Yuèshān-guan [
Wú Taiji is known for its relaxed character, giving practitioners the ability to off-balance an opponent at first touch by borrowing their force, and its robust set of written classics that can be used to guide one's practice. 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.
I became a formal lineal student of Zhang Yun in Princeton, New Jersey, in August 2015, with Clayton Shiu and Paul Cote as my sponsors.
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 regularly until 2020 and still make trips to my teacher to further my training as well as visit senior colleagues when I am able.
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, is passed down within Baiyuan Tongbeiquan and dates from the mid 18th century.
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).
- Lu, S. Combat Techniques of Taiji, Xingyi and Bagua: Principles and Practices of Internal Martial Arts. Blue Snake Books, 2006.
- Wang, Peisheng and Zeng, Weiqi. Wu Style Taijiquan. Morning Glory, 1995.
- Zhang, Yun. The Art of Chinese Swordsmanship: Manual of Taiji Jian. Weatherhill, 1998.
- Zhang, Yun. The Complete Taiji Dao: The Art of the Chinese Saber. Berkeley, CA: Blue Snake Books, 2009.
- Zhang, Yun, et al. The Taiji Classics. Pittsburgh: YCGF North America, 2015.