Records of Various Training Speeds By Peter Lim Tian Tek itcca.it/peterlim/tcspeed.htm We begin with Gu Liu Xin, a noted Taijiquan historian, who writes in his introduction to the book Yang Shi Taijiquan (Yang Style Taijiquan) by Fu Zhong Wen in 1963 and also in Yang Zhen Duos English book the following about how Yang Shao Hou, Yang Cheng Fus older brother, practiced his form: His taijiquan frame style was originally similar to his brothers, but later it gradually changed to the style of high frame with lively footwork and well-knit small movements, alternating quick with slow actions. He was swift and powerful in delivering his blows and, with eyes blazing like torches, a grim smile on his face and roaring and howling as he darted back and forth, he was held in awe by others (Gu Liu Xin, his introduction to Yang Style Taijiquan by Yang Zhen Duo, 1988, page 7) Fu Zhong Wen later wrote in his last book that Yang Shao Hous movements swift, boxing frame sunk. (Fu Zhong Wen, Yang Shi Taijiquan Jiao Fa Lian Fa, 1989, page 5). Chen Yen Ling, writes the same, (Chen Yen Ling, Taijiquan Diao Jian Kan San Shou He Pian, 1943, page 6). And: The small frame strives for each posture to be compact. Movements agile and swift. This was transmitted by Yang Shao Hou. (Chen Yen Ling, Taijiquan Dao Jian Kan San Shou He Pian, 1943, page 24). And in his last chapter: neither fast nor slow (Chen Yen Ling, Taijiquan Dao Jian Kan San Shou He Pian, page 295). Tung Ying Jieh noted 3 ways of practicing the form in the Yang family: Seeing Mr. Feng Hous son Chao Lings boxing. He was personally trained by Mr Yang Ban Hou. His compact frame. Practiced neither fast nor slow. Mr Cheng Fu his is great softness and gradual. Mr Shao Hou his compact and swift. (Tung Ying Jieh, Taijiquan Shi Yi, 1948, page 33). Chen Long Xiang and Li Min Di students of Li Ya Xuan, who trained directly under Yang Cheng Fu wrote about Yang Shao Hou in their book Yang Shi Taijiquan Jing Jie (Yang Style Taijiquan Essential Explanation): movements fast and sunk, boxing frame small and strong, everywhere seeking compactness. (Chen Long Xiang and Li Min Di, Yang Shi Taijiquan Jing Jie, 1992, page 34). Yang Zhen Ji, the second son of Yang Cheng Fu wrote of his uncle Yang Shao Hous boxing: frame high movements small and alternating quick and slow. (Yang Zhen Ji, Yang Cheng Fu Shi Taijiquan, 1993, page 4). One of Yang Shou Hou’s disciples, Wu Tu Nan, published a book with the only known photographs recorded Yang Shao Hous boxing. He writes: This set of small fames has two hundred over movements, these must be performed and completed within a time of around three minutes. (Wu Tu Nan, Taijiquan Zhi Yan Jiu, 1984, page 100). Wu lists a small frame set of 73 postures that Yang Shao Hou apparently passed down from his grandfather Yang Lu Chan. (Wu Tu Nan, Taijiquan Zhi Yan Jiu, 1984, page 97-98). Wu Tu Nans student Xu Zhi Jun wrote that the small frame should be performed within 2 minutes. (Xu Zhi Jun, Yang Shi Taijiquan – Xiao Jia Yi Qi Ji Ji Ying Yung, 1991, page 36). Yang Cheng Fu apparently taught a set called Taiji Chang Quan (Taiji Long Boxing) which had both fast and slow movements. Gu Liu Xin records this about Yang Cheng Fus early form: During his early days in Shanghai… he performed the movements of kicking with speed and force. However, to suit the needs of treating chronic disease, he changed them into slow movements with inner exertion of force... (Gu Liu Xin, in his introduction to Yang style Taijiquan by Yang Zhen Duo, 1988, page 7). Master Yang Cheng Fu himself writes: Only when the height of our stance and the speed of our hands is guided by the proper measure can we be free of the necessity for fixed rules of height and speed. (translation of the introduction to Yang Cheng Fus Taijiquan Ti Yung Quan Shu taken from Douglas Wiles Tai-Chi Touchstones --“ Yang Family Secret Transmissions, 1983, page 157). Quick kicking is present in the film of Tung Ying Jieh as well as his son, Tung Fu Ling, doing his long Yang form in the 1940’s. Chen Wei Ming expanding YCF’s 59 posture set.(Chen Wei Ming, Taiji Jian, n.d., page 32). Others who studied under Yang Cheng Fu also expanded their sets to over 100 postures. Yang Shou Chung, Yang Cheng Fus oldest son taught a variant of the set recorded by Chen Wei Ming which remains essentially the same. (Xie Bing Zhong, Zhong Guo Taijiquan De Xue Yue Shu, 1992, page 157-160). The Encyclopedia Of Zhejiang Martial Arts describes Long Boxing as hav(ing) both fast and slow (Various, Zhejiang Shen Wushu Quan Ji Lu, 1988, page 291), and alternating between fast and slow (Various, Zhejiang Shen Wushu Quan Ji Lu, 1988, page 292). Mah Yueh Liang, the son-in-law of Wu Jian Quan has a fast set of fast which is being transmitted by Mah and his wife Wu Ying Hua, the daughter of Wu Jian Quan, and their student Shi Mei Lin authored a book in 1987 titled Wu Shi Taiji Quai Quan (Wu Style Taiji Fast Boxing). The Wu Yu Xiang style also has a rare fast set. Master Yang Yu Ting who was the primary promoter of the Wu Jian Quan style in Beijing writes this, along with Master Wang Pei Sheng: “Vary the speed of practice… without showing any discontinuity of movement and wavering of attention; …(nor) any rash and incorrect movement or a hasty and careless attitude. (YangYu Ting, recorded byWang Pei Sheng in Wu style Taijiquan, 1983, page 213). The Wu Yu Xiang Style also has a rare fast set called Feng Quan or Wind Boxing consisting of 96 postures, emphasizing both neutralizing and emitting energy. (Various, Sichuan Wushu Da Quan, 1989, page 1663-1664). Zhao Bao has a secretly transmitted 22 posture short advanced form called Quan Mao or Boxing Cap because it “caps” the end or the beginning of the normal form consisting of jumping kicks and vigorous toe slapping. (Zhao Zheng Fu, Zhao Zao Chao, Wudang Zhao Bao Da Jia Taijiquan, 1995, page 159-164). “You respond quickly to a fast action, slowly to slow action. Although the changes are numerous, the principle remains the same.” (translation taken from Tai Chi by Cheng Man-Ching and Robert W. Smith, 1967, page 109).
Posted on: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 18:57:49 +0000
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