Master Yang Cheng Fu

Grandmaster

Yang, Cheng-fu

(1883-1936)

   
Yang Cheng-fu, was the grandson of the founder of Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan. He was a man of large stature, good- natured and popular. His style was described as 'open and soft... a bullet within cotton'.
   In the preface to his 1934 book  'Complete Principals and Applications of Tai Chi Chuan', Yang Cheng Fu tells of his understanding of Tai Chi through the words of his grandfather and founder of Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan- Yang Lu-chan.
   'In my youth I used to see my late grandfather, Yang Lu-chan, lead my uncles and other students in daily practice of Tai Chi Chuan. They trained day and night without rest... I was skeptical, believing self-defense against one man was not worth studying, and that in the future I would study defense against ten thousand.'
   'After i was a bit older... i could not longer conceal my doubts. My father Yang Jian-hou, became angry. My grandfather, Lu-chan, calmed him and gave me a gentle pat saying "Let me explain. The reason I practice and teach this art is not to challenge others but for self-defense, not to bully the world but to save the nation. The gentlemen of today know only of the poverty of the nation, but not of its weakness. Therefore our leaders anxiously formulate policies to alleviate poverty, but I have never heard of plans to rouse the weak or raise up the ailing. With a nation of sick people who is up to the task? If we examine the rise of nations, we find they all begin by strengthening the people... Thus the best method of saving the nation is to make saving the weak our highest priority."(1)
   In his later years, it was this soft, open, large-frame Tai Chi that he formalized as the Yang Family Long form. This form was later standardized to 88 postures by China's Martial Arts Division of the National Physical Education Committee in 1957. Through the publication of Yang Cheng-fu's works covering form, application, and philosphy, he was the first of his family to widely promote Tai Chi both nationally and internationally. Today, Yang Family Tai Chi remains the most popular and recognizable form of Tai Chi worldwide.
1. Wile, Douglas, 1983 Tai Chi Touchstones: Yang Family Secret Transmissions


Spokane Kung Fu recommends Yang Family Tai Chi for beginners as well as advanced students. Yang Family 24 form can be viewed on the RESOURCES page. For more information contact: spokanekf@gmail.com

Master Li Cun Yi

Grandmaster
Li, Cun Yi

(1847-1921)

   Li Cun Yi was born in Hebei Province in 1847. Also known as "Single Saber" Li, he first studied Chang Quan (Long Fist), until his interest in the martial arts led him to seek out new teachers.

  When Li was in his late twenties, he went to meet the renown Xingyi Quan teacher Liu Qi Lan who accepted him as a student. He eventually became one of Liu Qi Lan's best Xingyi students. He also traveled to Beijing and studied with his friend Cheng Ting Hua, a top student of Dong, Hai-chuan, founder of Bagua Zhang.

   During the early 1890's Li formed a bodyguard and escort service and hired skilled martial artists to work for him. In addition he hired and trained courageous young men who showed an aptitude for the fighting arts.

   When the Boxer Rebellion began in 1900, Li joined the fight, personally leading many men into battle. Earning his nickname by wielding his single saber, he fought so hard his shirt sleeves turned red with blood. It was said that enemies fled the field upon his approach. However, Li Cun Yi's childhood friend and martial arts brother Cheng Ting Hua lost his life during the Boxer Rebellion. 

  After the founding of the Republic (1911), he was central in establishing a martial arts curriculum in public schools, and the following year helped in founding a Chinese Boxer's Association in Tianjin.
   On gentleness in forms Li Cun Yi said: '...The forms and movements seem to be without force. Even to an expert observer the body looks soft and forceless and the movements appear to be light as a feather with unity of the internal and external. There is no visible expression of power anywhere in the body.'(1)
   Through his work with various associations and published books, Li spread his teachings to thousands of people. Though he did not think highly of money, he emphasized righteousness, loyalty and martial virtue. Li Cun Yi died in 1921 at the age of 74. 
 1. Translation by Huang Gou Qi, Pa Kua Chang Journal Vol. 4, No. 3

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