Moon Mountain Hall [
I maintain a
formal study of Northern Wú style Taijiquan [
I started training in YCGF Wu Taiji Quan in Maryland under Paul Cote in 2005, who I was introduced to by my Gao bagua instructor Bob Galeone. In 2010 I began traveling to Pittsburgh regularly for private instruction in Xingyi Quan. There I attended Zhang Yun's Taiji and weapons classes. My job started requiring substantial travel in 2011 and I wound up not being able to train weekly in Maryland, so I prioritized making monthly trips to Pittsburgh instead. I continued doing this from 2010 to 2015 and I became a formal lineal student of Zhang Yun in North American Yin Cheng Gong Fa with Clayton Shiu and Paul Cote as my sponsors.
Wú Taiji is known for its relaxed character, giving practitioners the ability to off-balance an opponent at first touch by borrowing their force. Bagua is known for its smooth and fluid nature, giving practitioners the ability to change spontaneously in response to an opponent's actions. Xingyi is known for its stability, giving practitioners an ability to express sudden and explosive power.
In addition to unarmed methods, my practice includes a curriculum of traditional weapons including sword, saber, long saber, and spear.
Taiji Jian forms include the 64 posture long form of Wang Maozhai and the condensed 32 posture form arranged by Wang Peisheng. Bagua Chun Yang Jian is a linear bagua sword practice developed by Liu Dekuan.
Taiji Dao consists of a traditional long form that has commonalities between Wu and Yang style, as well as a 12 posture two-handed dao routine that includes partner exercises. The Taiji dao includes a partial edge, narrow guard and ring pommel that can be manipulated to quickly change direction.
Bagua Shibajie Dao is a circular practice of the goose feather saber (a long and narrow saber with guard) made famous by Ma Gui, who used its methods to great effect during the fall of the Qing dynasty. After an introductory sequence, eight sections of eight movements are performed walking on the circle.
Tian Gang Dao, the 36 star form of long saber called the miao dao, which is similar to the Japanese odachi. Tian Gang Dao is a form passed down within Baiyuan Tongbeiquan and is taught in 13 sections. It dates from the mid 18th century. Zhang Yun's Tongbeiquan lineage includes Li Shusen (1902–1975), who trained with Li Zhendong (1882–1977), who taught members of the Chinese 29th Army sword skills during the Sino-Japanese War.
The Taiji spear 24 posture form is a longer routine with the long hardwood spear, approximately 3m in length (this is a different weapon to the shorter flexible flower spear and the long pole used for body development).