Teaching Tai Chi For The Masses
By Jonathan Farrell
Applauding movies such as the current Oscar-nominated "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," Dr. ChiHsiu Daniel Weng is pleased that the movie has generated an interest in the martial arts.
Sitting down to a cup of coffee and pastry at Alvin's Coffee Shop on Irving Street, Weng spent time discussing his plans to promote Tai Chi.
"Daniel" as he likes to be called, has an everyday demeanor in a fleece jacket, running shoes and a baseball cap that sets a person at ease. A physical education/martial arts teacher for more than 40 years, Weng opened shop, teaching Tai Chi in the Richmond District.
Since October 2000, Weng has been at Scherba's Sports Center on Balboa Street at 41st Avenue. Anticipating his class on Sundays (from noon to 1 p.m.) will grow in attendance, he said, "I hope this new place will become a space for people to benefit from Tai Chi."
Weng wants to add more classes and programs, eventually developing a non-profit organization to advance the martial arts, especially Tai Chi.
Formally called Tai Chi Chuan, the martial art has been in existence for at least 3,000 years. All through recorded Chinese history there has been a study in combat and exercise.
As to who exactly was responsible for the "invention" of Tai Chi, most of that has been described through legend.
Legend says that Chang San-feng was an immortal. After receiving instructions from a heavenly being in a dream, he was introduced to the "Supreme, Ultimate Way of the Fist." Upon awakening, he realized that what he had been instructed in was meant for all humanity to learn.
Another account from legend says that Chang San-feng was a friend to a Taoist advisor to Kublai Khan around the 13th century, AD. Or was it the 15th century? No one is sure. And still another account said that he had miraculous powers living reclusively as a Taoist monk.
Did Chang San-feng really exist? Most scholars think he did not.
Other sources claim that it was during the 18th century when someone by the name of Wang Tsung-Yueh of Shansi began teaching the method. Accepting a challenge he agreed to teach his martial art to the Chen family of the Honan province. Perhaps, this is where the origins of Tai Chi began.
As the Chen family developed their style of the martial art they in turn taught it to the Yang family and they in turn taught it to others, and so on. It is a puzzling question as to why the original style changed into so many others, such as the Wu, Sun and Hao styles just to name a few.
The martial arts in some form, be it Kung Fu, Wushu, or Shuai-Chiao, have been practiced in China and all forms seem to have stemmed from Taoist meditation.
Dr. Weng agrees as he said, "Taoism" (Do in Japanese) or "The Way" is equivalent to all eastern martial arts. "In days of old, the elder masters of the martial arts kept everything secret. Today is much different," said Weng. "It is open to all."
"Besides," added Weng, "the competition out there is great. If one teacher does not want to share the knowledge, another teacher will."
Weng sees Tai Chi as a spiritual exercise, not just a physical one. While Tai Chi does help a lot with improving physical health, such as lowering blood pressure, the inner life is what is heightened.
"Tai Chi gives you insight and intuitive vision," Weng said.
"It is a way to achieve balance in one's life." (the principle of yin and yang.) Weng believes his teaching method of Tai Chi can greatly benefit today's modern society.
"I try to standardize the system (of Tai Chi) so that people can teach other people to help make it available to all."
The appeal to modern culture is Weng's primary goal. Set with a busy schedule, in addition to teaching Tai Chi, Weng is also a college professor who teaches at De Anza College and San Jose State University.
Extending his knowledge to the corporate world, Weng said, "I still teach at Sun-Micro Systems (in Silicon Valley)."
Weng has made a set of instructional videos entitled "The Essence of Practical Tai Chi."
"When I first began teaching with the Grandmaster Chang Tung-Sheng," said Weng, "I realized that people don't have time to learn over 108 different movements."
Developing a much simpler way, Weng said, "this helps people develop what works for them."
Weng's modifications were so successful it was accepted as a standard for martial arts training for the Taiwan military.
An ambassador for the martial arts, Weng has traveled the world. Among his many invitations to teach and speak at various spots around the world, he was honored to speak at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea.
Humble with accomplishments and honors received over the years, what pleases him most is just being able to promote the martial arts. Events are special to Weng. As he said, "Events help to make it more popular."
Recently, Weng was in Taiwan at the International Hung Chua Cup Tai Chi Competition. The prestigious event had more than 2,000 competitors. One of his students was awarded a silver medal and the team representing the USA that Weng had trained was given a trophy for excellence.
Looking forward to the work that is before him Weng said, "I don't think I am hurting the art by simplifying it. I just want to give people the key to developing their own system so they can enjoy the benefits of Tai Chi."
For more information about the class at Scherba's Sports Center, call (408) 836-3459.