My Tai Chi Lineage
I practice Hun Yuan San Shou and was instructed individually under Master Zhang Yu Fei while I was living and working in Beijing, China for two years. It was in Beijing, that I was inducted into the Chen Style Xin Yi Hun Yuan Tai Chi family and became an official 20th generation lineage holder.
My Hun Yuan Lineage:
Zhang Yu Fei, was born in 1955 in Zhang Jia Kou, Hebei Province. As a child he studied Ba Ji Quan and Xing Yi Quan under Master Fan Bing Shan. Later, while attending college in Henan Province, he studied Xin Yi Liu He, San Shou and various weapons under Master Ding Hong Kui. He eventually moved to Beijing where he followed Hun Yuan Tai Chi Quan Master Feng Zhi Qiang for over twenty years. He was also privileged enough to practice Da Cheng Quan under Master Wang Xuan Jie, a famous fighter in BeiJing, this greatly helped improve his skill level. He has extensively researched Chinese philosophical literature and traditional Chinese medical literature, and is an accomplished painter and calligrapher.
Feng Zhi Qiang was born 1928 in Hebei Province. As a child he learned Tong Zi Gong (stretching) and Zhan Zhuang (standing exercises). At a young age he moved to BeiJing and studied Tong Bei boxing. When he was 20 years old he began studying Liu He Xin Yi under Hu Yao Zhen, who emphasized methods of gathering and nourishing Qi, practicing intention, San Ti standing, Dan Tian methods, and boxing postures. Feng later trained under Chen Fa Ke and eventually became one of his main students. Chen Fa Ke’s popularity encouraged others to come forth and challenge both him and his student. Feng would often take on the challengers. Feng accomplished an incredible feat, he defeated all challengers usually without badly injuring them. In 1981 Feng Zhi Qiang retired and in 1983 became the president of the Beijing Chen style Tai Chi Quan Research Association that was established the same year.
Ding Hong Kui (1895-1986) studied under many masters including Wang Shaocheng and Jiang Dianchen. He lived and trained on Snake Hill, Hubei Province, where he continued teaching many students until his death in 1986 at the age of 92. He was well known for his mastery of Tang Quan and his free fighting abilities.
Hu Yao Zhen (1879-1973) was a native of Shanxi Province. He was well known as a martial artist, Qi Gong expert and traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor. He also received ‘secret ransmissions’(exclusive teachings) of Buddhist and Taoist meditation, which gave him an edge on his opponents. It was Hu YaoZhen who introduced Feng Zhi Qiang to Chen style master Chen Fa Ke in order to further his studies.
Chen Fa Ke (1887-1957) was born in Chen Jia Gou, Henan Province. Well-known for free fighting victories in his hometown, he then traveled to BeiJing in 1929 to teach Tai Chi Quan. He soon was renowned for defeating many opponents without badly injuring them. In his later years he modified the original Chen form (Lao Jia), which then became the foundation for the Chen New Frame form (Xin Jia).
