What is Tai Ji Quan?

Tai Ji Quan means Supreme Ultimate Boxing. It is both a comprehensive Chinese martial art and a deep and extremely effective health exercise. It is often described as a ‘Meditation in Movement’ and functions both as simple exercise promoting muscle tone, flexibility and strength or on a deeper level as a ‘Qi Gong’ (Cultivating and harmonising internal energy through regulating the mind, breath and the posture.) Tai Ji is a sophisticated expression of Chinese health culture and Taoist philosophy, as well as an effective system of self defence. Regular practice cultivates good health and mental clarity, good co-ordination and postural balance, and it relieves both shallow and deep seated stress.

Why should I study Tai Ji Quan?

Regular Tai Ji practice focuses the mind and trains the body. It is both a physical and intellectual puzzle and a journey of achievement. Tai Ji Quan is a treasure for life and an investment for a healthy future. It is a great way to stay in shape and fun to practice.

Tai Ji Quan is firstly an exploration of the physical body and the ‘inner’ landscape (both physical and mental). Secondly it is an exploration of the relationship between the subjective and objective, between an individual and their environment, an attacker and a defender etc. The physics of pushing hands contains countless metaphors pertaining to conflict and interaction in any sphere of existence, not just the physical. This is why the exploration of pushing hands is essential to a student’s progress. The Quan will greatly aid students in coming to terms with their own physical identities, but it needs to be applied martially, in order to be fathomed fully.

Faisal Has been studying Tai Ji Quan since the mid 1990’s and now teaches to further enhance his own understanding of the art, as well as share what he has learnt with others. He is a Form Instructor and member of the UK Wu Style Tai Ji and Qi Gong Association, and a qualified Therapist using massage and Qi gung. In addition he represents the Free Fighters Guild as Thoracian and Scissores (Roman, circa 100AD) Gladiator roles for demonstration, study and ,of course, fun.

Lineage:

• Faisal is a student of Michael Acton.

• Michael is a senior student of Dr Li Li-Qun and his sole representative in the U.K. He is the founder of the UK Wu style Tai Ji Quan & Qi Gung Association.

• Dr Li Li-Qun is a senior disciple of now deceased Grandmaster Ma Yeuh Liang. He is considered a Grandmaster and is the founder of the Dao Bu Fan Hui Qi Gung system (one of only 21 Qi Gung systems officially recognised by the Chinese Government). He is the Wu style representative to both the Chen Village Committee and Deputy Executive Secretary of the annual Yong Nian Tai Ji conference, a major event in the Tai Ji world. He was also for many years formative in the running of the Jian Quan Tai Ji Boxing Association in Shanghai which was founded by and continued the traditional teachings of Wu Jian Quan.

• Grandmaster Ma Yeuh Liang was a senior disciple of Wu Jian Quan, and husband to Wu Ying Hua (Wu Jian Quan's daughter). He was considered a national martial treasure of China, on account of his profound boxing skill and knowledge of the art of Tai Ji Quan.

• Wu Jian Quan was the founder of the Wu Style as we teach it today, and was the son of (Wu) Quan You, a martial artist and soldier.

• Quan You was formally a disciple of Yang Ban Ho, but studied under Yang Lu Chan, Yang Ban Ho’s father. He was an imperial guardsman and an excellent martial artist. He was recognised as one of three high level students of Yang Lu Chan.

• Yang “The Invincible” Lu Chan was the founder of the traditional Yang Style, and was charged with instructing the imperial guard martial arts. He learned his art from the Chen Village, where he was considered a master, and was undefeated.