Master Hu Yaozhen

Grandmaster

Hu, Yaozhen

(1897-1973)

   Hu Yaozhen was born in China's Shanxi Province, and began studying Chinese medicine and martial arts from a very young age. Early on he studied under Master Peng Tingjun, learning traditional Daoist Qigong cultivation methods, Xin Yi Liu He, and the Five Animal Frolics. He later studied Xing Yi Quan, Zi Lu Tai Chi, and learned Buddhist cultivation methods from the monk Li Hong.

   While primarily focused on Qigong and internal alchemy(Nei Gong), his combined studies and dedicated practice resulted in Master Hu reaching a very high level of skill. His was nicknamed "One finger conquers the world", and the power of this skill was felt firsthand by one of his most successful students- Feng Zhiqang. 
   Upon their first meeting, Feng Zhiqang was suspicious that Hu's soft and kind demeanor was not indicative of a great martial artist. But Master Hu accepted this challenge by extending a single finger. As Feng was gathering all of his strength to fight back a strange feeling came over him. He did not know what it was but suddenly a strong force came from the tip of Master Hu’s finger. He felt a shock on his body as if being electrocuted. The whole body was bounced back and thrown backwards. He landed against the wall. “What kind of kung fu is this?” Master Hu smiled, “This is called internal qi gong."(1)

   In 1953, Hu Yaozhen and his friend Chen Fake founded the Bejing Martial Arts Research Institute. Also a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, Grandmaster Hu opened the first and only Bejing Qigong hospital in 1956 with much success. Along with a few select doctors, Hu Yaozhen helped perpetuate the name 'Qigong', and through his many books and accomplishments he is widely recognized as the father of modern Qigong.

1. Zhonghua, Chen,  A New Standard, 2008

Spokane Kung Fu highly recommends Qigong practice as a regular health regimen. Please check the RESOURCES page for videos and more. Contact: spokanekf@gmail.com