What
Long-time Students Are Saying About Master Liu
[On
the eve of Master Liu’s 74th birthday, some long-time Wu (Hao)
style students share their experience of learning from Master Liu. Ed.]
John Rambo
I have been studying Tai Chi for 30 years on and off, with many different
teachers. Some have been good and
many have been bad, but none of them had a systematic way of teaching Tai Chi.
They would just say do this or do that in a random fashion, so there was no
continuity to their teaching.
Sifu is the only
teacher I have ever had, who has a step by step way of teaching Tai Chi. Each
step builds upon the previous step. The
chi development and movement inside the form keeps becoming more and more
refined and subtle.
Sifu's push-hands is
the best I have ever experienced. It
is just like the way the old masters wrote about it in the Tai Chi Classics.
Here, also, he teaches push-hands in a step by step manner.
Sifu's Fa Jin is also the best I have ever found.
Again, he does it like it is described in the classics.
Fa Jin, done properly, is magical; because you don't feel any thing and
the opponent goes flying away.
Sifu knows Tai Chi
from A to Z and has a step by step way to teach it.
I feel very fortunate
to be studying with Sifu. Thank You
Sifu.
----------
John Su
We are very fortunate to have such a great Tai Chi
teacher. Master Liu is not only knowledgeable on all of the theory and
principles of the Tai Chi, he also uses very practical ways on teaching Tai Chi
to make sure we can understand.
I
am very gretetful to have this opportunity to be his student and all what I have
learned shall benefit me for the rest of my life.
----------
Jack Liou
When
asked to summarize my experience of learning and practicing Wu Hao Tai Chi with
Master Liu, the word "Enrichment" immediately comes to mind. Learning
any forms of Tai chi and practicing it diligently is not enrichment (although it
will bring tremendous benefit to your health). Learning Tai Chi Theory in a
methodical, incremental way so that the knowledge can be integrated into one's
intellect is enrichment. For the last three to four years, the joy of being able
to read some classic theory books and understand, experience the effect during
the practice is insurmountable and made me realize the true meaning of the
saying of "Tai Chi is such a treasure that's worth of life-time digging
(learning)". And I owe it all to Master Liu.
----------
Brad Yee
I first
met Sifu Liu over eight years ago at a Tui Na seminar which led to my practice
of Wu Hao tai chi. His tai
chi teaching methods are well structured, yet accommodates the hectic lives we
all find ourselves living. He is
never overly critical of one's progress,
yet constantly inspires his students to advance their skill level. Sifu
Liu is never one to withhold his knowledge and works tirelessly to train his
students so that future generations will be able to practice and appreciate this
unique style of tai chi. I was once
told that Sifu Liu considers each student like a son or daughter.
He nurtures his pupils like a kind father and feels a heart broken loss
whenever a senior student passes on to other endeavors in life. I have witnessed this over the years and attest to his strong
commitment to his students along with his knowledge and skill in Wu Hao tai chi.
----------
Steve Pitzer
I have been a student of various martial arts for
over thirty-five years. I started
to study tai chi chuan thirteen years ago because of its known health benefits
and because as one ages declining reaction time and strength drastically affect
external martial styles. During my
first eight years of studying tai chi chuan I searched for and found only a few
teachers who had the internal energy enabling them to actually perform tai chi
chuan. None of them were able to teach or explain how they developed that
energy. I read countless books and
articles searching for an understanding and a methodology to allow me to develop
internal energy. I know now that
almost all of what I read was of no benefit toward that goal because the authors
either did not know how to develop internal energy or could not explain how they
did it. Five years ago I saw in the
Tai Chi magazine that a master was teaching Wu Hao tai chi chuan in this area.
I attended a class to see what it was like and what I found amazed me.
Master Liu’s ability to effortlessly move an opponent seemed like
magic. In all the time I had
studied martial arts I was never so impressed.
But more importantly, I not only found a teacher would could perform his
art at the very highest level, I found a teacher who knew how to transmit his
knowledge in a structured and systematic way.
I also found a teacher who was patient and willing to answer questions.
I knew that studying with Master Liu was the best opportunity that I
would ever have to become really proficient at tai chi chuan.
I have now been one of Master Liu’s students for the past five years
and feel that I have been making continuous progress and hope to continue to do
so. I have found that studying tai
chi chuan with Master Liu has been very rewarding and I am very grateful to be
one of his students.
----------
Paul C. Wang
The Chinese often speak of yuan (“predestined affinity”), which links
people across space and time and causes the formation of relationships.
It is beyond luck or chance that we all came to meet Sifu.
I am forever grateful for the
opportunity to realize the profound and universal insights of Tai Chi.
This has been only possible because of the lifelong dedication that Sifu
has invested into research and transmission of this art.
The depth of understanding he embodies is only matched by his sincerity
to share it. As a martial artist,
doctor, teacher, and genuine human being – I look to him for inspiration.
A few years after embarking upon this
path, I anticipate the endless and rewarding process of cultivation that Sifu
has led us upon.
Copyright
2004. Wu (Hao) Tai Chi Association. All Rights Reserved.
