Prolong Life Through Softness

"When I teach taichi today, I still cure illnesses, prolong life, and gladden the spirit, but I can also enjoy the gathering of young and old, and the sharing of goodness with others.

Resembling Old Lai's childish antics,
never retiring though aged,
Surpassing Hau Tuo's animal frolics,
always concentrating ch'i for softness.

Swallow the heaven's ch'i,
Tap the earth's strength,
Prolong life through softness.  
Herein, truly, lie health and happiness."
-  Dr. Cheng Man-ch'ing, New Method of Taichi Ch'uan Self-Cultivation, 1963, 1999, p.15


Dr. Cheng Man-ch'ing (1902-1975)  Bibliography, Links, Quotations, 37 Form