Master Tsai taught in the park in Taipei. He was taught by his teacher for a very short time, but practiced diligently. He was small, thin and did not look very dangerous. Once, a younger and stronger martial artist was watching him practice and said, “That’s not gung-fu”, and took a swing at Master Tsai. He eluded the strike, and countered with an open palm (finger tips down) to the attacker’s belly. The attacker turned pale, took a couple steps and collapsed. When Master Lin visited him in the hospital. He told Master Lin he thought he was going to die. Master Tsai gave Master Lin a herbal mixture to give to this guy, who later recovered. Master Lin was not one to exaggerate or make up stories.
Master Lin said learning White Crane helped all of his different styles. It taught extreme relaxed fluid whipping movements.
We practiced White Crane not for the defense aspects, but as an aid to the other styles as well. Those who just couldn’t get the body generated arm whip, generally could not get the Mantis movements either.
