Tai Chi Chuan by LS Chng

09/11/2025

Tai Chi Chuan for health.
Taijiquan is like food which you take every day. It helps build up a better flow of energy (qi) in your body. Energy flows better when Taijiquan is practiced regularly and correctly. Qi flows better if we can relax our muscles. So Taijiquan is a training to relax our muscles to enable Qi to flow better. Once energy flows better, blood flows better and nourishment reaches the cells of parts of the body that has been weak to strengthen the cells. When the cells recover from the weakness, the system/s weakened by the weakness of the weak cells before, starts to function better As a result that system starts to function as they are built to be. That's why many a problem slowly disappears after a period of correct practice.
Weakness of a system does not mean the cells of the whole system is weak. It may be the cells of a tiny section of that particular system is weak and that may have caused the system to start to malfunction, that leads to our health problems. So, we have to sort out the weak cells first before the whole system start to function properly again. It's like a car with a weakness leads to the car not working properly. It's like when our circulatory system is not working properly we feel the weakness in our body, but our digestive system may still be strong. But if the circulatory problem is not sorted out, it's going to affect other systems later on.
But do not take Taijiquan as medication. It is not immediate eradication of a problem, it is a slow nourishment of the cells to bring them back to health. Also, we must not abuse ourselves in whatever we do; like indulging in taking too much of a single type of good food/drug too often; taking alcohol too much or too strong too often. And remember, not all problems can be helped by Taijiquan. So, people have to refer to their doctor when they have health problems. Taijiquan helps to strengthen systems slowly, like taking proper food every day builds our body without you knowing it; when you are a kid, you don't realise how much you have grown until you check yourself on a weighing machine, height measurement, mirror, or when others see you after some time of absence. One day your realised that 'oh, that problem has disappeared!!!'
For people who have no health issues it is best to practice to maintain our own health especially our immune system. It helps us not only in our health but in many areas of our everyday life as well. Those who really study and train in it for some time will be able to tell. Some can see/feel the benefit after training for a short while while some take longer to feel the benefits.
Much depends on diligence and patience and in return you will harvest the benefits.
While Taijiquan is beneficial for health it is one of the best forms of self defence which will be discussed in later chapters .

This is my personal thoughts after more than 53 years of practicing Taijiquan and more than 43 years of teaching the art. But I have to make it clear that I am not a doctor. It's just my unqualified point of view.
Please refer to your doctor for health problems.

Please correct me or add whatever you think may be right or wrong, your personal experiences, any references, etc. They are important for the better understanding and improvement of Taijiquan, thus helping to bring health and happiness to peoples everywhere, regardless of race or culture, or religion.
More explanation on my web page; clstaichichuan.co.uk.

Next: Taijiquan is education.

02/10/2024

Differences between UK enthusiasts and Malaysian enthusiasts in Tai Chi Chuan from my personal observation.

Just happened at my class yesterday. A Lady entered my class, saw us doing push hands and left without asking or saying anything. We were busy with our push hands and before we could stop and ask, she has left.
Situations like this, enthusiasts asking if my class is involved in self-defence training, if it is 'yes', they will not join the class, without asking if it will benefit them health-wise.

People asking if we do qigong in our class. (This needs volumes to explain) Please visit my website:https://clstaichichuan.co.uk and Facebook:Tai Chi Chuan by LS Chng, for further information

People who have not done any Tai Chi before, coming in for the first time seeing some defence activities being practiced, disappear and never come back.

In Malaysia they just join in the class without asking whether it is for defence or for health.
Why is there the difference?
In the UK people are more exposed to other forms of exercises and many Self-invented 'Tai Chi'. which are more straight forward. Authentic Tai Chi is not simple to learn if you want to be really good, but it brings benefits with a rough knowledge but with regular practice. I advise people weak or strong to give it some time to really feel the benefits.
In Malaysia, enthusiasts are more exposed to the authentic Tai Chi Chuan and so they just come to join without having to ask if they are for health or for defence. They already know that if they come in for health reasons they do the same forms as the self defence trainees do, except that the defence trainees do more training. They see people doing the set forms everywhere and so have a rough knowledge of how it should be done. There is no Tai Chi groups practicing unauthentic Tai Chi. If there is Tai Chi, it is mostly authentic set forms.
In the UK Tai Chi has been misunderstood because there are too many unauthentic Tai Chi groups teaching unauthentic forms with little knowledge of the real principles; with knowledge of only some of the forms. It has therefore weakened the trust/belief/interest in the real Tai Chi Chuan.
So, those who have heard of the benefits of Tai Chi Chuan and are interested, please be clear what you are aiming for. Are you going for Tai Chi with proper principles or Tai Chi with one or two of the principles.
The research and experiences from more than 52 years of practise and more than 42 years of teaching CMC Tai Chi Chuan, has proven that Tai Chi Chuan has benefited many, but the rise of unauthentic Tai Chi Chuan is adding a negative effect/understanding/belief/interest in the art. Unauthentic Tai Chi should not be classified as Tai Chi Chuan and should not be accepted as members/instructors/ in Tai Chi organisations/associations/unions anywhere in the world. It is sad that Tai Chi Chuan, a precious treasure of the orient, sincerely taught out to the world, is allowed to be degraded to unauthentic levels. While we try to share the treasure with the world we should not allow the treasure to be tarnished/degraded by unintentional/innocent acts of destruction.
It is sad that such beneficial art is being shunned by needy people, people who would have benefited from the practice of the correct form of Tai Chi Chuan. While we try to reach out to help, innocent people are being deprived of this help by wrong information/knowledge about the art.

Send a message to learn more

06/10/2021

16/09/2021

'Taijiquan San Sou Dui Qer' is a set of combination forms showing some of the applications of Taijiquan. While you can see the applications there will be lots of criticisms and comments over it's applicability. Yes, The set is like any other forms of defence in any martial arts system if practised as it is. Please do not be mistaken. Taijiquan is not as simple as what is seen as shown. It needs training of the unique principles and the most important of which is 'sensing' to be real taijiquan application. It is like driving a car; a new driver will drive into a ditch or hit a tree easily especially at corners and avoiding hazards. Without a trainer and principles of the car syatem, the new driver will find it difficult to drive. You need principles and constant practice of the principles allows you to have the 'sensing' which is like the automatic jamming of the brakes at the right time and at the right pressure at the right application and timing. (Please go to my website:clstaichichuan.co.uk for further information, or go online to contact me personally for details.) Too much pressure at the wrong time at the wrong speed will spin your car and too little will not be effective for that particuar situation. So, application of Taijiquan forms is situational and cannot be fixed. Fixed(purposeful) application is for demonstration and is ineffective. That is why when someone called out to my master(Master Tok) to say that he is not applying the demonstrated forms on me at a demonstration at an anniversary dinner at Johor, Malaysia,(cannot remember which year but those from Johor have the tape) he admitted that it was not for real and if anyone wants to feel real application then he/she can come up to the stage to feel it, but no one from the ground went up. So, those forms in this combination set is just for demonstration and it can be trained for application and when not practised for application it can be a dance, for health. It is encouraged that everyone pick it up as it enables the 2 persons to understand more of the principles of Taijiquan, may it be for health or for defence.Also after learning the combinations you will apply moree of the principles in your solo sets. This will lead you to better benefits for health. So much for the time being. Keep well and safe!

25/07/2021

Taiji San Sou Dui Qer done with Jack in 2000/2001 in Penang, Malaysia.

09/06/2021

TAI CHI CHUAN QI AND COVID-19

I was tested positive on 30th December 2020. On the 10th of January I was admitted and on oxygen support at the Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, UK. On the 20th I was discharged. My doctor said that I have been very lucky at my age to be home and as for the long covid, I have to fight many effects for months and I am still with some effects as I write.
This is some of what I feel: After the 10 days on oxygen support, I lost a great part of my energy. I could not feel the qi in my body and arms. It took me months to train/cultivate some of my qi and stabilise my systems. This covid-19 must have drained off much of my qi fighting it, summoning up whatever qi I have to mend whatever the virus was destroying. the most important part is my brains for it needs help after 2 very high fevers on the first week. Then it was the parts of the body system. The first part that was attacked was my eusophagus and throat. then my lungs, brain, other systems including muscles. Untill today all my body muscles have been weakened (to my own judgement about 10-20 years older) for I could feel aches and pains even with the simple chores of hoovering windows and doors(at one stage even floors). It has much improved now. Before Covid attack I am able to do lots of work without such problems. I was shocked when I first cycled to the shops which was about a mile away. I was unable to cycle back, not because I have no energy, not because of stamina, not that i am breathless, but the muscles just refused to work!!! A VERY strange feeling which I have never experienced before. Because of that I told myself that I must practise more of my Taiji and I did that two sessions(each session at least 2 rounds) a day, every day. That has helped me to recover my qi and other body muscles but is still not back to what it was before the attack. There is still lots and lots to write but I have to stop now to do my other work. May try to write more some other time

03/02/2021

This is the SECOND TRUE STORY that I promised to post and I hope those who know this story can help to confirm that it is a true story.
I cannot remember the year and date but I remember a durian seller who had attended Tai Chi sessions at the Tai Chi Association Penang, Malaysia, on day brought a friend on his bike to the association at York Road, Penang. This friend of his had an industrial accident and was declared an invalid and sent home by the General hospital. When he came over to the Taiji association at York Road, I was there as one of the instructors and I assisted him to start learning the forms. He was unable to speak and when he tried to speak it was murmuring, as he had lost his ability to talk. In the first few weeks we had to help him to stand and do the starting form. it took weeks to do that as his coordination had all gone. He was very unsteady. Then comes the next few weeks of the "left ward off". We had to lift his leg to the proper position and lift his hands and ask him to hold the form. With his mouth unable to control itself, the was drooling with saliva dribbling down as he does the form. his eyes were a blank stare unable to move around to observe instructors showing the form. Tears were flowing from his eyes as we helped him to move his legs and arms. We sort of have to move arms and legs for him to the correct(or roughly correct) position as we cannot be too particular over such cases. A rough form will suffice. Such was the situation at the beginning. He had such a good friend (the durian seller) who took him twice a week to the association sacrificing his own time in his business and home. We do not know of their relationship but such was the sacrifice shown and we told ourselves that we must work harder!
It was also the determination of the man who never said no to whatever we do to his legs and arms and we could see his effort to try his best to do whatever we told him to do! Those that he could not do we had to physically move him(or parts of him). We had to turn his body, waist, hips, legs, arms, head etc. to the right direction. It was with this determination of his that he started to show signs of improvement and slowly, he started to be able to look higher with his eyes(before which he was looking down) As time went on his dribbling slowly stoped and his eyes stopped swelling up with tears. We were so happy for him and his friend too. It is his intention to do the forms that helped him in the regeneration process.
I am very sure many of the instructors there at that time tried to help him. I hope anyone who was present and seen this case please help to confirm this case.
It was with great regret that after seeing much progress in this man's persistent attempts to improve himself, I had to miss the later part of his recovery as I could not go to the association to help to instruct for a period of time because I was school teacher and I was moved to teach in the afternoon session in another state and so had to stay in that place, only to go to the association when I am back during weekends. The last I heard was that his progress was so good that he could talk and later joke with members and friends. It was sad that his good friend died of a brain tumour and later he could ride a motor bike to the association himself!!!
He could even bring his wife to the association. (I was not there at that time and so cannot vouch for sure) and chit chat and joke with members. He appealed to the members not to puplicise his case as he had claimed some amount of money from the insurance.
Such is the greatness of Taijiquan, the ability to heal. Taijiquan has much much more values and I hope practitioners will put in more effort to practise to find out the intricacies of the art. There are more true stories during my 49 years of experience in the art and my more than 39 years of experience as an instructor, some of which is difficult to be believed. Much is to be discovered and practitioners should delve more into it to find out more secrets in this art. There is no point saying i am better than you or him but just to better oneself by practising more and studying, questioning, doing research on oneself and with others. Those instructors who had helped to teach this man or anyone at all who had helped or tried to help this man please vouch this story to help Taijiquan.