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太极拳 – Tai Ji Quan – Tai Chi Chuan . From its origins to our present days

The Tai Ji Quan or Tai Chi Chuan discipline is one of the most popular and well-known Chinese martial arts disciplines in the world, being an effective method to improve health at any age.

The origin of Tai Ji Quan or Tai Chi Chuan dates back to a mysterious past and is described in various ways and from different sources, none of them being able to reveal a clear source of this discipline. In Chinese literature the origin of the Tai Ji / Tai Chi is linked to the history of the Taoist monk Zhang San Feng, who is also surrounded by mystery. There have been numerous studies to try to find out more details about his personality, although nothing has been found as a reliable source to prove his existence.

That is why Chen Wang Ting, Master Chen, the ninth generation descendant of Chen Family, is considered the founder of Tai Ji Quan / Tai Chi Chuan. Among the different existing Tai Chi / Tai Chi styles, the Chen style is considered the oldest one, while the other styles of Tai Ji / Tai Chi (Yang / Hao / Wu / Shu), are considered styles developed from Tai Ji Chen style.

Zhang San Feng		Chen Wang Ting

Another important milestone in the history of Tai Chi / Tai Chi figure is the figure of General Chen Wang Ting (1600-1680), general of the territory of Shandong, who lived in the late Ming Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty. During his countless trips, General Chen Wang Ting, acquired extensive knowledge of different styles of Quan Fa and became a renowned teacher and great respect in the world of martial arts. Is attributed to Chen Wang Ting the connection of martial arts and Oriental medicine. During his old age, General Cheng Wang Ting, decided to retire to his native village, the famous Chen Jia Gou village. The people of the Chen family, decided to create a new style that combined the different techniques of martial arts and Taoist philosophy, Daoyin, giving birth to the new discipline called Tai Chi Quan / Tai Chi Chuan.

However, it was thanks to Wang Zong Yue, that Chen style survived until today. Wang Zong Yue was greatly impressed by the writings of Qi Ji Guang, that fell into his hands and used his power to preserve and maintain the discipline called Tai Ji Quan / Tai Chi Chuan described therein.   

Master Xu Zaiguang's Taiji Quan Lineage   

General Chen Wang Ting originally created four forms of Tai Ji / Tai Chi using as a basis the techniques of Shaolin and Wudang monasteries, but only two of these forms have survived until today, Form 83 and Form 71. Such forms are the basement on the current style. In addition, other techniques and exercises have been preserved: the complex and refined push hands (tui shou), techniques in the use of the sword and the sword (jian dao) and spear (Qiang). Tai Ji Quan Chen style is characterized by unifying the apparently soft and flowing movements of tai chi and vibrant, deep, powerful movements that allow to release the energy created during their execution. Tai Ji Quan Chen Sytle combines powerful spiral movements and delicate and smooth movements. In practice, the softness and hardness are filled with slow and fast movements. Chen style is within the Tai Ji Quan styles, the apparently more martial style in styles Tai Ji / Tai Chi.

We have to wait until the nineteenth century, to find the first book on Tai Ji Quan / Tai Chi Chuan, the author, Chen Chang Xing (1771-1835) belongs to the 14th generation of the Chen famil. Chen Chang Xing was the first one to unify the first and the second existing forms in the Tai Ji / Tai Chi. Chen Chang Xing was the master of Yang Fu Kui (Yang Lu Chan), who created the Yang Style.

Chen Xin, 16th generation of the Chen family, was the writer who produced the best study of the Chen style. His work is based on the book of Chen Chang Xin. Gu Xin Lu, a student of Chen Fake wrote a book about the execution of the movements of Chen style and principles. The book has been amended twice (1963, 1964) and has a value of a textbook.

Chen Fake (1887-1957), 17th generation, was the youngest of the three sons of Chen Yan Xi. Chen Fake moved to Beijing in 1928, with the intention of engaging in teaching the Chen style. In Beijing, he managed to be known and get popularity, thanks to the victories obtained with the efficiency of his style in separate clashes with other major martial arts masters of his time, after his many victories, he managed to open his first gym where was devoted to teaching the secrets of martial arts originating from the Chen family style.

Feng Zhi Qiang Tian and Chen Xiu (1916-1984) where among Chen Fake’s most exceptional students and both of them obtained an exceptional knowledge of Taiji Quan techniques. Both of them became true masters and successors of Chen Fake after decades of practice and continued the tradition of master Chen Fake promoting the Chen style Tai Ji / Tai Chi by which it is recognized and practiced worldwide.

Chen Fake		Feng  Zhi Qiang		Tian Xiu Chen

The Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) can be defined as a turbulent period of decline for the Tai Ji Quan discipline. During this period, the Chinese government committed to an active policy to suppress all traditional teachings, even martial arts were persecuted and forbidden. Masters of martial arts were prosecuted and imprisoned and gyms and places for martial arts practicing and training were closed. Many teachers were reported publicly during this period and the practice and training of Tai Ji Quan continued in secret, which ensured the continuity of tradition. During the reconstruction phase (1976-1989) within Modern China History, the political repression of the traditional Chinese culture has changed into a new climate of openness and reform, Practicing the discipline of Tai Ji Quan were allowed openly again, as it had been in the past, the local government proactively began to organize a series of meetings and tournaments to promote martial arts disciplines and Tai Ji Quan has regained its reputation as an important branch of Chinese martial arts.

The beginning of the internationalization of Tai Ji Quan goes back to 1981, during a promotional tour in the Chen village of Chen Jia Gou where a Japanese association came into contact with the origin of Tai Ji Quan and begun to promote the benefits of practice this ancient discipline. The success of this trip increased interest in Tai Ji Quan at national and international levels and soon after, the followers of other countries started their pilgrimage to Chen Jia Gou village to learn this wonderful art, leading to the internationalization of this discipline.

Master Xu Zaiguang is the Master Winner of Kung Fu Wushu Championships in Perugia in May 2009 and 2010 and is a recognized and renowed Master of Tai Ji Quan Chen style in the "art of the sword and the form” .

Member of the International Martial Arts Association (Folk Chinese Wushu Exchange Association). Master Xu Zaiguang decided to come to Europe and settle in Italy, to continue the tradition of his renowed Chinese martial arts lineage to expand the knowledge and benefits of the study and practice of Taiji Quan and Chinese martial arts in the world.

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塘螂拳 Taiji Tang Lang – Praying Mantis Boxing Technique

Legend says this boxing school was founded around 1650 by Wang Lang, who was at the Shaolin Temple to study martial arts, and due to his short stature, always received numerous blows during training and practice and losing many battles until the day in which, sitted under a tree, was attracted by a unique spectacle, close to their feet, a praying mantis insect, apparently a fragile creature, fought vigorously against a cicada, a much bigger opponent. The praying mantis, was not impressed and after a couple of quick and vigorous movements, took victory in the fight, thanks to smart, agile and efficient series of attacks. After this amazing fight happening before his eyes, Wang Lang decided to study the movements and techniques of this small praying mantis insect, to be able to apply its techniques to his studies in martial arts.

When he returned to Shaolin Monastery to test the effectiveness of his new technique against his opponents, he discovered that his style was very effective and kept working on it to improve it. Listening to the tips of more experienced monks in the fight, who recommended him to improve his legs techniques, Wang Lang integrated the techniques of the monkey to improve his legs movements giving birth to a completely new style called Tang Lang Quan, or "Praying Mantis boxing '.

Today, the Taiji Tang Lang is divided into different disciplines: 七 星 Qixing (Seven Stars), 梅 花 Meihua (Plum Flower), Babu 八 步 (eight steps), 六 合 Liuhe (Six Unions) and Bimen 闭 门 (Secret Door)

The Praying Mantis is a predator insect, with large capacity for the attack, however, his defensive positions do not include a response to attacks coming from perpendicular directions, therefore, his fighting style is characterized by making circular movements to avoid direct attacks, combined with the precision in his attack while trying to attack vital points of his opponent. These tactics have been part of the Northern Praying Mantis style in China under the names of "removing something" (blocking to create a hole) and "add something" (brilliant attack).

One of the most distinctive characteristics of the style of the North is "the hook of the Mantis" (螳 螂 勾: Tang Lang Gou), this spectacular hook when it hits someone or something can be compared to a whiplash force and it is normally used with an specific hand position using one or three fingers. The peculiarity of this hook is also because it can be used to divert force (blocking) or to attack critics vital points (eyes, face and other vital points ...) and is very useful when combined to enforce attack and block positions.

This style is especially famous for its rapid and continuous attacks.

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少林 功夫 Shaolin Kung Fu

According to tradition, all oriental martial arts has the same origin and come from the same place: the Monastery of the Young Forest, "少林寺" also known as the Shaolin Temple near Luoyang in Northern China.

No matter if it is just a legend, everyone agrees that the Shaolin style of martial arts is the with the most ancient origins. The Shaolin style is characterized by energetic and powerful movements, efficiency in his punches, develops compact and inaccessible positions in defence, not giving any chance for possible openings for opponent attacks.

Located in Henan Province, about 600 km South of Beijing, in the early 6th century, the Shaolin Monastery, received the visit of an Indian monk named Bodhidharma, who came to the monastery to continue his studies and found the monks living there, in a decadent and bad physical shape, in order to improve the situation, Bodhidharma decided to create a series of specific exercises to keep agile mind and body. This is the way for the Shaolin Kung-Fu discipline to be born. Bodhidharma also founded the Chan style Buddhist school that became Zen Buddhism in Japan. The legend on the discipline practiced by the Shaolin monks lasted centuries, surrounded by mysteries, enigmas, tragedies and so many other events.

Shaolin Kung Fu contains a wide range of techniques and disciplines, finding the right technique for every practitioner or student, is very important before deciding to study any specific style of martial art. However, the foundation of all styles of Shaolin Kung fu are similar and we can say that core exercises are based on punches and kicks, although there are so many specific exercises for each discipline. The basic exercises are designed to strengthen the body, there are specific exercises targeting how to work with legs, improve balance… while additionally and at the same time, there are specific exercises designed to improve perception, accuracy and speed. All of them, are important characteristics that can be applied to all styles of Shaolin kung fu. It is very important that every practitioner or student to find the style of Shaolin Kung suited to their physical abilities, interests, values ​​and goals, otherwise the Shaolin Kung Fu practice will turn bore and can also backfire motivation during the study. Shaolin Kung fu Styles can also be classified as hard and soft styles. Hard styles are those in which force is used to counter the opposing force, force-force, for example, a block technique is used to deflect an incoming attack with an angle of 90 °. There are also soft styles, focused on techniques that seek to unbalance the opponent's strength with fluid and apparently smooth but equally effective movements.

We can divide the styles of Kung Fu in three groups:
- Styles of Shaolin Temple
- Styles techniques derived from the temple or outside the temple
-  Family or Pai Styles.

Among the styles of Shaolin temple, we must distinguish between the Northern and Southern styles, there are also other styles from Shaolin Temple as Wing Chun and Hung Gar.. The styles based on the study of the movements of animals, are styles that combine different techniques or adopting techniques from other styles, such as the style of northern mantis that uses hand techniques combined with techniques mantis tiger, monkey and other northern styles.

Master Xu Zaiguang teaches Northern styles. In his school, the styles taught are based on techniques using punches on legs, legs and feet, style of the Black Tiger Crane and Tang Lang.

Benefits derived from the practice of KUNG FU

Numerous studies have concluded that the study and practice of martial arts and Kung Fu produces positive changes in the psychosocial field, as practice of Kung Fu develops both physical and mental skills. Practicing martial arts has an important added value as is the transmission ofof moral and social ethical principles present in the martial arts, known as Wu De.

Positive effects on body and mind are increased if the study of Kung Fu starts at an early age, because this discipline helps children to direct their instincts and natural movements, by following rules and learning a method in their practice, helping them to create an structure of mind and exercise.

Kung Fu practice develops the body in a harmonious way, strengthening it and at the same time acquiring flexibility and elasticity, the practice of this discipline teaches that the purpose and ultimate goal of martial arts is not hitting the opponent, but to excel the Kung Fu techniques and improve themselves.

Some important benefits may be found in improved posture, improved balance and coordination. Learn how to correctly perform Kung Fu exercises involve learning a greater improvement in physical coordination and control of motor skills, as well as an improvement in overall brain activity.

Hyperactive children learn to channel their energy and liveliness in activities that require concentration and accuracy in relation to the training partner.

Kung Fu and martial arts have a moral code, WU DE, through which they teach and convey important life values ​​such as respect, Kung Fu teaches to have respect for their Master and training partners, either to those who practice for several years to colleagues recently arrived . Kung Fu teaches likewise, to pay respect and rituals present during practice, to give thanks and always be respectful to the place of training martial arts.

Finally, the practice of Kung Fu, also transmits to persist and not give up in the pursuit of objectives, in the Kung Fu means the acquisition of study skills, achieving results through hard work and honest work. Every achievement is a step towards acquiring greater security and self-confidence, self-discipline which transmits towards greater security and peace of mind.

The practice of Kung Fu, as a discipline is a positive model that influences both the vision of life and reality in general. Through the practice of martial arts, practitioners learn to be positive, to develop self-confidence, you feel better physically, and therefore also feel better mentally.

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