Weihai Evening News Article about Lishi (1 of 8)

Weihai Evening News Article About Lishi (1 of 8)

There is a Chinese system of traditional Wu Shu that has been growing in Europe and America for close to a century. Li Family Traditional Wu Shu known as Lishi.

China is an ancient and magical country. A long history and vast culture leave us with a rich cultural heritage.

China is known throughout the world for things like Beijing Opera and Ceramics but what we are best recognised for is martial arts!

Chinese martial arts have an International reputation and more and more people in the world Fall in love with Chinese martial arts and want to practice Chinese martial arts.

In fact, as early as a century ago, there was a Chinese martial art becoming popular in the UK.

It has been practised across the nation and funded by the British government. It is the Lishi method that originated in Weihai!

Three generations of teachers in the UK have helped develop and spread Lishi widely.

On August 16th, Mr. Murray, the third generation Grand Master of of Lishi Method, brought some members of the British delegation to Weihai in advance to launch the preliminary activities for the Sino-British Martial Arts Exchange Forum held on September 8.

A few days ago, Mr. Murray received an exclusive interview with this reporter, telling the legendary story of Li’s Wu Shu method in the United Kingdom and even in Europe and the United States.

Journey of Lishi from China Britain China
Laoba Chinese Newspaper Profile of Laoba Lishi Grand Master

Murray is an Englishman. At the age of 18, he saw a report on the Chinese Lee Family Wu Shu in the newspaper, and he became interested in this traditional Chinese martial arts. According to the instructions in the report, Murray found the founder Chee Soo of the Li’s Wu Shu method. In a short period of study, Murray became deeply attracted by the soft charm of this particular system of training.

“Before practicing Li’s Wu Shu, I practiced boxing and fighting. The Western Kung Fu is too hard and  lacks soft power. The Lee’s Wu Shu method is exactly what I wanted to pursue. It was what I was yearning for. I have always been fascinated by the Lishi method”.

Murray also greatly admired his teacher, Chee Soo. Since then, he has been concentrating on the practice of the Lishi method, and later became the third generation inheritor of Li’s Wu Shu method.

Murray’s master, Chee Soo, once told him that Lishi was brought to the UK by Li Jigang from Weihai and taught to the local British. Li Jigang’s greatest wish was to pass on this traditional Chinese martial art. Therefore, Chee Soo devoted his life to the teaching and dissemination of Li’s Wu Shu method.

“My Master taught more than 100 students every day. These students came from different countries. They have not given up practicing after returning to China, but they continue to practice Li’s Wu Shu. It is their insistence that Li’s Wu Shu can be passed down. More than 20 countries and regions in Europe and America.” Murray said.

Lee’s Wu Shu method is supported by the British government

Why do foreigners who are immersed in Western culture be convinced by the Chinese traditional martial arts such as Lishi?

Murray said with a smile, in the promotion and teaching of a century, Li’s Wu Shu method has gradually been welcomed by the people and the British government.

Mr Du Prince Phillip Lishi Tai Chi

“The pace of life in modern society is very fast. Most people are under great pressure and lack natural communication. Li’s Wu Shu method uses a gentle way to free people who practice it from impetuousness and stress. Get physical and mental exercise and relaxation.”

Murray said that Li’s Wu Shu method is all-encompassing, and there are both Tai Chi, Health Arts and Self-Defence, which can really bring physical and mental changes to the practitioners. Therefore, in every city in the UK, people who practice Lishi can be seen everywhere.

Moving as Water Lishi Daoist Book

Mr Murray's Book 'Move As Water' will be published soon...

Not only that, Li’s Wu Shu method has also received the support of the British government and has become a national fitness program for the government to purchase services. According to Murray, the teaching points of Li’s Wu Shu method are mainly distributed in different universities and communities, and teaching is carried out for different groups of people such as the elderly, students and the public. People only need to register at the teaching point to start learning.

In order to encourage people to practice the Lee’s Wu Shu method, the British government also reduced the tuition fees of applicants through urban funds and other means. As part of these funded projects, each practitioner completed a monitoring report before and after the exercise to evaluate the improvement effect of the Lishi method on the human mind and body.

Murray said that in the case of Leeds in the United Kingdom, three universities in Leeds have offered classes. According to their research, 69% of people feel mental stress before practicing Li’s Wu Shu. After practicing Lee’s Wu Shu, 100% of participants reflect that they feel more relaxed, comfortable, strong and flexible in their bodies.

It can be said that the popularity of the Lishi method is very high in the UK, and more and more  people have joined the ranks of practicing and promoting Li’s Wu Shu method. It is understood that the University of California also set up a professional course of Li’s Wu Shu method for teachers and students to study.

Murray told reporters that this year, they have set up a Daoist Centre in the UK to disseminate Chinese culture, martial arts and Chinese medicine knowledge to promote cultural exchanges and learning between China and Britain, so that the Lishi method spreads farther.

Coordinator: Lv Xiaobin Editor: Han Wei

Weihai Evening News reporter Li Lin

Published: 3rd September 2018

This is the first of eight articles published in the Wehai Evening Newspaper in Weihai, China. The original article was published in Chinese and has been translated using Google Translate and minor editing so the text reads well in English. We hope to add each of the follow up articles as they are published.

Lishi Grand Master demonstrating with Master Zhan
Moving as Water Lishi Daoist Book
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Strength of Character

Abbot Zhao from the White Cloud Temple in Beijing has long been a friend of Lishi and on his latest visit to Leeds he presented our teacher, the President of Lishi International and the International Daoist Society, with some very special caligraphy.
The characters pictured say “Lishi Daoist Tai Chi” and were painted by Huang Xing Yang the Deputy President of the Chinese Daoist Association.
The presentation of these prescious caligraphy scrolls further strengthens the relationship between Lishi International and the White Cloud Temple.
Additional paintings were also gifted by Ren Fa Rong the President of the Chinese Daoist Association.
These paintings from esteemed Daoist Masters will feature in our teacher’s forthcoming book “Moving As Water” which will be published later this year.

Historic Footage of Our Teacher’s Teacher

 
Video footage from the 1970’s of Grandmaster Chee Soo has recently been posted on the internet and you can watch the interview and demonstration on our facebook page.
 
In the interview, Chee Soo talks about the history of Lishi and demonstrates some Daoist principles to the amazement of the interviewer.
 
Watching this wonderful footage will give you a good feel for what Lishi is about.

Why does Bill look so happy?

Because he has just made history by graduating from Leeds Trinity University at the age of 90!

The foundation degree in Coaching Lishi Movement is the first degree of its kind, equipping students with the skills and knowledge to teach Tai Chi, Yoga and all the arts of Lishi as movement and exercise professionals.

Huge congratulations to Bill and Iain on completing their Lishi coaching degree.

Pictured with Dr Ian Kenvyn, Willoughby Hart, Iain Keegan and Dr Alex Boyd.

New  Class in Beijing

 In September, Laoba will lead a group of twenty students of Lishi on the annual Daoist Trail trip to China.  He will also be teaching at the newly opened class that runs weekly in Beijing.
 

If you are in Beijing and would like to attend the weekly class then please get in touch and we will send you all the details.

Looking ahead to June 2016

lishi lifestyle festival logo strapline url

Learn more and register your interest at lishi.org/festival

     

© Lishi International 2015

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