Zhi Qiang Wu Guan UK History and Lineage
Given China's long history, the origins of most its cultural tradtions are largly unknown and the arts taught by the association are no exception. We have attempted to provide a brief summary what is known of the origin on the arts, with some brief biographical information on recent masters.
Chen Shi Xinyi Hunyuan Taijiquan
The origins of Chen style Taijiquan are attributed to Chen Wang Ting,
the 9th generation patriach of the Chen Family ( 17th centuary AD )
in Chenjiagou ( a village in Henan province ).
This particular branch of Chen Taijiquan is an amalgmation the teachings of
Master Feng Zhi Qiang's two main teachers - Chen Fa Ke ( Chen Taijiquan )
and Hu Yao Zhen ( Lui He Xinyiquan ).
The Hunyuan Qigong taught by Master Fei comes to us from Master Hu's teachings.
Chen Shi Xinyi Hunyuan Taijiquan
and
Hunyuan Qigong
Medical Qigong
Medical Qigong is the name given to health building exercises formulated by following the principles of Taoist philosophy. The concept of Taoism and related traditions is firmly ingrained into Chinese culture and is accepted as part of the norm. As such there, is no known formalized history for this art.
Medical Qigong
Noted Masters
Chen Fa Ke
Master Chen Fa Ke was the 17th generation patriarch of Chen Style Taijiquan. His great grandfather was the teacher of the famous Yang Lu Chan ( progentor of Yang style Taijiquan ). In 1928, Master Chen was invited to teach in Beijing by his nephew, Chen Zhao Pi, who was taking up a martial arts instructors post in Nanjing. Master Chen became famous not only for his martial arts skill ( he emerged undefeated from the 17 days open challenge when he first arrived in Beijing ), but also for this modesty and martial virtue ( in almost 30 years of teaching and answering challenges, he seldom made enemies and was well liked in the martial arts community in Beijing ).
Hu Yao Zhen
Master Hu Yao Zhen was a famous martial artist and healer in Beijing. He was an authority on Qigong and Tradional Chinese Medicine as well as Xin Yi Liu He. He was known as "single finger can shake the world" for his ability to defeat all martial arts challengers with a single finger. Based on his vast knowledge and experience of Qigong, hw developed his own method of Qigong, which was so curatively successful that it was widely promoted by the government in 1959. In 1953, Master Hu and his friend Master Chen Fa Ke initiated the Capital Martial Arts Research Institute.
Feng Zhi Qiang
Master Feng Zhi Qiang of Beijing is a prominent master. Born in Hebei province, Master Feng Zhi is now in his 80's. He is the Vice President of Beijing Municipal Martial Arts Association, President of Beijing Municipal Chen-style Taijiquan Research Institute and head of Zhiqiang Martial Arts Club. He is noted for his development of the Chen Shi Xin Yi Hun Yuan Taijiquan system, algamation of his studies with Master Hu Yao Zhen and Master Chen Fa Ke. Master Feng grew up in a martial art family and took to martial arts in his childhood. He began to practice martial arts at eight, and learned a great variety of forms such as Shaolin Tongzi Gong. Later he learned Tongbeiquan from Han Xiao Feng in Hebei, Liu He Xin Yi Quan from Master Hu Yaozhen of Shanxi and Baguazhang from several famous masters. In 1951, on Master Hu's recommendation, Master Feng began to learn the Chen style Taijiquan from the well known 17th generation Master Chen Fa Ke.
Wang Feng Ming
Born in Beijing, Master Wang Feng Ming had learned Shaolin Quan from Wang You Zhi and later Bagua Zhang from Liu Xing Han In 1975, he became a formal disciple of Master Feng Zhi Qiang, learning the traditional techniques of Chen Taijiquan and Hunyaun Qigong. He has published over ten papers and books involving academic theories of Qigong and Taijiquan, examples of which are "Integrated Primary Qi Qi Gong", "Attack by Taiji Pushing Hands" and "Taiji Stick & Ruler Qi Gong". To gain an understand of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the science of the human body, he studied for three years in the Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Since 1982 Master Wang has operated as the headcoach and vice manager of Beijing International Teaching Center, assistant manager of Zhi Qiang Wu Guan in Beijing, Taiji competition judge on a national level in China and President of the European Chen Style Hun Yuan Taiji Association. Master Wang Feng Ming is now teaching Taiji Quan and Qi Gong at the department of P.E at Helsinki University and in other schools in Finland. He started the European Chen Style Integrated Qi Taiji Quan Association with the intention to further propagate Taijiquan and Qigong in Europe.
Li Xiang Qian
Master Li Xiang Qian is a famous expert and master teacher on the I-Ching. He is the learned and researched many forms of Daoist and Shoalin Qigong ( both moving and static ).
Fei Bing
From the age of 8, Master Fei Bing has been studing Chinese Boxing. In 1980, Master Fei became a student of Master Wang Feng Ming, learning Chen Style Taijiquan & Hunyuan Qigong. In 1993 he started learning Xingyiquan and Baguazhang from Master Zhang Wei Zhong. At the same time, he began further Qigong training under Master Li Xiang Qian. Master Fei graduated from the University of Chinese Medicine Beijing in 1999 as practioner of Tradition Chinese Medicine. The Chinese Wushu Association awarded Master Fei the rank of 5th Degree in 1999. He is registered with the Tai Chi Union For Great Britain .
Susan Green
Susan Green is probably on of the first students of Master Fei Bing trained in the UK. Susan is also a fully qualified and experienced teacher of the Alexander Technique. Trained by Ken and Angela Thompson, Members of the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (MSTAT), Directors of the Essex Alexander School, Seven Kings, Essex www.essexalexanderschool.co.uk . Susan gained extensive experience from post-graduate study with Walter H. M. Carrington (1915-2005) at The Constructive Teaching Centre, Holland Park, London. The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique website is a valuable source of information for students of the Alexander Technique, www.stat.org.uk .
Lee Courtman
Lee Courtman started learning Internal martial arts from the age of 16. Lee started with the Shaolin art of Tiger Crane under Iain Armstrong of Nam Yang Pugilistic Association. At that time Lee had studied Routines, Sticky Hands, Weapons, and San Shou (Free Sparring). Lee also trained in dragon and lion dance training. During one summer evening a fellow shaolin class mate who had mentioned to Lee about this other great internal arts teacher ( Master Zhang Wei Zhong ). He had introduced Lee to Master Zhang and Lee started learning Baguazhang. After Master Zhang had left London Master Fei had started teaching Lee Ba Gua. Lee went on to learn Chen Style Taijiquan, Tui Shou (pushing hands), ruler stick Qigong with Masters Fei Bing, Tang Yue Xin, Wang Feng Ming and Feng Zhi Qiang.