In July 2022 I was contacted via my Zing Zang Tai Chi profile on Google. The person contacting me was Mr Siang Peng Chew. I had no idea who this person was but I was keen to find out more. He asked to have a talk about Tai Chi in Banbury. I am keen to teach anyone Tai Chi so I was looking forward to chatting.
Who is this guy ?
He then explained to me that he was visiting Banbury from Malaysia. He was staying with a family in Banbury doing some community work. To my surprised he explained that he had been training in Martial Arts since 1967. For three years he practiced Shito Ryu Karate in Malaysia until he started Tai Chi. His first Tai Chi style was the Wu style which he started in 1969. In 1982 he began to practice the Cheng Man Ching style originating with the Yang family style. He had also taught the Wu and Cheng Man Ching style of Tai Chi Chuan.
He had also practiced several religions and seemed most at home with Taoism. Qi Gong, Yoga, Reiki and many other natural healing processes have also been studied. He described himself as a Global Citizen with Global views.
Mr Chew had been practicing Tai Chi Chuan since 1969
Mr Chew then asked to come to my lesson in Banbury with a friend who he was assisting.
He visited three classes, sometimes with his friends George and Courtney. He assisted the class in the finer points of Tai Chi Chuan and Qi Gong. His style was clearly influenced by Cheng Man Ching.
He explained in his own words the importance of the finer points of Tai Chi, natural flow and minimising lifeforce energy used in the practice.
Mr Chew particularly encourages myself and my students to focus on Tai Chi Chuan, the Martial Arts part of the Cheng Man Ching style as well as the huge health benefits of Tai Chi.
I found Mr Chew to be a very interesting, humble and an inspirational person. He has no need to self promote, has a quiet ego and is full of life energy.
As a Martial Artist and Tai Chi Chuan practitional of over 50 years, he prefers to be called Mr rather than Master.
Although I rather like the saying “When the student is ready, the Master appears”
We wish Mr Chew a safe flight on his return to Malaysia.
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