Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang (1928-2012)

Sifu Rick Thomas, his disciples, the instructors and students of Thomas Academy of Tai Chi | Kung Fu wish to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang, who passed away on May 5, 2012.

Without a doubt, Grandmaster Feng has had and always will have a presence in our school. He always exuded an air of quiet gentleness, but at the same time, all-encompassing power.

Sifu Thomas, when asked about his fondest memory of Grandmaster Feng, tells the following story:

"I once asked my Wu Hao Grandmaster, Chen Shu Dao, if he believed in fate. He replied, 'It depends on who is asking.' We both laughed heartily. My fate has been more than an average person could make happen.

"My meeting Grandmaster Chen Zhonghua opened the door for me to meet his Shifu, Grandmaster Feng. I was in Beijing, and was fortunate to have been able to join in training with Grandmaster Feng. Early one morning, we all met to walk to the park in Beijing to play tai chi. Everyone was very relaxed and looking forward to that day's training, and the grandmaster decided that we should stop for what we, in the United States, would call a doughnut. We then continued to the park and played tai chi. I was privileged to have been able to push hands with several of his students that had come from all over China. I was so honored to have been able to share these moments with him, and they have become a most treasured memory of our time together."

There is no doubt that Grandmaster Feng's passing will leave a void in the martial arts world. Once again, our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

Here are some photographs of the service. Many thousands of people paid their respects.

 

 

 

 

Thomas Academy of Tai Chi | Kung Fu is dedicated to educating and informing the public about the nature and benefits of martial arts and to providing students of the martial arts with the materials, training, and resources necessary for the further development of their mental and physical well being.

Thomas Academy offers daytime, evening, and weekend group classes to accommodate everyone's schedule. Private lessons and personal training with Sifu Thomas are also available for those wanting one-on-one instruction. We are dedicated to teaching only the highest quality traditional styles of Tai Chi, Northern and Southern styles of Shaolin Kung Fu, Wushu, traditional Chinese weapons, self-defense, and contemporary martial art forms to all ages.

In addition to our regular classes, we offer weekly specialty workshops, which are focused training sessions including Qigong, Chen style Tai Chi straight sword, Wu Hao staff, and Push Hands. It is important to note that we are the only school in America that offers Vintage Xingtai Wu Hao Tai Chi staff. We are scheduling more convenient class times to accommodate our expanding classes. Please feel free to browse around or contact us. We're glad you're here!

Sifu Goes To Xingtai - Sifu Thomas spent most of September 2007 in Xingtai, China training hard with his Sifu and learning new techniques, such as Wu Hao Spear.

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Sifu Becomes Yang Disciple - While in China, Sifu Thomas was accepted as the "first foreigner" and 6th generation Yang style disciple.


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