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When did you begin practicing tai chi?
Although I first read about Tai Chi in a small book about Chi Gong in the early 1980s, it took some time to find a teacher. The actual time I have been studying Tai Chi is now 20 years.
How did you get to meet your teacher Dr Lin Feng Chao?
In about 1995 one of my friends, who had also trained with me, told me about Dr Lin being a Tai Chi teacher and also doing acupuncture. My knees were giving me a problem at  the time, so I decided to try acupuncture. This was my first experience and because of my original heart condition and menopause I decided to have acupuncture regularly. At that time I was also looking for a new teacher to deepen my understanding of Tai Chi. Being now one of his patients it didn’t take long for me to realise I would like to learn Tai Chi from him. At that point in time Dr Lin was no longer taking on new students, but I was very fortunate in that, due to my seven years’ experience, he agreed to teach me.
What are the benefits of tai chi?
They are numerous and cover virtually every illness. Since the 1980s, many research studies throughout the world have shown that Tai Chi improves ones health. If practised regularly, Tai Chi is beneficial for conditions such as chronic pain, gout, heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, osteoporosis, and headaches. The immune system and central nervous system are also strengthened, while the deep breathing regulates the respiratory system, thus assisting conditions like asthma, bronchitis and emphysema. Tai Chi also stimulates the digestive system, improves ones posture, flexibility and range of movement and even aids those who find it difficult to sleep.
Do you run a formal school?
Yes. I also give private lessons and recently started teaching a group of chronically ill children who regularly need treatment in the Red Cross Children’s Hospital – they are all from disadvantaged families.
What are the most important points to remember when practicing tai chi?
Learning how to relax is paramount, because any tension held in the body over a long period of time eventually leads to disease. By being totally relaxed we assist the body’s innate ability to heal itself. This applies to what we call “suspending” also. If we imagine that a cord attached to the crown of the head keeps us suspended from above, all the internal organs are not cramped and can then function efficiently. Keeping ones attention concentrated on the tan tien – that point about 5cm below the navel – is a very important aspect as this is how one builds up energy (or chi). This is also very valuable for training the mind to be concentrated on only one thing, which helps to alleviate stress.
How many students do you have?
I have about 30 students, but this changes from time to time.
 What is your training progression from beginner to advanced level?
First, you learn the sequence of the form and the basic shape of the movements. Thereafter, it is merely a matter of perfecting these movements and practising until it’s no longer necessary to think about the sequence or the structure of each movement. You are then freer to place more attention on maintaining the principles of relaxation, concentration and moving without using effort. These three principles apply to every form of Tai Chi, whether it is the short, long, straight sword or broad sword form. It is a journey that continues for the rest of your life – if you are a dedicated student!
Please tell us about your teacher and his martial arts background.
Dr Lin came to South Africa in 1989, first staying in Queenstown for two years and then he moved to Cape Town.
He began learning about herbs when he was only 10 years old. His martial arts training began in his youth, studying Shoalin Kung fu with Hsuang Chin Chan. On Sundays Dr Lin would join the group who gathered in the park to learn Ba Gua Chang and Hsing I from masters who taught these different styles. When he was just 17, Dr Lin began a 10 year-year period studying Tai Chi with Cheng Man-Ching. During this time he also learnt acupuncture and is now well known for this not only in Cape Town, but in other parts of the country too. Dr Lin has for many years now concentrated only on Tai Chi and is a Grandmaster of this art.
On a personal level what has tai chi done for you?
Having been born with a congenital heart condition and undergone three major operations, I know that if I had not been practising Tai Chi for so long, and also had regular acupuncture, I would not be as healthy as I am today. Whenever one undergoes an operation it seems inevitable that something is also damaged in the process. Besides this, after a long period of time and as one gets older, deterioration sets in and one can’t function as efficiently any more. I experienced this about six years ago when I started getting  heart palpitations. Dr Lin explained that this was partly due to the scar tissue in the chest inhibiting the free flow of energy. Acupuncture and regular Tai Chi practice settled this problem.
What is the unique feature of Cheng Man-ching's style of tai chi as compared to Yang, Wu, Chen and Sun style?
I am not really qualified to compare the different styles, although I first learnt the Wu style. I think the internal system Cheng Man-Ching taught is slower and gentler than the other Tai Chi styles. It is not really important though which of the Tai Chi forms one practises, as long as one is being taught according to the principles laid down in the Commentaries.
What are your future hopes and aspirations?
It is a great pity that there seems to be a misconception that Tai Chi is only for older people. For this reason I am presently preparing information to present to schools. In the UK, America, Australia and Europe there are many very successful projects operating in junior schools where the children have a Tai Chi session before going into class. They are more relaxed and ready to learn and actually achieve better results in their exams. This is a wonderful way of introducing Tai Chi to young people and if they continue the practice as they get older, they will also be able to avoid the many illnesses that often arise with age.
Contact Marleen on mbilas@telkomsa.net
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