太極拳

Tàijíquán (taijiquan or "tai chi") is a form of internal martial arts characterized by its utilization of soft, smooth, and slow practice and a refinement of the senses of balance, touch, and proprioception, developing a new set of cultivated reflexes in its practitioners. It is considered one of the highest level forms of Chinese martial arts.

I practice Northern Wu style Taiji as taught in Yin Cheng Gong Fa by Zhang Yun and his senior disciples.

Wu style Taijiquan ( 吳氏太极拳; Wúshì tàijíquán) is one of the five major styles of Taiji practiced today. It was founded by Wu Quanyou, a Manchu officer in the Yellow Banner camp of the Qing dynasty military. Wu began training with Yang Luchan in 1850, and became the senior disciple of Yang Banhao in 1870. Wang Maozhai (1862-1940) was one of Wu Quanyou's senior disciples and founded the Beijing Tai Miao tai chi Research Centre. Yang Yuting (1887-1982) was Wang Maozhai's senior disciple and the teacher of Wang Peisheng.

Curriculum

This line of Northern Wu style Taijiquan includes the traditional 83 posture long form of Yang Yuting, 37 posture form of Wang Peisheng, and the Taiji essential form.

I utilize jibengong selected from Shi-style Baiyuan Tongbeiquan. Qigong and neigon practices including zuan zhang (pile standing), qigong including microcosmic orbit (xiao zhou tian), macrocosmic orbit (da zhou tian), and taiji qigong are also maintained.

Paired practices include tuai shou, da lu, jie shou, dong gong, first touch skills and applications.

An extensive weapons practice is preserved in Yin Cheng Gong Fa, including the 13 posture taiji dao (saber), two hand taiji dao methods, 32 and 64 posture taiji jian (sword), taiji zhan gan (sticking staff), and 24 posture taiji qiang (spear). I also practice the Tian Gang Dao 36 star form of miao dao (a variant of the Japanese odachi) arranged by Li Zhendong (1882-1977) and eight ancestral fists of Tongbei.

Bibliography

  1. Wang, P. and Zeng, W., 1995. Wu Style Taijiquan. Morning Glory.
  2. Shengli, L., 2006. Combat techniques of Taiji, Xingyi and Bagua: Principles and practices of internal martial arts. Blue Snake Books.
  3. Zhang, Y., Capell P., Darley S. and Ho D., 2016. The Taijiquan Classics: The Essential Translation and Explanation with Commentary on History and Culture. YCGF North America.
  4. Zhang, Y., 2009. The Complete Taiji Dao: The Art of the Chinese Saber. Blue Snake Books.
  5. Zhang, Y., 1998. The Art of Chinese swordsmanship. A manual of Taiji Jian, Weatherhill.
  6. Wang, Mu, 2011. Foundations of Internal Alchemy: The Taoist Practice of Neidan. Translated by Pregadio, Fabrizio. Golden Elixir Press.