Tai Chi Master Cheng Man-Ching: 5 Points He Forgot to Mention

Due to recently released WikiLeaked snippets of a fragmented interview between Cheng Man Ching and an anonymous reporter, we can at last gain an insight into what the great master thought of the development of Tai Chi Chuan, the wholesale adoption of Eastern culture, and the wearing of satin suits by Western practitioners. Prepare yourself for the unexpected. Watch all the video animations here or explore learning his incredible 37 step Tai Chi form here. 

1. The Form

"People say I have changed it too much by reducing the long form down to just 10 minutes. But you know, times change, things move on. Think microwave popcorn. Anyway...it's not just about time. People always stop me in the street and say...hey Man-Ching, you still practising that yoga jazz, how long you been doing it now huh?
But it is pointless to answer with numbers. If I've been practising for 45 years you will say...hey that's impressive. But if I've only been practising once a week for 10 minutes what's so impressive about that? Whereas, If I've been practising 18 hours a day for the last 2 years - now that is impressive! A bit obsessional too, but anyhow...you get what I'm trying to say?
And while I'm on the subject...let me just say that the Form is relative. Time is relative. My Uncle is a relative. Everything is relative. I don't know why everyone gets so hung up about the number of postures, the length of the Form...even what it is called, for Christ sake!...Some people get really anal about Tai Chi..."

2. The videos

​"Yes, it’s true, I could push lots of big men over with just a twitch of my eyebrow but don't go all Kwai Chang Caine about that. If you study those YouTube videos closely, you'll see it has more to do with timing and body mechanics than Kryptonite powers. And like all instructors who give demos, you have to remember, who is telling who what to do. So, you want to do the same? The secret is in the detail. Patience, practice, stay soft. Get a willing partner and a good cameraman."

3. Martial

"Tai Chi as a martial art? I'm shocked you should even ask! Of course it is...well it was.
Street Defence? Today...21st Century and all that...well, that's another kettle of fish. All I'm saying is don't just limit yourself to perfecting 'Ward off Left.' It's a great posture and all that, but if you get jumped by a couple of types in a dark alley, applying Ward Off might just make you look a bit silly. You want to fight like Bruce Lee? Go learn some Wing Chun"

4. Don't just Copy and Paste

"Don't just breathe the Tai Chi stuff. Yeah, of course, study the classics and all that 5 Excellencies stuff... But don't forget who you are. Doesn't have to be calligraphy or herbal medicine either.
Start from where you are, be creative. Apply the flow to driving a taxi, filling shelves in a supermarket, listening to your customers without judgement...start from where you are. Look to see what unites people, not what separates them. That's just lazy and far too easy. Find the sweet spot where things fuse and melt. Think of all relationships as cheese on toast...."

5. Westerners

"It's ok for you to borrow our stuff. We don't mind. We do the same to you, but...I've just got to say...about the silk tunics. Believe me, they just look silly on you.

For other interviews with Masters from the History of the Ancient Arts read... 
The controversial repackaging of Martial Arts History: One Last Thing. Featuring Cheng Man Ching, Lao Tzu, Chuang Tzu, Bruce Lee, Mas Oyama, Alan Watts, Chuck Norris, Yang Chen Fu, Rocky and a whole host of characters from the  History of the Martial Art Philosophy: One Last Thing. 

Explore his 37 Step Tai Chi form