History of Wah Tor Chi Kung -
A Treasure for Health & Longevity
- According to our Master Dr. Luke Chu, Wah Tor Chi Kung was named after Wah Tor (Hua Tuo), the famous physician and surgeon in ancient China. Besides being respected for his expertise in surgery and anaesthesia, Hua Tuo was famous for his abilities in acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal medicine and medical Daoyin exercises including the famous "Exercise of the Five Animals" as a result from studying the movement of animals.
- Dr. Luke Chu, born in China, was a medical doctor with the Chinese Armed Forces. He helped many patients rehabilitate by teaching them Chi Kung.
- After immigrating to Canada when he was in his senior years, he passed down Wah Tor Chi Kung, which is a series of well-being exercises, which many of us practice today. Dr. Chu learned it from the 18th generation master where one generation considered to be 100 years.
- Our master, Dr. Chu passed away at the age of 106 in 2012 still having impressive internal power as well as sharp mental capacity. Even at the
age of over 100, his teeth were intact and he was full of strength and energy.
- Dr. Chu has written two books and the one we used as our textbook is called "Wah Tor Chi Kung Treasure Collection" [華佗氣功寶典].
Testimony
Let's hear the learners' experience.....
Catherine Backman
1. Tell us who you are and how long you’ve been learning Wah Tor Chi Kung.
My name is Catherine and I’m a recently retired professor and occupational therapist. I started learning Wah Tor Chi Kung in 2016.
2. How did you come across Wha Tor Chi Kung?
I saw a sign posted in a medical clinic that Chi Kung was offered in the clinic on Saturday mornings.
I had often wondered about Chi Kung and thought Ike give it a try. Hing was a patient and enthusiastic teacher, so I’ve been doing it ever since, although with some breaks due to the pandemic and changing schedules and venues.
3. Can you share your experience or impressions of practicing Wah Tor Chi Kung? What keeps your engaged in practice?
Once I learned the basic movements I started to feel the benefits of practice. It is relaxing and stress relieving, like a mindful practice. It is a full range of motion exercise which can be very gentle but also can be vigorous the more you focus on the details for performing each of the 9 parts. I especially like doing it outdoors, as part of a group in a park, but indoors is more realistic in winter. When I miss doing it for a week or more, I feel stiffer, more knee pain, and have less energy than when I practice regularly. That’s what keeps me engaged in practice - feeling better.
4. Do you recommend Wah Tor Chi Kung to others?
Yes. Anyone can do it, no matter their fitness level and it’s easy to adapt to your ability. While Chi Kung is typically done while standing, it’s possible to do it while seated. You will breathe better, improve circulation, balance, posture, and fitness, and can do it at your own pace.
Kaija Pepper
1. Tell us who you are and how long you’ve been learning Wah Tor Chi Kung.
I’m a writer working in the arts, and started learning Wah Tor Chi Kung in 2017.
2. How did you come across Wah Tor Chi Kung?
A friend asked me to sign up for a course with her. I had recently stopped doing yoga due to arthritis restricting some of my movement, and thought the gentler stretches of Chi Kung would be better for me. (They are!)
3. Can you share your experience or impressions of practicing Wah Tor Chi Kung? What keeps you
engaged in practice?
After the challenge of learning the basic movements, I began to enter into the more meditative aspects of the form. It’s sometimes hard to motivate myself to stop whatever I’m doing and join the practice, whether online or at the park, but each time I do, I feel more centred inside. Especially when we’re all doing it in time together: the energy flow is dynamic and truly exciting.
4. Do you recommend Wah Tor Chi Kung to others?
Definitely! It takes patience to learn and commitment to practice, but the joy it brings to be centred in your body and mind makes it so worthwhile. For anyone who works on their computer as much as I do, it’s a wonderful restorative.