Tradition - Chi Kung - Energy for a Healthy Body and a Happy Mind

Academy: Tradition

The history of Zhan Zhuang, the foundation of Chi Kung, goes back several thousand years to the time of the Yellow Emperor who lived around 2000 BC.  A personal connection to this living tradition is an important aspect for studying and practicing Chi Kung, we're part of an age-old tradition and lineage of transmission.

Grandmaster Wang Xiang Zhai

The foundations of the Zhan Zhuang system as we know it today have been laid by Grandmaster Wang Xiang Zhai. In China, he is known as one of the most famous martial artists of the last centuries, celebrated for his unmatched mastery of fighting skills.

In addition to his prowess in martial arts, culminating in his development of Da Cheng Chuan, The Great Achievement, Grandmaster Wang Xiang Zhai has also been the founder of the first Chi Kung hospitals in China.

Please visit the Da Cheng Chuan page to read more on this remarkable man.

Professor Yu Yong Nian

Professor Yu Yong Nian is the current head of the Da Cheng Chuan style of Zhan Zhuang Chi Kung. He started to learn Zhan Zhuang directly from Grandmaster Wang Xiang Zhai in 1944.

In 1953, Professor Yu introduced Zhan Zhuang as a method for treating chronic diseases at several hospitals in China. After the great success of using Zhan Zhuang for therapy he has been asked to write the first treatise on Zhan Zhuang for hospitals in China. His first book was published in 1982 and has been sold more than 500.000 times.

Professor Yu is Honorary Member of the Council of the Association of Chi Kung Science of the People's Republic of China and adviser to the American Chinese Chi Kung Association.

Master Lam Kam Chuen

Master Lam Kam Chuen has learned Zhan Zhuang directly from Professor Yu and introduced Zhan Zhuang to the West in 1987.

In 1991, his ground-breaking book 'The Way of Energy' was published and became the best selling title of Gaia Books.

In 1995, Master Lam's video 'Stand Still - Be Fit !', the first video on Zhan Zhuang, was shown on Channel Four in the UK. Since then, it has been repeatedly shown on TV due to its overwhelming success.

Please visit the page on Master Lam for more information on this remarkable man.

Sifu Thomas Apfel

Thomas is a student of Master Lam since 1993. He has founded the first Zhan Zhuang Chi Kung school in Germany and is a disciple of Master Lam.

On many trips to China, Thomas has gained deep insights into the culture and philosophy of this fascinating country. Since many years, he is teaching in Bavaria, Hessia and Berlin and frequently arranges workshops with Master Lam in Germany.

Thomas is the author of several articles which have been published in the Taijiquan & Qigong Journal, the German-speaking journal for Taijiquan and Qigong.