Written by Zhou Xianguang
Masters who have reached the pinnacle of their field are truly exceptional individuals. In the world of martial arts, especially within the Tai Chi community, there is a figure of immense influence and international renown, Master Feng Zhiqiang. Though Master Feng has passed away nearly a year ago, it feels as if he never left us. He continues to tirelessly teach us, guiding our practice of Tai Chi, his kindly face as vivid in my mind as ever. The martial virtues and skills Master Feng imparted to us will accompany us for a lifetime.
I became a disciple of Master Feng Zhiqiang in 2006, practicing Hunyuan Tai Chi. Over the years, I received direct instruction and guidance from him. Yet, I always felt Master Feng was like a mountain, towering and majestic, and like an ocean, profound and unfathomable. Master Feng was a renowned martial artist, a grandmaster, and an internal health practitioner. As a martial arts legend, he dedicated his life to the practice, particularly excelling in Tai Chi and Xinyi Liuhe Quan, and was widely respected for his noble martial virtues, embodying the true spirit and unparalleled skills of a Tai Chi master. Hunyuan Tai Chi, created by Master Feng after a lifetime of research and practice, is an outstanding style that emerged in the 1980s and has since spread both domestically and internationally. It integrates the essence of Tai Chi and Xinyi Liuhe Quan, guided by intention and focused on cultivating Hunyuan Qi, achieving internal and external unity and supreme skill through the principles of Tai Chi’s Yin and Yang. Hunyuan Tai Chi emphasizes “nurturing,” perfecting “roundness,” and practicing “slowness,” organically combining health preservation and martial effectiveness.
As a disciple of Master Feng, he taught me Hunyuan Tai Chi with the goals of cultivating upright energy and practicing the grand harmony of Tai Chi, focusing not on individual moves but on long-term progress. Master Feng shared with me the highest realms and shortcuts to success in Hunyuan Tai Chi, illuminating the path for my cultivation. From my first practice session with Master Feng, I felt the profundity of Hunyuan Tai Chi: practicing felt like resting, like swimming in the air, like drawing beautiful Tai Chi diagrams, cultivating in relaxation, naturalness, and ease. I always prioritized the principles of the practice. Master Feng shared many key points and nuances with me. In the years that followed, each practice session brought tranquility, joy, and a strengthening of my body, setting me on the right path in life.
Throughout decades of studying and practicing Tai Chi, Master Feng emphasized grasping and understanding from theory to practice, inheriting insights, experiencing through practice, and developing and perfecting through experience. He innovated boldly, drawing from various sources to mature his martial skills. Open-minded and generous, he was charitable and approachable. In teaching Tai Chi, he selflessly imparted the ideals of unity, friendship, kindness, and harmony. Tireless in teaching, he was admired and respected by Tai Chi enthusiasts worldwide. Devoted to the Tai Chi cause, Master Feng saw passing on Tai Chi culture and benefiting humanity as his mission, often saying, “Hunyuan Tai Chi is not mine alone; it belongs to all humanity.” His magnanimous spirit will always be a model for us. Beyond teaching martial arts, Master Feng also cared for us in life, meticulously arranging accommodations whenever I visited Beijing, visiting in extreme weather, and seeing me off with memorable warmth, especially during the Mid-Autumn Festival of 2011, when despite serious illness, he continued to lead me in practice, leaving me deeply moved. Years of discipleship brought profound benefits, enriching my spirit, broadening my mind, and fostering a peaceful mindset and daily happiness. Master Feng’s words to me, “Hunyuan Tai Chi’s energy spirals, cultivating the Dantian with continuous spirit and form,” and his evaluation, “You’re not just practicing martial arts; you’re cultivating the Way,” will forever motivate me.
Master Feng’s radiant image and earnest teachings will always be etched in my heart. As one of the most influential grandmasters of our time, his demeanor reflected the wisdom, elegance, and scholarly grace of a literati, selflessly dedicating his life to the Tai Chi cause, bringing health and happiness to humanity, making Hunyuan Tai Chi a unique gem in the martial arts world. The profound realms of Hunyuan Tai Chi and Master Feng’s martial virtues are forever worthy of our study, inheritance, and promotion. Master Feng will always live in my heart!
