Getting started in a training Chinese martial arts program at our school, whether in the Internal arts of Tai Chi, Xingyi, Bagua, and Liuhe Bafa, or the Shaolin arts of Mizong Luohan and Eagle Claw Gong Fu, can be illuminated by the saying from Lao Zi: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a…
Anyone interested in Tai Chi classes might be surprised to learn that there are different Tai Chi Chuan styles (also written as Taij Quan and Taijiquan). Although many styles have been developed in modern times, in China there are five major styles of Tai Chi that are widely recognized (“style,” in Pinyin, is Shi 氏)….
Chinese martial arts are steeped in culture and tradition. Honorific titles have profound significance, and they convey politeness, respect, and deference toward seniors and the elderly. Traditionally, in the Wushu Guan, or Kung Fu Kwoon, there are many honorific titles that indicate the hierarchy from the master to the lowest-ranking student. Some of the most…
Pigua Zhang, also written as Pi Kua Chang, is a Northern Chinese martial arts style that originated in Cang Zhou, the famous martial arts region of Hebei Province. The name literally means Split-Deflect Palm but can also be translated as Axe-Hitch Palm. The style is also known as Pigua Quan (Split-Deflect Boxing). The characteristics of Pigua Zhang are wide sweeping, swinging, and chopping…
The Traditional Taiji Quan forms, or routines, are lengthy. Not only do they require considerable time to learn and memorize, but they also need far more time to refine. Since the 1930s, masters saw the need for condensing the forms to make them available to the public. This was achieved by eliminating repetitive movements. Perhaps…
There are two types of Qigong, namely Dong Qigong (Dynamic Qigong) and Jing Qigong (Static Qigong). Each type has a number of methods. A common Static Qigong is Zhan Zhuang Gong, which is translated as Standing Pile Skill. What is Zhan Zhuang Gong? Zhan means to Stand, Zhuang means Pile or Post, and Gong means…
There is saying in China “Ren Lao Xian Lao Tui,” which means that people age first in their legs. Evermore, people lead sedentary lives with prolonged seating and little or no exercise. This is especially true for middle-aged and elderly people. Studies have shown that loss of muscle strength in the legs results in declining…
I recall meeting Grandmaster William C.C. Chen (Chen Chi-Cheng) for the first time more than 40 years ago. In our first meeting he asked that I call him “William.” I was taken aback by such humility, but I have always addressed him as “Master Chen” out of the respect that I have for him. There…
The Chinese Martial Arts Center is a traditional Wushu Guan (武術館) (Kwoon in Cantonese), or martial arts training hall, which has a rich history that is governed by strict adherence to etiquette known as Wude, and the observation of rules and regulations. The Guan is the place where Kung Fu, or Gong Fu, is on…
Chinese Martial arts have a rich history that spans millennia. Many different Gong Fu styles have developed over this time as well as a countless variety of weapons. In ancient times, proficiency with weapons was necessary as one did not go into battle barehanded. In time, many weapons that were once used on the battlefield…
