UWWC
Taijiquan
We're learning what?
This year we'll be studying Lin style taijiquan, a hybrid style developed by one of my coaches in Shanghai, Lin Zhi Dong. Mr. Lin is a professional engineer by training, and served on the management team that built the Yangpu Bridge in Shanghai -- one of the longest bridges in the world. He's spent his life studying a myriad of Chinese martial arts; Lin style taiji is the result.
When I asked him why he developed this integrated form from all the pre-existing styles of taiji he said
"To make an omelet, you have to break eggs."
ONLINE RESOURCES:
So much information, too little time. Hunting for taiji info online can cause drowning.
To save you this inconvenience, start with the links below.
Some taijiquan history:
My favourite taiji collection of taij-related links is maintained by Peter Lim Tian Tek.
For the history and origin tales of taijiquan see Peter's:
For basic, ancient, sound advice see especially:
Personally, I began learning with the Taoist Tai Chi Society in Toronto. They emphasize the health aspects over the martial arts, but did a great job on the fundamentals.
In the US, however, the publishing power house is Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming. His association, the YMAA, provides a strong background and first rate books and DVD's on all aspects of taijiquan. [The style we're learning here at UWWC is not one in his palette, however, even though the underlying principles are everywhere and always nearly the same.]
There are no on-line sources for Lin style taijiquan although the structure of the form itself follows, roughly, along with the Yang and Wu style "long forms," often listed as Yang 108 or Wu 88 or something close to that.
Try Wikipedia at:
- For Yang Style and
- for Wu Style
Chiflow is a good site for learning a bit about the taiji universe. Click on the links to find your way around, or follow this link to go directly to the Chiflow Wu-style pages.
The National Institutes of Health National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine [NCCAM] website with reports on taiji and health.
Here are some YouTube vids worth watching:Books:YouTube - vintage film of Wu Ying Hwa demonstrating the Wu taichi long form [this is the canonical Wu-style form]
YouTube - Wu Tai Chi opening. [This guy is not great, but he's clear and competent.]Some variations in the form for comparison:
YouTube - Tai Chi - Wu Style by Fei Guo Qing
Some interesting applications in pushing-hands and from the form:
YouTube - wu style taichi (2007)YouTube - pushing in that ballroom. A nice intro to tui shou and applications.
YouTube - Ma Yue Liang pushing at 92 [Yep, it's real. No, they aren't faking.]
YouTube - The uses of Tai Chi Chuan: rock'n'roll apps
YouTube - Tai Chi push-hand techniques [much quieter but worth a look]
YouTube - applications from Zhao Bao Taijiquan. [Zhao Bao is another style of taijiquan, but the movements should look familiar -- and as effective. Frankly, I just love the fact that they guy demonstrating is wearing a suit.]
Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain: The Essence of Tai Ji By Al Chung-liang Huang [a wonderful little book on proper mindset, practice, and application of the principles of taijiquan] You can find it here: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0890875049