MOCA CINEMA – The Professor: Tai Chi's Journey West

“The practice of Tai Chi is about discovering yourself. It’s about forces of the world—both natural and unnatural—and how one relates to them… Art is about the same thing.” — Ed Young The Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) invites you to a special screening of The Professor: Tai Chi’s Journey West, followed by a conversation and audience Q&A with director Barry Strugatz. This feature documentary explores the life and legacy of Cheng Man-ch’ing (1902–1975), the renowned Tai Chi master who introduced the practice to a generation of students in the United States during the social and cultural upheavals of the 1960s. Revered by many as one of the greatest Tai Chi teachers of the modern era, Cheng helped bring Chinese philosophy, martial arts, and cultural traditions to Western audiences. Through archival footage, interviews, and demonstrations, the film traces his remarkable journey while illuminating Tai Chi as both a martial art and a lifelong spiritual practice. For centuries, Tai Chi has been a cornerstone of Chinese martial arts and philosophy, offering a path toward balance, mindfulness, and self-discovery. Its reach extends far beyond physical practice, inspiring artists, writers, and thinkers around the world, including acclaimed Chinese American children’s book author and illustrator Ed Young. A student of Cheng Man-ch’ing, Young appears in the documentary reflecting on his teacher’s influence and the role Tai Chi played in shaping his creative life. Much of Cheng’s teaching took place in Manhattan’s Chinatown, where his schools became important sites for sharing Chinese culture and philosophy with generations of students. Presented in conjunction with Ed Young’s Bright Worlds, this screening offers insight into the enduring influence of Tai Chi on Ed Young’s life and artistic practice while highlighting a significant chapter in New York Chinatown’s cultural history. About Barry Strugatz Barry Strugatz directed and co-produced the documentary feature