CMC Tai Chi Chuan Revisited

First: The Grandmaster - Professor Cheng Man Ching (1902 – 1975)

Professor Cheng Man Ching, Grandmaster of CMC Tai Chi Chuan was born in Yongjia, China in 1902.

Before Professor Cheng practiced tai chi, he was renowned for his knowledge and proficiency in Chinese medicine, his creative talent in poetry and his artistic skills in calligraphy and painting.

At the age of 18, he was offered the post of professorship by Yu-Wen University in Beijing to teach poetry - hence the title “Professor Cheng."

In 1932 Professor Cheng began to study the 108 form Yang-Style Tai Chi Chuan under the legendary Tai Chi Master Yang Cheng Fu.  Six years later, to shorten the tai chi practice time, Prof Cheng had the repetitious movements in the 108 Yang long forms removed and simplified the form to 37 movements. 

In 1949, Professor Cheng immigrated to Taiwan where he continued to improve on the 37 form in accordance to the principle of Tai Chi Chuan which gradually evolved into what it is today: a unique Cheng style that practises the principle of “Tai Chi Chuan has no hands”.

In 1964, Professor Cheng and his family moved to the USA where he continued his teaching of CMC Tai Chi Chuan.

Prof Cheng passed away in 1975. In his lifetime, Professor Cheng has taught countless students, many of whom are now world renowned Tai Chi masters in many parts of the world especially in Taiwan, South East Asia and USA.

Today, CMC Tai Chi Chuan is still faithfully taught and enthusiastically practised all over the world - all because of the passion and perseverance of one man, our respectful Grandmaster, Prof Cheng!

Next: The Chuan - CMC Tai Chi Chuan, Reviewed

CMC Tai Chi Chuan form has 37 movements, 3 standing postures and 1 breathing technique.

The 37 movements of the form take around 7 minutes to complete. 

Nevertheless, it is upon these mere 37 movements that the CMC Tai Chi Chuan foundation and principles are applied and practised.

To practise the CMC foundation and principles, one has always to maintain an upright posture, that being aligning the Baihui and Yung Chuan points. The body moves evenly and as a whole. The hands and legs movements are driven by the hip joint. The body movement has a “swing and return” effect.

Breathing is naturally to the Tan Tien. As one body relaxes and sinks to the Yung Chuan, the legs will feel rooted to the ground. And during the whole practice, the mind is guarded at the Tan Tien.

These are some of the few physical and psychological exercises a CMC practitioner has to practice to achieve the benefits of practising CMC Tai Chi, which is to loosen your joints, strengthen your legs and to gain (sung); softness and relaxation.

The importance of the principle of “sung” is depicted in Prof Cheng’s poetry:

“Breathe the chi “energy” of the universe,

Yield the energy of the ground,

Relax and be calm to nurture a healthy life”

(Prof Cheng Man Ching’s 3 Treasures)

In short, CMC Tai Chi Chuan is an art, a teaching of self-cultivation.  It is a form of moving meditation, health and healing. It is an art of self defence, not attack.

Lastly, to all fellow Tai Chi practitioners, a heart-filled wish that you achieve the quest that you set out to seek when you embraced Tai Chi Chuan- to live a good, healthy and long life!

Written by Shon Siau