It all started back in April 2011 when Than Hsiang Temple (THT) and the Penang Municipal Council were planning for a river clean-up campaign and they needed an activity for warming-up before the clean-up began.

Ven. Zhen Ti Shifu then suggested to Master Tang Chin Yong to start a Taijiquan class under the THT banner so that by the time the campaign started, the class would be ready to lead the performance.

Taijiquan is very suitable for this objective because it is not only an ancient Chinese exercise with performance aesthetics, but also a form of martial art and a competitive sport which can be practised as a social activity that comes with valuable health benefits.

Thus, Sis Fu Yek Ming was appointed as the co-ordinator and Master Tang as the Taijiquan instructor. Master Tang Chin Yong is currently the chief instructor of Zhong Hua Internal Wushu Centre and the vice chief instructor of Penang Tai Chi Association. He has been actively teaching various forms of Wushu, specializing in Taijiquan for the past 40 years.

A programme for the class was created as follows:

1) Chi-generating Taiji warming-up exercises
2) 16-Movement-Taijiquan
3) 24- Movement-Simplified Taijiquan

The initial response was overwhelming! There were more than 50 new students at the first lesson. With this, the THT Free Taijiquan Class was officially formed.

The venue of the class is at the open area of the temple premises overlooking a river. Occasionally, one can see some cows grazing grass by the riverbank and some birds of different species hovering above the water, giving you a sudden feel of being in the countryside. This beautiful vicinity, with its fresh air amidst the busy city, is where it all began for the Taijiquan class.

At the intervals during Taijiquan practices, Sis Lean Eng and Sis Gin Khuan will sometimes share with students updates on the activities of THT.

THT’s principles and aims are to provide a place where the young can learn and the youth can practise Dharma, and a place where the seniors can depend on and the souls of the departed can be put to rest.

With the gracious efforts of Ven. Zhen Ti Shifu, despite her hectic schedule, starting this year, Taijiquan students have had the pleasure to attend Dharma classes (from 8.30 to 9.15am) once a month after Taijiquan practices.

Taijiquan is a sport which exhibits the following characteristics: slow, continuous, gentle and soft movements that are light and agile. With correct and regular practice, one can improve their strength and immune system, and enjoy amazing health benefits.

Practicing Taijiquan is like cooking food with charcoal; the heat is slow but penetrates deeply into the food thus making it tastes so much better. Likewise, during practice, one will feel the heat being generated from their ‘dan tien’. After a few rounds of practices, the heat will be felt throughout the body and the perspiration will leave you feeling so refreshed.

The new intake in 2013 had increased the number of Taijiquan students and a new instructor, Ms Lee Lyn Foong was invited to assist Master Tang. Having studied Taijiquan and Wushu from Master Tang for many years, she is a qualified instructor and a helpful addition to the Taijiquan class.

Taijiquan requires one to have full concentration and mindfulness during practice, which is also similar to what Buddhists practise, i.e. stillness of the mind and mindfulness, clearing the mind of temptations.When brought together, Taijiquan and the Dharma can be practised in harmony.

The THT Taijiquan class promotes not only physical well being but also spiritual well being as well. This is aimed at making the student a better person as an individual, a better family member and overall, one who can contribute to making a better society.