We are pleased to republish this article from the Fall 2000 AYMTA Journal, which celebrated the life and Taiji of our teacher Wang Yen-nien. Peter Clifford, who studied for many years with Master Wang in Taiwan and at workshops across Europe, has taught Yangjia Michuan Taiji in London at the Tai Chi Centre since 1995. Referring to the article in a recent email he expressed “The memory of it gave me a good smile once again! How fortunate we were to have Wang Yen-nien as our teacher.” The original artwork is by Holly Leavy, who contributed much to the design and look of the Journals.

Back in the 1970’s when I started to study tai chi chuan with Wang Lao chr in Taipei, we used to go to his house in Shih Lin to practice; three times a week for push hands, and two mornings a week for form and sword. Entry to Lao chr’s house was on the busy Dadong Road, where it is now a shop. We would thread our way through the ground floor, up the stairs, through the kitchen, where Chr mou was always preparing the next meal, and then go upstairs again to the dao guan.

The dao guan was a dark and well-seasoned room, with rush tatami mats on the floor. Around the walls were vertically placed tatamis, some pictures, and a large Chinese altar. Beside the altar was a door to the toilet, inside which was a window, and a metal ladder, which went up to the roof space, where Lao chr cultivated rare and exotic plants.  The toilet door was usually kept open when the toilet was not in use. Space was at a premium, especially when there were several people practicing, and the open door gave more light and the impression of more space.

Practicing the form, in the mornings at Lao chr’s house was always a special occasion. One such occasion was on a Wednesday morning when Lao chr was practicing the form with us. Due to the lack of space when he got to the toilet door, as it was open, he carried on and moved completely into the toilet. It seemed as if he was in there for a very long time. He then re-emerged still practicing the form. When he came out it was very difficult not to roar with laughter. It happened again several times after that, and no doubt the message was that no obstacle is insurmountable, and no space is unsuitable. 

Peter Clifford, London 06 October 2000