Weihai Evening News Article about Lishi (1 of 8)

Weihai Evening News Article About Lishi (1 of 8)

There is a Chinese system of traditional Wu Shu that has been growing in Europe and America for close to a century. Li Family Traditional Wu Shu known as Lishi.

China is an ancient and magical country. A long history and vast culture leave us with a rich cultural heritage.

China is known throughout the world for things like Beijing Opera and Ceramics but what we are best recognised for is martial arts!

Chinese martial arts have an International reputation and more and more people in the world Fall in love with Chinese martial arts and want to practice Chinese martial arts.

In fact, as early as a century ago, there was a Chinese martial art becoming popular in the UK.

It has been practised across the nation and funded by the British government. It is the Lishi method that originated in Weihai!

Three generations of teachers in the UK have helped develop and spread Lishi widely.

On August 16th, Mr. Murray, the third generation Grand Master of of Lishi Method, brought some members of the British delegation to Weihai in advance to launch the preliminary activities for the Sino-British Martial Arts Exchange Forum held on September 8.

A few days ago, Mr. Murray received an exclusive interview with this reporter, telling the legendary story of Li’s Wu Shu method in the United Kingdom and even in Europe and the United States.

Journey of Lishi from China Britain China
Laoba Chinese Newspaper Profile of Laoba Lishi Grand Master

Murray is an Englishman. At the age of 18, he saw a report on the Chinese Lee Family Wu Shu in the newspaper, and he became interested in this traditional Chinese martial arts. According to the instructions in the report, Murray found the founder Chee Soo of the Li’s Wu Shu method. In a short period of study, Murray became deeply attracted by the soft charm of this particular system of training.

“Before practicing Li’s Wu Shu, I practiced boxing and fighting. The Western Kung Fu is too hard and  lacks soft power. The Lee’s Wu Shu method is exactly what I wanted to pursue. It was what I was yearning for. I have always been fascinated by the Lishi method”.

Murray also greatly admired his teacher, Chee Soo. Since then, he has been concentrating on the practice of the Lishi method, and later became the third generation inheritor of Li’s Wu Shu method.

Murray’s master, Chee Soo, once told him that Lishi was brought to the UK by Li Jigang from Weihai and taught to the local British. Li Jigang’s greatest wish was to pass on this traditional Chinese martial art. Therefore, Chee Soo devoted his life to the teaching and dissemination of Li’s Wu Shu method.

“My Master taught more than 100 students every day. These students came from different countries. They have not given up practicing after returning to China, but they continue to practice Li’s Wu Shu. It is their insistence that Li’s Wu Shu can be passed down. More than 20 countries and regions in Europe and America.” Murray said.

Lee’s Wu Shu method is supported by the British government

Why do foreigners who are immersed in Western culture be convinced by the Chinese traditional martial arts such as Lishi?

Murray said with a smile, in the promotion and teaching of a century, Li’s Wu Shu method has gradually been welcomed by the people and the British government.

Mr Du Prince Phillip Lishi Tai Chi

“The pace of life in modern society is very fast. Most people are under great pressure and lack natural communication. Li’s Wu Shu method uses a gentle way to free people who practice it from impetuousness and stress. Get physical and mental exercise and relaxation.”

Murray said that Li’s Wu Shu method is all-encompassing, and there are both Tai Chi, Health Arts and Self-Defence, which can really bring physical and mental changes to the practitioners. Therefore, in every city in the UK, people who practice Lishi can be seen everywhere.

Moving as Water Lishi Daoist Book

Mr Murray's Book 'Move As Water' will be published soon...

Not only that, Li’s Wu Shu method has also received the support of the British government and has become a national fitness program for the government to purchase services. According to Murray, the teaching points of Li’s Wu Shu method are mainly distributed in different universities and communities, and teaching is carried out for different groups of people such as the elderly, students and the public. People only need to register at the teaching point to start learning.

In order to encourage people to practice the Lee’s Wu Shu method, the British government also reduced the tuition fees of applicants through urban funds and other means. As part of these funded projects, each practitioner completed a monitoring report before and after the exercise to evaluate the improvement effect of the Lishi method on the human mind and body.

Murray said that in the case of Leeds in the United Kingdom, three universities in Leeds have offered classes. According to their research, 69% of people feel mental stress before practicing Li’s Wu Shu. After practicing Lee’s Wu Shu, 100% of participants reflect that they feel more relaxed, comfortable, strong and flexible in their bodies.

It can be said that the popularity of the Lishi method is very high in the UK, and more and more  people have joined the ranks of practicing and promoting Li’s Wu Shu method. It is understood that the University of California also set up a professional course of Li’s Wu Shu method for teachers and students to study.

Murray told reporters that this year, they have set up a Daoist Centre in the UK to disseminate Chinese culture, martial arts and Chinese medicine knowledge to promote cultural exchanges and learning between China and Britain, so that the Lishi method spreads farther.

Coordinator: Lv Xiaobin Editor: Han Wei

Weihai Evening News reporter Li Lin

Published: 3rd September 2018

This is the first of eight articles published in the Wehai Evening Newspaper in Weihai, China. The original article was published in Chinese and has been translated using Google Translate and minor editing so the text reads well in English. We hope to add each of the follow up articles as they are published.

Lishi Grand Master demonstrating with Master Zhan
Moving as Water Lishi Daoist Book
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Lishi Adventure

Lishi Adventure

The Most Amazing Adventure Ever...

Lishi is more than just exercise.

It is a first step on a journey that takes people into a much deeper understanding of who they are and what they are capable of.

The exercises we teach extend far back in to the depths of time…all the way back to ancient China.

Taoist Temple Lishi Leeds Tai Chi

People have been practicing them for generations for the simple reason that they work.

But what does that mean?

It means that the people who have learned these exercises gain so much from doing them that they want to keep doing more and they want other people to benefit from them too.

The classes in Leeds have been running for over 40 years and Leeds is the global headquarters of Lishi International and the International Daoist Society.

People who join a class are entering an ancient tradition that has been kept alive for the benefit of people today.

This tradition will introduce you to a Daoist way of living and make you fitter, healthier, stronger, more flexible and more energised.

China 2015 Lishi Leeds Temple Tai Chi compressed and cropped for web

It will build your character, furnish you with leadership skills and develop a grounded confidence in who you are.

The classes are fun and light-hearted but the effects are deep and powerful.

You will get an introduction to this ancient way of living and will experience the following Daoist Arts:

  • Tai Chi

  • Dao Yoga

  • Qi Gong Meditation

  • Deep Breathe Work

  • Hand of the Wind Kung Fu

Places are limited and there is a generous discount being offered right now so click on over and reserve your place…

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Lishi Leeds Spring Newsletter April 2016

Lishi Logo Pink - Compressed

Lishi Leeds Newsletter

Spring into Action : May 2016

Spring Tree

In Lishi we try to observe, live and work with the seasons. We are moving out of the Winter (a Yin introspective period where everything slows down and rests) and into Spring (a time for re-gathering of your ideas and energies).

Spring is characterised by upward movement and expansion a time for activity and creativity.

It’s an ideal time to try something new – or if you have already started Lishi why not try attending a weekend workshop to deepen your knowledge and skills of this ancient art.

Next beginners courses start the first week of June.
Choose from 7 locations across Leeds
Upcoming Weekend Workshop Dates
Come for a weekend of Lishi in Lyon

Leeds Uni Lishi Class featured on TV

If you didn’t catch my recent appearance on Made In Leeds TV, you can catch it here

Hollywood comes to Leeds…

Would you be interested in learning how to create fight scenes for the cameras?

We’re in talks at the moment with a top hollywood stuntman and choreographer about Sunday 10th July as a possible date for a 1 day workshop in Leeds.

It will be suitable for accomplished Lishi practitioners, dancers, actors and martial artists.

You can express your interest in the event by going to the Action and Fight Choreography Workshop page. We will be adding videos and information soon but register your interest and we will contact you with all the details.

Tai Chi Sword

During the winter retreats we run in Tenerife each year, we took the opportunity to do some filming. If you’ve not watched the spectaular swordfight on the side of a mountain here’s another chance to see the action! 🙂

Chang Ming Corner

I recently found a fab website that’s full of great vegan recipes. Read my blog about it here and see my two latest recipes. Why not join the site and upload some of your own Chang Ming recipes?

Lishi waiyii miso_tahini

Keep in touch…

Deatials of all Leeds classes at www.leeds.lishi.org
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