Master Moy – a Special Teacher

Despite cultural and language differences Master Moy was able to directly connect and take a personal interest in many students from around the world that were asking for his help. He did this despite knowing it would take all of his energy and time, because he deeply cared for everyone’s health and well-being.

Master Moy always took personal responsibility for the development of his students, especially those that demonstrated commitment by attending as often as possible his class or workshops. Sometimes he even guaranteed a change in each person’s physiology if they attended certain programs.

With a lifetime of personal development in the Taoist Arts Master Moy was able to apply those skills directly to help his students. He did this mostly by closely observing each student, saying very little but encouraging the students to practice diligently and learn through their own hard work. Then after observing his students closely and when Master Moy felt it was the proper time, he offered a personal deep correction that would help the students’ health the most. Some corrections were to directly change their physiology and others were to improve their Tai chi or even a mixture of both. But in any case, the correction was personal for that student and almost always beyond the student’s present level of understanding.

Since Master Moy only gave corrections when he felt it was needed, he gave each student enough space and time to work diligently on their own but under his watchful eye. This in my view allowed a strong “Student-Teacher” relationship where there was a balance of responsibility. The student was expected to work diligently and was not overwhelmed with too much information or corrections and yet there was great comfort in knowing Master Moy was doing his part overseeing their progress and would ensure their learning and health continued to improve.   

By being extremely patient and attentive Master Moy noticed even small changes in each student’s health and Tai Chi. You knew this because when time came for a specific correction, he did not use too many words but preferred to directly interact with the student so they felt the correction in their own bodies. He essentially wanted the student’s own feelings to be the Teacher and Master Moy was just the catalyst. This is why he always asked the student “how do you feel”.

When he corrected a student, he always wanted their feedback right away to see if they understood the lesson. This was such an important part of the correction because the student was asked to not only continue to practice on their own but to now incorporate this correction in their practice without his direct assistance and still continue to develop.

All students receiving a correction were always asked to share their understanding with the class so everyone could learn together. Master Moy by directly correcting one student he was correcting many.

Master Moy never forgot a correction he gave a student. I heard some students say that even after being away for many years, to their surprise, they received the exact same correction when they returned as just before they left, showing Master Moy still remembered and was offering to help them, to pick up where they left off, despite the passage of time.

He asked his students to practice regularly, daily, if possible, to improve their health. He invited students to come back as often as possible to see him. He often said “if you don’t have your health, you have little”.

Master Moy preferred to stay in the background and allow the timeless Health Art or the “Teaching” to help people. He said “burn all my pictures” meaning focus and believe in the Teaching not the Teacher.

In the end he helped so many most simply by being a daily example on how to live a good life. Through his actions and behavior, he showed how to cultivate your own health so you suffer less but also and most importantly to always help others.  All the while remaining humble and using all your relationships to tame the heart.