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Longfei Taijiquan Association of Great Britain |
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www.Longfei-Taiji.co.uk |
Longfei Taijiquan Association of Great Britain |
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Although a number of our original delegates withdrew their booking for this unique trip we will be taking a full compliment of 30. It is difficult to ascertain two years in advance when making preliminary arrangements and we understand that family crises and of course celebrations are always likely to occur. At the time of going to press most of our arrangements are in place and simply need to be finalised. Karen has managed with her usual dexterity to secure British Airways direct flights to Beijing, booked and paid for. These flights are preferable to those that require change of aircraft in Europe and kicking your heels around for several hours for connecting flights. Tary Yip has taken care of the arrangements at the Beijing end. And unique to this trip will be the visit to Yongnian, the birthplace of Yang Luchan, precursor of the Yang style of taiji. Delegates will be kept informed and supplied with a full itinerary before departure.
While discussing the 2008 visit with Professor Li, I mentioned my previous visit to Yongnian in 1991. This was on the occasion of the first International Taijiquan gathering to be held there. I filmed a great deal of video footage at this event and Prof Li expressed a wish to see the film. Three hours later at two in the morning he exclaimed that the film is a collector's item and could he have a copy. Beam up Eric Foxcroft, who kindly edited the film into individual chapters and transferred the epic to DVD.
The film features excerpts and complete forms from all the major styles of taijiquan including: Chen, Yang, Wu, Woo/Hao, Sun & Zhao Bao style. Included are weapons: Dao (broadsword), Jian (double-edge sword), Gun (pole), Qiang (spear).
There are also glimpses of various forms of pushing hands. However the reason Professor Li was taken by what is unique footage is the inclusion of many masters and most heads of traditions. Many of these teachers dominated the last half of the 20th century. This was also the last decade for a number of these icons of taijiquan as many of them passed away during the 1990s.
From the CHEN STYLE, Chen Zheng Lei, (one of the four tigers of Chen style). Feng Zhiqiang, student of CHEN FAKE (14th generation of Chen style).
From the YANG STYLE, Yang Zhenduo, (4th son of YANG CHENGFU), Fu Zhongwen (deceased) Yang CHENGFU's senior student.
From the WU STYLE, Wu Ying Hua (deceased), daughter of WU JIAN QUAN. Master Ma Yueh Liang (deceased), senior student of WU JIAN QUAN.
From the SUN STYLE, Madam Sun Chien Yun, (deceased) daughter of SUN LUTANG, creator of Sun style.
There are many other dignitaries from the Woo/Hao and Zhaobao styles but I am not familiar with the names to identify them or indeed with their styles.
Professor Li's interest has prompted me to market a DVD of these events for the taiji community. It will give an overview of taiji as practised in China - a great opportunity to see this collection of teachers who dominated the last century and compare what you practice with the many variations that exist at the source. Watch this space for further information!
Professor Li's visit July/August 2008: We understand that Professor Li will return to China earlier than usual this year as he needs to be there before the Beijing Olympics commence. Therefore the Walsall Summer Camp will be his last engagement, his itinerary for July/August 2008 is as follows:
12-13 July: Hertfordshire Completion of Chen Style 56 Forms Competition Routine
19-20 July: Glasgow Contact Derek Daly (Tel: 0141 576 4417) for information
24-27 July: Walsall Summer Camp assemble 1500-1800hrs Wed 23 July
MORNING SESSIONS (four mornings):
Professor Li Deyin Wudang Taiji Sword (advanced)
Master Wang Yanji 88 Standard Yang Style Taijiquan (intermediate)
Simon Watson 24 Simplified Taijiquan (beginner and intermediate)
AFTERNOON SESSIONS (three afternoons):
Professor Li Deyin 46 Woo/Hao Style Taijiquan - an introduction to this lesser known style (all levels)
Master Wang Yanji Da Lu Pushing Hands and Fa Jing - power training, (advanced)
Simon Watson 32 Taiji Jian (beginner and intermediate)
There are three new elements to this summer camp and three forms to cater for the beginner, intermediate and the revisionist. We are including three afternoons for advanced pushing hands in the practice of Da Lu (often translated as "big pull") - more about Da Lu elsewhere in this newsletter. We are ending the past practice of one hour of push hands at the end of the day's training.
Mark Atkinson of the European Daoyin Yangsheng Gong Association will be teaching in Codicote, Hertfordshire on 23 and 24 February 2008
1000-1300 Tai Ji Jin 2 1300-1400 Lunch (BYO) 1400-1630 Tai Ji Jin 2
0930-1230 San Xiao Jiu Zmi Gong (for diabetes) 1230-1300 Lunch (BYO) 1300-1500 San Xiao Jiu Zmi Gong (for diabetes)
In addition to attending our annual event at Wolverhampton, Master Wang will be in the UK on the following dates: Spring: 26 April - 4 May and Autumn: 31 October - 3 November
Richard Watson
Longfei Newsletter Volume 8 Issue 1 Table of Contents
© Longfei Taijiquan Association of Great Britain