T'ai Chi Neigong News

Wu Ju-ch'ing was Wu Yuxiang's older brother. This text was uncovered recently, and is reproduced below. This martial art is called "t'ai-chi" because it is based on yin and yang, full and empty. After one is clear about yin and yang, one can begin to understand advance and retreat. Although advance means to advance, it must contain an awareness of retreat; to retreat is still to retreat, but it conceals an awareness of the opportunity to advance. Both of these hinge on the ability to open the energy at the crown of the head. This together with raising the back and relaxing the chest allows the spirit to rise.  By sinking the chi to the tan-tien and protecting the crotch and buttocks, one can move freely and with agility. Bend the elbows, for from a bent position you can extend them and control the situation to your advantage. Bend the knees, for from the bent position they can extend, and thus when issuing energy you will have power. When it comes to sparring

Wu Yu Xiang's Taijiquan This article is based on Sun Jian Guo's book on the Taijiquan of Wu Yu Xiang (1812-1880), and some of it's components. In It are included 3 traditional fist forms, an excellent timetable of events, 2 postures from the practice of the training logs situated above the ground, some self-defense applications, biographies of several important boxers and a short lineage chart.  Also included is a DVD. There are photos of Sun Jian Guo (student of Li Jin Fan 1920-1991) with the sword, knife, and staff and also demonstrating Fa Jing (explosive power). Two of his students are posed to begin sparring with knives. These knives are shaped like one half of a spearhead on the dull side of the blade for catching weapons in combat. The author is also shown practicing the staff with a Caucasian student in the mountains, and even Chen Xiao Wang from the Chen family, makes an appearance on page 6.  Also included are certificates, and old manuscripts in this 286-pa

Last Year the documentary " The Professor: Tai Chi’s Jouney West " by Barry Strugatz (Director, Co-producer), 2016, was released about this extraordinary tai chi master. If you have an interest in Tai Chi you will likely have heard or seen pictures of Cheng Man-ch'ing (-wade giles) Zheng Manqing (-pinyin). This article provides a critical review of the film, written by respected Martial Arts historian Douglas Wile.