My teacher's teacher (4) - Jiang Rong Qiao

Jiang Rong Qiao was born in Hebei in 1891, and began learning Shaolin gongfu from his father and later his uncle. The family practiced a Shaolin variation known as Mi Zhong Quan. He is known to have also studied Chen style taiji, Wudang Sword, and Cheng style bagua. His teachers were Cheng Tinghua, Zhang Zhaoding and Li Cunyi - all disciples of Dong Hai Chuan, the founder of bagua zhang. It is also said that Jiang studied Liu He Bafa with Wu Yi Hui and his disciple Chen Yi Ren.

Jiang began teaching gongfu in Nanjing at the Nanjing Guoshu Institute in 1926. He is most famous for creating sets which combined taiji, xingi, and bagua zhang. The system he created balances the hard and soft aspects of gong fu practice and is called Neijia Gong Fu. I learned the Old 8 Palm, and New 8 Palm from his system with Shifu Jonathan Wang. 

Though he went blind later in life, he continued to teach and write with the help of his students, and adopted daughter Zou Su Xian. Jiang died at the age of 84 in 1974. He is recognized as one of the most famous scholars and practitioners of internal martial arts in the modern era. 

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References:

http://www.chiflow.com/html/bio_JiangRongQiao.htm
http://www.plumpub.com/info/Bios/bio_jiangrongjiao.htm#

Yang 24 Taiji Form - Setting the record straight

In my years of practicing the Yang long form and its many variations I have often heard disparaging remarks about the short form, Beijing form, or what is sometimes called the public form. Yet when I finally went to China, and visited with teachers and other martial artists I found most people did practice the 24 form, even the really hardcore martial artists! So I dug in, and began learning the form one morning in Nanjing with Shifu Gao Xiu Ming. Luckily, with my long form experience the choreography came very quickly and with just a few adjustments I was playing the Beijing short form.

Over the years I have come to love the form, and this past year I began teaching it. This opened my eyes even further to the beauty of the form - it's complete and relatively compact, and it has become one of my favorites. So how did this form come about, and was it really a conspiracy to remove the martial aspects, the heart and soul from taiji for the masses?

In 1956 the Chinese Sports Committee brought together four taiji teachers - Fu Zhongwen, Zhang Yu, Cai Longyun, and Chu Guiting to create a taiji form that could easily be disseminated throughout China and used in competition. In modern day terms, this is like bringing together Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Shaq, and Larry Bird to teach the public basketball. These masters shortened the form to 24 postures, the 24 essential forms in the Yang family style, and created a sequence that could be completed in about 5-6 minutes. 1956 - 1960 saw many national martial arts competitions in China, and the Beijing form along with weapons, traditional forms, and what would become wushu were demonstrated. The 24 form has now become the most popular taiji form practiced throughout the world, and while it is practiced by many simply for its meditative aspects, the martial aspects are intact, and taught by many teachers who have this experience.

Taiji 24 or Beijing Form

1. 起势  Qǐshì - Commencing or Preparation
2. 左右野马分鬃  Zuoyou Yémǎ Fēnzōng - Parting the Wild Horse’s Mane (left & right)
3. 白鹤亮翅  Báihè Lìangchì - White Crane Spreads Its Wings
4. 左右搂膝拗步  Zuoyou Lōuxī Àobù - Brush Knee Palm and Step Forward, Brush Knee Palm and Twist Step (left & right)
5. 手挥琵琶  Shǒuhūi Pípa - Playing the Pipa or Presenting the Pipa
6. 左右倒卷肱  Zuoyou Dào juǎn gōng - Step Back and Repulse Monkey (left & right)
7. 左揽雀尾  Zuo Lǎn Què Wěi - Left Grasp Sparrow’s Tail, Grasp the Bird’s Tail
1. a. 掤  Peng - Ward Off
2. b. 捋  Lǚ/Lu - Rollback
3. c. 擠  Jǐ - Press
4. d. 按  Àn - Push
8. 右揽雀尾  You Lǎn què wěi - Right Grasp Sparrow’s Tail
9. 单鞭  Dān biān - Single Whip
10. 云手  Yúnshǒu - Wave Hands Like Clouds, Cloudy Hands
11. 单鞭  Dān biān - Single Whip
12. 高探马  Gāo tàn mǎ - Snake shows tongue, High Pat on Horse, Step Up to Examine Horse
13. 右蹬脚  Yòu dēng jiǎo - Right Heel Kick, Separate Right Foot, Kick with Right Foot
14. 双峰贯耳  Shuāng fēng guàn ěr - Strike to Ears with Both Fists
15. 转身左蹬脚  Zhuǎnshēn zuǒ dēngjiǎo - Turn Body, Left Heel Kick
16. 左下势独立  Zuo Xià shì dúlì - Left Lower Body and Stand on One Leg
1. a. 下 势  Xià shì - Low Single Whip, Snake Creeps Down
2. b. 左 金 鸡 独 立  Zuo Jin Ji Du Li - Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg
17. 右下势独立  You Xià shì dúlì - Right Lower Body and Bird Stand on One Leg
18. 右左玉女穿梭  Yòuzuǒ yùnǚ chuānsuō - Fair Lady Works with Shuttles
19. 海底针  Hǎidǐ zhēn - Needle to Sea Bottom
20. 闪通臂  Shǎn tōng bì - Fan Through Back
21. 转身搬拦捶  Zhuǎnshēn Bānlánchuí - Turn Body, Roll, Parry,step through and Punch
22. 如封似闭 Rúfēng shìbì - Yield and Push
23. 十字手  Shízì shǒu - Cross Hands
24. 收势  Shōushì - Closing

Is your body in tune with the seasons?

Clouds, rain, falling temperatures - we are definitely headed towards winter here in southern California. Chinese medicine and philosophy stresses the importance of living in harmony with the seasons. Winter is the time of stillness and quiet, a time to rest and recharge. According to Chinese thought, every season corresponds to a pair of organs. The seasons, along with their organ pair, help guide us to alter our habits and diet to better reflect the changes around us. In traditional Chinese philosophy, and according to Five Element theory, winter corresponds to the kidneys and bladder, the water organs.

The kidneys correspond to dark blue or black to reflect their yin nature. They control our birth, growth, and reproduction. They are the gates of vitality, and house our will power. Winter is the time to nourish the kidneys with whole grains, small dark beans, bone broths, seaweeds and other dark leafy green vegetables. Warm foods, steamed veggies, and hearty soups should be the priority in your diet. Even moderate amounts of warm alcohol are encouraged in many cultures. Avoid too much salt, and any excess stress or fear. It's ok to gain a little weight now, and hold off on major fasts or detoxes that place undue stress on the body. Most animals eat a lot in the fall, and rest as much as possible in winter. If possible rise with the sun and go to sleep earlier. 

In your practice, look for deeply restorative asana and meditation. Create warmth, but not in excess. Avoid excess sweating and running right out into the cold. Fill the belly with breath, and be mindful of the lower back which houses the kidneys. Dress warmly, and keep your feet covered as cold enters the body through the feet. It can take longer to get going in the morning. Cold limbs, poor circulation and body pain all seem to increase in the winter. By avoiding cold and wind, avoiding excess sweat, and eating properly your days can begin a little easier. 

Please join us at Yoga NoHo on December 5th @ 5pm 

for further discussion of the 

Five Elements and the basics of Chinese medicine. 

My teacher's teacher (3) - Kuo Lien Ying

Kuo Lien Ying (1895-1984) was born in Inner Mongolia just before the turn of the 20th century. He is known to have brought Guang Ping Yang taiji to the USA.

Like many internal martial artists of his day, Kuo started with hard or external gongfu styles at a young age. He studied Shaolin and Northern Longfist with Master Li Lin at the age of 12.

Kuo became an indoor student on Wang Jiao-Yu, who was himself a indoor student of Yang Ban-Hou, son of Yang Luchan, founder of the Yang style of taiji. It is said Kuo had to complete the "Chin to Toe" stretch in 100 days before he would be accepted by Wang who was 100 years old at the time.

Kuo went on to study xingyi with Huang Gin Yim and bagua with Chang Xin Zhai and Cheng Ting Hua.

Kuo famously was a bodyguard for gold caravans throughout China. His rope-dart skills were legendary. After serving as a general in the army of Chiang Kai Shek he fled to Taiwan where he married Ein Simmone Kuo. In 1965 Kuo emmigrated to San Francisco, and one year later brought Simmone to the USA.

His American students helped setup a school across from Portsmouth square, and since his passing hold a memorial in the park every year.

Kuo believed that there must be a blend of hard and soft styles for taiji to be effective, and that when "yielding you must be conscious of unyielding, and that is the only way you can take advantage of all things."

Kuo was so confident of his fighting skills that in 1951 he issued a challenge to world boxing champion Joe Louis, to meet him for a fight. In 1972 Kuo claimed to the San Francisco Chronicle, "I could have thrown him." 

My teacher's teacher (2) - Y.C. Chiang

My taiji teacher Master Nzazi Malonga studied with Y.C. Chiang in the 1990's in Berkley, CA. While we don't practice the Guang Ping style of taiji, lessons from those days are often dispensed in the ways of movement, the 100 day stretch, and Chinese herbalism.

Yun Chun Chiang was born in 1922 and was a very well known master of Guang Ping taiji which he learned from the great Kuo Lien-Ying and Wang Chih Chien. This lineage goes back to Yang Ban Hou who taught Wang Jiao Yu.

From master Kuo he also learned xingyi, bagua and Shaolin gong-fu.

Y.C. Chiang learned painting and calligraphy from Pu Ru, the brother of the last emperor of China!

In 1973 Master Chiang opened the Wen Wu school in Berkley where he taught these arts along with calligraphy and Chinese painting until his passing in 2016.

The video below is Master Chiang at the age of 83!!!

Master Chiang's paintings can be found here: http://www.wenwuschool.com/ycchiang/
And a great article about White Crane: http://www.wingchunpedia.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php?n=WCP.TheWhiteCraneOfYCChiang
A beautiful article about practicing with Kuo and Chiang: http://kuo-lien-ying-taichi.org/articles/MarilynCooper.html

My teacher's teacher (1) - Sha Guo Zheng

I learned the Sha style of bagua from Shifu Jonathan Wang. This is the master who created the form... 

Sha Guo Zheng was born in 1904 in Shandong, China. He studied many styles of gong fu from an early age, and it is said he became proficient at the spear form called Liu He Jiang (Six Harmony Spear).

His first bagua teacher was Wang Che Cheng who was a student of Wang Li Ti. Wang Li Ti was a student of the famous Dong Hai Chuan, the founder of bagua zhang. Wang Che Cheng was most known for his Lion Style bagua. Sha studied with Wang for 4 years, but in 1924, at the age of 20 he moved to Tianjin where he met Jiang Rong Qiao.  

Jiang is arguably the most important martial arts scholar of the twentieth Century, and Sha became his top student living in Tianjin from 1924 to 1930. It is said Sha also traveled to Beijing frequently where he studied Sun Lu Tang’s bagua and xing yi. 

Sha moved to Korea in 1930 to spend more time studying with Wang Che Cheng who had moved to Inchon. Sha’s reputation grew while living in Inchon when he defeated a Japanese solder in a sword versus spear duel. Sha wielded the sword even though he was already an expert in spear technique, and easily defeated the Japanese soldier. Sha also led the Chinese resistance against the Japanese in Inchon’s Chinatown.

Sha also learned the Eight Immortals sword set, said to have been passed down from Grandmaster Dong who had learned it from a Daoist priest.

Sha returned to China in 1933 after Wang passed away. He studied further with Jiang Rong Qiao in Wuhu for 6 months of intense training and research. In 1949 he was made an official martial arts instructor by the Chinese government, and spent the rest of his life training and improving his art. Sha passed away at the age of 88 in 1992. 

Professor Kang Ge Wu was one of Master Sha's most prominent students and he himself is acknowledged as an important martial arts scholar. 

This is a video of Master Sha at the age of 84:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ1T8hFEQqc

And early video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JUsj8zMvGA

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References:

http://www.plumpub.com/kaimen/2011/sha-guo-zheng-and-sha-style/

https://books.google.com/books?id=2scbFe2HTlQC&pg=PA36&lpg=PA36&dq=sha+guo+zheng+bagua&source=bl&ots=PgkZvAKVzD&sig=A8CagpoTvNKFcQc8v53qASGJWmg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjHs8-ulZ3RAhUhj1QKHQ6JCN8Q6AEIXDAP#v=onepage&q=sha%20guo%20zheng%20bagua&f=false

The Sword of Wisdom

Ever since the adepts handed on The secret of the sword, The true imperative has been upheld Completely, truly adamant. If someone asks me about  Looking for its origin, I say it is not ordinary iron. This lump of iron Comes from receptive stillness; When you obtain it, it rises up. Forging it in a glowing fire, Through repeated efforts It is refined And forged into steel. When students of the Tao Know this secret, The spirit of light is intensely powerful, And devils of darkness vanish. The subtle function of spiritual work Is truly hard to measure; I now give an explanation for you. In telling you about it I divulge the celestial mechanism. Setting to work when one yang comes back, First have the six yangs pump the furnace bellows; Then the six yins work the tongs and hammer. When the work of firing is complete, It produces the sword; When it is first done, It flashes like lightning. Brandish it horizontally And a cold clear breeze arises; Hold it upright, And the shining bright moon appears. Auspicious light illumines heaven and earth; Sprites and ghosts are distressed. It stops turbidity, brings out clarity, Sweeps away weird defilements; It slays volatility, Cuts down aggressiveness, Destroys monsters: Influences draining away Vitality, energy and spirit All vanish in the light of the sword. Entanglements are cut off, rumination dies down, And the web of feelings is rent asunder. Where the spiritual edge is aimed, mountains crumble; The demon kinds of mundane planes are all routed. This precious sword fundamentally has no form; The name is set up because it has spiritual effect. Learning the Tao and practicing reality Depend on this sword: Without this sword, The Tao cannot be achieved. Opening up the vast darkness, Distinguishing heaven and earth, Dissolving obstructions, transmuting objects - All is included. If you ask me to show it to you, I bring it out before you - Do you understand or not? -   The Book of Balance and Harmony     Translated by Thomas Cleary, 1989, p. 115-117