A Famous Tai Chi Lineage

Master Cheng Man Ching;         Master William C C Chen ;         Master Elaine Waters

​Master Chen Man Ching
or Zheng Manqing (1902-1975)
     Cheng was trained in Chinese medicine, Tai chi chuan, and the three perfections: calligraphy, painting and poetry. Because of his skills in these five areas, he was often referred to as the "Master of Five Excellences." Because he had been a college professor, his students called him "Professor Cheng."  He learned tai chi chuan from Yang-Chenfu.
      Professor Cheng taught his new tai chi chuan form and moved to Taiwan in 1949. He published Cheng's 13 Chapters of T'ai Chi Boxing in 1950. Many people who are famous teachers now, studied with Chen Man-Ching including: Elaine Waters' teacher: Master William C. C. Chen.  Cheng Man Ching moved to New York in 1964 and became very popular teaching tai chi and had many students. He was known for softness, and push hands power. His tai chi form is called the Chen Man Ching Style, known as a small frame form, differing from traditional yang family form.

​Master William C.C.Chen 
Master William C. C. Chen started teaching Tai Chi Chuan at the beginning of the 1950s, while living with Master Cheng Man Ching.  In 1958, he won second place in the Taiwan National Olympic Competition. In 1965, he established the William C. C. Chen Tai Chi Chuan in New York City. William C. C. Chen has devoted his life to the study of body mechanics and the effects of Tai Chi Chuan for art of self-defense as well as on physical health, and to the application of the principles of Tai Chi Chuan. His approach is to make Tai Chi Chuan simple, easier, natural, enjoyable and productive. Regarded as one of the finest and most influential traditional internal stylist of his generation, William C. C. Chen is IKF's choice for "Man of the Year" Inside Kung-Fu's first HALL of FAME of the millennium. Known for tai chi boxing, ability to neutralize force, and push hands skill, Master William C C Chen teaches around the world. More about Master William C C Chen at www.WilliamC.C.Chen.com.                                                                                                    
 Master Elaine Waters
Elaine Waters has studied with Master William C.C.Chen since 1980 and was certified to teach Tai Chi Body Mechanics by him in 1988. Elaine also studied with many other famous teachers, however it is primarily the teaching of this lineage that has contributed to her skill level. By experiencing many other styles and famous Masters she learned how to deliver this material to students of any style. 
Elaine Waters has taught tai chi in many different areas of the United States including Arkansas, Missouri, Indiana, New York, California, Oregon, and she currently offers weekly classes and workshops in Colorado. Elaine Waters competed in national and International Tai Chi tournaments and has won many awards, including first place in Tai Chi Push Hands Competition with 14 countries competing in Taiwan in 1990. 

Tai Chi Sword Form Workshop,
with Master William C C Chen
​in Boulder, CO July 2019

Master William C C Chen and Elaine Waters with Elaine's' top students in Colorado: 
Ryan Ruegg, Chris Reitter, Russ McWhorter, Brian Mathews

​Master Elaine Waters presents students with Tai Chi Teaching Certificate,
passing down the teaching of this lineage.
Certification for teaching requires that students train for 50 hours in each of the following areas, (after they learn the initial Tai Chi Form with Body Mechanics): Form Applications, Push Hands, Tai Chi Sword, and they are teaching helpers in Elaine Waters classes for two years. 

Russ McWhorter receives his Tai Chi Teaching Certificate
​April 2017 

Chris Reitter receives his Tai Chi Teaching Certificate 
April 2019

Master Elaine Waters holds Advanced Workshops: training for those
 eligible for receiving Teaching Certificates

TAI CHI FORM APPLICATIONS USING BODY MECHANICS