Professor Cheng Man-ch'ing: A LIFE: 

Cheng Man-ch'ing hand

To celebrate the anniversary of the man who gave us a Tai Chi Short Form that still resonates across the world, I have organised a series of rare videos, articles and audio files on the Professor. This article includes:

  1. A video commentary on Cheng Man-ch'ing by Robert Smith

  2. Short video on the legacy of his form and teaching style

  3. Series of short articles and videos on Cheng Man-ch'ing in Taiwan, teaching in New York and an interview with one of his students.

  4. A two-min video on how learning today is very different from the past

  5. Newspaper item on the death of the Professor. 

A Commentary by ROBERt SMITH

Robert Smith was a CIA agent working in Taiwan when he met Cheng Man-ch'ing. he became Cheng Man-ch'ing’s first Western student. After studying with him, it is said he persuaded him to come to New York to teach.

Smith went on to co-write books with Cheng Man-ch'ing as well as his own using a pen name of John. F Gilbey including the hilarious “Secret Fighting Arts of the World”.

In this short snippet he speaks of the influence and impact of Cheng Man-ch'ing. 

THE LEGACY OF Cheng Man-ch'ing

Some argue that a good teacher of Tai Chi can be determined by lineage, trophies, competitions won or numbers of schools set up in his name. But that is not the only criteria for deciding what makes a good teacher. 

In this short video, the teapotmonk examines the legacy of the man and ponders on his influence for 21st century learning.   

Extra Artices and Videos on Cheng Man-ch'ing

  • Cheng Man-ch'ing article hands

    Taiwan Today Article

    Robert Smith and Cheng Man-ch'ing from Jan 1 1963. Read the Taiwan article here

  • Teaching in New York

    Special video capturing the ambience and style of the man teaching in New York. Watch the video here

  • Cheng Man-ch'ing in taiwan

    Practising in Taiwan

    He taught in China, North America and Taiwan as you can see in this footage taken from his time on the island . Watch the Taiwan video here

  • Cheng Man-ch'ing squatting single whip

    ken van Sickle Interview

    Ken Van Sickle on his teacher Prof. Cheng Man Ching.

    The interview was filmed after a Tai Chi sword workshop in the Tai Chi Studio Hannover.

  • Cheng Man-ch'ing postures and alignment

    Body Positioning

    Professor Cheng Man Ching shows the correct body positioning for the 37 short Yang form. Watch the Body Positioning Video here

Cheng Man-ch'ing dead at 73

Cheng Man-ch'ing is dead article

Newspaper cutting reporting on the death of Cheng Man-ch'ing in Taiwan. 

Curiously, given the heated debate about his creation of a new Tai Chi form amongst the Yang stylists since his passing, this newspaper report reminds us that back in the day, he was remembered for other things - his poetry, art and medical skills. 

Perhaps that is a reminder for us all. There is more to growth and living a meaningful life than picking just one particular interpretation of Tai Chi. We all need a broad and open approach to study. 

DISCOVER HOW TO LEARN HIS TAI CHI FORM

Once Upon a Time - you had to learn by watching, copying, then watching again. But you couldn't see the teacher very well or you forgot the moves by the time you got home.

Then came the holidays, or you got the flu and that meant skipping a few weeks... and so it goes on. 

These days though, thankfully things are different. 

teapotmonk showing different tai chi postures

Learn the moves and history of the Tai Chi Short Form using footage recorded showing the Form from the:

  1. Back

  2. Side

  3. Mirrored

  4. Overhead

  5. With Gifs

  6. Audio Stories

  7. PDF Instructions lists

Tai Chi enters a new phase in this special new course recorded over a year in different locations across the UK