Student of Grand Master Wu Kung Yi
75th Anniversary Book, May 2012
Memorable Events
Years ago, the Kowloon branch of Wu's Tai Chi Chuan Academy was situated opposite Tung Lok Theatre (東樂戲院) in Mongkok. Grand Master Wu Tai Kwei was in charge at the same time. I started learning the 108 Standard Form, then Push Hands. The Master said that picking up the Form is like reading, while Push Hand is like composition. Later on Grand Master Wu Tai Kwei suggested we address him as Eldest Si Hing instead of Sifu which we did.
Grand Master Wu Tai Kwei's teaching was lively. The learning process obviously involved physical endurance. However, we did not find it unbearable because we were young and enjoyed the search for knowledge. Grand Master Wu Tai Kwei explained how the movements change from one to another and how it could be applied. Such as peng, lui, ji, an, choi, li, zhou, kao (棚捋擠按, 採挒肘靠) as well as 進退顧盼中定（loosely translated as retreating, leaning to either side and centering). He also taught us that initiating Jin (勁) cannot be all by itself. Two Jin forces have to be connected to be effective. All these detailed explanations benefited us a lot.
After a few years, we started to understand some Tai Chi fundamental concepts such as 粘黏連隨不丟頂, loosely translated as Adhering, Connecting, Sticking, Following, Do not Separate or Resist), 捨己從人(refrain from self-initiated action & follow), 虛實變化 (changes between Fullness & Emptiness).
Grand Master Wu Kung Yi returned to Hong Kong and Grand Master Wu Tai Kwei had to take up the teaching in Singapore. Before Grand Master Wu Tai Kwei left for Singapore, he asked us to continue learning from his father Grand Master Wu Kung Yi. During the first lesson, Grand Master Wu Kung Yi said he would not teach how to strike because striking is human instinct, even a child knows how to attack. He would teach us how to neutralize. Being able to neutralize cleanly would result in locking accurately. Strike and emit then becomes intuitive. We learned movements that are not in-born.
Grand Master Wu Kung Yi taught us the Small Circle Form which he learned from Grand Master Yang Shiu Hau. I also learned from Grand Master Wu Kung Yi who said that between sabre and sword, he preferred a sword as it is lighter, has higher maneuverability and has a two sided blade. Sword techniques are similar to Push-hands, confrontation by brute forces does not come into play. He told us that in ancient times, only those highly skilled in martial arts would carry sword. The Grand Master introduced position, direction and form. If one developed from stealing opportunity to awareness, to riding on then to creating opportunity & determining outcome, one would have obtained high level skills.
The different levels are 形勢丶意勁丶氣神 (xing, shi, yi, jin, qu, shen).
Grand Master Wu Kung Yi missed Grand Master Yang considerably. Grand Master Yang had passed on in-depth knowledge to him, which enabled him to understand at an early stage of learning Push-hand, that being pushed away shows the fault of resisting. Being knocked down is a result of moving away from incoming force. With the 5elements粘黏, 連隨,不丟頂 (loosely translated as Adhering, Connecting, Sticking, Following, Do not Separate or Resist), one can move a kilo with only 4 grams.
Grand Master Wu Kung Yi had a huge number of followers. However, Grand Master Wu Kung Yi once said, he only taught in depth to those with whom he had an affinity. In his later years, he lived at Patterson Street and gave lessons on the roof-top. He taught us a deep level of knowledge. His notable students were his favourite disciple Chung Ngok Ping (鍾岳平), his nephew Wu Tai Sin (侄兒吳大新), his son-in-law Kwok Hsia Jong (女婿郭少烱),T ai Shiu Chiu (戴少樵), Lee Kai Ping (李計平), Sum Chi Yeung (岑子讓), Wong Yim (黃炎), Wong Yau Hang (黃友恒), Lai Kwok Ching (黎國禎) and Wong Yee Ma n(黃誼民). I was lucky to be part of them. The Master was particularly demanding on Grand Master Wu Tai Sin.
One day, the Grand Master coughed repeatedly after a lesson and was admitted to hospital. A few days later, Lee Kai Ping called to advise that Grand Master Wu Kung Yi passed away. The Master's graveyard is at Hau See Yuen (孝思園) in Macau.My father and mother in-law were also buried close-by. Once or twice a year, I present a bouquet to the Grand Master.
Our Tai Chi is a refined martial art. Practicing it shows elegance and fineness. It strengthens the body, helps us to meditate, contains excellent self-defense techniques and helps to improve our wisdom. Now every time I pass by 37 Jordan Road, I look up to the top floor to find the black & white Tai Chi sign. Therein is the extraordinary capabilities of the Wu family, it brings back memories of all the happiness I shared with other students when I was young. I miss those golden days, and memorable events.