Turtle Longevity Qigong has been taught in China by Grand Master Wang, Zhe zhong, the nineteenth generation lineage holder. Originally developed by a Wang ancestor over 400 years ago, this qigong system grew out of his fascination in observing the movements made by an old turtle that repeatedly came to his home.

A small family whose male members had a life span of only 40 years, the succeeding nineteen generations, who practiced qigong, lived in good health into their 80's and even to 108 years old. Their qigong form was considered an heirloom, not to be shared with anyone outside the family.

Following the Cultural Revolution in China, Master Wang, Zhe zhong was so moved by the poor health of the Chinese people, that he joined other qigong masters who brought their family traditions out to the general public. Thus, he became the first in the Wang family's long lineage to bring forth the family treasure.

Master Wang was given permission by the Beijing Qigong Research Institute to teach Turtle Longevity Qigong throughout China. And he was very well received while teaching in Japan and Canada. In the United States his students have realized powerful healings through their practice.

Grandfather Wang, Shao Shan's wise words: "The life span of the golden turtle is many times longer than that of human beings. The secret is that turtles connect with the heavens and the earth all the time. How can a turtle do that? This actually happens as it exchanges qi with the universe. The more the turtle does this, the stronger it becomes. In practicing Turtle Longevity Qigong, we can imitate the turtle by exchanging qi with the universe. In this way, our health can be improved and our life prolonged."

In 1988, Professor Chen, Hui-xian first met Master Wang, Zhe-zhong while in the USA. Master Wang had been invited to teach Turtle Longevity Qigong on the East Coast. Their paths crossed in New York where Professor Chen was assisting Master Zhao, Jin-xiang in a Soaring Crane Qigong workshop. Professor Chen had recovered from late stage breast cancer through her practice of Soaring Crane Qigong and was a master level instructor.

Upon returning to China, Professor Chen contacted Master Wang and took him up on his offer to teach her the Turtle Longevity Qigong system. She studied directly with him in Beijing and after teaching the form was later authorized as the next generation lineage holder after Master Wang. This made her the first outside the family to hold this tradition.

The qigong masters valued Professor Chen for she had excellent English skills to spread their qigong far. Professor Chen had graduated from the English Department of Beijing Institute of Foreign Languages and served as a translator for the Ministry of Foreign Trade for six years. At the University of International Business & Economics in Beijing, she was a highly regarded professor of English.

It was in 1986, that she came to the United States to teach Chinese in a university exchange program. It also provided her an opportunity to teach qigong while in Arizona. In 1993, Professor Chen founded the qigong program at Oregon College of Oriental Medicine in Portland and trained over 300 teachers there before her retirement in 2001.

All of the Turtle Longevity Qigong materials have been translated into English by Professor Chen. She has contributed material from her experiences as a practitioner and through teaching. As the forms are improved by the masters in China, she continues to update them. Professor Chen now lives in Vacaville, CA with her daughter Li, Ping Ping and teaches at their Wisdom and Peace Wellness Center. Each year they lead a 3 week qigong study group to various parts of China.

Teri Applegate is a Certified Qigong Instructor and Licensed Acupuncturist. She received her bachelor's degree in psychology from Hawaii Pacific University in Honolulu. Teri earned a master's degree in Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine at Oregon College of Oriental Medicine in Portland. In her post-graduate study in Nanjing, China, Teri interned at the Nanjing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the departments of acupuncture and herbal oncology.

During trips to China in 2000 & 2002, Teri studied Turtle Longevity Qigong directly with Master Wang, Zhe zhong while in Beijing. In 2005, 2006 & 2007, she undertook intensive study with Master Wang in order to become a lineage holder along with three other Americans.