When I watched Grandmaster's own teacher, Professor Hu Yuen-Chou, demonstrating tai chi at 94 years of age – I knew that he was a “living treasure” of China. At the same time, as he would agree, I realized that the “true treasure” was the art of tai chi itself. You do not have to be strong to practice tai chi. You do not have to be in perfect health to practice tai chi. And, it can be practiced well into old age. Any martial art of that nature seems a “true treasure” to me.

Having studied a hard style of martial art in my youth, two herniated discs (the result of an accident) physically prevent me from practicing any hard style arts at my current age. I think of all the people I know who fell in love with the martial arts at a younger age in their life, but for a variety of reasons can no longer keep practicing arts such as karate and tae kwon do. Once again, tai chi is a “true treasure” - as it allows them to continue their love for the martial arts - through their practice of this internal style of Chinese kung-fu.

And, if they stay the course, they will soon discover numerous martial techniques that were left out in the long route from China to countries like Okinawa, Japan, and Korea. For example, according to Grandmaster Wong, even push hands is very rare in the martial art world, as a way to "spar" safely without the high risks of physical injury. And the power of pushing, the power of pulling, the energy of splitting were not something I had ever experienced prior to my wife's training in this true treasure from China.

This ancient art will continue to challenge students at Chinatown Tai Chi, throughout the new year.