Chan Tai Chi Story

The advanced Chinese Kung Fu Tai Chi became known to people in 1850 when the master Yeung brought the Chan's Tai Chi to Beijing. The combat system was then being taught and study widely in China. Many different forms and streams evolved. One of the best Tai Chi masters ever born was Chan. He taught Tai Chi in Beijing around 1930. His skill was extremely good and yet he was a very nice person.

One of the well known Tai Chi forms is called the Ng's Tai Chi. Around the time when Chan was teaching Tai Chi in Beijing, there were many people studying the Ng's form there. A master called Lau and his students heard that Chan was very good, so they decided to invite master Chan to demonstrate his skills. Chan came and started demonstrating his kung fu routines after a brief greeting.

His style of Tai Chi was very different from Ng's which usually did the routines much slower and with little force. Chan did the two routines in 10 minutes. The speed and the power of the moves made everyone marveled. But some started commenting that his moves are not compatible with sound Tai Chi principles. Only master Lau was able to appreciate the essence of Chan's kung fu. Chan's moves were quick as lightning but smooth as silk with perfect circular motions. Lau humbly became a student of Chan after being even more impressed by his push hand skills.

Among the people who studied Tai Chi from master Chan was Hung. Hung learn the best of Chan's technique and even improved it. Hung called the improved system the 'Chan's Practical Tai Chi'. Hung is one of the most influential people in the Tai Chi history.

An example of the refinery is the very first move of the first Tai Chi routine. The move was known as the King Kong Pounding which basically was used to defend opponent's straight punch and direct the strength to throw the opponent back. In 1957, Chan told Hung about this move and the practical use of it. Hung later modified the move to simply raise right hand forearm with stretched fingers to defend against a right punch attack. And the left hand is twisted inwards and raised in front of the body to defend against elbow attack that may follow.

Hung used to tell a story about this move. During a time in the past, Chan was employed as a martial artist to defend a city due to the robberies there. Another martial artist in town heard the news came for a fight. Chan was smoking in the house with both hands holding something. The man came in and tried to punch Chan right away. Chan used the King Kong Pounding move to contact with his wrist and stretched his fingers. Immediately the man was knocked back and fell out of the door. This is how powerful the simple move can be. - 39468