Wudang Tai Chi Chuan

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The term Wudang Tai Chi Chuan ( Chinese  武當 太極拳 , Pinyin wudang taijiquan ) is used for two very different styles of the Chinese martial art Taijiquan . On the one hand, it denotes the style that is said to come from the Daoist traditions of the Wudang Mountains and is spread today from there, on the other hand it denotes a style that was developed by Cheng Tin-Hung.

Taijiquan from the Wudang Mountains

According to legend, Zhang Sanfeng , who is considered the founder of the internal martial arts and thus also of Taijiquan, lived in Wudang Shan . In the Daoist monasteries there, the traditions of the internal martial arts were cultivated and further developed by Zhang Sanfeng and have been preserved to this day, even if they had to be practiced in secret and were almost extinguished as part of the cultural revolution and the suppression of so-called religious practices.

There are now various masters again, such as Zhong Xueyong and You Xuande, who have learned in the Wudang Mountains, refer to the Wudang traditions and spread their martial arts from Wudang Shan. The Taijiquan currently practiced in the Wudang Mountains differs fundamentally from both the Yang style and the Chen style and has its own character. On the one hand, it is strongly application-oriented and draws on the forms of traditional Chinese martial arts in its movements, but at the same time goes hand in hand with very intensive meditative practice and extensive inner immersion. In Wudang Pai, as it is called in the Wudang Mountains, Taijiquan is only an integral part of the system of internal martial arts practiced there.

Wudang Tai Chi Chuan after Cheng Tin-Hung

The Wudang Tai Chi Chuan according to Cheng Tin-Hung (1930-2005) was developed in Hong Kong in the middle of the 20th century and was very much influenced by the Wu style that Cheng Tin-Hung learned from his uncle Cheng Wing Kwong . However, there are considerable differences between today's schools of the Wu style and the Wudang Tai Chi Chuan.

Dan Docherty, a student of Cheng Tin-Hung, has set himself the task of spreading Wudang Tai Chi Chuan in Europe and worldwide. He currently lives in London .

Wudang Tai Chi Chuan is still being taught in Hong Kong. The chairman of the school there is Cheng Tin-Hung's son, Cheng Kamyan (Zheng Jianen). The organization in Hong Kong is called "Hong Kong Tai Chi Association".

Wudang Tai Chi Chuan is also known under the name "Practical Tai Chi Chuan". This is because various Chinese martial arts journalists found the application of this martial art very realistic and effective. For this reason Dan Docherty chose the name “Practical Tai Chi Chuan International” for his organization.

Components

The five components of Wudang Tai Chi Chuan are:

Hand shape

Each style of Taijiquan has one or more hand shapes, which are composed of a series of movements that gently massage the body through stretches and twists. Wudang Tai Chi Chuan now has two short forms and one long form. All hand form techniques are used in self defense.

Weapon forms

Three weapons and their associated forms are taught in Wudang Tai Chi Chuan:

  • spear
  • saber
  • sword

It says:

  • The spear supports the development of wisdom.
  • The saber strengthens determination.
  • The sword feeds the qi .

Tui Shou (pushing hands)

Tui Shou is an excellent tool for learning the "Five Strategies" and "Thirteen Tactics". In order to feel the intentions of the partner / opponent, the sensitivity of the arms is developed through the Tui-Shou exercises. At the same time, repeated training improves your own responsiveness.

San Shou (self defense)

An important component, which is unfortunately more neglected today, is self-defense . Wudang Tai Chi Chuan attaches great importance to keeping this component of the system alive. The techniques are found in the movements of the hand shape and they are usually practiced with one or more partners.

In order to use self-defense techniques effectively, one must be in good physical shape.

Nei Gong (Inner Strength)

An essential part of this martial art is Nei Gong (inner strength). Nei Gong is divided into 12 Yin exercises and 12 Yang exercises in Wudang teachings . Both the inner strength and the condition are promoted through constant practice, at the same time a calm mind is developed.

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