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Since his youth, Shifu Zhang Yun has loved the martial
arts. During his teens, he studied several different styles
including Chinese wrestling and Tongbei Quan, which he
learned from Master Zhang Deshan and Master Zhao
Zeren. After Shifu Zhang had studied and practiced
rigorously for several years with Master Zhang Deshan
and Master Zhao Zeren, they introduced him to Master
Luo Shuhuan. Eventually, all three became Master
Luo's in-door disciples with Master Zhang Deshan as the
oldest brother in the generation and Master Zhao Zeren
as the second oldest.
arts. During his teens, he studied several different styles
including Chinese wrestling and Tongbei Quan, which he
learned from Master Zhang Deshan and Master Zhao
Zeren. After Shifu Zhang had studied and practiced
rigorously for several years with Master Zhang Deshan
and Master Zhao Zeren, they introduced him to Master
Luo Shuhuan. Eventually, all three became Master
Luo's in-door disciples with Master Zhang Deshan as the
oldest brother in the generation and Master Zhao Zeren
as the second oldest.
| Shifu Zhang and Grand Master Wang Peisheng in Beijing in 1979. |
| Master Zhang Deshan, Shifu Zhang Yun and Master Zhao Zeren in Beijing in 1989. |
| Shifu Zhang and Master Luo practicing Dao (saber). |
Shifu Zhang Yun began his training in the traditional
Chinese martial arts with Master Luo in 1975 in Beijing,
China. Master Luo took a liking to young Zhang Yun
and trained him very intensively. The young disciple did
so well that one year later Master Luo sent him to study
with his own master, Wang Peisheng, for further
arduous training. This gave Shifu Zhang a rare
opportunity to study with one of China's highest level
masters. In addition to Grand Master Wang's regular
group classes, Shifu Zhang was able to take weekly
private lessons for more than ten years from Grand
Master Wang in his home. In these lessons, Shifu
Zhang studied the internal martial arts of Taiji, Bagua,
Xingyi and their weapons. He was also able to study a
variety of other martial arts as well as qigong.
Chinese martial arts with Master Luo in 1975 in Beijing,
China. Master Luo took a liking to young Zhang Yun
and trained him very intensively. The young disciple did
so well that one year later Master Luo sent him to study
with his own master, Wang Peisheng, for further
arduous training. This gave Shifu Zhang a rare
opportunity to study with one of China's highest level
masters. In addition to Grand Master Wang's regular
group classes, Shifu Zhang was able to take weekly
private lessons for more than ten years from Grand
Master Wang in his home. In these lessons, Shifu
Zhang studied the internal martial arts of Taiji, Bagua,
Xingyi and their weapons. He was also able to study a
variety of other martial arts as well as qigong.
| Grand Master Wang showing Shifu Zhang a fighting skill. |
With the permission from Grand Master Wang and Master
Luo, Shifu Zhang started teaching martial arts in China in
1983. Then he and his elder gongfu brother Master Lu
Shengli opened the door to accept their own in-door
disciples. They are the first two persons in their
generation to receive this big honor from Master Wang.
Luo, Shifu Zhang started teaching martial arts in China in
1983. Then he and his elder gongfu brother Master Lu
Shengli opened the door to accept their own in-door
disciples. They are the first two persons in their
generation to receive this big honor from Master Wang.
When he arrived in the United States from Beijing in
1989, Shifu Zhang began teaching Taiji, Bagua, Xingyi,
Tongbei, and Changquan in Reno, Nevada and
continued to teach there for about 5 years before
moving to Princeton, New Jersey where he taught for
another 5 years. He currently resides in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania.
1989, Shifu Zhang began teaching Taiji, Bagua, Xingyi,
Tongbei, and Changquan in Reno, Nevada and
continued to teach there for about 5 years before
moving to Princeton, New Jersey where he taught for
another 5 years. He currently resides in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania.
| Shifu Zhang teaching a Taiji class. |
Since 1993 Shifu Zhang has been the President of the
Yin Cheng Gong Fa Association-North American
Headquarters (YCGFA-NAH). He was appointed to this
position by Grand Master Wang when the Grand
Master visited the United States to conduct a series of
classes and established this oversea branch of Yin
Cheng Gong Fa Association.
Yin Cheng Gong Fa Association-North American
Headquarters (YCGFA-NAH). He was appointed to this
position by Grand Master Wang when the Grand
Master visited the United States to conduct a series of
classes and established this oversea branch of Yin
Cheng Gong Fa Association.
| Master Lu Shengli, Grand Master Wang Peisheng, and Shifu Zhang in San Francisco in June 1993. |
| In 1998 Shifu Zhang published his first martial arts book in English: "The Art of Chinese Swordsmanship - A Manual of Taiji Jian" (Weatherhill). |
Shifu Zhang is knowledgeable about martial arts history,
its various lineages and its many principles and has
done extensive research on these topics. As a teacher,
he combines rigorous practice with a penetrating
exploration of traditional martial arts principles. It is his
conviction that only through a profound understanding
of these principles can the practitioner efficiently and
effectively achieve the highest levels of martial arts skill.
For this reason, principles rather than techniques
become the primary focus of Shifu Zhang's teaching.
its various lineages and its many principles and has
done extensive research on these topics. As a teacher,
he combines rigorous practice with a penetrating
exploration of traditional martial arts principles. It is his
conviction that only through a profound understanding
of these principles can the practitioner efficiently and
effectively achieve the highest levels of martial arts skill.
For this reason, principles rather than techniques
become the primary focus of Shifu Zhang's teaching.
| Shifu Zhang practicing Taiji Jian. |
In addition to his vast martial arts knowledge, Shifu Zhang
is a scholar of the arts, philosophy, and customs of
traditional Chinese culture. He views an understanding of
these, too, as crucial and beneficial to a practitioner's
ability to master high level martial arts.
is a scholar of the arts, philosophy, and customs of
traditional Chinese culture. He views an understanding of
these, too, as crucial and beneficial to a practitioner's
ability to master high level martial arts.
| Shifu Zhang teaching a Bagua seminar. |
| Grand Master Wang, Master Luo and some of Master Luo's in-door disciples. |
| Shifu Zhang teaching a push hands class. |
| Shifu Zhang practicing Taiji push hands with his gongfu uncle Xu Hanyuan, a well-known Paochui master, while Grand Master Wang Observes. |
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Yin Cheng Gong Fa Association North American Headquarters
Copyright © 2000 YCGF_NAH. All rights reserved.
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| Master Luo Shuhuan and Shifu Zhang in Beijing in 1985. |
Master Luo Shuhuan was Grand Master
Wang Peisheng - Yin Cheng's earliest
in-door disciple. He began his training
with Master Wang when he was thirteen
years old. He studied Taiji, Bagua,
Xingyi, and some other styles. He
remained unswervingly loyal and
obedient to Master Wang and to the
traditional principles and values of Taiji
Quan through many difficult and terrible
times. As a result, Master Wang trusted
Master Luo more than any of his other
students or disciples. Serving for a long
time as the Administrator Disciple of the
Group, Master Luo was, and is,
respected by all group members. He was
also the first person in his generation to
be permitted to open the door to accept
his own disciples.
Wang Peisheng - Yin Cheng's earliest
in-door disciple. He began his training
with Master Wang when he was thirteen
years old. He studied Taiji, Bagua,
Xingyi, and some other styles. He
remained unswervingly loyal and
obedient to Master Wang and to the
traditional principles and values of Taiji
Quan through many difficult and terrible
times. As a result, Master Wang trusted
Master Luo more than any of his other
students or disciples. Serving for a long
time as the Administrator Disciple of the
Group, Master Luo was, and is,
respected by all group members. He was
also the first person in his generation to
be permitted to open the door to accept
his own disciples.
| Grand Master Wang showed Master Luo some push hands skills with Shifu Zhang observing. |
Not only a high level martial arts master,
Master Luo was also a well-known master
of Chinese calligraphy, a scholar of
traditional Chinese philosophy and by
trade, a mechanical engineer. He used
the techniques and principles of modern
science to conduct extensive research
into the nature of the traditional martial
arts and as a result, was able to analyze
and explain martial arts principles and
methods to his students in illuminating
detail. He was a most patient teacher,
greatly respected and loved by his
students as well as the disciples,
brothers, uncles and masters in his
gongfu family.
Master Luo was also a well-known master
of Chinese calligraphy, a scholar of
traditional Chinese philosophy and by
trade, a mechanical engineer. He used
the techniques and principles of modern
science to conduct extensive research
into the nature of the traditional martial
arts and as a result, was able to analyze
and explain martial arts principles and
methods to his students in illuminating
detail. He was a most patient teacher,
greatly respected and loved by his
students as well as the disciples,
brothers, uncles and masters in his
gongfu family.
Unfortunately, prolonged bad living
conditions proved to have a deleterious
effect on his health. After struggling with
his disease for more than twenty years,
he passed away in 1987. He was, and is,
sorely missed by all.
conditions proved to have a deleterious
effect on his health. After struggling with
his disease for more than twenty years,
he passed away in 1987. He was, and is,
sorely missed by all.
The martial arts family to which Shifu
Zhang belongs is a very traditional one,
and the people in it try always in all their
activities to conduct their lives according
to ancestral customs and rules. All of the
in-door disciples must obey and live by
the Group Laws and Commandments. It
is the family's belief that it is more
important to improve one's moral
character than his martial arts skill. This
martial arts morality (Wu de) is one of
the most important aspects of traditional
martial arts training.
Zhang belongs is a very traditional one,
and the people in it try always in all their
activities to conduct their lives according
to ancestral customs and rules. All of the
in-door disciples must obey and live by
the Group Laws and Commandments. It
is the family's belief that it is more
important to improve one's moral
character than his martial arts skill. This
martial arts morality (Wu de) is one of
the most important aspects of traditional
martial arts training.
| Master Luo, Grand Master Wang and Grand Master Dai during Shifu Zhang's Baishi ceremony. |
Having taught martial arts for more than
sixty years, Grand Master Wang has
trained a great many people and has
several hundred in-door disciples. He is
renowned for his real fighting skills as
well as his unflinching moral character. A
great many of his disciples, some of
whom were already quite famous,
originally came from other groups,
initially to test his skills. Quickly gaining
respect for his unmistakable mastery,
they would promptly seek to study with
him. Through this process, the family
has come to include martial artists from
many different styles and backgrounds,
and this insures ever interesting and
educational demonstrations when the
group has a ceremony or a get-together.
sixty years, Grand Master Wang has
trained a great many people and has
several hundred in-door disciples. He is
renowned for his real fighting skills as
well as his unflinching moral character. A
great many of his disciples, some of
whom were already quite famous,
originally came from other groups,
initially to test his skills. Quickly gaining
respect for his unmistakable mastery,
they would promptly seek to study with
him. Through this process, the family
has come to include martial artists from
many different styles and backgrounds,
and this insures ever interesting and
educational demonstrations when the
group has a ceremony or a get-together.
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