Damon Bramich (Fu Wu Xai) 1969- An insight to his remarkable Tai Chi Journey

Lao Shi (teacher) Damon Bramich started his Tai Chi journey at the young age of 12. He was introduced to Tai Chi by his mother who was studying TCM Traditional Chinese Medicine at the time, as a way to balance his deep passion for martial arts such as Kung Fu, Karate and Kick Boxing. He started training in these arts from the age of 6. Damon was fortunate to train with many famous teachers during his youth including Chen Xiao Wang Chen Family Tai Chi, Chan Yong Fa Choy Lee Fut Kung Fu and Mantek Chia to name a few. In 1991 Damon was introduced to Master Fu Sheng Yuan, the son of the famous Fu Zhong Wen, the then patriarch of the Yang Family. (you can read more about the Fu/Yang family below)

It’s from this time that Damon started his training directly under the guidance of the great master. Fu Sheng Yuan always loved Damon’s passion, dedication and devotion that he has to his family art and the diligent manner in which he would train, day after day, seeking embodiment and understanding. It was not long before Damon officially started his traditional Chinese martial arts apprenticeship that lasted over a quarter of a century. “Fu Sheng Yuan was a direct descendant of the founder of Yang Family Tai Chi Yang Lu Chan and was the family patriarch of the 5th generation from 1994 to 2017”. During this period Damon became very close to his teacher and he often stayed with him in Perth, Australia. Damon travelled extensively with his teacher and accompanied him on over 50 tours in China and other countries. In his teacher’s later years Damon, being a health care practitioner, would stay with his teacher and assist with domestic care, remedial massage and acupuncture. He would often stay over the Chinese New Year period and his teacher’s birthday when his teacher’s family remained in China in the later years. Damon, over time, became his teacher’s leading BaShi disciple and because he was a similar age to his teacher’s son, they developed a strong father/ son relationship. Damon was the only one that received the final precious teachings and succession from the great master before he passed in 2017. During this period, Damon returned to China on 4 occasions over several months to fulfill all the cultural rituals including accompanying his teacher’s body back to the family village with his son. This is similar to what Fu Zhong Wen experienced and did for the Famous Yang Chen Fu. Damon is the first ever nonfamily lineage successor of the Yang Family. As recognition of his Tai Chi achievements, loyalty and sincerity to the Yang Family, in June 2017 he publicly did the BaShi Ceremony with the late Yang Zheng Dou, son of the great Yang Chen Fu, in Tai Yuan China.

This made him the last disciple of the 4th Generation of the family. Damon has also won numerous gold medals in national and International Tai Chi, Wushu and in all styles of martial arts championships across 7 countries. He has competed and won gold in all disciplines including Forms, Weapons and Push Hands, in which he has been World Champion several times. His high training ethics and passion for the art has led him to win National Championship gold medals across 5 decades: 80s,90s, 2000s, 2010s and 2020s.

Damon’s teaching approach is about supporting each individual student in their Tai Chi journey and beyond. He focuses on improving better coordinated movement, improving overall body strength and balance with a fully functional core. He teaches the students how to incorporate traditional breathing techniques with internal energy practices (Nei Gong) and how to link them into movement and use Tai Chi to improve vitality, wellbeing and martial arts. Damon has the ability to tailor Tai Chi to suit each individual regardless of their level of practice or health conditions. He avidly believes Tai Chi has the potential to help everyone.

The legacy of the Fu/Yang Family

Fu Zhong Wen ~ Sigong ~ Was born in 1903 in Guang Fu, the Yang Family village in Yongnian County, Hebei China. At the age of seven (in the west this is 5 years of age) he started training under the guidance of Yang Zou Pun (1875-1938), the only son of the famous Yang Ban Hou, and Yang Zhao Lin, the only son of Yang Feng Hou, the first son of Yang Lu Chan.  In his youth, Fu Zhong Wen was also fortunate to train directly with other family members such as Yang Jian Hou, 2nd generation family leader, Yang Shou Hou and Yang Chen Fu, when they returned to the village. In 1925 Sigong married Zou Kuei Cheng, the great granddaughter of Yang Jian Hou and the sister of Tai Chi master Zhao Bin.  

Towards the end of 1925 Sigong moved to Shanghai to assist his uncle, Yang Chen Fu, in the further development of this family’s art and in spreading it across China. They worked tirelessly together to maintain the integrity of the system and together taught thousands of students. (The following picture is the only official disciple or BaShi photo of the Yang Family 3rd generation family leader with any BaShi disciple. In the Chinese culture this is hugely significant and depicts Fu Zhong Wen as Yang Chen Fu’s successor.)

In 1936 Great Master, Yang Chen Fu, passed away after complications from a short illness in Guangzhou. Sigong was with his master till the end, and he received the precious final teachings of the great teacher. Shortly after, Sigong accompanied his teachers’ body back home to Guang Fu where he was buried alongside other family members. Fu Zhong Wen took it upon himself to support his teacher’s family and is credited for teaching Tai Chi to Yang Chen Fu’s Children and other family members. As a footnote to the life of Fu Zhong Wen, a letter written by Chen Wei Ming (Yang Chen Fu’s first disciple) to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Yong Nian Tai Chi Federation, notes that Fu Zhong Wen received teaching and guidance from his relative, Yang Chen Fu, and learned to the highest standard and has made no alterations. Thus confirming the authenticity of his tai chi. Fu Zhong Wen was also known by his peers as Fu Wu De for his honour, Kung Fu Skill and Virtuous character.

Translation of the above Chinese passage. The honorable Fu Zhong Wen was a close disciple (Ba Shi) of Yang Chen Fu. He mastered the art perfectly and precisely from his master. He is widely known to be the leading master of authentic Yang Family Tai Chi. Fu Zhong established the Yong Nian Tai Chi federation in 1944 and gave lessons for free. He has taught many students including the children of Yang Chen Fu. It is an honor to write a few words in remembrance. There is no one more qualified than Fu Zhong Wen to spread and teach the art of Tai Chi Chuan. Written by Chen Wei Ming 1954 for the 10^th anniversary of the Yong Nian Tai Chi federation.

Fu Zhong Wen was influential in spreading his family’s art across China, Asia, Australia and the US and is created as being one of the greatest martial artists of the 20th century. In 1956 Fu was the part of the team chosen by the Chinese Government to co-develop what is now known as the Tai Chi 24 Form or Beijing 24 Form. Later Fu was commissioned by the Chinese government to write several books on Tai Chi Chuan. The first on the Yang Family Tai Chi 13 Sabre in 1959 and the second book in 1963 Mastering Yang Family Tai Chi.

Fu always supported his teacher’s family and their legacy. He personally organized the rebuilding of Yang Lu Chan’s house after fire and turned it into a museum for the Tai Chi community to share while giving the Yang Tai Chi an ancestral home for future generations.

Fu diligently taught Tai Chi for over 65 years and was the leading adviser to the Shanghai Wushu School. He also worked at the Shanghai hospital, Tong Ji University and he was Tai Chi research professor at the Shanghai Chemical university to name a few.

After his death the Chinese government gave his family land a short walk from Yang Lu Chan’s house in Guang Fu. Where today you can find a memorial dedicated to his legacy.

Below is Fu Zhong Wen with student and famous martial arts actor, Jet Li and Fu Zhong Wen memorial in Guang Fu China.

Fu Sheng Yuan ~ Sifu~ (FSY), born 19th February 1931, in Guang Fu China, the birthplace of Yang Family Tai Chi. Fu Sheng Yuan was the only son of the famous Tai Chi Master Fu Zhong Wen 4^th Generation Patriarch of the Yang Family. FSY is a direct descendant of the founder of Yang Tai Chi, Yang Lu Chan and was the first male of his generation, making him the 5^th generation patriarch of the Yang Family. Being the first male of his generation, FSY started learning his family art from the age of seven (5 years old in the west.) FSY was extensively tutored by a core group of family, as well as students of Yang Jian Hou and many disciples of Yang Chen Fu. Some of these master’s he trained with for decades as it was a great honor to teach the next generational leader. For nearly half a century Sifu trained nightly with his father, as well as his father’s Gong Fu brothers and their disciples, generally for a minimum of four hours a day and often from 11pm onwards. Fu Sheng Yuan was influenced by so many great masters. They included his father, Fu Zhong Wen and, at a young age, he was tutored by Yang Zou Pan, the son of the famous Yang Ban Hou and other family members in Guang Fu, Cui Yi Shi and Nu Chun Ming, (below).

They were students of Yang Jian Hou and disciples of Yang Chen Fu. Both resided in the Fu Household for long periods of time, including parts of the Japanese occupation. Sifu also spent time in Beijing with Cui Yi Shi and regarded them both as Sigong (Kung Fu Grandfathers). His Uncles, Fu Zhong Yuan, Zhao Bin and Tian Zhao Lin were all disciples of Yang Chen Fu, and some of the only students of Yang Shou Hou. Sifu regularly stayed with his uncle, Fu Zhong Yuan, who was a large man like his great uncle, Yang Chen Fu, and excelled at push hands. Fu Zhong Yuan later became resident master teacher in Guang Fu. Other disciples of Yang Chen Fu Sifu regularly trained with included: Chen Wei Ming, Niu Jing Xuan, Li Ya Xuan, Chu Gui Ting, Zhang Qin Lin, Chen Guang Kai, Pu Yu, Chen Yua, Wu Wei Chuan and his cousins, all sons of Yang Chen Fu.

FSY and his family had a close relationship with the Wu family who resided in the same village. They lived just around the corner from the Fu Family home and he would often visit and practise. One of his favourite Wu style uncles was Wu Tu Nan whom he was friends with for over 50 years.

In later years Sifu assisted his father in teaching Wu Shu. He was an instructor at the Shanghai Wu Shu Association, as well as other institutions such as Tongji University and Shanghai Chemical University. After emigrating to Australia in 1989, he continued to teach his Family’s Tai Chi, spreading the art to over twenty-five countries around the world. After his father passed away in 1994, he became head of the Yong Nian World Tai Chi Federation, until his passing in 2017.

Damon Bramich (Fu Wu Xai)

Began his Tai Chi training at the age of 12 and started his traditional apprenticeship with Fu Sheng Yuan in 1991. He says, “I was in awe of Sifu’s skill level, which was way beyond all the other teachers.”

Although Damon was only 21 years old, he was already an accomplished Tai Chi practitioner and Martial Artist with 14 years experience. He held black belts in 3 different styles of Karate and Black Sash in Choy Lee Fut. During this period he was also champion kick boxer and trainer at national level.

Damon had a special relationship with his teacher, and his teacher’s family, being the only close door disciple (Tuti) to regularly stay with his teacher in Perth, Australia. He did this for most years from 1996 to 2016. Being of similar age to Fu Shen Yuans only son, Fu Qing Quan, he regularly assisted them both on teaching trips throughout Australia, Asia and China. Between 1992 to 2017 Damon travelled on over 50 occasions to support his teacher on these tours. Damon is regarded as his master’s second and was the one that received FSY’s final teachings over the course of two weeks before he passed in March 2017. Below are the pictures of Damon’s public Bashi disciple ceremony in Guang Fu China with Fu Sheng yuan and in 2017 the last disciple of the 4th Generation with Yang Zheng Duo.

Shortly after the death of Fu Sheng Yuan, Damon accompanied his body back home with his Kung Fu brother, Fu Qing Quan, to be laid to rest with the other great Yang Family Masters. He will be sadly missed by family, disciples, students and friends. His depth of knowledge and openness to share his family’s art became the inspiration to many who follow the Taiji journey.

By Andrew Owen Yang Family Disciple

Teacher profiles of some of the academy teachers

Miciah Guglielmi

Sifu Miciah commenced practicing Tai Chi in 2009 after spending the previous decade studying several kinds of martial arts in the USA and Australia. He is a Bashi Disciple of the Yang Tai Chi Family and accredited Tai Chi and Kung Fu instructor. He is the former World Push hands Champion and won the Australian National Championships 6 times in a row. Before he retired from competition in 2022, he was undefeated for 7 years in Push Hands.

Sue Seivl 

Sue has over 30 years’ experience in Tai Chi and has trained directly under many international masters. She is a qualified Tai Chi Instructor and Yang Family BaShi Disciple. Sue is a master teacher with over 50 years of face-to-face teaching experience. She teaches a number of the beginner and advanced student programs with the academy.

Dr Matt Stampe

Sifu Matt Stampe is a Yang Family BaShi disciple and has trained with many great masters including the famous Fu Zhong Wen, Fu Sheng Yuan and Fu Qing Quan. He has over 35 years of training in Tai Chi and holds a Doctorate in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is a practising Acupuncturist in Washington DC area.

Wei Su (Sue)

Sue has over 15 years’ experience in Tai Chi and has trained directly under the guidance of both 5th and 6th generation Yang Family masters in Shanghai. She is also a qualified Tai Chi instructor. Sue is one of the principles at the Newcastle Tai Chi School and runs a successful Chinese Massage practice in Newcastle.

Bev Mudge

Bev started Tai Chi in 1997 and has diplomas in Remedial Massage and Traditional Chinese Medicine. She is a certified Tai Chi Instructor with Newcastle Tai Chi. Bev has been with Newcastle Tai Chi under the instruction of Damon Bramich for over 16 years. Bev is one of our most highly regarded teachers and also one of our most dedicated members of the school. Bev trains and teaches the classical internal aspects of the arts with a huge focus on energy and Qi cultivation.

Click the button below to join our Live Zoom Classes

Click on the button below to get in touch.