Gin Soon Tai Chi Chuan Federation: Preserving the Legacy of Yang-Style Tai Chi
Submitted by the Master Chu Gin-Soon's disciple, Mingjie Wu
Origins and Founding
• 1968: Master Chu Gin-Soon (朱振舜), one of Yang Shouzhong's (杨守中) three formal disciples and a fourth-generation inheritor of Yang Chengfu's (杨澄甫) lineage, brought authentic Yang-style Tai Chi to Boston after emigrating from Hong Kong.
• 1969: With encouragement from Boston's Chinese community and Master Yang Shouzhong's endorsement, Chu established the Gin Soon Tai Chi Club—the city's first official Yang-style school—dedicated to teaching traditional forms and weapons.
Family Leadership and Global Expansion
• Master Chu taught alongside his sons Chu Kwok-Hung (朱国宏) and Chu Kwok-Cheung (朱国昌). In 1995, they founded the Gin Soon Tai Chi Chuan Federation, expanding worldwide with branches in:
USA: New York, Florida, North Shore (MA), Rhode Island, Maine
International: Taipei (Taiwan), Rennes (France), Staines (UK), Zlín (Czech Republic), Hamburg (Germany), Milan (Italy), Riga (Latvia).
Impact and Community Engagement
• The federation adheres to classical teaching methods, attracting students globally. Many graduates now lead independent schools across the U.S., Europe, and Asia.
• It actively promotes Tai Chi through events like World Tai Chi Day and cross-school collaborations.
Teaching Philosophy and Lineage
• Authentic Transmission: Master Chu preserved Yang Shouzhong's rigorous standards. His son, Chu Kwok-Hung, trained under Hong Kong masters (e.g., Ye Da-De) and studied Chen/Wu styles, mastering spiral energy (chansijing) and combat applications.
• Curriculum: Covers forms, weapons, push-hands, and internal cultivation, blending martial efficacy with health benefits—a hallmark of traditional neijia (internal) arts.
A Personal Note from Mingjie Wu
In 1989, I immigrated to Boston and had the privilege of learning from Master Chu Gin-Soon, becoming his final disciple. For over two decades, I witnessed his unwavering dedication to Yang-style Tai Chi's purity and global dissemination.
Legacy and Recognition
From its 1969 founding to its 1995 global expansion, the Gin Soon Federation has profoundly impacted Yang-style Tai Chi's preservation and cross-cultural exchange. It remains a cornerstone of Boston's Chinese heritage and a beacon for practitioners worldwide.
Explore classes, branches, or interviews: 👉www.gstaichi.org
Key Terms:
Chansijing (纏絲勁): Spiral energy central to Yang-style mechanics.
Neijia (內家): Internal martial arts emphasizing qi cultivation.
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