Zhang Guangde
Zhang Guangde, also known as Feiyu and Helingyanren, was born in Tangshan, Hebei Province in March 1932. He is a famous Wushu (Chinese Martial Arts) and Health Qigong expert, a professor enjoying special state allowances, one of the 100 China national outstanding Wushu masters, the first person to be awarded both 9th Duan in Wushu and Health Qigong, and the honorary director of the Daoyin Health Preserving Center of Beijing Sports University. He is also one of the first batch of Wushu graduate students in China.
In 1955, Professor Zhang Guangde was admitted to Beijing Sport Institute (now Beijing Sport University) to study Wushu under Professor Zhang Wenguang. In 1974, he suffered from lung cancer and soon after developed a blood disease. Because he had allergic signs and could not take medicine, coupled with his previous high blood pressure, heart disease, hepatitis, etc., his life was in serious crisis. Faced with the threat to his life, Professor Zhang did not choose to give up. He firmly believed that there must be a way to overcome these diseases. He began his exploration and research with amazing perseverance. Finally, in the mid-1970s, Professor Zhang, guided by the philosophy of Yixue and the meridian theory, Yin-Yang and Five Elements theory and Qi-blood theory in traditional Chinese medicine, integrated the movements of Wushu and the meridian theory of traditional Chinese medicine, and through a series of movements and breathing techniques, regulated the body's Qi and blood, achieved the purpose of strengthening the body and preventing and treating chronic diseases, and created a system of Daoyin Yangshenggong with obvious medical targeting. This set of exercises not only cured his own disease, but also helped countless people both in China and around the world.
The details and techniques of Daoyin Yangshenggong are very rich. From simple breathing methods to complex combinations of movements, each step has its unique meaning and function. For example, regulating Qi and blood through deep breathing and stimulating specific meridians through specific movements are important links in Daoyin Yangshenggong. Moreover, this set of exercises is suitable for everyone. Whether young or old, you can choose the appropriate practice method according to your physical condition.
Zhang Guangde's Daoyin Yangshenggong has been highly recognized by the medical and sports circles at home and abroad. Beijing Sport University has set up a Daoyin Yangsheng Center for this purpose, and the China Higher Education Society has also established a "Daoyin Yangsheng Professional Committee". This set of exercises won the National Science and Technology Progress Award, became part of the National Fitness Program, and was promoted all over the world.
Our TCA chief instructor Master Han Jnsong is a student and disciple of Professor Zhang Guangde at the Beijing Sport University. He started to learn Daoyin Yangsheng Gong in the early 80’s and was one of Professor Zhang’s favourite students then.
Master Han has taken many Australian students to Beijing Sport University to learn Daoyin Yangsheng Gong from Professor Zhang between 1991 and 2019.
Master Han also helped Monash University and Beijing Sport University set up two joint certificate courses in Tai Chi and Daoyin Yangsheng Gong which were held at Monash Gippsland in 1995 and 1996. It was a great honour to have Professor Zhang and Professor Men – two world leading experts in the field to conduct these courses.
It was also a great time to have these two professors as “students of Golf” – the first time in their life to play this little white “Ping Pong” ball.
After the Golf “Examination” the two professors have been awarded a set of Golf Clubs each.
Professor Zhang Guangde of Beijing Sport University died in Beijing on January 30, 2022 at the age of 91. His death is a major loss in the field of international Wushu and Health Qigong. For this, we express our deep condolences and sincere sympathy to the families!
The inauguration ceremony of the bronze statue of Professor Zhang Guangde and his wife was held at Badaling Cemetery in Beijing.
On April 14, 2024, the inauguration ceremony of the bronze statue of the respected Professor Zhang Guangde and his wife was solemnly held in the magnificent and flower blooming Sixian Garden of the Badaling Mausoleum in Beijing. More than 60 people attended the ceremony, including Professor Zhang Guangde's children, relatives, disciples, foreign friends and people from all walks of life.
The ceremony officially began at 9:40 am. First, Professor Zhang Guangde's eldest son, Zhang Yusong, and his senior disciple, Professor Yang Bailong, unveiled the bronze statue. Family representatives and disciple representatives presented flower baskets, and the couplets for the flower baskets were "The whole family presents words and deeds, like mountains and seas," and "All disciples offer gratitude for their Master's kindness and guidance in life.
All the participants in the ceremony bowed three times in front of the tombstone and bronze statue of Professor Zhang Guangde and his wife and laid flowers in turn. Afterwards, the senior disciple, Professor Yang Bailong, recalled the past on behalf of the disciples: "The voices and smiles of our master and his wife are still in front of us (before our eyes). Our master lives a simple life and concentrates on his career. Our master's wife is kind and takes care of all the housework. Our master has won many honors and awards in his work, which are inseparable from the efforts and support of his wife. The master has devoted his life to the cause of physical education and worked hard, and cultivated a large number of Wushu and Health Qigong talents. It can be said that the garden is full of peaches and plums, and the fragrance is overflowing. Among them, 167 people have been accepted as disciples, all of whom have played major roles in Wushu and Health Qigong organizations at all levels at home and abroad.
The greatest contribution that our Master made to society throughout his life was the creation of Daoyin Yangsheng Gong, and the establishment of three major technical theoretical systems: Daoyin Yangsheng Gong, Yangsheng Tai Chi, and Yangsheng prescriptions. His Gong method is known as the "life-saving Gong" and the "golden necklace" of Wushu. It has brought new life to patients and good news to practitioners and their families, and is respected and loved by the majority of Daoyin Yangsheng Gong enthusiasts. Our Master published more than 60 volumes of books in his lifetime, and his monographs were translated into 6 languages and published. The Daoyin Yangsheng Gong he created has spread to more than 70 countries, with more than 5 million practitioners, making Daoyin Yangsheng Gong widely shared by the whole world.
Subsequently, Professor Zhang Guangde's eldest son, Zhang Yusong, spoke on behalf of his family to express sincere gratitude to the guests and disciples present for their support and care over the years to the Beijing Sport University, Chinese Wushu and Health Qigong Associations. In order to guide the development of Daoyinyangshenggong (health-preserving exercises), let us work together.
Happy memories – Professor Zhang:
