Longfei Taijiquan Association in Great Britain 

The formation of our association began in 1991. After a number of visits to train with Professor Li Deyin, Dick Watson met Master Li Tianji, the Head of the Longfei Taijiquan Association; also known as the Li Tianji Quanfa Academy.

Official opening

They discussed the possibility of bringing this tradition to Great Britain and the discussions culminated in an invitation to do so. The growth has been, by necessity, from the ground up. In 1995 we had the official opening of the school with Professor Li and his wife as celebrated guests. Those of you that were there will remember that eight visitors from Japan attended as representatives of the Longfei Association of Japan. The British Wushu Team and many other Taiji practi-tioners demonstrated their arts. In 1996 Dick Watson conducted an interview with Professor Li for Combat magazine. The questions were supplied by Dan Docherty. We repeat that interview in this issue in a serial format for those of you that have not read it. The interview also deals briefly with the history of the Li family’s association with martial arts.

What was the Martial Arts background of your father and grandfather?

I came from a Martial Arts family, starting with my grandfather through to my father. We have all practised and taught Martial Arts. My grandfather ‘Li Yu Lin’ (1888-1965) was born in 1888. He had three teachers. The first was ‘Hao En Guang’. He was employed as security escort. On an assignment he was engaged in conflict with bandits and was fatally shot. Hao En Guang’s teacher was ‘Li Cun Yi’, he was also engaged as a security escort. They were both famous in the role. My grandfather Li Yu Lin, learned from both of these teachers Martial Arts. The main thrust of this training was ‘Sim() Lin Quan’ and `Hsing-I Quan’. When Hao En Guang was killed by bandits my grandfather made arrangements for the funeral and transported his body to his home for burial. This came to the attention of ‘Sun Lu Tang’ (1861-1933). He was touched and impressed by his actions. They net later and my grandfather was accepted by Sun Lu Tang as a student. This was in 1924 when he was 36. With ‘Sun’ he studied `Taijiquan, `Hsing-I Ch’uan’ and ‘Pa Kua: He also studied with `Li Jing Lin’ at this time who was the Deputy Director of ‘The Central Wushu Association! In 1929 Li Jing Lin was appointed Director of the Shan Dong Wushu Association and my grand-father was appointed Chief Instructor. Li Jing Lin had learned his Yang Style from ‘Yang Ban Hou’ (1837-1922) and he was an expert in the ‘Wu Dang’ sword. My grandfather learned these disciplines from Li Jing Lin. Later my grandfather travelled to Shanghai and practised Taijiquan with ‘Yang Cheng Fu’ (1883-1936). This was not as teacher and student, they met as equals and exchanged ideas about Taiji techniques. My grandfather passed away in 1965. To be continued…

Martial or Non-Martial?

The Tui Shou of Taijiquan 

My introduction to Taijiquan was in 1973 at the “Liu Acad-emy of Taijiquan” Master Liu established his first school at the Renshuden School of Judo. The Renshuden had a repu-tation 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, there 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 martial techniques to be found in the Taiji forms of the “Yang Style,’ by “Rooting’: developing “Jing’, and understanding “Fa-Ding” All of which could be expert-ly 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 encounters 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 attract-ed 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 “Taijiquan7 have an abundance of “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 concomittant of the correct training and not a 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 element 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