Post by Bailu Taijiquan on Apr 22, 2008 10:13:00 GMT 1
The Infinate Ultimate Boxing Method - Taiji Quan
The history of Taiji Quan is shrouded in mystery. There are many stories of its creation, some of which are more verifiable than others.
Many believe Taiji Quan was developed by Zhang Sanfeng, a Taoist priest of undecided origin, modified the Shaolin Kungfu he had learned as a youth after watching a fight between a crane and a snake. He saw that the snake would yield to the crane's attacks, and then counter in the moment that the crane was off balance. In this way, the snake was able to save itself from the crane.
Zhang Sanfeng then set about softening his kungfu, and applying the various methods of Daoist Neigong that he knew to his practice. The result is, what we today call Taiji Quan.
A more verifiable story is that Taiji Quan was created by Chen Wangting, who lived from 1600 to 1680 AD. It is from this line that most of the Taijiquan that is practiced today has developed.
There are five main styles of Taiji Quan, these are:
Chen style
Yang stlye
Wu or Wu/Hao style of Wu Yu-Hsiang
Wu style of Wu Ch'uan You & Wu Chien-Ch'uan
Sun style
Training in Taijiquan consists of several levels. Students first start by learning basic Neigong exercises, and then proceed to learning hand forms. Once hand forms have been learnt, students will be introduced to pushing-hands, and exercise meant to develop sensitivity and refine technique. Students may then progress onto learning weapon sets. Common weapons used in Taijiquan are;
Dao - Broadsword
Jian - Straight Sword
Kun - Staff
Qiang - Spear
Of these weapons, Jian is the most commonly practiced, with staff and spear being the least commonly practiced.
This is just a brief overview of Taijiquan. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
The history of Taiji Quan is shrouded in mystery. There are many stories of its creation, some of which are more verifiable than others.
Many believe Taiji Quan was developed by Zhang Sanfeng, a Taoist priest of undecided origin, modified the Shaolin Kungfu he had learned as a youth after watching a fight between a crane and a snake. He saw that the snake would yield to the crane's attacks, and then counter in the moment that the crane was off balance. In this way, the snake was able to save itself from the crane.
Zhang Sanfeng then set about softening his kungfu, and applying the various methods of Daoist Neigong that he knew to his practice. The result is, what we today call Taiji Quan.
A more verifiable story is that Taiji Quan was created by Chen Wangting, who lived from 1600 to 1680 AD. It is from this line that most of the Taijiquan that is practiced today has developed.
There are five main styles of Taiji Quan, these are:
Chen style
Yang stlye
Wu or Wu/Hao style of Wu Yu-Hsiang
Wu style of Wu Ch'uan You & Wu Chien-Ch'uan
Sun style
Training in Taijiquan consists of several levels. Students first start by learning basic Neigong exercises, and then proceed to learning hand forms. Once hand forms have been learnt, students will be introduced to pushing-hands, and exercise meant to develop sensitivity and refine technique. Students may then progress onto learning weapon sets. Common weapons used in Taijiquan are;
Dao - Broadsword
Jian - Straight Sword
Kun - Staff
Qiang - Spear
Of these weapons, Jian is the most commonly practiced, with staff and spear being the least commonly practiced.
This is just a brief overview of Taijiquan. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.