Introduction to Wudang Taijiquan, Part 2

[...continued from part 1]

Image by toehk via Flickr

The use of inner alchemy in Taijiquan is an exciting transformation to see in a student. The basic theory through the practice of Taijiquan involves a student to learn to turn strength into qi, and qi into spirit. This idea is the transition of force into suppleness, then suppleness into intent. This process cannot exist only on a martial level though. It is a psychological and spiritual change which takes place over the years of practice and development. In this way, Wudang Taijiquan will begin with what seems like complex physical postures and motions. But over time, one begins to blur the lines between these positions so that it is only their energy or qi carrying them. After experiencing this, the final stage is that of allowing their spirit to guide their qi, which guides their body.

Introduction to Wudang Taijiquan

Image via Wikipedia

The sacred mountains of Wudang are said to be the birthplace of what is now called Internal Martial Arts (Neijia). Here on these mountains, the thought of combining the principles of Taiji (Yin & Yang), the Five Elements, and the Yijing were put into practice with combat theory as gained from the many warriors and military officers who exchanged lessons in self-defense with the wandering monks and priests of the Daoist lineages. By combining these principles and Daoist Inner Alchemy practices with the martial arts, a new theory came to the study of fighting. Going with your enemy's force, guiding and flowing with it, to find the correct moment of change, and return their own energy to them. From these principles, martial arts would now offer protection to the gentle, frail, and small.

Wudang Gongfu & Taijiquan Schedule

For the Cypress Grove Park classes, we are going to have a schedule adjustment. This change was brought on by the fact that some students have to travel far, others get out work late, and just in hopes of opening up training for more people interested in participating.

Wudang Gongfu & Taijiquan classes will be combined at Cypress Grove Park, time-wise. Students are welcome to begin their training at 5:30 (show up earlier for stretching), and class will go on until 7:30-7:45. If you can't make it to class by 5:30, you can stretch out and begin your training once settling, so there's no issue with arrival time.

Taijiquan students will still focus on their discipline; Gongfu students will still focus on their discipine. But this will help everyone come to class for at least an hour, no matter their schedule, and have more time with an instructor for questions and review.

Feel free to comment any thoughts on this, or any questions you may have with this change!
http://Calendar.SpringAndAutumn.com

Wudang Sanfeng Pai Taijiquan Shi San Shi Movement List

Although the interpretation of the 13 postures form varies from instructor to instructor, the basic principles carry through all the renditions generally. The following technique list offers students the basic breakdown of these sections in the form.

1. Beginning (qi shi)
2. Embracing A Ball (bao qiu shi)
3. Single Pushing (dan tui shi)
4. Exploring (tan shi)
5. Holding (tuo shi)
6. Pouncing (pu shi)
7. Loading (dan shi)
8. Separating (fen shi)
9. Waving (yun shi)
10. Dissolving (hua shi)
11. Pushing On Both Sides (shuang tui shi)
12. Pushing Down (xia shi)
13. Finishing (shou shi)

Each section is recognizable, but also, they are sometimes repeated on the opposite side. Depending on the version of the form you are currently studying in class, some of these techniques may look different or have a different feel, but the two versions we train offer the same basic theory of the skills listed above.