Master Duan Has Passed



I am saddened to share the news that one of my teachers has passed.

Master Duan Zhi Liang, renown for his healing abilities, generosity, and compassion, passed on July 12, 2016 at the age of 107.

I had the fortune of meeting and training with Master Duan in 2001 and the memory is still fresh in my mind. It was a Saturday night in his basement apartment near White Cloud Monastery. On that visit we only had a few hours, but the lessons from that evening are still with me today.

In his tiny living room, he sparred with two men in their forties, he moved with grace and ease. He moved around them like a dragon, appearing and disappearing. His energy expanding and contracting. He was like a cat toying with a mouse. As an experienced martial artist, I could see that the two men were attempting to attack him with vigor and intent, but were having no effect.

Mind you, at the time, he was 93.

That was my introduction to this man, this master of qigong and baguazhang.

Since that time, I have visited and trained with him frequently during my times in Beijing. In 2007 I brought a group of students to study with him. I learned many valuable lessons from him not only in bagua, qigong, and clinical work, but also in how to live with heart, to live fully, and to share openly.

Martially, he never taught circle walking or prescribed forms. He taught principles of movement and energetics and the adaptability of techniques.

His Wuji Qigong was the same. He taught individual movements that could be blended together in free-form. Wuji Qigong had a multi-pronged approach. Each posture had health applications for the practitioner, direct martial application, and clinical applications for tuina.

As a devote Catholic, he shared his heart with all around him. As a double monkey, he was quick witted, mischievous, and liked by all who met him.

I hope that I may honor his memory by the continuance of the lessons learned, transmissions given, and lineage passed on.

He will be remembered fondly.


Master Duan awarding Sifu Matt Weston and myself instructor status for the Primordial Chaos Martial Healing Center (Beijing, China). 2004.


Master Duan demonstrating "Rippling the Spine." I felt waves of electricity with each ripple. Simply amazing! 2004.


Master Duan removing the alcohol content from a glass of "gut shot". 2004


After this treatment, Paula felt her kidneys vibrating for many days. 2007.
I met GM Duan in 2002 when he came in for a cover shoot for our SEP+OCT 2002 issue. He was a character for sure. Very impressive for his 90s. 107. Wow.