Longfei-Taijiquan Association of Great Britain

Martial or Non-Martial?
The Tui Shou of Taijiquan
Longfei News Letters - Volume 1, Issue 1

My introduction to Taijiquan was in 1973 at the "Liu Academy of Taijiquan". Master Liu establisted his first school at the Renshuden School of Judo. The Renshuden had a reputation to be compared with the Budokwai, the home of British Judo. Some of Great Britain's World, Olympic and European class Judoka had trained at the Renshuden club and collected medals in these formidable events. Although this was my first connection with Taijiquan, I learned later that several other teachers were present in London.

Master Liu's association with the Renshuden left no room for doubt as to Taijiquan's connection with martial arts expertise. Although I only remained with the school for one year, these was an occasion when Liu demonstrated Hai di Zhen (Needle at Sea Bottom) on me, which on reflection felt as if my head had seperated from my body.

In 1974 I began training with the "International Tai Chi Ch'uan Association", under the guidance of Master Chu King Hung. Master Chu's arrival in London had attracted interest from many and varied Martial Arts disciplines and a steady stream of students from a Taijiquan community that was growing in great Britain. Master Chu's connection and lineage with the "Yang Family" was one obvious reason for his popularity.

As one of only three adopted disciples of "Yang Shou Chung" the eldest son of "Yang Cheng Fu" his position in Great Britain Taijiquan circles was quite unique in 1974. In the years 1976-1981 the students in the senior classes were fascinated by the "Yang Style", by "Rooting", developing "Jing", and understanding "Fa-Jing". All of which could be expertly demonstrated by Master Chu. Any student who found himself holding the focus pads to receive Chu's punches and kicks were captured and fascinated by his ability to generate such strength and power. In the ensuing years many famous and respected teachers have visited London with great skills, but few of us will forget our first encounter with "Fa-Jing" a la Master Chu. In the second half of this century the development in China and the rest of the world moved towards Taiji for health and competition for form performance. Before this century the ultimate examination of Taiji skills was in "Tui Shou", and for the more robust practitioners "San Shou" (Free Fighting).

From my own experience the majority of people attracted to Taiji come along for the experience of the following benefits: Relaxation, De-stressing, Heightened Well-Being, Meditation, Increased Energy, Peace of Mind, Grounding, Confidence, WOW!! All that!! Who wants to spend hours learning to fight and spend a whole lifetime not having one? By the way, should you cultivate all the foregoing virtues you would be some kind of spiritual super being.

But this is not the whole story. All the renowned teachers of today and yesteryear, all great exponents of "Taijiquan", have an abundance to "Tui Shou" skills and an array of effective applications. These skills are earned and developed through years of hard work and adhering to the cornerstones of the Yang Family's motto: "Diligence, Perseverance, Respect, Sincerity". So the virtuous attributes described in the previous paragraph is a concomitant of the correct training and not the reason for doing it.

Zhong-Ding (Central Equilibrium)

Zhong-ding or the strength of central equilibrium is the basic essential of Taijiquan. All the movements of Taijiquan forms contain the principle of Zhong-ding. Without Zhong-ding we cannot be grounded down to earth. According to the five elements theory of Chinese philosophy, Zhong-ding relates to the element earth. "Taijiquan", is a method of "self cultivation" of knowing one's self, "Tui-Shou" fosters the ability to know others.

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