Story 4

One rainy day about 30 years ago my teacher, Yang Ch’eng-fu, grandson of Yang Lu-ch’an, and I were crossing the Outer Paitu Bridge in Shanghai. A large sturdy man walking very quickly ran smack into Yang and promptly recoiled several feet onto his back. He rose and stared angrily at the quiet Yang but, apparently so surprised that he had failed to move him, walked away without speaking.

Tai Chi Chuan
A Simplified Method of Calisthenics for Health & Self Defense
Cheng Man-ch’ing

Story 3

One morning my reacher’s father, Yang Chien-hou, the third son of Yang Lu-ch’an, was approached by a servant who told him that a dead rat was stuck on the bedroom wall. Did the master know anything about it? Yang thought and then said “It must have been that the rat tried to get at the peanuts in my pocket while I slept. I must have caught him and thrown him at the wall with such force that he stuck”.

Tai Chi Chuan
A Simplified Method of Calisthenics for Health & Self Defense
Cheng Man-ch’ing

Story 2

Another time my teacher’s eldest uncle Yang Pan-hou , the eldest son of Yang Lu-ch’an , was napping one summer evening in the yard while awaiting dinner. A servant nudged him to announce that dinner was ready and Yang, still sound asleep, kicked the poor fellow nearly to the level of the roof.

Tai Chi Chuan
A Simplified Method of Calisthenics for Health & Self Defense
Cheng Man-ch’ing

Story 1

When my teacher’s grandfather, Yang Lu-ch’an first walked into the Palace during the Ch’ing Dynasty he was attacked by two dogs who bit his legs and then, with strange barks fled. Mr Yang paid no heed and followed the eunuchs with a quiet smile.
The eunuchs were amazed at his non-chalance. Later it was learned that the dogs, who refused to eat that night, had left some broken teeth at the place the attack occurred - so strong were Yang’s legs.

Tai Chi Chuan
A Simplified Method of Calisthenics for Health & Self Defense
Cheng Man-ch’ing