Master Kuo Lian Ying (1897-1984)
Master Kuo Lian Ying
Master Kuo, born in Inner Mongolia, China, taught tai ji and qi gong in San Francisco by Portsman Square in Chinatown. Dr. Feng was introduced to this Master by his Father in 1967 shortly after the Feng family arrived in America. Dr. Feng studied with Master Kuo for a number of years and he focused on developing his qi gong skills.
Master Kuo was northern Chinese and grew up in Hu Ho Hao Te, Inner Mongolia. He studied Northern Style Shaolin Kung-Fu at age 12 for five years from Master Li Lin, who was especially skilled in Chang Chuan (Long Fist). He began learning Tai Ji at age 23 when he befriended many skilled and famous Tai Ji Practitioners: Yin Jian Chan, Wong Mao Zhai , and Chen Fa-Ke (one of the most famous Chen Family Tai Chi descendants).
While in his 20s, he heard of Wang, Jiao-yu in Beijing and sought him out. He was refused entrance as a student for 6 months and finally accepted after repeatedly asking to be taught. Many years of intense practice are required to master an internal martial art and teachers tested a students’ resolve to learn before being accepted. Wang Jiao Yu, age 104, was a highly skilled practitioner, one of only two inner door students from Yang Ban Hou (second generation of Guang Ping Yang Tai Chi Chuan – his father Yang Lu Chan was first generation). Wang accepted Kuo, who was one of only four inner door disciples. From Wang, Kuo learned all the true skill of Guang Ping Yang Tai Chi.
It was from Wang, Jiao-yu that Kuo, Lien-ying learned the art and method of Tai Chi Chuan. He went on to master Ba Gua and Shing Yi and became one of China’s most noted practitioners of the internal arts. He studied Hsing-I at age 28 for two years with Master Huang Gin Yin, who was one of the highly skilled students of Kuo Yun Shen, teacher of Wang Xiang-Zhai (reputed to be the best Hsing-l fighter of his time).
Master Kuo learned Ba Gua from Chang Hsin Zhai and Chung Ting Hua. From that point on, Kuo became a master of the internal system, Tai Chi, Hsing-l. and Ba Gua. He created Kuo’s Tai Chi Chuan Academy in San Francisco in the sixties after he immigrated.
He was also a congressman in the National Assembly of China during the Republic of China. He was given a state funeral by the Peoples Republic of China when he died in 1984.