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ZHAO BAO LONGEVOUS

Note: you can click on the photographs to enlarge them.

In the trip we made representing the Asociación Hispano China de Taichi Wudang Quanfa Yanjiu Hui, we had the opportunity to meet in mid october one of Zhao Bao tai chi chuan practitioners who belongs to what we could call the longevous club.

Li Yin Ping who was born an March 2, 1906 is one of the oldest of Zhao Bao practitioner.

When he was 17 he started to study Chang Quan, but he later studied tai chi vith Zhao Bao master Zheng Xi Jue, being in fact his first disciple, and learning the form of the Great structure of this style.

In the interview we had with him he said the practice of this style brought benefits to him throughout his life. one of his disciples told us that when he was already 80 years old he stilll could touch with both legs the ground, in the lowest posture of the form. He was there still teaching taichi.

This centenarian still practices sach day with iron will, making individual movements 1000 times each day. I cannot way if the number is real or exagerated. I saw him making moving "hands like clouds" and through the movement were no so extended ar those of a young man, they still were forcefull.

During the visit to his home he could throw master Zhao Zengfu as well as making bend and tall on his knews Zhang Xiumu, while practicing tuishou watch the llok of his face -click to enlarge photo- later I asked Zhang if he had allowed himself to be throun and the ansered me that he had'nt! Though his eyesight and hearing have dimineshed, he still is vigorous as I could see personally. This confirmed the depth of his neigong.

To celebrate his centenary his folow disciples of Xian organized a birthday banquet, where all them old were gathered, as can be seen in the photograph.

There are their names:

Gathering of Zhao Bao Taijiquan style. on the celebration of the hurdreth birthday of Li Yin Ping. (in the centre, in blue)

sitting, from left to right:

Chai Xue Wen (76 years old)
Li Yin Ping (100 years old)
Fan Shi Shu (86 years old)

standing from left to right

Ren Fu Tang (76 years old)
Wang Pei Hua (76 years old)
Ren Zhi Yi (87 years old)
Ren Chang An (76 years old)
Zheng Hong Lie (78 years old)
Zhao Zengfu (66 years old)

(2005 year)

So we can say that then is some relation between the practice Zhao Bao Taijiquan and longevity, as can be seen in the photograph and I could personally see.