1987: Studied with Kang Ming Qiang.

New Old frame Chen Style taijiquan. A variant of Chen style perhaps formulated by Chen  Fa Ke and popularized mostly by his son Chen Zhao Kui in Shanghai. 

Kang was one of Chen Zhao Kui's most respected students in Shanghai. Kang was a very earnest man and focused on very basic techniques done well. He had very few students and his most important teaching was, as a teacher, never teach anything you don't know to be 100 per cent correct or you will mislead your students.

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1990: Studied with Xu Gui Cheng in Jinan, Shandong province. He was a student of Hong Jun Sheng, who was Chen Fa Ke's longest studying disciple. (Chen Fa Ke was the first teacher to the public of Chen Style taijiquan, the original form of Taijiquan). Xu had formerly been an outstanding child martial artist of Shaolin boxing, but his studies had been interrupted by war and revolution. He had studied after peace resumed in the late 1950's, studying taijiquan under Hong until the 90's when I met him. He  had never taught anyone until I unknowingly nagged him until he decided to accept me as his student. He tried then to give me to other disciples of Hong's but they all refused as Xu's ability was not to be superceded. Eventually Hong, sealed the decision and from then on, Xu and I were inseparable, studying all and every day together.

 His application of Hong's techniques was unmatched, and to this day I don't believe he ever took on anyone else but me as his formal student. Under his tutelage I transformed from a hobbyist to a martial artist. I would have never made this transition without his guidance. He not only introduced me to Hong, but would take me to Hong's house on Sundays to chat and listen to Hong's advice and correction. Hong had officially retired from teaching 5 years earlier so this was unimaginable access to one of China's last great teachers.

Over the years I returned to Jinan to have my boxing corrected by Xu and Hong, spending a long stay in 1993. At that stage, Hong was standardizing his students' forms, as his version of Chen Style was to become a lineage ( i.e. there were  more than 10,000 students practicing his style). Xu was being very earnest in carrying out Hong's wishes for standardization the form, but I have continued to practice the form as Xu taught it to me, unchanged since he learnt it from Hong in 1961.(Hong's form is now slightly simplified, made easier to practice by less athletic people).

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1991: Started studying Daitoryu Aikijujutsu in Tokyo, Japan under Okamoto Seigo. I had not wished to leave China but due to circumstances found myself in Tokyo, where there were no Chinese teachers I wished to continue studies with. The closest art to the principles of Taiji was Daitoryu Aikijujutsu, of which Okamoto sensei was unparalleled. He taught principally "Aiki" techniques, the highest level of the art, not usually taught outside of closed door  relationships. His generosity and boundless skill was always on display. I ended up studying 16 years in total with Okamoto Sensei in the Hombu Dojo, and in all that time I never saw him once not throw any opponent. I received Oku Gi San dan, Upper third degree Black belt.

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1995: Started studies under Feng Zheng Bao in Tokyo. Primarily joined to learn the large spear, as it was the aspect of Chen style taiji that I had never learnt. It was  taught in the Xinyi Six Harmonies Class of Feng's Wu Dang  Boxing School. After realizing how much depth of skill and amount of knowledge Feng had on offer, I continued to study there for the next 16 years. I studied everything I could. (Xingyi, Bagua, Taijiquan, grappling, free fighting, weapons, Qi Gong) My life eventually could no longer support such dedication. I settled for specializing in Six Harmonies Boxing, Qinna , Push Hands, and the large spear.

I received Highest qualification in Six Harmonies and have continued to teach in the school until this day.

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2006: Started studying Lian Gong Shi Ba Fa, the only government approved health method in China. After suffering a  serious injury in practice that I hadn't been able to overcome,  I finally reached out to a famous physical therapist  Zhuang Yuan Ming. Amazingly I was welcomed  by his son, who had taken over his father's responsibilities, to  visit Shanghai for private instruction. This was another of those transformative moments. Under his instruction not only did my injuries disappear, but I learnt the principles of  the healing processes of the body and the ability of correct physiotherapy to overcome common injuries and complaints. The art is profound and the willingness of the Zhuang family to transmit this knowledge for the benefit of the human race is magnanimous.

As they say themselves, "Health is mutually beneficial to the students and the teacher." Many of the teachers of Shibafa are like me students who first turned up injured.

Received Teachers certificate and have returned for further instruction.

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2013: After regaining my health from Shibafa, I wished to study one more  martial art. Formerly a closed door style, I had been able to locate a school in Taiwan of Tong Bei Quan.  (literally Through the Back Boxing, or White Ape Long Arm Boxing) After an extensive effort, I was accepted by Hong Tu Sheng, a direct lineage holder of Zhang Ce's Tongbei Boxing. (Zhang Ce ,had been considered to be the King of Martial Arts in North East China in the early 20th century.)

Of all Zhang Ce's teachings, this was perhaps the earliest of version (Big Frame) and  it was being taught in Hong Tu Sheng's school in the traditional manner.  I  gained an increased understanding of martial arts  training and methods of instruction. I developed a greater confidence in my own ability , and was shown the greater roles a teacher should uphold. Beyond the fighting arts themselves ,I am forever in the debt of Teacher Hong in his guidance by example.

 

It was time for me  to no longer be the student. Despite thirty years of study and newly growing interests, I decided to refrain from studying more. I have since reviewed all my former experiences, added flavors that are my own and formed my own way of training.

Many times I was told ,that a true exponent ,no longer copies his teacher. He must make the moves his own. Simply put ,the knowledge has to be digested.

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