Taiji (Tai Chi)
In Emei Qigong we spell Tai Chi as (Taiji). This is considered the more
correct English translation within China. Emei Qigong Taiji was created by Bai
Yun, the 1st Lineage Holder and Grandmaster of Emei Qigong about 800 years ago.
Grandmaster Bai Yun and his respected friend Master Chang San Feng (most often
noted as the father of Taiji) developed their forms of Taiji at the same time.
From time to time the two would get together and discuss their thoughts. While
Chang San Feng really desired to create a form that could be used for fighting.
Bai Yun felt that the fighting aspect was unnecessary. That is why there are
similarities between the various Chang San Feng forms and the Emei Qigong forms.
They differ because Bai Yun focused more on never breaking the flow of energy
instead of focusing on fighting.
Emei Qigong has three forms of Taiji. There is the 18 movement form, the 36
movement form and the 108 movement form. Currently the 18 movement form is what
Grandmaster Fu has decided to teach at this time. It is a simple and energetic
form that can be learned in one day. Once you learn the movements you will very
quickly begin to feel the explosion of Qi out your hands. Combine this with some
of the Emei Qigong exercises and you will find the sensations of Qi to be most
remarkable.
It is also very good to practice Emei Qigong exercises if you are already a
Taiji practitioner. The Qigong exercises with enhance your Taiji ten folds.
"I've been teaching Qi Gong and Taiji (Tai Chi) for years, but it wasn't until I
felt Grandmaster Fu's empowerment that I found out what Qi really is," says Zhao
Zhi Min, a Taiji (Tai Chi) master.
In the 1950s leading Taiji experts from China produced a number of Taiji forms.
These were then graded in terms of degree of difficulty and length. Today in the
United States Taiji (Tai Chi) is at its highest popularity. Most classes will
teach you a specific number of steps or movements in a form. Emphasis is placed
on body alignment, breathing and relaxing the mind.
The most popular styles are “Yang” and “Chen” Taiji (Tai Chi). These styles
belonged to a particular family. In the early part of the 19th century the
"Chen" family produced their style of Taiji. In those years the art was simply a
powerful, combative mode of exercise and fighting.
Later in that century, a member of the "Yang" family was admitted to the Taiji
Chen School. As time went on the Yang family produced their own version of
Taiji.
Slowly Taiji developed a purely health and exercise aspect. More outsiders
gained entry and other styles appeared. Today the Chen, Yang, Wu, Hao and Sun
are the best known styles. Of these the Yang style is the most widely taught.
The importance in choosing a Taiji (Tai Chi) class is not only the ability of
the style, but the teacher’s ability to communicate the knowledge and transmit
its essence to the students.
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Names of the 18 movement Emei Qigong Taji Form: 1. Yu Shi (ready stance) 2. Qi Shi (begin form) 3. Guanyin Swings 4. Unify the Qi of Qian and Kun (left) 5. Unify the Qi of Qian and Kun (right) 6. Guanyin Turns and Swings 7. Chan Master Alchemizes the Cloud (right) 8. Chan Master Alchemizes the Cloud (left) 9. Turn and Alchemize the Cloud 10. Chase the Moon 11. Crouching Tiger Shi (left) 12. Crouching Tiger Shi (right) 13. Guanyin presents her bottle (left) 14. Guanyin presents her bottle (right) 15. Hand Over Boxed Seal Under the Sleeve 16. Luohan Stretches Down Shi 17. Twin Swallows Fly Apart 18. Step Forward and Shou (end of Taiji) |
To view a short clip of Grandmaster Fu Wei Zhong doing the 18 movement Emei Qigong Taiji form Press
Play above. |
If you would like to schedule an event in your area or setup a personal healing session contact Teacher David Knoll.
