Master Zhu Tiancai
Alhambra, CA Seminar May 11, 2004

On a warm evening in May, people gathered at the Henanese Center, home to the Los Angeles Chen-style Taichi Chuan and Holistic Chigong Association. Qichen Guo, founder and head instructor of the Association hosted another world-class Taichi Master, for a two hour seminar. The honored guest that evening was the incomparable Zhu Tiancai.
 
The group of twenty five or so attending the event waited with high anticipation. Master Zhu was known for his flawless Chen-style Taichi and his extraordinary ability to issue and circulate internal Chi energy. They were not disappointed.
 
For more than two hours, everyone was treated to a select agenda of  joined-hand application, small and large circle silk-reeling exercise and "Chin-Na" joint-lock attack and defense . After Master spoke briefly and demonstrated each topic, the participants were paired-up to practice and received guidance from him.
 

One exercise in particular had everyone pushing each other's knee in order to feel the opponent's center; using legs instead of arms. Another exercise was a Chin-Na, joined-hand application. Master demonstrated on a heavyweight martial art instructor and in a single twisting move had the student on the floor, body contorted ,to avoid the stress place upon his wrist.
 
The participants ran the gamut of baseline beginners to advanced practitioners and instructors, all on their special quest that night to enlightened themselves on the intricacies of Taichi Chuan. Master Zhu took special efforts to work with each and everyone in that regard - moving about the room, taking turn mutually pushing, pulling and twisting the person in front of him, in order for them to experience, hands-on, the unique concepts behind each selected topic. The smiles and grins on the faces revealed the instances of immediate breakthrough toward understanding. One can almost see the proverbial light bulb lit up, above their heads.
 
On that particular evening, the Studio hummed with refined energy. People were pushing and twisting about in rapt concentration. In the epicenter of all this, Master Zhu Tiancai, like a jovial wizard, weaving in-and-out of the crowd, touching one, gently admonishing another, imparting his magic to all.
 
Someone requested Master to perform a moving set. He smiled and positioned himself.
Everyone watched, mesmerized by the fluidity of his silk-reeling moves. Suddenly, the air crackled as Master Zhu threw out a faijin punch, startling the crowd out of their reverie.
 
It was getting late into the night, but Master Zhu took time to do the traditional Chinese calligraphy ceremony, after an event such as this one. Brush in hand and with one,two deft strokes, Master wrote "fist." The calligraphy revealed what everyone already knew: here is a Master indeed.
 
As the group spilled out of the Studio, silent with their own thoughts of this night's extraordinary event, one can only reflect, will the light bulbs above their heads glowed all the way home?

For more information contact Master Qichen Guo.