With the mastery of Tai Chi Chuan the practitioner gains exceptional skill and knowledge in the art, as well as an acquired elegance of movement. At 71-years-old, Tai Chi Master Bow Sim Mark is an excellent example of the mastery and elegance of Tai Chi Chuan. Bow Sim Mark began her studies in martial arts at an early age while in elementary school. Later, she became more serious about the study of Wushu and the traditional style of Fu Tai Chi Chuan.
She eventually started learning the traditional style of Tai Chi Chuan and other arts of the Fu Family. Her teacher was Fu Wing Fay, the son of Fu Chen Sung, the founder of the Family’s style of Tai Chi Chuan. During the years of 1968 to 1974, Bow Sim Mark served as an instructor at the school of Fu Wing Fay.
Please enjoy watching this video about her experience and teaching in the United States just before turning 69-years-old.
In 1973, Bow Sim Mark moved from Mainland China to Hong Kong where she became the chief instructor of the Women’s Wushu Association. She moved from Hong Kong to the United States in 1975, and settled in the city of Boston where she founded the Chinese Wushu Research Institute. Bow Sim Mark has two children who have both followed their mother into the martial arts world. Her son Donnie Yen has gone on to be a successful action film star, and her daughter Chris Chi-ching Yen came in third place at a Wushu tournament when she was only 12-years-old and has also entered the film industry.
Bow Sim Mark has made many contributions to furthering the Chinese martial arts. She wrote the book “Combined Tai Chi Chuan”, “Wushu Basic Training Exercises”, as well as over 20 Wushu books, posters, and instructional VCD’s, videotapes, and DVD’s. She has students that have been fortunate to experience her teachings from all over the world, many who are now carrying on her legacy by teaching themselves. Bow Sim Mark was even the inspiration for a character in the fictional book titled “The Silent Girl” by Tess Gerritsen.
All around the globe, Tai Chi practitioners will take time to celebrate the Birthday of the late Grandmaster Tung Ying Chieh (Dong Yingjie). Students and teachers from the lineage of Tung Ying Chieh take time every year on November 8th at 6:00 pm (local time) to pay their respects to this famous Tai Chi master by performing the Tung Family Fast Set or the Yang Style Long Form. They will gather in groups from their schools or clubs, or take time on their own or with a friend to practice and share.