Quarter century later, founder of Qigong class is still going strong
Gus Kao a regular at the class he once taught
By Maggie Sharpe
Staff writer
Gus Kao, who just turned 98, has led the Qigong exercise class at Rossmoor for a quarter of a century. But, he says, a bout with a stomach ulcer earlier this year has sapped his energy and he’s passed the mantle to other instructors.
Peter Li, president of the Chinese-American Association of Rossmoor (CAAR), which sponsors the class, describes Kao as “one of the great treasures of our club.”
Another CAAR member and Qigong devotee, Muriel Luck, says, “Gus has a wonderful memory and a great sense of humor.”
Although he’s stopped teaching, Kao’s still a regular at the weekday morning class – and he’s very much revered by participants as the founder of the centuries-old Chinese practice at Rossmoor.
That popularity was evidenced on Nov. 5, when 105 people showed up at Kao’s 98th birthday party at China Wall Buffet in Concord – complete with birthday cake.
Li takes Qigong with his wife, Marjorie. He said that even though Kao no longer instructs, he still chips in during class.
“Usually, Gus watches people who are not doing it right and barks out comments,” joked Li. Kao was among about 40 residents in the class on a recent Tuesday morning at the Fitness Center. For about 1-½ years, Irene
Rossmoor resident Gus Kao, 98, practices Qigong during a morning session at the Fitness Center. News photo by Dan Rosenstrauch
Rossmoor resident Marjorie Li participates in the Qigong class at the Fitness Center. News photo by Dan Rosenstrauch
Keenan has been taking Qigong, which is open only to members of the Chinese-American Association of Rossmoor.
“I find it soothing and calming, like an extension of meditation,” said Keenan of the slow and rhythmic movements set to Chinese music. “I find it promotes strength, coordination and balance.”
Marjorie Li agrees.
“This is the first activity I signed up for when I moved to Rossmoor three years ago,” she said. “Sometimes I come in stressed, but breathing in and out in this mindful way, I walk out feeling better and calmer.”
Kao learned Qigong in 1989 and has practiced it ever since. When a friend hurt his knee, Kao suggested he try Qigong to help the knee heal.
“That was the beginning of the class,” said Kao. “It started out with a few people, and from there we formed a group that originally met at the old Pavilion at Hillside.”
Now the class has dozens of members and there’s a waiting list to join.
Move to Rossmoor
Kao has lived at Rossmoor for 31 years. He came here from Taiwan in 1988 with his wife, Elizabeth, who died in 1995 after a long battle with breast cancer.
“My daughter had moved to the U.S. and was living in Pennsylvania with her family,” said Kao. “After I retired, she said to me and my wife, ‘Come join us in the U.S.’” Ironically, after they decided to make the move to Rossmoor, Kao’s son-in-law got posted to the Philippines. “But we stayed on anyway,” said Kao with a chuckle.
Kao also has two sons, one in Thailand and one living in Taiwan, as well as eight grandchildren.
Early life
Kao was born in mainland China in 1922 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in literature from the Catholic University in Beijing. “My father was going to send me to the U.S. to study, but then the Second World War broke out,” said Kao.
He said he was more interested in sports than studying.
“I’ve always played sports. I was a pitcher for my college baseball team and quarterback for the football team,” recalls Kao, adding that those American sports were abandoned when WWII started.
“After the war broke out, our American coach ended up in a concentration camp,” said Kao.
He moved to Taiwan after college, working first in import/export and then for a petrochemical company, until his retirement and move to Rossmoor at age 70.
Since his wife died, he’s traveled the world, visiting Europe, Africa and South America.
He’s always been active but has slowed down with the passing years.
Residents participate in a Qigong exercise class. News photos by Dan Rosenstrauch
moves during a recent class Rossmoor resident Peter Li, President of the Chinese-Amer-ican Association, practices
“I used to play golf but had to stop after I hurt my wrist 10pin bowling,” said Kao.
He’s danced with Rossmoor Ballroom Dance Club, hiked with the Trails Club, played countless games of mah jongg, taken photos for the Rossmoor News, made a traditional Buddhist angel in a ceramics class, still drives around Rossmoor (he just passed a DMV test in September) – and attends daily Mass at St. Anne’s Catholic Church.
Life at 98
Kao, who still lives independently at his Rossmoor manor, has a few tips for healthy living – besides practicing Qigong. “Don’t drink ice water, it’s not good for the stomach; and don’t take a cold shower – doesn’t that hurt you?” he asks. Then with a chuckle he adds, “But I used to enjoy a nice cold beer.”
Since he developed the ulcer – which he attributes to “too many aspirin” after stent surgery – he’s modified his diet. He cooks for himself every evening, but there’s no more raw vegetables or salad on the plate.
“I eat simply – lots of cooked vegetables and rice,” he said.
His nightly regimen is usually dinner, followed by ball games on TV. He’s also an optimist.
“I have to be optimistic, otherwise I wouldn’t have lived this long,” he said.
And don’t underestimate the power of a nap.
“I take a long nap in the afternoon,” he muses, “couldn’t live without it.”