AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi,
Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services,
and Midas of Annapolis and Pasadena
An impressive closing ceremony for Grandmaster Chen ZhengLei’s Light of Tai Chi Training Camp (to which the public was invited) took place Monday evening at Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi as a tumultuous thunderstorm raged. Hosts Billy and Nancy Greer were pleased the storm didn’t keep people from coming. There was a good turnout for the event.
Born in Chenjiagou Village, Henan Province, China, Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei is a 19th generation of the Chen family and 11th generation direct-line successor of Chen Family-style taijiquan (Tai Chi). He is one of the “Top Ten Martial Arts Masters” in China recognized by the Chinese Wushu Association for his mastery in Tai Chi. His internationally renowned Light of Tai Chi training camp began in 2011 and has been hosted in various locations around the world since then.
The 76-year-old author and teacher has visited Maryland for over 25 years to share the art of Chen-style tai chi with participants. Although he has been to Jing Ying many times over the years, until last year, the Light of TaiChi training camp had never been held on the East Coast. Last year’s event was so successful, they decided to bring the camp to Jing Ying Institute for a second time this year.
While waiting by the door to welcome guests in from the rain, Nancy Greer pointed out that visitors come to the camp from across the country but primarily from Canada and the East Coast states of New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia as well as Washington, D.C.
The last guest to arrive, Maryland State Senator Clarence Lam, was escorted to his seat just as the ceremony was about to begin. Scattered throughout the audience there were a number of Light of Tai Chi trainees who attended the four-day camp wearing bright blue shirts.
Jack Yan, a tai chi master from Canada, acted as translator for the Chen family and emceed the closing ceremony. He began the program with a well-known Chinese song about Tai Chi. A number of audience members of oriental heritage knew the song and sang along.
As host of the event, Jing Ying Institute’s Billy Greer appeared first in a whirl of bright orange and yellow as he demonstrated an exercise using a dragon ribbon.
“In China, the Dragon Ribbon is promoted as an exercise for the elderly, but, as you can see, this exercise is a lot of work,” said Greer. “If you’re not old when you try this, you feel old by the time you’re finished unlike tai chi that leaves you feeling younger when practiced.”
Following the exercise, Greer introduced Wendy Ng, a longtime member of the Jing Ying family who is talented in calligraphy, art and music. Ng demonstrated the art of African drumming, one of many musical techniques she has mastered.
Wendy Ng was also one of five Jing Ying Institute students/instructors who attended The Light of Tai Chi Training Camp and were inducted as 13th generation disciples into the Chen Family Tai Chi lineage under Chen ZhengLei and Shifu Billy Greer in a special “Bai Shi” ceremony. The other inductees included Dean Bowers, Chris Lee, Dorothy Lee and Melissa Wittke.
The entire Chen family came to the United States for this year’s Light of Tai Chi Training Camp, making it a historic moment as it was the first time the whole family had been on US
soil at the same time.
Thus, Yan next introduced Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei and his wife Li Lilli along with daughters Chen Juan and Chen Yuanyuan and son Chen Xiaobin who are high ranking Tai Chi Masters in their own right.
Once those introductions were complete, he introduced Maryland State Senator Clarence Lam who presented a citation to Chen Zhenglei from the Maryland General Assembly. As the only Asian member of the Maryland State Senate, Lam was honored to recognize the Grand Master for bringing his expertise in Tai Chi to Maryland.
Immediately thereafter, Senator Lam also presented a citation from the Maryland General Assembly to Jing Ying Institute owners Nancy and Billy Greer who, coincidentally, are celebrating their school’s 25th Anniversary. Lam noted that presenting the citation was a way of thanking the Greers for the institute’s hard work and generosity in raising and donating more than $170,000 to community charities over the years.
Next in the program came a demonstration of the art of Tai Chi from China by Chen Zhenglei’s youngest daughter and high-ranking master Chen Yuanyuan. Her graceful but powerfully executed series of Chen-style Tai Chi movements were performed to a moody but lovely soundtrack and were fascinating to view.
The audience was treated to a second demonstration by Zhenglei’s equally accomplished older daughter Juan who has traveled the world teaching the Tai Chi sword techniques she exhibited throughout her astonishing performance.
Lastly, as hosts to The Light of Tai Chi training camp, the Greers presented a special offering of their own. They began with a demonstration of mirror-like Tai Chi exercises that quickly morphed into an amusing and expertly executed jitterbug that had audience members cheering and grabbing their smartphones to record the action. They received thunderous applause.
The final presentation by Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei’s son Chen Xiaobin was a Push Hands demonstration with disciple Chad who traveled to the camp from another state. The demonstration involved mirror-like postures from the two men with hands joined and in continuous motion. Again, it was fascinating to watch.
The entire Chen family assembled for the final honor of the traditional closing ceremony with Senator Lam pinch-hitting for Governor Wes Moore who was unable to attend. Lam presented a last citation to Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei from the governor’s office.
Gifts from Jing Ying Institute to each member of the Chen family and to Jack Yan were presented by the Greers and the evening ended as it had begun – with a Chinese song.
Lemonade Stand Fundraiser for Local Boy with Cancer on B&A Trail July 20th
The Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails will be opening a lemonade stand to raise funds to support Clyde Hicks, a young boy who is battling cancer on July 20th from 9 am to 11 am along the Trail at the Earleigh Heights Ranger Station. Learn all about the Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails and support Clyde by buying a cold cup of lemonade. (Clyde’s baseball team is teaming up with the Friends to support the youngster and his family.)
The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility whilereducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center. From health-defense to self-defense, Jing Ying provides fitness with a purpose for the whole family!
and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.
And Midas of Annapolis and Pasadena, A family- owned business with four locations (Annapolis, Pasadena, Laurel and Wheaton). With 40 years’ experience and the backing of a national brand, they are committed to earning customers’ trust by offering the expertise, value and responsiveness drivers expect – “every time they visit us.”
