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Tai CHi Master Lu Zijian at 118 years of Age

Lu Zijian was a highly revered master of Tai Chi and internal martial arts, whose life spanned over a century, living from 1893 to 2012. His longevity and mastery in martial arts made him a legendary figure in the realm of Chinese martial arts.

Born in Yichang, Hubei Province, China, Lu Zijian demonstrated an affinity for martial arts from a young age. His journey into the world of martial arts began with learning from local masters in his youth, and as he grew older, he sought out more renowned teachers to further his skills. Throughout his life, he mastered various styles, including Tai Chi, Baguazhang, Xingyiquan, and Qigong, among others.

Lu Zijian’s martial arts skills were not just limited to self-defense; they were deeply intertwined with his pursuit of health, longevity, and spiritual cultivation. He was a proponent of the belief that martial arts practice could lead to a long and healthy life, a testament to which was his own longevity.

Throughout the 20th century, Lu Zijian held various positions that allowed him to spread his knowledge of martial arts. He worked as a martial arts instructor for military and police forces, and later in life, he focused on teaching civilians, emphasizing the health benefits of Tai Chi and Qigong. His teachings extended beyond China, contributing to the global appreciation and practice of Tai Chi and internal martial arts.

Lu Zijian’s life was marked by his achievements and contributions to the martial arts world. He was recognized for his skills with numerous awards and honors. Despite his martial prowess, he remained humble and dedicated to his practice, always willing to share his knowledge with others.

Lu Zijian’s legacy continues to influence the world of Tai Chi and martial arts. His teachings and philosophy on health, longevity, and martial arts practice continue to inspire practitioners worldwide. Through his students and the many lives he touched, Master Lu Zijian’s spirit and teachings live on, embodying the true essence of martial arts as a path to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

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Mark Cheng

Mark was born in the late 1970s in Big Yellow Village, near Chen Village, one of the best-known places associated with traditional Tai Chi. Growing up in this environment gave him early exposure to Chinese martial arts, and he has now practiced Tai Chi and other traditional Chinese martial arts for more than 40 years, including extensive training in Baji Quan. Over the decades, Mark has traveled around the world to train, study, and attend seminars and classes with respected masters and senior practitioners. His martial arts journey has also taken him into competition, where he has earned multiple gold medals, as well as into judging, serving as a judge at numerous martial arts competitions. Mark’s writing combines more than four decades of hands-on training with lessons learned from seminars, personal exchanges and interviews with experienced practitioners, competition experience, and research into Chinese-language martial arts sources. His goal is to explain traditional Chinese martial arts from the perspective of someone who has practiced them for most of his life—not simply studied them from books.

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