Today we’d like to introduce you to Henry Cheng.
Hi Henry, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I was born in Hong Kong. I was very fortunate to begin my studies with Master Pak Yu Kong when I was eight years old. I first began studying Chinese calligraphy and painting with Master Kong. I still remember putting ink over my hands and face at the very beginning. Master Kong taught me the importance of learning the different aspects of Chinese brush painting. Then when I was 10 years old, I began studying Tai Chi Chuan with Master Kong. Traditionally, Tai Chi is handed down from Master to student. The Master only teaches the basics to regular students. He may perhaps find one or two students in his whole lifetime who deserve to learn all that the Master can teach. That student will receive the honor of being the next generation, Master. It is an honor that can only be passed directly from one master to another. In 1982, Master Kong passed the title of “Wu Style Tai Chi Fifth Generation Master” to me. I was very excited to fly back to Hong Kong to accept this title. Since accepting that honor, I have committed my life to teaching Tai Chi, which improves a person’s health and well-being. I teach real Tai Chi and adhere to the principles of the Tao. With this principle, I require my students to be humble, polite, affable, and approachable, the same principles that I require of myself.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have encountered many challenges in my business life. When I came to the United States in 1980, I was a blue-collar worker at the electric company, Sanyo. I was required to lift 1000 refrigerators a day onto a conveyor belt in preparation for shipment. It was very exhausting work. Then after working all day, I would wait tables at a Chinese restaurant at night. In my spare time, I taught Tai Chi out of my garage and backyard. During that time, I was like a machine working, a human machine.
In order to build my Tai Chi classes, I spent many hours going from business to business, just knocking on doors to try to find an opportunity to teach. At that time, Tai Chi was not as well-known as it is now, so I got rejected many times.
However, as I became more well-known in the community, some of the local fitness centers asked me to teach there. Through word of mouth, people were learning about me and my classes. One person would refer me to another, one job would be followed by the next.
After years of freelancing, I was finally able to open my own business location. I chose the name “Tai Chi Wellness Center” as I wanted people to know that this is a place for wellness.
Another challenge for my business came during the recession of the early 2008. Business fell off drastically, as many students lost their jobs, but I was able to maintain the center. During this time, I focused on my calligraphy and painting. This led to more business with my Chinese art. I was invited to exhibit at UCSD, San Diego Zoo, Seaworld, and various other places. Everything worked out in the end. That is the true American Dream.
Probably the biggest challenge has been the Covid pandemic. During the first three months, I obviously had to close my business. However, I was able to teach my students with Zoom classes. As I’m not a very technical person, this was challenging for me. Then when I was able to re-open the center, I was teaching all my classes outside in the courtyard. Sometimes it got very cold and very dark, but my students kept coming. I also had to adjust some of my classes as I could not teach self-defense, weapons (sword, sabre, and spear), or advanced energy as they required students to be close to one another. I was able to replace some of these classes with a Tao philosophy class and a “Jong” class. I was very fortunate to have students who are loyal to me and would continue even during this difficult time.
It was during the Covid lockdown that I was able to concentrate more on finishing the book that I’m about ready to publish. It has taken me almost 8 years to publish this book. It has over 335 pieces of art that I have been working on for the last 60 years. During Covid, there was no way to ship a book from Hong Kong, and if it did get printed it would have to be put in storage because of the shipping problem. I finally found a printing company in the United States, but then they could not get the paper from Japan. At last, things are almost back to normal, and I am in the process of getting my book printed.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Tai Chi in itself is a beautiful art form. It is considered a moving meditation. In Tai Chi, we do not block the Chi (energy). This is so the Chi will flow freely through your body, which will enhance your physical health and mental well-being. The Chi is actually moving you instead of your brain moving you. I teach Tai Chi as described in the Tao (and the Tai Chi classic). These ancient writings are the authority on authentic Tai Chi principles and methods. There are three kinds of Tai Chi: Tai Chi competition, Tai Chi exercise, and real Tai Chi. Of these, I only teach real Tai Chi. With real Tai Chi, one pays great attention to details and teaches students how to do the internal work for their overall well-being. I also teach how Yin and Yang are an important part of Tai Chi.
There are also many benefits from real Tai Chi; it reduces:
– Risk of falling in older adults
– Stress, anxiety, and depression
– Blood pressure
– Joint pain
Chi also improves:
– Energy and stamina.
– Mood and overall well-being
– Aerobic capacity
– Flexibility, more balance, and agility
– Muscle strength and definition
– Sleep Quality
– Immune system function
– Congestive heart failure symptoms
– Self-defense
Soon my first art book will be published. It is my intention to introduce the” Dragon.” art of calligraphy and painting to the world. Chinese calligraphy and painting are closely related to Tai Chi. We were taught in calligraphy not to block our Chi, thereby allowing the energy to flow through our bodies. It flows out of the brush and onto the paper. This energy is what gives calligraphy and painting the feeling of internal peace and tranquility, and it makes the art feel alive! The regular practice of calligraphy allows a sense of inner, putting aside stress.
Master Kong taught me every aspect of calligraphy and painting. Now, after close to 60 years, I’m still striving, working hard to create the best of my art.
I like my students to call me “Low See” instead of “Si Fu.” Low See is a more humble name and implies teacher or coach. Whereas Si Fu can be used for anybody, like a taxi driver, plumber, or cook. My Center differs in many ways from other martial art schools that teach the external arts and are different from the Tao teachings. For example, Tai Chi does not use force; we use physics and flow. The philosophy is clear, but many schools, when teaching, use excessive force instead of physics and flow. I teach internal martial arts and the principle of Taoism. In addition, most schools do not have a real Master teaching the classes. At the center, there is only one Master teaching. I teach all of the students personally, and I teach without discrimination. Every student is taught the same. Also, many schools give tests and award belts every few months they have become focused on a business model. The Tai Chi Wellness Center does not do this. We focus on wellness. There are no belts or tests. The equivalent to a belt at the center is the knowledge the student has within themselves. The students know how much they know and how much others know by how well they perform. Students advance by authentically grasping the teaching.
I’m very proud that I do not just work at the center but I’m also involved in many different organizations, giving lectures, classes, demonstrations, and workshops. I’ve been invited to produce Tai Chi Videos and have had a television program that has aired weekly, nationally, and internationally. My story and articles have been published in newspapers, magazines and aired on television. I’ve been given the opportunity to work with the city of San Diego and the YMCA. The National Arthritis Foundation asked me to develop a special curriculum and to produce a training manual and a video “Tai Chi for Arthritis,” which airs on many TV stations. The Parkinson’s Disease Association of San Diego also invited me to make a video “Tai Chi for Parkinson’s disease“ Furthermore, San Diego State University gave me the opportunity to work with them on a research project to determine how Tai Chi affects bone density. I was also asked to teach Tai Chi to doctors and nurses at the Scripps Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation Center and to write a training manual, “Training Strategies for Rehabilitation Health Professionals. “ I have been invited by many colleges, hospitals, and clinics to teach, give lectures and workshops for Tai Chi, self-defense, wellness, and the Tao philosophy. These organizations include the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Research Center, San Diego County Parks, and Recreation, Chinese Historical Museum, YMCA of San Diego County, the Arthritis Foundation, Parkinson’s Disease Association of San Diego, Marriott and Hyatt Hotels, Center for Health and Well-being, Johnson and Johnson, Nokia, Intuit, Girl Scouts of San Diego- Imperial Council, San Diego Zoo, Seaworld San Diego, SK Sanctuary, White Sands of La Jolla, Whole Foods Market, Senior Olympics, UPAC, Unified Port of San Diego, ICAA, Monte Vista Village and many churches.
Besides martial arts, I also teach calligraphy and Chinese brush painting. The Center’s studio space also serves as an art gallery for these works. This makes the Center different from most in that it does not have an atmosphere of competition or aggression. It is a peaceful environment where people can arrive stressed and leave feeling relaxed and happy. The artwork is a tool for healing in itself.
What are your plans for the future?
At the present, I am in the final stages of having my art book published. This has been my longtime dream. My book, ”Henry Cheng’s Art of Life,” contains over 335 pieces of calligraphy and paintings that I have been working on for over 60 years. At the Tai Chi Wellness Center, I have many of my art pieces displayed. Therefore, my center is not only a place to teach Tai Chi but also a gallery for art. My vision for the gallery has a very high goal: It is to create a spiritual atmosphere and to introduce my art to the world. I have been promoting and teaching Chinese art education for decades. This art form requires detail and precise training. It demands that the artist be humble, polite, and have self-control. My desire is that artists universally can express their ideas through their paintings. This way we can all learn from each other.
There will be a book signing at my center when I receive the book. I will be letting all my current and former students know when this will happen. I always enjoy a good party! I also have an idea for several other books that I would like to work on in the future.
It is my plan to keep the Tai Chi Wellness Center open for many years. My students are like my children, and I want to teach as many people as I can about the benefits and the joy of learning Tai Chi. It is an art form that people can use all of their lives. My hope is that every person will try their best, love oneself, love others, and pursue a world without war. In doing so generations to come will embrace love, peace, and harmony forever.
Contact Info:
- Email: Taichimasterhenry@gmail.com
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TaiChiWellnessCenter
- Other: https://www.taichimasterhenry.com/
Image Credits
Henry Cheng
