2020/07/26

Start learning first Practical Method form in Jan 2020.(Foundations from October 2019)
47 years old, Japanese, Living with Kiwi husband and 2 kids in Arrowtown New Zealand last 20 years.
4 years ago I started learning Yang style Tai Chi at local class, as I felt a Qi strongly and looking for the way to introduce it to my family.
I like been in the high alpine in 4 season, surfing and sailing in the sea with the family.

Sandy Kong Resume i

by Yuxin Liu on 2020/07/24

Sandy Kong
Age 49
Queenstown

Started Practical Method 11 months ago
Tai Chi for 10 months before that
And chi gong for 1 year when I was 36

Mike Menzies Resume 2

by Yuxin Liu on 2020/07/24

Michael Roger Menzies. Age 76. Queenstown. Have practiced Practical Method for 9 months. Before Practical Method practiced Yang Style for 10 months. Total Tai Chi experience 19 months starting January 2019.

Mary Jowett Resume 1

by Yuxin Liu on 2020/07/24

My name is Mary Jowett. I’m in my early 50’s and I live in Queenstown, New Zealand. I’ve been practicing Practical Method for 4 months with no previous Taiji experience.

Janelle Barker Grant Resume 1

by Yuxin Liu on 2020/07/23

Born in Lower Hutt, Wellington. Currently living in Queenstown. Age range:45-50.

Started Practical Method October 2019, love it (but not good at it! find it challenging for my brain and body -which is awesome!) have never done any martial arts or Taiji before (wish i had tho!) I do a bit of skiing, mountain biking, swimming, the odd jog like to be active (when i get round to it!)

Bhargav Khaund Resume i

by Bhargav on 2020/04/07

Bhargav Khaund

I am an engineer by training, and I work in an energy and chemical company in a senior managerial role within the Supply Chain and business development function covering the Asian region.
Read more

Spring is here! What’s in a bounce? 8

by James Tam on 2020/03/22

Master Chen Zhonghua always amazes me, whether it is at the next workshop (there is always something new and amazing) or looking back — such as in this video captured during a workshop in Ottawa ten years ago… an easy, seemingly simple, and clean bounce:

What do you see in the video?

John Upshaw: Everything is on a line. He added the right leg to the line…left arm to right leg…

Lou Sacharske: Watch his right shoulder, as he adds the right leg, there is zero deviation to telegraph the execution.

James Tam: I believe the rotation axis is the one joining Shifu’s left shoulder and front foot. And, the stick (effective energy pathway) is from his back foot to Steve’s upper back.

John Saw – My journey from a hotelier, gambler and Qigong Master to a faithful and loyal disciple of Master Chen Zhonghua 6

by John Saw on 2020/03/07

John Saw at Sydney Chen Zhonghua Taiji Academy – 8 March 2020

John Saw – My journey from a hotelier, gambler and Qigong Master to a faithful and loyal disciple of Master Chen Zhonghua.

I was born in Burma in 1935. I lived there till I was 29, had to leave everything behind as the country was taken over by the military. I swam across the Mekong river to Thailand in 1964. Started work at the Bangkok Hilton and after 6 years, decided to migrate to Australia.

In June 1970, I arrived Sydney with my wife and infant son and started work in a motel. In no time I got involved in gambling. Life was easy and had so much fun that by the time I was 60, I suffered a stroke due to smoking, bad diet and not enough sleep. My left side of the body was affected, my speech was slurred and I lost my balance. Through Qigong, I gained back my health, and I recovered fully after years of hard work.

After 20 years traveling around the world spreading our Qigong system, I felt restless, something missing. Even though I was an International Master of Lohan Qigong, I just couldn’t figure out what’s missing in my life.

Throughout my travels, I’ve met many great Masters and practitioners in Qigong and Taiji, and became friends but nothing really impressed me.

Then in December 2014, I was invited to attend a lecture by Taiji Master Chen Zhonghua at the UTS. I went along as I was free at that time and also curious as to what’s there for me to see. The first time I saw Master Chen, I was impressed by his demeanor, he was a humble man with twinkling eyes. When he started talking about his style called Chen Style Taiji Practical Method, I was a bit hesitant. I thought another Master promoting their style. The minute he explained the technique and showed us why it’s called Practical Method, I was blown away.

Mind you, I’ve travelled a fair bit and met many skillful Masters, but what Master Chen did with one slight movement of his body was incredible, seeing is believing I should say. He let people touch him and let them feel that he didn’t move his muscle. I was very impressed and decided to join his workshop that weekend. There again, I was amazed with his skill but most importantly, it’s his willingness to share his knowledge without withholding anything, thats got me hooked.

Since then, I’ve been to Daqingshan many times and attended his seminars yearly without fail.

I was accepted as a disciple in 2017 and my number is 257.

I went to Bali last Nov 2019 to join his workshop and again in February 2020 in Sydney. Master Chen never stop to amaze me with his willingness to share and spread this wonderful system.

The last day of the workshop in Sydney was my 85th birthday. Master Chen was kind enough to join my family and friends with some disciples to celebrate this special occasion with me.

Thank you Shifu.

Your disciple,

John Saw #257

John Saw – Burma Days

John Saw – Gambling Days

John Saw – Qigong Days

John Saw with Master Chen Zhonghua at Daqingshan

John Saw with Master Chen Zhonghua at Zhenbudong Rizhao Taiji Acacdemy

John Saw Discipleship Photo in Sydney with Master Chen Zhonghua

Daqingshan Taiji Flame Torch Bearer 2018

Chen Zhonghua Practical Method Workshop Sydney 2020 February

Sun Yang wins Muay Thai Gold Belt 2019.02.22 i

by Chen Zhonghua Taiji Academy on 2019/02/22

Sun Yang wins Muay Thai Gold Belt 20190222

Top New:News just came from Thailand that Sun Yang has won the 67 kg Golden Belt after many rounds of hard fights at the Golden Belt Finals under the auspice of the Thailand Muay Thai Federation. Sun Yang is a disciple of Master Chen Zhonghua, International Standard Bearer of the Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method system and Dean of the Qingshan Taijiquan and Cultural Research Institute of the Rizhao Politechnic. Read more

Tinh Thai – Sydney, Australia i

by Tinh Thai on 2018/12/23

Tinh Thai and disciple Brian Chung (June 2018)

Isn’t it incredible how life gives you the things that you need when you need it?

I wanted to learn Chinese martial arts since I was a little girl. Read more

Nicholas Fung’s Resume i

by Nicholas Fung馮嘉傑(香港) on 2018/08/22

While tumbling to the ground, I have made up my mind to study from Master Chen.

Back in 2003, after watching Master Chen’s Youtube videos, I sent him an email asking if I could observe his class. Among the videos, his demonstration with Michael sticks out. Despite a much more petite statue, tossing Michael around seemed effortless for Master. Later on, I found out that Michael isn’t only a 9th-degree black belt, but he is also a cop who has caught over 200 thieves. Simply put, he is no slouch.

Edward Liaw – introduction and resume i

by Edward Liaw on 2018/08/13

eliaw_disciple

My name is Edward Liaw; I currently reside in San Diego, California. I was accepted as Master Chen’s 283rd disciple during the 2018 North American Practical Method Training Camp in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, alongside Nathan Heintz and Spencer Jones. Every day, I am grateful for being a part of a passionate and supportive community of practitioners, students, and teachers. Read more

Benjamin Benefiel- introduction and resume i

by Benjamin Benefiel on 2018/08/11

My name is Benjamin Benefiel and I live in Phoenix, Arizona, USA with my wife and two young daughters. On January 21, 2018, I became Master Chen Zhonghua’s 259th disciple along with taiji brother Winston Wang. I grew up near Chicago, Illinois before moving to Phoenix area for graduate school in 1999. My appreciation of martial arts began as a child with karate lessons and a love of ‘kung fu cinema’. During my 20s and early 30s, I studied various styles of martial arts intermittently (including Baguazhang, Xingyiquan, and Deng family Sengmenquan, as well as a very small amount of experience with Yang style Taiji which was taught only as a health exercise). Chen style Taijiquan always held a strong fascination for me, but I was never fortunate enough to find a teacher. Read more

Nathan Heintz Accepted as Master Chen Zhonghua’s Disciple on July 28, 2018 i

by Nathan on 2018/08/07

Nathan Heintz was accepted as Master Chen Zhonghua’s disciple on July 28, 2018 at the North American Practical Method Training Camp in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The discipleship ceremony also welcomed Spencer Jones and Edward Liaw as disciples. Read more

Vincent den Hengst Introduction 2

by Vincent Den Hengst on 2018/08/01

My name is Vincent den Hengst. I am from the Netherlands, Utrecht, where I started practicing Hunyuan taiji under James Fletcher in 2007. From the beginning, I kept exercising daily. In 2013 I stepped over to Practical Method. In 2014 and 2015 I went to Daqinshan for two months in total and observed several workshops since 2013. I regard Practical Method taiji as taught by Grandmaster Chen as the highest possible region of martial art, so I feel lucky and happy I finalized my life’s queeste to find the one martial art.

Discipleship Ceremony in Iowa on July 28, 2018 1

by admin on 2018/07/30

Introduction of Emcee

Todd Elihu

I am Todd Elihu, 20^th generation disciple of Chen Style Taijiquan under Master Chen Zhonghua. I am very happy to be here at the 2018 North American Practical Method Training Camp and to have the opportunity to learn from Master Chen, as well as practice and exchange with my disciple-brothers who are present and the other participants of the camp this year. I am very grateful to my brothers Levi Sowers and John Upshaw for organizing these camps and all the hard work that they have put into making such a special event. Read more

My experiences with Taijiquan – Practical Method i

by Sarah on 2018/07/29

I started taijiquan practical method in 2011. In 2016 I became disciple of Master Chen. Taiji – the separation of ying and yang and having both at the same time – is a part of my daily life and I am very happy about it.

1. Practical method
This style in the lineage of Chen Fake, Hong Junshen, Chen Zhonghua follows very clear instructions to establish the taiji movements. In the end there should be no fight anymore, one is just walking through the opponent without knowing.
Read more

Gigi Firicel Resume 1

by Gigi Firicel on 2018/06/19

I was born in May 1973 in the south of Romania. When I was a kid in the Communist era, I saw a Chinese martial arts movie in the theater.
Read more

Carlos Hanson Resume i

by Carlos Hanson on 2018/06/15

Background

In 2001, I started studying Kung Fu. My teacher also taught Chen Style Taijiquan from Chen Quanzhong. Watching my teacher perform Taiji at one of our demonstrations, I thought it was fantastic. I read “Chen Style: The Source of Taijiquan” by Davidine Sim and David Gaffney and thought I should really switch to Taiji, but I chose to continue down the path of Kung Fu since I had already started it. Read more

Association for Practical Method founded in Austria, Europe i

by Pawel Mueller on 2018/03/13

After becoming a disciple last year I solidified my plans about my future with Practical Method. One result is the foundation of an official association in Austria. After some back and forth with the responsible officials regarding the association rules we, Fabian K. and Pawel M. got the permission to begin our association activities.

Our association is registered as acting globally and not only in Austria. This opens new possibilities for the European community which is emerging now, since people from other countries can become members, too, benefiting from our services.
An association allows us to act as an official entity, like a company. We can now easily access public training space and be official partners for schools, companies and other projects.

It’s exciting. We are eager to begin our work and establish our association in Austria and abroad. It’s a long way, but so is learning Practical Method which equipped us with the right set of tools already through our training: continuous work and time.
We are preparing materials for marketing new events now. There will be new courses in and around Vienna and we’re planing events to promote Practical Method.

Who wants to be part of it? Just send us an email to pawel.mueller@gmail.com.

And the name of our association

Practical Method Taijiquan Österreich

Verein zur Förderung der traditionellen chinesischen Kampfkunst „Practical Method Taijiquan“ in Österreich

In English, please

Practical Method Taijiquan Austria

Association for promoting the traditional Chinese martial art “Practical Method Taijiquan” in Austria.

Mark Hanley i

by Kelvin Ho on 2017/04/22

Name: Mark Hanley
Class: Richmond Hill
Practical Method Start Date: Oct. 15, 2016
Martial Art Experience: Karate Black Belt, and practiced Yang Taiji previously

Bruce Robinson i

by Kelvin Ho on 2017/04/22

Name: Bruce Robinson
Class: Richmond Hill
Practical Method Start Date: May 23, 2015
Martial Art Experience: Practiced Aikido and Yang Taiji previously.

Kewei Sun i

by Kelvin Ho on 2017/04/22

Name: Kewei Sun
Class: Richmond Hill
Practical Method Start Date: May 23, 2015
Martial Art Experience: Practiced Iron Shirt when he was young.

Lucas Lu i

by Kelvin Ho on 2017/04/22

Name: Lucas Lu
Class: Richmond Hill
Practical Method Start Date: June 27, 2015

Peter Li i

by Kelvin Ho on 2017/04/22

Name: Peter Li
Class: Richmond Hill
Practical Method Start Date: Mar. 25, 2017

Charlie Wishon Becomes a Disciple 2

by Todd Elihu on 2016/07/21

Master Chen Zhonghua accepted Charlie Wishon as a disciple on July 17, 2016.

On July 17, 2016, Master Chen Zhonghua accepted Charlie Wishon as his 201st disciple at the workshop held in Iowa City. Todd Elihu emceed the ceremony and many other disciples were present including Levi Sowers, John Upshaw, John Dahms, Brennan Toh, Kelvin Ho, Hugo Ramiro, Xavier Santiago, Jeff Clevenger, Bruce Schaub, Erwin Ramthun, and Chris Dusek. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Master Chen briefly spoke about the privileges, responsibilities, and ethics of being one of his disciples.