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QiNotes.netSeptember 16, 2025

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QiNotes.netSeptember 16, 2025

Dove Govrin, Dragon Arts Studio and Qigong of Marin

Nearly 30 years ago I attended a World Qigong conference in San Francisco and met Grandmaster Hui Liu. Shimu’s gentle spirit, kindness, generosity and flowing movements hypnotized me, I was destined to study with her which changed my life and gave me purpose. Every class I shadowed her as close as possible, and still carry her essence with me today as I practice. I am filled with gratitude to Shirmu and to the Wu School.

Jeff Lee (WWS 1983)

My relationship with Shifu and later Shimu started some 4 decades ago. I remember entering Wen Wu School (at that time in Berkeley) and being greeted by Shifu with a stern “hello.” He placed some picture albums in my hand and directed me to a seat on a folding chair in the corner. I was mesmerized by the stretching, basic exercises, and shaolin being practiced. I signed up immediately. I remember well Shifu’s first lesson to me. He demonstrated the martial salute and said “When you enter the studio you salute and say to me ‘Shifu Hao.’ When you leave you salute and say ‘Shifu zaijian.’” This was the beginning of our decades long relationship. I would come to discover that Shifu was a man of many talents and skills, all of which I wanted to emulate. I tried over the decades to glean as much knowledge and skill from him as I could. It is said that the relationship between master and disciple (師徒關係）is deeper than that of a child and parent because it is a relationship made of choice. There are two ways to say Shifu in Chinese both can be translated as “master.” One includes the character for “father” 父. Shifu is one of only two men I refer to as my Shifu. I have had many teachers throughout my life but Chiang Shifu is my first 師父. On this Teacher’s Day I am reminded of our relationship and of my commitment to continue Shifu’s and Shimu’s legacy.

Nancy Nachtway, Taramantra Healing Arts

My experience of working with those whom have mastered their craft in qigong, martial arts, acupuncture, and spirituality is one of “true grace and opportunity. “

The discipline, commitment, unconditional love, and modeling these individuals provide can be life changing. The challenge for students is to recognize and trust the gift that is being offered and choose to participate fully: to allow one’s self to overcome our own mental, physical and spiritual obstacles to becoming or realizing our own unique wholeness. Ultimately joy and love expresses itself from these states. My deep gratitude for our teachers and mentors.

David Zurun

When I left India in 1987, after being initiated into a budding Yoga practice by Guru Sharat Arora, he gave me the advice to go home and find the very best teacher I could find no matter the style. About five years of studying with some fine teachers I found a Dayan Qigong master and her husband a Guang Ping Yang Taiji Master at WWS. They were a true dynamic duo and masters of so much more. They were masters of philosophy , art , medicine and examples of how to live a spiritual life in a mixed up world. I was hooked.

Shifu Y.C. Chiang and Grandmaster Hui Liu had a unique ability to cultivate a personal and unique relationship with every WWS student. Most memorable is the principle they both taught, emphasizing that “humans are more powerful then we will ever know . . . and we are all capable of tapping into that truth,” remains a hallmark of my Master-to-Student relationship with them both. The possibility and benefits are great if we apply ourselves with dedication to the best of our abilities. Shifu Chiang and Grandmaster Liu (Shimu) were generous and compassionate in their transmission of everything I needed to succeed. Their belief in me inspired and empowered me to be the best practitioner and teacher I could be. I never came to WWS with the idea of teaching, but after seeing how I was able to heal myself in so many ways and with the encouragement of Shimu and Shifu, how could I resist? It has been the honor of a lifetime to help students access and cultivate their energy in ways that positively impact their lives in so many ways. What could be more fulfilling? Thank you Grandmaster Lou and Shifu Chiang. You definitely did the same for me and I think about you with every movement and teaching I give .

Heike Mueller

I first met Shimu in 1999 when I started taking Dayan Qigong classes. I was impressed and a little intimidated by Shimu’s precise instructions for the movements, but really loved her explanations about how Qi works in the meridians and acupressure points. Shimu taught us how Qigong is integrated in Chinese culture and medicine, and how the concept behind Qigong can be part of my life, thereby opening a new understanding of life and well-being for me.

I got to know Shimu better during our trip to China in 2001 and appreciated her calm presence and her devotion to teaching Qigong on a physical and spiritual level. I got to know her generosity, her caring attention and heartfelt support in my development as a Qigong teacher. She shared from her heart – and that is what made her interactions with me special.

I can still feel her presence whenever I practice Dayan Qigong, her comments still ringing in my ears.

Shimu shared with me the present of Dayan Qigong, through which I learned to be mindful of my body, mind, and spirit, and to be part of the cosmic flow of energy. I will be forever grateful for that.

Maureen Berndt

I could not know when I first walked into Grandmaster Hui Liu’s class in 1998, how much meeting her would change my life. However, I did know when I left that evening, that she was teaching something profound at Wen Wu School and I wanted to be part of it. Learning the Form wasn’t easy for me, but I knew in my heart that it was very special and this carried me through the struggles of the teacher-training program. I knew with absolute certainty that I wanted to share Dayan Qigong and maybe inspire others as Grandmaster Hui Liu inspired me.

I have so many memories of her teachings and the behaviors she modelled. I vividly recall being in a car with her, travelling from the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas back to Wen Wu School. While the other passengers chatted, she said not one word during the whole journey. Her quiet presence and obvious comfort with silence made a deep impression on me.

I also remember her telling us, “ . . . not to think of the Form as 64 separate movements, but as one continuous silken thread of qi.” Those words stay with me when I dance with the wild goose and experience the joy of the flow.

Over the years, there have been times when my practice has become rote and half-hearted, but I always find my way back to this most beautiful of forms. It grounds, sustains and centers me through the inevitable challenges and changes we all experience. Shimu’s generosity of spirit continues to inspire me and remains a gift I will carry with me forever.

Shari Chun

I love reflecting on what a special Mind-Body-Spirit oasis Wen Wu School is, and how lucky I was to learn so much directly from Shimu and Shifu themselves. Aside from learning and becoming certified to teach Dayan Qigong, I appreciated their ability to lead by example and the multitude of ways that they helped WWS students to deepen our understanding of Chinese culture, health, wellness and TCM principles, understanding Chinese tea culture, ethics and guidelines for personal conduct, the importance of service to others and the cultivation of spiritual practices.

I am grateful for their generosity of spirit and for taking 50 WWS students to China to meet Grandmaster Yang Meijun and travel with them along the Old Silk Road, in 2001. That trip remains a treasured highlight in my life.

Shimu’s constant encouragement for me to tackle endlessly challenging projects like the Bagua T-shirt design or utilizing my photography and computer skills to help document WWS events or helping to develop WWS textbooks also warms my heart and remains with me forever. I will forever be indebted to Shimu, Shifu, and the entire Chiang family on this and every Teachers Day to come.

Marti Lee Kennedy, L.Ac.

Deep bows of gratitude to my beloved Shirmu and Shirfu. They taught me so many lessons that will guide me through life. I will always remember Shirmu gently saying,"More practice" Shirfu’s famous last words were "Brain, Eye, Hand." Think about what you are about to do. Look and then complete the task, especially at the dinner table.

Judy Shields

I am so grateful for Shimu’s teachings. She had a huge impact on my life! Not only did she teach me an amazing practice for my own health, she taught me how to teach others. This led me to positions working with seniors and cancer patients at two large hospitals in Orange County. Teaching in hospital settings turned out to be one of the most rewarding teaching experiences ever. Shifu was also quite an inspiration. Although I did not take any formal classes from him except self defense and calligraphy at a summer retreat, I was always happy to be in his presence. He glowed with good health and his smile could light up a room. I greatly admired him. I am grateful to both of them for uprooting their lives, coming to California and establishing the Wen Wu School of Martial Arts and Chung Hua Clinic. I feel as though Shimu and Shifu are always with me when I do my practice and when I am teaching others. Much gratitude to them both.

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