470081228019Master fou, Tung Hoa Master Jou, Tsung Hwa was born in the evening on the 13 day of the 7* moon, of the Chinese Lunar Calendar, 1917. He was the last child to be born to his smother, who gave birth to him while in her mid-forties. He was bor on this mother’s bed, in the town of Chuchi in Zhejiang Province, China. His family held a high position in society; his father was a government official. ‘Asa young boy and man, Master Jou excelled incredible in his academics. He specialized in mathematics. In the initial communist takeover of China, Master Jou escaped with his wife and child to Taiwan. There he became a famous mathematics professor and wrote ‘more than 30 math textbooks. He was a hard-living, hard-playing, hard-working ‘man who originally had no interest in any traditional Chinese philosophy or ats, ‘Atage 47, a severe decline in his health changed his life forever. He had stomach prolapse and an enlarged heart. There was no hope for cure via westem medicine. ‘Asa last resort, he heeded the advice ofa friend and began to study taijiquan. Master Jou was amazed atthe health of the taiji teacher and realized that itis {important to take care of oneself. He always made this point clear: even if you play taiji, if you don’t eat or sleep righ, it stil won't work. He immigrated to América with his wife and children in 1969 withthe intent to further specialize his mathematics education at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey. Instead, his fate was that he became a visiting professor of tajiquan there. After Rutgers University discontinued the taijiquan program, ‘Master Jou decided that he wanted to develop his own school. He wrote three ‘books to atin the proper finances: The Tao of Tai Chi Chuan, The Tao of ‘Meditation, and The Tao of I-Ching. ‘Tai Chi Farm was founded in 1984 to serve as a site for taiji players to openly, ‘cooperatively, and non-competitvely share together. Master Jou’s ultimate goal ‘was to preserve this site as a strictly non-commercial spiritual center. He took ‘great pride in his at from others to hold competitive events and to make the Farm more commercial. In this respect, Master Jou was very different from other taiji and martial arts teachers. Master Jou was different from taiji masters in other ways. He thoroughly stadied the tai classes and became dissatisfied withthe curent practice of taijiquan. He decided to conduct his own research and to teach himself, s the original ‘masters had done. Indeed, Master Jou never had a formal human teacher and chose to lear from the Dao and nature instead. Master Jou sincerely ‘worshipped the legendary founder of taifiquan, Zhangsanfeng, as his god and his spiritual guide and looked to him for guidance in his own learning process—and in his life. Master Jou was extremely modest about his abilities and would teach something only when he was 100% confident that he truly understood it himsetf, Infact, as many know, it was only in the last 2-3 years that he began to teach the martial aspects of taijiquan. His achievement as a martial artist ‘was superior, but it was only recently that he conceded that he had mastered the martial aspects and that he really could fight anyone. Master Jou was a teacher, a student, a warrior, a father, a man—a great man. He led by example, and this was hi ultimate lesson: forall of us to open our ‘minds and teach ourselves. Tai Chi Farm, with all ofits nature and uictness, always provided a perfect home for Master Jou to observe and. learn from the nature around him. And he selflessly shared his teachings and his home with anyone who was interested. “Nothing serious.” “A little smile’ “A Tite adventure.” “Good structure.” “Full spirit’ “Graceful like a dancer.” “Fierce like a martial artist.” “Do your best.” “lave dreams.” “Set goals.” “Put the mind there.” “Don't overdo.” “Make a little progress.” —Master Jou, Tsung Hwa‘This eulogy was given on 8/8/98 in honor of Master Jou, Tsung Hwa by his student and friend Bruce La Camubba. All of us ate here because we love Master Jou. We now join together, bonded by that love to celebrate his memory, rejoice in his spirit and perhaps to discover together how best to honor the memory and continue the work of this truly extraordinary human being. Each of us remembers Master Jou differently, but what is certain is that everyone that he touched had his or her lie enriched by knowing him, His compassion and concern, his desire to help, were sincere and direct. He was so generous, always giving us his time and attention, giving us Taiji—the practical guide to the Universe. With that t gift he showed us how to strengthen our bodies, sharpen our minds and elevate our spirits to accomplish more than we ever thought we could, He encouraged us to “make a little progress every time” (“no pain no gain”), He taught us that the Dao rewards the diligent....as stated in the fifth edition of his book The Tao of Tat Chi Chuan “Have confidence in yourself... the more often you think of your goal, the more it shapes your reality.” He was and continues to be a great teacher, but he taught by example and inspiration. He himself had no human teacher for many years. His teacher was the universe; Tai Chi Farm his laboratory. BBy night he studied the heavens and observed the stars and planets. By day he studied the animals and observed the flow of water in the streams, the movement of his beloved bamboo trees in the summer breeze. In al of this he saw universal laws and principles which he made certain he applied in his teaching of Taiji. As stated in a letter dated May 1998, “to practice taijiquan, itis necessary to put your ‘mind into the movement and seek to develop the spirit of vitality or shen. The mind, body and spirit must bbe combined as one unit.” His pursuit of this unity was his pursuit of balance and harmony with the universe. The microcosm moved in synchronicity with macrocosm. His achievements as a teacher are recognized worldwide. When we visited China in March of this year we were in Beijing when the 18" generation Chen Master from the Chen Village came to see } ‘Master Jou to ask him to teach him his version of the Chen Form. ‘Although a renowned anthor and a riveting speaker when he chose to speak, he was really a man of few words. He regarded most talk as a waste of precious energy. Again choosing action and example to convey a meaning more profound and direct than words ever could. ‘Again, when we were in Beijing, another master was discussing and questioning Master Jou’s contentions. Master Jou then stood up and demonstrated what he was talking about.... After being tossed halfway across the room, the other master, who was much younger and stronger, became convinced that Master Jou’s principles were indeed sound. Master Jou was an extremely humble man, never becoming attached to a particular posture even though he had put much research and hard work into it. His thought process was flexible and constantly evolving. Again, reflecting a parallel with the most constant principle of the universe... Change. His teaching although intense was always infused with great good humor. He was a genuinely fanny man, always smiling and laughing, always lifting the spirits of those around him. As he exhorted us to practice harder and seek excellence, he told us to make sure we do it with a litte smile...nothing serious. So, as we travel down the path lighted by the insights and energy of this sweet and gentle man, remember to listen to all those instructions he gave us as he worked us so hard in class. “Good Structure” “Know yourself” “Put the mind there” “Full spirit—like a dancer” “Do your best—don't overdo” “Make alittle progress” ‘And at the end of class there was always a spontancous and heartfelt chorus, “Thank You Master Jou!”A Legacy of Learnin: Jou Tsung Hwa, 1917-1998 By Marvin Smalheiser Jou Tsung Hwa, author of “The Teo of Tai Chi Chuan” and founder of the Tai Chi Farm, was killed Monday, August 3, in an automobile accident, ‘when his auto was struck by a van near the Tai Chi Farm in Warwick, NY. He was 81 years old (One of the most highly respected teachers of Tai Chi Ch’uan, Master Jou ‘was known for his openness and earesiness, and his ‘continuing effort to seek higher levels of T'ai Chi skill, even at his advanced age. He always felt that higher levels of accom- plishment were almost ‘within his grasp, even though he was recognized as having already achieved exceptional skills ‘The accident occurred when he left a late after- noon break of a Taoist med- itation seminar atthe Tai Chi Farm to go to a nearby shopping center to get food for the seminar participants. On his way back, as he \was pulling out ofthe shop- ping center, only about a half-a-mile from the Farm, his car was broadsided on the driver's side by a van, He ‘was killed instantly, His death came as the Tai Chi Farm, located in rural ‘community 40 minutes from New York City, had reach new levels of populari- ty. Atthe festival in June, there were some 700 participants. ‘The festival was the 26th annual Zhang San Feng Festival, which he had started in 1972, when be was teaching at Rutgers University It was transferred to the Farm after he purchased an abandoned farm in Warwick, NY, in 1984 as part of his dream to have a university, where peo- ple could come to learn all styles of ‘Trai Chi Ch’uan, taught by respected masters of all styles. His goal was to promote and enrich the teaching and study of T'ai Chi Chuan, which he began studying in ‘Taiwan, when he had serious, life threatening medical conditions, Master Jou felt that T’ai Chi Ch'uan had saved his life, and he wanted to make it avail- able to others. Jou Tsung Hwa in Snake Creeps Down. Among his lasting legacies are his three books, “The Tao of Tai Chi Chuan," “The Tao of Meditation,” and “The Tao of I Ching.” ‘At the Farm, he was able to attract a diverse group of students and respected teachers from the U.S., Canada, and overseas, ‘As a teacher, he set a standard by not holding back so-called “secret” teachings. Instead, he was willing and ‘eager to share all that he knew, ‘Yet, he always emphasized the need for students to depend only on them selves and not just on teachers, which was his own method of leaming. A ‘perennial student, he never stopped try- ing to learn more. Even at 81, he was still earning new methods and devel- ‘oping other ones to help his students. ‘William C. C. Chen, a longtime friend of Master Jou, said: “He sacrificed a lot of things to promote T’ai Chi Chuan, He felt he should share something really good ‘with people. He put all his effort into T'ai Chi Chuan, He accom- plished a lot. To me, is a great loss. There are not many people like him.” Jou Tsung Hwa established a unique standard of integrity. Despite his brilliant intellect and high-level mathematical back- ground, he treated ‘everyone equally and was devoid of the pett- ness and self-impor- tance that is often ‘exhibited by persons in similar endeavors involving personal achievement ‘While he practiced the Taoist principle of non-interference, he was able t0 act 10 selectively change the course of events for ‘many people and, indeed, the course of ‘T'ai Chi development in the US, Master Jou made it possible for people from all backgrounds and styles to share knowledge and experience ‘T'ai Chi as a family, without conflict, People who had never talked to each other and thought they didn’t like certain people came to the Farm and found that they had common ground ‘with them, They often became friends and colleagues. This common ground had not exist- ed before, Master Jou’s leadership has become the standard by which future teachers and seminars will be mea- sured. Master Jou is survived by his wife, two sons and three daughters.«Students, Friends Comment on the Life of Jou Tsung Hwa By Loretta May Wollering Walked in off the street! ne following isthe funeral eulog He would not settle forthe psycho- talon hea ech re HRY ogi ecuty of having a teacher or Wollring. quickly learning techniques. He knew ‘Many claim to have known Master hat the tue Taijiquan principles were, Jou along time or very well Burtow adnever pretended to know mote than do we really know a man like this? To He uly di. truly know him isto understand that In fact, it was only in the past two {you have met a saint in real lif, to the years that he really began to Why do I say this? Look at what he did: his life was saved by Taijiquan, and since then, he did nothing more than to selflessly dedicate his entre life to revive “Taijquan’s original princ- ples and to spread Taijiquan to improve the life of mankind His home, Tai Chi Farm, hhad doors open to al. Master Jou supported it with the income from his tree books and by donating his own pet- sonal money he eared from ‘working in hs son's compas ny. Master Jou never sought to be famous; he just was He never demanded respect, hne never demanded strict, loyalty to his teachings, he never kept secrets on his teachings, and he never hated. Master Jou was simple and unpretentious. He had no ego about anything he di. He just DID. He just WAS, He was not the mysterious, untouchable master-he was a warm, real human Many times people were less than respetiul to him and took advantage of him or his name, but he White Crane Cools Its Wings, Comments about Jou always let it go. If things were nega- Tsung Hwa by students lve or against him, he always advised, and friends are on the fol- ais gti £0, lett 20." So peaceful Jowing pages and on pages He never demanded anything 33-36. except what he demanded from bitt= | —<—$——$——$—$———— Ser People Would have pid thu develop the martial ants aspects of elas- sands of dollars just to study with sical Taijiquan, He was a porist, and him, buttat was NOT what he was fed io mix any gong or her about! Instead, he favored a ‘martial arts techniques ito his practice humble ife and would each ANY. of Taijiquan, He warmed al of his stu- dents that they must give up everything ee tes and start again from the basis, the pare principles of Taijiquan, as stated in the classics. This was the lonely, ‘cumbersome path he took. ‘Many of his students abandoned hhim on his path, choosing instead to study other martial arts techniques to ‘add to Taijiquan, to learn fancy ‘weapons forms or non-traditional forms, or to get quick certifications, ete ‘Master Jou did not care. He stood all alone in his conviction to develop differ. cently. He did not care aout quick results; he cared about QUALITY results. As people saw him grow so successfully, they were surprised, indeed, about the incredible martial arts skills, push hands skills, and the level of rejuvenation that he just recently achieved. ‘What he accomplished was not done overnight, but the levels he achieved were higher than everyone else. Yel, he was ever so modest about his abilities, never showing-off When I saw his body after the accident, a nurse remarked that she never saw an 81-year-old man healthy like that. Even after such a Jong time, his skin was stil ‘warm and with color. So strong was his qi! So rejuve~ nated was his body! So why do we doubt ‘ourselves and our abilities in life? Master Jou always reminded us, "I'm a senior! If 4 senior can do it, definitely you can do I believe that Master Jou was enlightened on the day he left his body. He taught the first class of his Taoist Meditation workshop that day. He talked deeply about things he never talked about in this workshop before. All through it the students remem= bered that he had an incredible sense of peace and quietness about him. He talked about God, life and death, the fourth dimension, and that we could die at any moment. He talked about the earth and the sky, DNA and the stars.He meditated deeply with the students during the workshop. He ‘ended that class with a few ques- tions that he asked all to ponder: "We go back to where we come from. What are we? Where are we going?” And with that, he concluded that he already spoke too much and ended the class. He started cooking dinner, went to the grocery store, and never returned. Let us not forget his highest teaching—that the original ancient ‘masters had no human teacher. They hhad fo tach themselves. This is ‘what Master Jou did, and this is what we must now do ourselves. Why? Because NOW we have no other choice. So we must go on. His teachings are left for all ‘mankind to explore. It is our duty to Photos on this and subsequent pages regarding Master Jou Were provided by: Loretta | Woltering, Ramon Korff, Dr | Christopher M. Viggiano, Andy | Lee, Jiang Jian-ye, J. Justin Meehan, Steve Higgins, Dr. John | Painter, and Thomas Pereira. ‘They were also made available | from the files of T’AI CHI Magazine. Loretta M. Wollering and Master Jou. ‘make sure we do not bastardize his teachings and undo his life's work to revive the pure Taijiquan, ‘Think about this: the man always spoke with pride that he would teach anyone, rch or poor, young or old, He spent day and night eating, sleeping, breathing, and teaching ‘Taijiquan. Like Buddha, Jesus Christ, and Mother Theresa, he gave his life for us, so that our lives may be better, This is why 1 believe he is now beyond “master,” beyond “gt ter” May I please call him, ora god?” And if we can clear our ‘minds and emo- tions, just for a few moments, and practice the pull-in/push-out of the dantian, his most basic lesson, maybe, just maybe, we will feel that we are dancing the ‘Taijiquan with him, dancing in the clouds among the heav- ‘Thank you, Great Heavenly ‘Teacher Jou Tsung Hwa, for ‘your precious Biftse By Dr. Christopher M. Viggiano The following isthe funeral eulogy 10 Jou Tsung Fa given by Dr Christopher M. Viggiano How can anyone express the + Laguna Beach, Ca-Oct. 17, 1998 + Heidelberg, Germany- an. 24-25, 1999 & Costa Rica 3 + Hawaii, - October 24-25, 1998 _ + Zurich, Switzerland- Jan, 30-31, 1999 PAE. CHT RAIN FOREST ADVENTURE| + San Diego, Ca. - November 1, 1998 + COSTA RICA: “Tai Chi in Paradise"? 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He expressed an urgent desire to correct this sate of affairs. He shared with me his new dream: “Sy, 1 have a dream that someday I might return to China to help save real T'ai Chi Chuan from dying.” T thought to myself: “If there is one ‘man who could accomplish this feat, it is him" This extraordinary being could accomplish such an extraordinary goal Jou faced me and gently placed his ‘hands under my forearms. He then asked, “Push me.” I did. “No!” he said, “too much muscle, Push again!” This time he said, “Yes, that’s right,” and smiled, And it did feel different .. it felt effortless. In that instant, I gleaned the differ- cence between my first and second push. I then experienced my own breakthrough! Concerning “twi-shou,” he then said, “This ‘wrestling’ must stop!” He stated that people are not applying the principles as outlined in the T’ai Chi Classics, and, consequently, are dilut- ing pure, real T'ai Chi Chuan, Twas like a sponge, attempting to soak up as much of his aura, his words, and his concepts as I could, He now began to explain the coor- inated use of the feet and toes with breathing as it applied to T’ai Chi form and qigong when we were interrupted 20 expecting that this would be the lat time. thought of visiting with him in September after returning from my vacation. 1 \was looking forward to fur- ther discussions about how to fix" the state of affairs of Tai Chi Chuan. 1 shared his past, present, and future dreams, and I felt fortunate that in some small ‘manner, Master Jou cared 10 hhear what I thought, I always felt privileged that oceasional- ly he would share his insights with me, If Tai Chi teaches us one thing, itis dhat life is ever changing. Through aceep- tance, we can flow with the river. Master Jou’s dream did ‘come true and continues to live on amongst us who have Jou Tsung Hwa in a WulHao posture. tad the privilege of his inspi- ration. In my stall way, I shall continue 10 carry Master Jou’s eloquence and dreams in my heart and try to continue his search and practice of “real” T’ai Chi Chuan. miss him dearly, and 1 will always remember him running down the road that winter's day, just like a kid, beck- ‘oning me excitediy, proclaiming, “Breakthrough! Breakthrough!"~ by a light knock on the door. Jay Dunbar entered politely and sai, “Excuse me, Master Jou, Everybody's waiting for you outside the big tent I's passed the time for your demonstr- tion.” ‘More than a hundred people were patiently awaiting him in the fed, and here he Was, engrossed time was of 20 importance! art of Master Jou’s charm was this innocent quality of exuberance thal he displayed. Because this day was my 52nd binth- day, unbeknownst to Master Jou, it ‘vas especially ‘memorable that he spent this time with His words, con- cepts, and wisdom concerning “real” T’ai Chi Chuan and “ral” tu-shou ‘were inspiring and food for my soul “This was indeed a birthday gift Iwill always teasure,T ‘ thought then, never [At memorial, participants gave testimonials.By Dr. John P. Painter Jou Tsung Hwa, or Master “Joe” as most people called him, was cut from a different bolt of cloth than most T'ai Chi Ch'uan teachers. What garnered this quiet ‘man a reputation as both a genius and Tai Chi maverick was that he ‘was not afraid to think for himself, to innovate, and change things for the better. For years, he had worked ceaselessly on his mind and body. Molding, taining, and shaping his methods until he tran- scended the world of form and substance, A senior student, Dr. Jay Dunbar, and I both agreed that ‘Master Jou Tsung Hwa was on the verge of a great breakthrough in his T'ai Chi Chuan practice when he was suddenly, without warning, struck down in the prime of his ‘82nd year. Having known the man for over a decade, T was continually amazed at how he lived his art each and every day. Like the fabled Lao Tu, author of. the Tao Te Ching, Jou Tsung Hwa seemed to be aging in reverse, Each year he looked younger and felt softer, it also stronger. This was no form replicating, copycat content to hop from one form fo another. Jou Tsung Hiwa was a tue original, a one-of-a kind master of T’ai Chi Chuan, Jou Tsung Hwa never intended to bea T'ai Chi Ch'uan master. He was a schoolteacher and mathematician of the highest order in is early years in China. Born in Chu Chi, Chekiang province, China, home of the fabled Mount T'ien-T'si, the young Tsung twa grew up to become one of the ‘most highly acclaimed professors of ‘mathematics in China, Before the age of forty he had over thirty of his math textbooks published in China, In 1964, atthe age of forty- seven, Jou Tsung Ha--whose health was never very good, due to restricted. food supplies in China--found himself suddenly stricken with intestinal and cardiac problems. His doctor gave him only a few months to live, with Title hope of recovery. Sulering terribly and almost at death's door, a close friend introduced him to a T'ai Chi Chuan instructor as, a last ditch effort. The fitness and Bi. From Left, Dr. Jay Dunbar, Master Jou, and Dr. John Painter. health of the older master so improssed the frail and sickly Tsung Hwa that he resolved to master the art of T'ai Chi Chuan and restore his health, Beginning daily practice of only a fow minutes each morning, he made slow but steady progress. He soon found the strength to lengthen the training to an hour a day. In five years, his physician pronounced his heart and stomach conditions to be completely cured. His overall health was perfect. Inspired by his success, he wanted to devote himself fulltime to his pas- sion for T'ai Chi Ch'uan, Me, Jou's dream was to see T'ai Chi Chuan become a universal form of exercise practiced by peoples of every nation. Hee understood that to accomplish this ‘monumental task, teachers had to come together, and scientific truth had to replace superstition and faulty knowl- edge, After moving to the United States in 1971, he was determined to share his newfound discovery with the world, hen he started a class of T'ai Chi Chuan at Livingston College of Rutgers University. The program that the college thought would be a failure soon had 300 students registered. When the class was canceled some time later, anew home was needed for his work and research in the art Mr. Jou and some devoted students purchased a 100-acre abandoned farm ‘outside of Warwick, NY, and on December 7, 1984, The Tai Chi Farm was born, Part of a non-profit organization, The Tai Chi Foundation was created by Master Jou. The Farm functioned as a T'ai ‘Chi Ch’uan cultural center, inte- grating Western and Easter skills, and knowledge of the internal arts, Never content to rest on tradi- tion for tradition’s sake, Mr. Jou began ceaselessly studying, researching, and questioning every aspect ofthis art. He traveled back to China numerous times. What he found there made him, in his own ‘words, “Very sad!” The commu: nists had changed the art, watered Git down, and removed much of ‘what made T’ai Chi Ch’uaa the health and martial art he had known in his younger years. He told a class: “The tue Tai Chi Ch'uan, Pa Kua Chang, and Hsing I Ch'uan of old China is all lost. Ichas become a sport without the internal methods. We must rediscover this great gift from China and preserve it for all people.” ‘This became the goal ofthe Tai Chi Farm. As Captain Kirk put it, “To bold- ly go where no man has gone before.” He invited many teachers and masters ‘o the Farm to share their ideas and principles. Workshops by visiting mas- fers, as well as resident teachers, offered year-round training in T'ai Chi Ch'uan, Ch'i Kung, Pa Kua Chang and Hsing-I Chuan forms. ‘Others presented programs of Taoist meditation, classical scholarly studies, and healing arts throughout the yeat. Everyone participated in the spirit of friendship and good fellowship regardless ofthe system or style they personally preferred. The annual Tai Chi Farm Festival drew hundreds of students and teachers each year. These festivals were like visiting the fabled Camelot, a sort of T’ai Chi renaissance fair. The entire farm was alive with every conceivable method and style of Tai Chi Ch'uan and inter- ral arts practitioners. Anyone who vis- ited this event found, among students and teachers alike, an openness and sharing of principles and brotherhood that is rare in our modern society and is often as scarce as hen's teth among ‘martial artistsPhoenix, Arizona Featuring “4 November 7&8 Don Ethan Miller Workshop Workshop Sponsored by ASU Asian Studies ‘ Center at the ASU MU, Arizona Room Chi Kung Internal Martial Arts Demonstrations Push Hands in the new Chinese Cultural Center in Phoenix Banquet by Lao Ching Hing. all at 44 St & Loop 202 $8 Demonstrations $26 Banquet & Demonstrations §71 Any one workshop sesion, $125 any two, or $179 all three $197 Everything ! Presegistration only before 10/30/98 For more information ‘Sun. 2fishswim.com SATE @ Two Fishes Swimming 998-595-4354 PO Box 39144, PHX. AZ 85069-9144 {©Tai chi Terry @ Still Mountain 602-650-1852 Presiding over it all was Master Jou and a group of his “bamyard masters." from whom he claimed to learn many secrets. There was master cat, master chicken, master goose and the pea- ‘cocks, and last, but not least, the ever- present goat with whom Mr. Jou regu- larly engaged in a spirited and some- ‘what serious game of push hands. He elaimed to have learned many things about martial arts and medita- tion from this august assemblage of farm animals, as well as from trees, rocks, water, and the natural elements in the raw that were so much in abun- dance on the farm, He told me once, “John, the princi piles of Tai Chi are all around you in nature, Not in a book. T don’t read books anymore. I practice, and then 1 just wate nature and the animals; they are like my teachers.” He returned to China again and again, seeking out the oldest and wisest ‘of those who “hide their light,” and ‘Taoist masters of longevity and internal arts who seldom teach publicly. From ‘many of them, he reconstructed much of the lost knowledge that he freely passed on to his students and close aS friends. A.keen observer, Master Jou’s _sreatest longevity secret was made ‘while viewing a photo of himself and ‘an old Taoist master taken in China. He noticed the light in the old masters eyes and his posture. The old man was as erect as any youngster and had a certain atitude that radiated life and healt, ‘Adopting the Taoists breathing practice and posture changed his own practice. He told my Fiulong Pa Kua Chang class, “When T saw how straight he was and how alive he looked and hhow I looked so old next to him, even though he was much older than I, it ‘changed me. T stared to understand that practice js every moment waking and sleeping. Tt is posture, atitude, and energy that ‘we ereate in ourselves each moment ‘we are alive. This is the secret of my longevity and health. Anyone who is a litle clever ean do it. You just have to tell yourself, “I will do it!” Then try 10 improve yourself each day "To me, this attitude made him the epitome of a true Chinese martial arts master. Jou Tsung Hwa was a shining light of truth in the darkest comers, illuminating the twilight of a new age of enlightenment for T’ai Chi Chuan. He never missed the opportunity to teach or practice his method. No one who asked a question was refused an answer. He made time for beginners, in the same way as he did for instructors. Once, while following Master Jou ‘back to the Tai Chi Farm, we lost his ‘cat for a moment. When we doubled back, we found that he had been stopped on the New Tersey freeway for speeding, The highway patrol officer, 2 hulk of a man, made Sylvester Stallone Took like a pencil-neck geek. ‘There was Master Jou on the side of the road, demonstrating roll back, press and push to the hulking officer ‘who, to our surprise and amazement, ‘was attempting to do the moves with him, They took no notice as they prac- ticed, oblivious to the hundreds of cars whizzing by on the pike. By the way, Mr. Jou did not get a ticket! As he turned 81 in July of 1998, it ‘was evident that here was a living example to follow. He clearly proved that longevity and radiant health is pos sible ifthe student practices a T'ai Chi lifestyle. Jou Tsung Hwa at 81 was in perfect health and looked more like & ‘maa of 60 than an octogenarian, He was easily capable of the most amazing feats of flexibility, playing push hands or sparring, and often ran circles around students in there twen- ties. His skin was clear and his eyes sparkled with an energy that said, “I ‘am truly alive and loving it” While he ‘could be soft as cotton, his body seemed to embody the Chinese classics maxim that refers to being like “a bar of iron wrapped in cotton.” When he wanted to, his muscles were as bard and as strong as any thirty-year-old ‘This was made quite evident to me just last summer, Master Jou and T ‘ducked away from the erowd at the Farm during the Festival for our annual chat about the I Ching and Pa Kua Chang. ‘We drove to his favorite sea-food restaurant to eat lobster. Eating out with Master Jou was always an experi- ‘ence, for as Lhave ssid earlier he was given to start teaching you, or anyone else for that matter, in the middle of a restaurant or filling station. Restaurants were a particularMASTERING PUSH HANDS Video tape supplement to the book Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan Push Hands by Master Ma Yueh Liang and Dr. Wen Zee Demonstrated by Dr. Wen Zee and his student F.Z. Ling THE SYSTEMATIC AND AUTHENTIC WAY TO LEARN PUSH HANDS Contents: Single Hand Method with Fixed Step Double Hand Method with Fixed Step Fundamentals of Four Basic Movement: Warding, Diverting, Pressing, Pushing The Self Practicing Methods The Thirteen Basic Manipulations Push Hands with Moving Steps: $49.50 plus $6.30 for tax and handling Dodging Step Allow six to eight weeks for delivery Great Turn Over Seven Star Step Dr. Zee’s Studio of Chinese Healing Arts Nine Palace Step 6200 N. Oracle Road, Apt. 116 Chain Step Tucson, Arizona 85704 USA Da Lu (the great diverting) email [email protected] favorite for demonstrating Fajing or in June following the Zhang San-Feng _ share openly and teach-holding noth- pulsing energy on the dinner table. The Festal ing back—and foster the spirit of broxh- results often caused the erockery and Master Jou came to my cabin one _erhood and honor among martial ats silverware o rebound several inches chilly night. We talked I Ching, did students and teachers without regard t0 from the tabletop. This day he was in T’si Chi Chuan and explored his ideas style or method. rare form and took great delight in not on Pa Kua Chang, and played push Jou Tsung Hwa encouraged me ten only demonstrating moves atthe table hands until midnight, The deft skill and years before, when I began my career, while waiting tobe served, but in fuidity ofthis living master struck me to bring Pa Kua Chang to the world. shoving off his muscular calves. 4s amazing and filled me with admira- And he inspired me again that night, as A the waitress walked by, she tion, Trying to grab him or push Jou he had done for so many ters, with asked how he was feeling today. For an Tsung Hiva was like attempting to get the desire and the courage to face diff answer he rolled up his pants leg anda python tocol in a direction it did not cult odds and suffer much inthe pur- before an astonished waitress displayed want to go. In short, it was impossible. suit of excellence and truth in the inter a smooth skinned leg with no varicose asked him why he didnot show nal arts. Now he is gone and we must veins, She and I were both impressed all ofthe things he had discovered to __forge on without his help and encour- and then he flexed his calf muscle. the rest ofthe world. He said “John, agement For a man of SOhis leg would have am only 81; no one will believe me. But he made us think and question, been impressive, but on an SI-yearold But when Tam 90, they will be willing and he inspired us to practice hard they were astounding. Iron hard calves to listen to the master keys of intemal every day. The man who told us all bulged out on his left eg with a density power when [can show them what “Just strive to make a litle progres cof muscle that would have made even _can do, You are very clever and must _is gone; the sword returned tothe lake. ‘Amold jealous. “Tai Chi Chuan!" he do the same with your Pa Kua Chang. ‘But is legend and legacy remain and said "See how strong itas made me at Then the infernal martial ans can be _will ive as long as we remember his my age.” ‘open and everyone will believe in its words and deeds, as they remain in the Master Jou had a plan. He had power” [knew in my hear that if any- hearts and minds of all he touched sade up his mind that when he (ne could do this it would be Master He was a man who as Thoreau said, reached the age of 90 he would demon- Jou “-Marched to the beat ofa different strate to the world his new found “mas- This amazing man so inspired me drummer" The world could use more ter keys” to energy and power. I and encouraged me that then and there, lke him. learhed of his plan during one of the resolved 0 do as he asked. I pledged ‘We miss you and love you, Master ‘week-long Jiulong Pa Kua Chang to devote myself w the ats in the same Jou! Now lt all go out and practice a ‘workshops I held at the Farm each year way he has done. To search for truth, Tittle morele 2BComments on the Teachings of Jou Tsung Hwa T wasn't one of Master Jou’s regular students. Iwas one of the hundreds of particZpants atthe annual Zhang San Feng Festival atthe Farm T first met Master Jou in 1990 when attended a Farm weekend workshop swith Dr, Yang Jwing-Ming. I later start- ced bringing many of my students to the Festival weekend on a regular basis. remember promoting the Farm ‘months before and recruiting students to attend with me. I felt that they all, should meet a most interesting and wonderful, though humble, T’ai Chi Master. hoped that in so doing, the students would be inspired to adopt Tai Chi as a regular practice for their whole lives. T remember Master Jou as a Master that dedicated every minute to Tai Chi ‘One year, after a large group introdue- tion in the Farm’s field, he stayed until, the last person's questions were answered, ‘That was me and another of my students, We wound up having a per sonal lecture and demonstration on the relaxed power of T'ai Chi. He didn’t know us, only that we were interested in learning something more. ‘This was not unusual, as Master Jou would unselfishly siop and chat or Tecture with anyone about T’si Chi He said he was always learning. This past summer, at an instructors? ‘workshop, everyone was talking about advertising, commercializing, parking, expansion, ete ‘Master Jou sat silently listening and meditating. He quietly asked one sim- ple question that had nothing to do ith what the others were about. ‘Why are there not any masters like in the old days?” Teould only think, have you, ‘Master Jou, looked in the mirror lately? ‘Such was the humility and simplicity of this great man, Thank you for being there to bring us all together in a sharing, non-com- petitive way. It was a great experience ‘and finally an honor o have eventually participated as a presenter during the Festival weekends.« avid Ritchie, Meriden, CT. Master Jou in a ceremonial walk. In the past 2 years I have had the honor of spending a lot of time with Master Jou, helping him with his book, helping him with work around the Farm and learning Tai. Master Jou truly gave his life to the development of Taijiquan. He was ‘eeatly saddened by how Taiji has strayed from the classics. Push hands is using too much force and forms are becoming disconnected, too much movement of body parts, that move separately rater than as one unit. He had a fear thatthe Taijiquan spoken of in the classics has neared extinction. So, he worked for hours every day to develop the postures of the form, and exercises to promote whole body movement. ‘Master Jou was a man of few words so, when he spoke you knew that it was from his heart. He is often associ- ated with quotes that he would use to get his point across to his students “Use your mind.” "Be graceful like a dancer.” “With spirit” “Got it?” This we knew of him as a teacher of Taijiquan. ‘Asa person, he watched nature constantly. I remember coming to the Farm one weekend and secing an old stool in the field near his peacocks. T couldn't imagine why it was there. Then I realized that he put it there so that he could sit and watch them and Jearn their movements. He spoke to all of his animals. The peacocks would call him, as would the geese. The goat, Happy, would often come down to class and want to play push hands (push head, really) with him. He was a man very comfortable with himself and his ideas. Nothing seemed to ratle him, No matter how big the problem was to Master Jou, it was a “litte prob- lem.” In the last several years, he became ‘more involved in the martial side of Taijiquan, He knew that had many years of external training before com- ing to the Farm, so when we would train together he would ask me 10 attack him in any way I could think of. He would watch the attack, think about it, meditate on it, apply the principles of the classies and the attack would very quickly be turned around on me. 33He was also a great joker. He loved to pretend he was off-balance or falling, throw you off-guard and then stand tight up, AAs Isat at his funeral and listened to his blood family speak about their relative and as [listened to his Taiji family speak about him, I realized that his ideas about Taiji and the universe was true with his family, friends, and teachings. He taught us all to “have a dream’ and never let your vision of that dream fade, By using your mind, all things are possible and success always comes from “Do your best.” Jou Tsung Hwa was a brilliant yet hhumble man who touched my heart in ways T eannot explain. He was my teacher but he was also my friend. He will be sadly missed. Sharon Rose, Scranton, PA. ‘Master Jou isnot among us any- sore and I will miss him, Master Jou has left many able teachers fo carry on his tration However he shouldbe remembered for one thing he did which was very {important to American T'ai Chi and goes beyond individual teaching. This ‘must not die Master Jou brought us all together ‘Now that we are all together as & com- tend to forget how it vwas when he started having the Chang San Feng Festival, long before there ‘was a Tai Chi Farm. He encouraged us all, whatever style to work together, play push hands together, study together and be friends regardless of what style or what we thought was right to practice. To paraphrase Jay Dunbar, one of ‘Master Jou's students, “We all do it the same, but litle bit differently.” Master Jou got us started respecting cach other's differences, and coming together in harmony.» Bill Phillips, Brooklyn, NY. Twill miss Master Jou very much, though his memory is an inspiration and motivation for me. How can anyone forget his exuber- ance and his presence at the Zhang San Feng festivals? I feel sad that my stu- dents never met him, though I was always inviting them to come with me to the festivals, « Frances Gander, Sykesville, MD 34 A lecture at the Farm. T'ma relative neweomer to Tai Chi (Chuan and the Tai Chi Farm, but Ido have a couple of recollections of Master Jou Tsung Hova, When my teacher first introduced ime and several of his students fo Master Jou, he proved to be a man of few words, confident in his direction, He was willing to talk and demonstrate ‘concepts of T’ai Chi to anyone who \was interested in learning more about the subject. That evening, he casually ‘demonstrated his current flexibility and strength fo us by moving slowly and precisely into a low “Snake Creeps Down” stance. T've been practicing Tai Chi for several years now, and I'm still trying to achieve that same low, strong, and balanced posture During the opening ceremony of, the 25th Chang San Feng Festival, Master Jou lectured briefly on the di ference between muscle-based external power and internal based power. He demonstrated his inwandly focused T’ai (Chi and how, from a relaxed state, he could quickly express his jin (internal power) from a couple of different T’ai Chi forms. ‘Whenever this thin, youthful octo- ‘genatian expressed his jn, he made the conire building structure shudder. T hhave been in this same building with 20 or more pairs of students practicing pushing hands and never noticed any serious vibration, but Master Jou could reverberate this 20-by-40-foot room with ease My last image of Master Jou was at the 26th Festival, standing atthe top of the hill, near the big tent. He was demonstrating push hands technique and easily redirecting students half his age and twice his size [still can't forget Master Jou’s ream,” written in the beginning of his frst book, “The Tao of Tai Chi Chuan.” It contained two powerful Visions. One was that one day, all races and creeds of people would be practic ing T’ai Chi Chuan in America’s parks, The second was the creation of a Tai Chi college, to tain teachers in Tai Chi and Chinese culture. At the memorial service given for Master Jou on the 16th of August, 1 placed a paper crane on the table with all the other gifts and offerings. Although the crane is reminiscent of ‘one of the stories on the origins of T’aiFair Lady at the Shuttles. hi, itis also a symbol of rebirth. Master Jou’s Tai Chi Farm has been a wonderful place for students, teach ers, and masters ofthe internal martial arts to come together and share their knowledge, without bias or polities. I don’t know what the future will be, but :my hope is that Master Jou’s Tai Chi Farm will continue and an American college of T’ai Chi will become a reali- ye P. Erik Carlson, Townsend, MA. Thave just leamed of the passing of Mr. Jou. Oh my, what a loss for the ‘Taiji community! ‘My first memory of him was atthe ‘Tai Chi Farm years ago. I was so excit ed just being there in that very special place. It was early morning and mist was heavy .. . heavy. [looked out a window and sav this “dream-like vision” floating through the trees. Was it real? Was it spirit”? I found it was both... later that day. It was Mr. Jou. ‘The stories we tell of him—the wonderful books he left to guide us ‘and the Farm are all legacies we take comfort in. However, for me, most of all 1 remember two pieces of advice he gave ime, Its advice I have used in my classes ever since, the first ata dinner in Chapel Hill. | was fortunate to sit next to him ‘and every time I bent over to put food jn my mouth, he would poke me in the ribs and say.” Suaight. Jean, stay straight! Be a crane among chickens.” (He is the only person who ever sug- gested I could be a crane since I am S1” wb. ‘And, the other: one evening, walk- ing aeross the yard he took my hand and looked into my eyes with that gaze that was so focused on you that you ‘would squirm. He said,“ be your guide—soft, alert and playful Learn from the kitten.” Now every time I come to the pos- ture White Crane Cools Its Wings, 1 hear Mr. Jou saying, “Be a crane among chickens.” And I know he does- n't just mean in your physical stature, but also your mental accomplishment and posture, as well ‘So, goodbye, Mr. Jou. In the place you are now, Iam absolutely sure you fare the tallest crane in the flock.« Jean Sullivan, Tai Chi Memphis, Memphis, TN,‘The day my life tumed around was when I met Master Jou Tsung Hwa on April 24, 1994, At that time, [had Crohin’s Disease for 8 years. I was recuperating from my second abdomi- nal surgery. Even with my wonderful wife and Family, my life was in a downward spi- ral. My 17 years of martial ats traning wasn’t helping and the past five years of practicing Cheng Man-ch’ing’s short version of the Yang Form by myself wasn't helping my disease either kept searching, I finally found a true teacher of T’ai Chi and started practicing the Yang Long Form. This teacher was one of Master Jou’s stu- dents about 20 years ago, Alter a short 8 months, my teacher Master Jou and Thomas Pereira. moved. When he left, he told me of the book that Master Jou wrote, “The Tao of Tai Chi Chuan.” I still had questions ‘on the philosophy and theories of T'ai Chi Chuan, I decided to write to Master Jou, I told him of my chronic disease and the questions that I had about T'ai Chi. He answered me quickly with an invitation for me and my family to visit him at the Farm. That weekend was the begin- ning of my journey to my well-being ‘We didn’t do much T'ai Chi that ‘weekend; we just talked about every- thing from theory to philosophy to my health, He showed me an exercise to do on my stomach/abdomen. Since then, he hhas opened the door to many other teachers and T’ai Chi friends, He has raised my T’ai Chi to such a high level, I was only able to visit him at the Farm twice a year; even so, Master Jou always gave his knowledge freely and completely. He was a true teacher, a true friend, ‘true master of T’ai Chi. To ‘was and will always be my T ‘mentor, Iwill miss him greatly.e “Thomas Pereira, Gales Ferry, CT. | Ifyou move, please let us know your correct address in writing by ‘mail, fax or e-mail right away to insure continued delivery of your | magazine subscription’ AI CHL | subscriptions are sent by bulk mail and are not forwarded by the Postal 36