2024During the Qingming Festival of that year, Yang Junfeng, the successor head coach of the Beijing Chenjiagou Tai Chi Training Center, led a group of his fellow apprentices to Chenjiagou, Wen County, Henan Province, to trace their roots and pay homage to their ancestors, remembering the footsteps of the late head coach, Master Yang Songquan.
On the early morning of the Qingming Festival, Yang Junfeng and his group first arrived at Ran Gou Village. Accompanied by their third and fourth uncles, they paid their respects at the graves of Yang Junfeng’s grandparents. During this period, they also explored the birthplace of their master, Yang Songquan, and the grandmaster, ChenThe place where Zhao PI passed on martial arts and the former residence of Master Ran Guangyao.
Figure 1 shows the place where Chen Zhaopi passed on his martial arts skills and the former residence of Master Ran Guangyao
After that, Yang Junfeng and his group visited the Chen Zhao PI Gong Cemetery to pay their respects, expressing their gratitude for the inheritance and reliving the teachings passed down through words and deeds. This is the first Qingming Festival after the passing of his master, and it is also the first time that Teacher Yang Junfeng has led a group to pay respects to his ancestors. The group also went to the Chen family ancestral hall to offer incense and pay homage, paying tribute to the Chen family’s ancestors and the successive masters of Tai Chi one by one, clarifying the origin and development, personally teaching, and praying for the deep roots and flourishing leaves of the Chen family’s Tai Chi.
Figure 2 shows Yang Junfeng and Teacher Chen Bing chatting freely about Tai Chi
That afternoon, Teacher Yang Junfeng paid a visit to Teacher Chen Bing, the 12th generation inheritor of Chen-style Tai Chi, the president of the Chenjiagou Tai Chi Association in Wen County, and the director of the Chenjiagou International Tai Chi Academy. They had a heart-to-heart talk and discussed Tai Chi together. Teacher Chen Bing recalled his interaction experience with Brother Songquan and was deeply impressed by his sincere and humble character. He believed that his work “Tai Chi is the Way” was a precious asset of Chen-style Tai Chi, a summary of his life’s efforts and cultivation. He encouraged Junfeng to inherit his father’s virtues and skills well and lead the inheritance and development of the center. “Tai Chi is the Way” is collected and displayed by the China Tai Chi Museum.
Figure 3 shows a group photo of Yang Junfeng and his team with Teacher Chen Bing
On the day of the Qingming Festival, I was fortunate to meet Master Chen Quanzhong, a 100-year-old Tai Chi master, the 19th generation of the Chen family and the 11th generation inheritor of Chen-style Tai Chi, who led his disciples to trace their roots and pay homage to their ancestors. We also had a heart-to-heart talk with Chen Yihua, the director of the Chen Family Council of Chenjiagou, and other senior members of the Chen family. Master Chen Quanzhong shared his insights. Having lived to be a hundred years old, he persisted in passing on martial arts. The two main insights he gained are: First, one must stand firm in the face of the greater good of the country and the nation, and never forget one’s roots. Second, one should pay attention to protecting oneself and abide by the principles of Tai Chi for health preservation. Director Chen Yihua is deeply grateful to his master, Yang Songquan, for never forgetting Chenjiagou and persistently supporting the Chen family throughout his life. I am deeply concerned about the dissemination of Chen-style Tai Chi and believe that to protect the roots and essence of Chen-style Tai Chi in Chenjiagou, the two most important things to do are:“First, proceed step by step, do not 躐等; The second is to teach students in accordance with their aptitudes and individual differences.”
The Beijing Chenjiagou Tai Chi Training Center will continue to follow in the footsteps of its master in promoting the Dao and cultivating the right path, safeguard the roots and protect the pulse, return to the essence and innovate, and make new efforts for the inheritance of traditional Tai Chi.
2024April7The day is in Beijing
