About Master Cheng

Master Cheng Jin Cai, President of the USCTF, is a familiar name to people in Houston through his teaching at the International Chen-style Tai Chi Development Center. His fame extends to other areas of the United States and to China through his community and professional service, his participation in the national and international martial arts tournaments, and his publications.

Born in 1953, Cheng Jin Cai grew up in Wen xian County, He Nan province, China. As a child, he learned, at home, the basics of Chen-style Tai Chi Chuan from his older brother. At seventeen, he became a student of Chen Tu Yuan, master of Chen-style Tai Chi Chuan Small Frame. From 1970 to 1973 he studied under the tutelage of Grandmaster Wang Xian, and then from 1973 to 1981 under Grandmaster Chen Zhaokui. In North America Master Cheng Jin Cai is the only successor of the 18th generation Grand master Chen Zhaokui.

Between 1976 and 1985, Cheng Jin Cai served local and provincial martial art associations in various capacities. Recognized by the Jiao Zuo City Athletes Association, he was hired to coach martial arts students and selected to be a member in the city's Martial Arts and Qi Gong Societies. In 1982, he was invited to teach martial arts at the City's Police Training Academy. Three years later he started serving as the Secretary for the Chen-style Tai Chi Chuan Association and continued his own training with the 3rd 18th generation master, Feng Zhi Qiang.

1989 was the first turning point for his career when he began earning a national reputation. The Central Media Network featured him in a television program based on his research on the relationship of the martial arts to the pottery of the Long Shan Culture. He was soon promoted to Honorary Member for the Chen-style Tai Chi Chuan Professional Association in Zi Bo city, Shan Dong province, which is east of his home province, He Nan.
When he was invited back to He Nan province by different groups in 1992, he was first appointed the trainer for the He Nan Provincial 7th Annual Youth Sports Meet. He was officially named as the descendent and carrier of Chen-style Tai Chi Chuan in the book The Old Form of Chen-style Tai Chi Chuan. Another prominent directory, The Hall of Fame Among the Best Chinese Martial Artists, included him as well. The following year, he served as an executive committee member for the He Han Province Martial Art Association, as a standing committee member for the Society of Business and Trade as well as for the Council of the Jiao Zuo city. His last position in He Nan province was vice president for the Research Institute of Fine Art.

The second turning point in his life was 1994 when he moved to Houston, Texas. He views this as an opportunity for delivering Chen-style Tai Chi Chuan to the American people and for extending cultural exchange between Chinese and American peoples. To achieve this goal, he established the first International Chen-style Tai Chi Development Center at 9730 Town Park Drive. He teaches the skills of Tai Chi Chuan for fitness purposes, but also passes on the ethics and discipline of martial arts for character development. He has taken students to many local, state-wide, national and international tournaments both in the United States and China. Often he also serves as one of the esteemed judges. As the only Chen-style Tai Chi Chuan descendent in North America, he has brought the Tai Chi art to many people, old and young, for their fitness, defense, and character building. Four of his disciples have been inducted as the successors of Chen-style Tai Chi artists. To further touch people's lives with Tai Chi, he finished a book-length presentation of the art, including its philosophy, and step-by-step verbal explanation with photographs.

As a result of his enthusiasm and mastery of Chen-style Tai Chi Chuan, he has been chosen to demonstrate and present the philosophy of the martial art style and his teaching on local television channels 2, 13 and 39. He has published in many newspapers such as Houston Chronicle, US-China Post, International Daily, and World Daily. Magazines like US Tai Chi, Martial Art, Tai Chi in Britain, also carried articles about his work in China and the United States.

For his accomplishments, his name was included in the 1998 year book of The Famous Asian Americans in the US. Houston Mayor, Lee Brown, named December 9 as the Day of Chen-style Tai Chi Chuan in the year of 2001. After his book was published in 2002, he was called upon to be the consultant for the U.S. National Martial Arts Association. In 2002 he became a member of Board of Advisors for the U.S.A. Wushu-Kungfu Federation, and in 2003 he was inducted into their Hall of Fame of Outstanding Masters. In February 2005 he was appointed advisor to the USA National Tai Chi Chuan Federation. On April 2, 2005, Master Cheng received a special certificate of recognition from Congressman Al Green in honor of his distinguished service to the Asian-American and Greater Houston Communities. USA Chen Style Tai Chi Federation received a certificate of congressional recognition from Member of Congress Sheila Jackson Lee. Master Cheng also has been recognized as a Good Will Ambassador and Honorable Citizen by Bill White, mayor of the City of Houston. Master Cheng Jin Cai is frequently asked to give lectures about this unique Tai Chi Chuan style by the Houston local groups as well as by cities like Dallas, Atlanta, and Chicago.

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Grandmaster Cheng Jin Cai (Two Days - 15 hours)
Chen Taiji Lao Jia Yi Lu and Chen Saber Workshop - Austin Texas

Saturday, June 16th, 9am - 1pm, 2:30pm - 6pm and Sunday, June 17th 9am - 1pm, 2:30pm - 6pm

Cost: SOLD OUT! Limited to Black Sashes and Apprentices.
Black Sash Training and Master's Path Students may attend with Master Gohring's Approval. Grandmaster Cheng will cover in a weekend what is normally covered in 8 months. Total Limit 20.

Bonus! Pay by Thursday, May 31th then Only $200
Apprentice SOLD OUT! by May 31th

Professional Translator: Ye Yuhong will be present to assist.

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Lao Jia Yi Lu - The first Routine of Chen Style Old Frame

The First Routine of Chen Style Old Frame provides the basis for developing silk twisting jing-a flexible and continuous energy augmented by an occasional burst of explosive power (the emphasis of the Second Routine). Mastering of the Old Frame enables the practitioner to balance the mind and body without any hesitation of spirit or intent. In this workshop, Grandmaster Cheng will demonstrate the full routine in an idyllic setting, Master Gohring's Tai Chi & Kung Fu. He will cover the breathing technique which is critical to successful Taichi and Kung Fu practice. He will cover proper breathing technique and will outline the basic physical requirement of Old Frame First Routine for each section of the body. The Most valuable part of this Workshop is the concise yet thorough breakdown you will receive of the entire First Routine into it is 74 component forms. There are over 80 rarely seen combat application that Grandmaster Cheng will perform and teach with time allowed. Grandmaster Cheng has extraordinarily graceful and powerful movements, his strong desire to share his knowledge and relationship to Master Gohring and Master Gohring's Tai Chi & Kung Fu will provide an excellent opportunity to instruct, inspire, and even entertain all who attend this wonderful weekend seminar.

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Lao Jia Yi Lu - List of Postures

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School Regulations

Grandmaster Cheng Jin Cai's School Regulations - These are not too different from ours. Please read through them in preparation for Grandmaster Cheng's visit.

• Wear the school uniform to class
• Salute the instructor before and after class
• No smoking or alcohol in the classroom
• No fighting or brawling in the classroom
• Call the School if you are going to be absent from class
• Participate in regional and international Tai Chi competitions
• Attend school events and activities
• Do not practice Push Hand or San Da with people outside of our school
• Defend the reputation of the Teacher and of the school
• Promote and develop Chen Style Tai Chi Chuan

Chen Family Tai Chi Chuan Requirements

Benevolence - Kindness towards others
Bravery - Willing to stand up for a just cause
Fairness - Impartiality, Just and non-prejudice towards others
Honesty - Truthful, Free from deception, Honorable
Integrity - Maintaining a code of decency, honesty and sincerity
Loyalty - Faithfulness and devotion
Morality - Virtuous, Maintaining a standard of correct conduct
Nobility - Broad mindedness, Moral excellence
Propriety - Dignity of bearing, Standard of acceptable conduct and speech
Respect - Esteem for ones teachers and elders
Righteousness - Upright, Knowing and doing what is right
Trustworthiness - Dependable, Reliable, Worthy of confidence

Summary of Wu De (Martial Arts Virtues)

• Choose a teacher with integrity
• Cultivate trust between you and the teacher
• Respect the Art, teacher, yourself and others
• Develop a good relationship with your teacher
• Always speak respectfully to others
• Practice self control and do not use your Martial Skills without deliberation
• Nurture kindness and compassion
• Be modest
• Persistently overcome obstacles while maintaining humility
• Be involved in your school and community

Articles:

The Eight Methods of Chen Style Tai Chi Chuan by Master Cheng Jin Cai

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Dear Grandmaster Cheng,

Thank you so much for coming to Austin and giving us a workshop this weekend. It was the most valuable and most intensive workshop I've taken at Master Gohring's Tai Chi and Kung Fu. It increased my interested in Chen style and I know this experience will strengthen my
tai chi from now on. In addition to correcting many points of my Chen style form, it reinforced the idea of chi for me, and it was a great physical workout too. I hope you will return to our school in the future and teach us even more. Your presence and your wisdom were an
inspiration to all of us.

Sincerely,

Richard Cohen

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Dear Grandmaster Cheng,

Thank you for leading the Multiply Your Mastery Workshop this past weekend. I found it intense but rewarding, especially since this was my first encounter with the Lao Jia Yi Lu. One of the things I have been looking for in my kung fu training is a mind and body connection, and I feel that connection when practicing the Chen form. Everything we covered this weekend will enhance my training and deepen my interest in Chen style tai chi. Your workshop was a great inspiration for me, and I hope you will eventually return to Austin to teach us some more.

Thank you,

Priscilla Hobbs Penn

PS, I also extend thanks to Master Gohring for hosting the workshop, Master Lam for assisting during the workshop, and Ye Yuhong for translation assistance.

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Master Gohring,

I have attend very few if any workshops that were as informative or helpful and the one presented
by Grandmaster Cheng Jin Cai  this past weekend.  I'm humbled and grateful to have been able to
attend and thank you for bringing him to our school.  I am really inspired by his presentation, how he interacted with us as students and his willingness to share the way he did. 
I learned so much regarding form correction, breathing and the applications.
I can still hear him saying the words neutralize, stretch, make a big circle, spiral and sink elbows.
As far as the value of the workshop to me...every superlative!

Respectfully and with kindest regards,
Jimmy Earl
Black Sash

PS: Special thanks Master King Lam too.

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Lao Jia 1 | Lao Jia 2 | Lao Jia 3 | Lao Jia 4 | Lao Jia 5 | Lao Jia 6 | Lao Jia 7 | Lao Jia 8 | Lao Jia 9
| Lao Jia 10 | Lao Jia 11 | Lao Jia 12 | Lao Jia 13 | Lao Jia 15 | Lao Jia 16