What we teach
Qi Gong
At the Wu Shi Tai Ji Quan & Qi Gong Assoc. a student can study basic principles and practice of Qi cultivation and awareness, Qi circulation and conservation (Small and Large Heavenly Circuit - Xiao Zhou Tian & Da Zhou Tian) Zhan Zhuang ( Pole Standing practice). Martial Qi Gong practiced to cultivate martial power & integrated movement. Fang Song Gong (a method of cultivating deep relaxation using sound and mental guidance) Dao Bu Fan Hui Qi Gong ( a moving step Qi Gong specialising in balancing and tonifying the 5 Yin organs). JIang Luo Dao Yin Fa ( a method of activating and tonifying the 12 meridians) Jiu Zhuan San Huan Gong ( a method of Qi absorbtion and blending by opening three energy centres) Tian Di Ren ( a method of absorbing & balancing Heaven and Earth Qi) Meditation and much more.
Tai Ji Quan - The Wu Shi Taiji Quan Assoc. teaches a Wu Style Syllabus. It is based upon the Taiji taught by Wu Jian Quan in Shanghai (Jianquan Taiji Boxing Association founded in 1932) and faithfully passed on by senior disciple Ma Yueh Liang (1901-1998) to Li Li Qun. (1924-) It is sometimes known as the Southern Wu Style. The Northern Wu style is an earlier development from Quan You through Wang Maozhai and Yang Yuting. Though the root is the same and recognizably so, the characteristics are different.
The Tai Ji form
(Da Man Quan) is the root and where all students must begin. It is a series of approximately 36 individual component movements compiled sequentially to create a long slow form of approximately 108 movements and is taught in 6 sections. This is the essential foundation for all study of Tai Ji, whether for martial or health reasons. There are traditional short forms which are, by virtue of their brevity, quicker to learn. These can serve to introduce Taiji Quan to beginner student but they do not carry the full vocabulary of movement. At the Association we teach a short form developed by Grandmaster Ma Yueh Liang in the 1970’s. All Form practice is accompanied by exercise which train and condition the Taiji body.
Students who wish to further their study learn two man exercise sets and martial applications. These typically consist of 5 single hand and 13 double handattack and defence manipulations. In addition students learn 6 moving step exercises. These are the foundations upon which martial strategies and applications are then studied.
Weapons forms are also important in furthering physical and martial ability beyond the fact that they are beautiful to watch and to practice adding enormously to the arts skill base. Typically the Jian or the double edge sword is the first form to learn. Known as the Seven Star Form it is both complex and physically demanding and builds on the slow form by increasing the range of postural vocabulary. The Wu style also contains the Heaven and Earth Sword and Master Li teaches a double Jian form. Next the larger frame Broadsword (Dao) is learned. This builds strength and is a more dynamic and overtly martial. It is an excellent adjunct to the more ‘surgical’ Jian and there is a more advanced Wu style Double Broadsword form. Finally a dedicated student should study the Qiang (Spear) Wu style contains both 13 and 24 Form Spear. Master Li teaches ‘duelling’ forms for each weapon so a student can appreciate and enjoy their martial usage. It’s also great fun.
Finally, the Fast Form - Kuai Quan. This form is considered the predecessor to the slow form and according to Grandmaster Ma Yueh Liang and Master Li Li Qun, (3rd and 4th generation Masters) was the original form taught by Yang Lu Chan to Quan You (Wu Jian Quans father) and past down througho Ma Yueh Liang. The Kuai Quan retains changes in speed, jumping, stamping, high kicks and ‘Fa Jing’ (strikes) later excluded from the slow form. It is usually left to the end of the syllabus since it is both a treasure for the most dedicated and a difficult form to practice correctly. Until the early 1990’s it had rarely been seen publicly.