Wu style Taijiquan

[RickMatz]

As a teenager, Kung Fu, the TV series hit the airwaves in the 70's, and I was hooked. I started training in JiDoKwan TaeKwanDo under Won Chik Park, in Detroit. Then I discovered beer and girls ... Through out my 20's and 30's, on and off I had intense periods of study in Yoshinkai Aikido, under Kushida Sensei, mostly at the old Detroit dojo on Davison. In my mid 20's I also learned the Cheng Man Ching short Yang form of Taiji. I didn't learn push hands though. Then the multiheaded hydra of adult responsibilites entered my life ... In my 40's, I've invested a lot of time and energy in learning the practice of Zhan Zhuang, or "stake standing."

Now that my youngest has her driver's license, another chapter begins. I have some time on my hands. I've been wanting to get back to a regular martial arts class. I'd love to go back to aikido, but at 50, I don't think I'd be able to train the way I remember during my "glory days." I think it might be better to leave my memories intact. I'd be happy to continue to train with CMC Taiji, but convenience is a factor, and no one seems to be practicing it on this side of town.


It turns out that there is a very well established Wu style Taiji in my area. Many Taiji schools teach only fragments of what was once a complete martial art. Often you'll have someone who calls himself a taiji teacher mix in whatever his own interests are, which may have nothing to do with taiji. Wu style is one of the few complete systems of taiji.


The teacher in Ann Arbor has a close connection with the "gatekeeper" of the Wu family.
I had my first class today. I visited Sifu Genie Parker's school in Ann Arbor Michigan.

http://www.wustyle-annarbor.com/

Some bad weather had blown through town and Sifu Paker couldn't get to class on account of it, but two senior students who were taking care of things attended to me.

They said that they've found that it works well by just launching into the form; introducing the warm ups and supplementary exercises a little at a time.

From several years of zhan zhuang practice, I have a pretty good sense of where my body is. I also have pretty good balance.


The way it runs is that the first hour is the beginner's class, the second hour is intermediate, and the final hour is advanced. At this location, they have training available several days a week, but Thursdays suit me the best, as does once a week.

There were maybe a half dozen other beginners when I was there, and maybe 20 in the intermediate class. The place also seems to be getting top heavy with senior students, which is a good sign - people are sticking around for a long time.

The beginning session ends, and the intermediate session begins with the long form. Beginners drop out when they've gotten as far as they've learned. I stuck around to watch the class do the form. It's certainly different that what I was doing before with the Cheng Man Ching form. Lots of little steps and movements. I am told they are all there for a reason. Also small circle, rather than large movements.
One of the senior students, an apple cheeked grandmotherly looking woman, said that there are enough senior students where the head teacher thinks they are at a point where actually teaching fighting in the advanced class is beginning to make sense. They are purchasing mats for the floor, and this should begin this year. She said that she was looking forward to it; fighting is after all a part of taijiquan. The purpose of the school is to teach the complete art. I liked her attitude.

The building the school is in looks like it was an old garage. The school occupies one of two old service bays (the other belonging to another small business). The bay is about 20' by 40', with an office, maybe 20' x 20' bolted to the front of the bay. One wall is mirrored. Lots of spears. A few really long staffs, maybe 10'. A basket of swords and sabers. Requisite Chinese themed decor, but pretty understated.

My attitude going in is to keep an open mind, and to do it their way.

I mentioned the grandmotherly looking woman. The people I saw there were really a cross section. A few young men and women looking to be in their early 20's, to a few oldsters I'd put in their 50's and even maybe early 60's. One of the senior students looks about my age, size, and build; so I'll be keeping an eye on him.

There weren't any uniforms, although most people were wearing t shirts with the school's logo. Not a requirement. I'll probably pick one up to show support at some point. When I'm far enough along into the form, I'll pick up the DVD of the head guy. The "Gold Book" too. The reference manual for the style, more or less.

The first class went well. I learned the beginning of the form through the first 'single whip.' I have plenty to work on before going back next week.

[NKociara]

I've been interested in Taijiquan for the past year or so. Mostly Chen style, but not too many schools in my area. They all seem to be in Ann Arbor (which is about an hour drive from where I live). I'd check some of those schools out however, I'm a college student and therefore, pretty much broke
I am interested in hearing any updates you have on this school, so when I do have some money...

[RickMatz]

About a month ago, after 5 months of training, I finished learning the sequence of the 108 standard form. The way class works for me now is this:

The group does warm ups for 30 minutes together.

Beginners and ongoing students split up. The beginners keep working on learning the sequence, while the ongoing students work on form refinements for the next hour.

Everyone then does the standard form together. Beginners drop out as they get to the end of what they know. This takes about 30 minutes.

The last hour is for the ongoing students. So far I've been exposed to push hands, more form refinement, the Wu style nei gung exercises, and break falls(!). Some of the more senior students have worked on weapons forms, or the 54 form.

I've been exposed to two types of push hands. I am told there is a sequence of 12 different types of push hands from the most basic to free style.

[RickMatz]

I've been at it a year now. I've learned the sequence of the 108 standard long form, and the 54 round competition form, and have been working on refinements.

I've also been working on the first three of the twelve types of push hands forms found in Wu style.

Finally, I've been introduced to most of the 24 forms, the neigung of the style. I'm picking up refinements on those, and trying to work them into my daily practice.

Time flies like an arrow.

[Tuckerby]

I just wanted to post to say I'm interested in all you've said, and will say, about your experiences. I'm beginning martial arts by taking Taijiquan as well, so I'm eager to learn from you and anyone else on this site.

Thanks for posting.

[RickMatz]

I just wanted to post to say I'm interested in all you've said, and will say, about your experiences. I'm beginning martial arts by taking Taijiquan as well, so I'm eager to learn from you and anyone else on this site.

Thanks for posting.

Who are you training with, what style, etc.?

[Tuckerby]

Who are you training with, what style, etc.?

I'm attending a place run by Shifu (keep seeing different spelling for his title!) Kam Lee. I'm given to understand he is a 20th Generation disciple of Chen Family Taijiquan, having studied under Grandmaster Zhu Tiancai, who is apparently one of four grandmasters in the world. Sounds impressive to me, at least.

I had the honor of meeting the grandmaster on my first day which was his last day for being in Jacksonville until next year.

Shifu Lee is the real deal in all that he claims to be, I'm thinking, since my wife has had headaches all her life, bad ones, and his acupuncture and massage treatment has nearly cured that. Her headaches are far fewer, less severe and don't last as long. If she would listen to his advice and give up milk ("Milk is for cows!") and cold beverages, she might have been cured completely by now. Hard advice to follow though.

Sorry if this has been overlong, but I'm kind of proud to study there after getting to know its people more. The two instructors I've spent the most time with so far are Hieu Luu and Charles Macabasco. Following is a link to the school's instructor page.

http://www.taijikungfuacademy.com/instructor.html

And links to Youtube showings of Shifu Lee and also of his academy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zCQTiMqZ14

http://www.youtube.com/user/rockeratsoul

I think his display of "Tai Chi Sword" in that last link is impressive.