Wu-style tai chi fast form is a suite of fast forms publicized in Wu-style T'ai chi Fast Form.
Shanghai Wu-style forms
Empty hand or fist form list published in Ma Yueliang's, Wu Yinghua's, and Shi Mei Lin's Wu-style T'ai chi Fast Form. (Note: Traditionally, this set consists of 108 forms. For transcribing purposes, some of the repeated forms are given one reference number in both the Chinese and English versions of the Wu-style Fast Form book.)
- Yù Bèi Shì, Preparation**: Stand still, focusing the mind and body for the practice ahead.
- TÃÂ i JÃÂ ChÃ
« ShÃÂu, Beginning of the Form**: Gently lift the hands to shoulder height, signifying the start of the form.
- LÃÂn Què WÃÂi, Grasp the bird's tail**: Perform a series of movements involving warding off, rolling back, pressing, and pushing.
- DÃÂn BiÃÂn, Single whip**: Extend one arm to the side while forming a hook with the other, mimicking a whip.
- TÃÂ ShÃ
Âu Shàng Shì, Raise hand and step up**: Raise one hand while stepping forward, maintaining balance.
- Bái Hè Lìang Chì, White crane flaps its wings**: Spread the arms wide, resembling a crane flapping its wings.
- Lóu Xë ÃÂo Bù, Brush knee, twist step (1)**: Brush the knee with one hand while stepping forward with a twisting motion.
- Brush knee, twist step (2)**: Repeat the previous move, emphasizing fluidity and coordination.
- Brush knee, twist step (3)**: Continue the sequence with another brush knee and twist step.
- Brush knee, twist step (4)**: Complete the series with a final brush knee and twist step.
- ShÃ
Âu Huë PàPa, Hand strums the lute**: Position the hands as if playing a lute, balancing and preparing for the next move.
- Jìn Bù BÃÂn Lán ChuÃÂ, Step up, diverting and blocking fist**: Step forward while diverting and blocking an imaginary opponent's punch.
- Rú FÃÂng Sì Bì, As if closing up**: Bring the hands together in front of the body, as if closing a book.
- BÃÂ o HÃ
 Tuë ShÃÂn, Tiger and leopard spring to the mountain**: Extend the arms forward forcefully, imitating a tiger or leopard's leap.
- ShÃÂ Zi ShÃ
Âu, The cross hands**: Cross the hands in front of the body, symbolizing defense.
- Xié Lóu Xë ÃÂo Bù, Oblique brush knee, twist step**: Perform a brush knee and twist step at an angle.# FÃÂn ShÃÂn Xié Lóu Xë ÃÂo Bù, Turn body, oblique brush knee, twist step**: Turn the body and execute an oblique brush knee and twist step.
- LÃÂn Què WÃÂi, Grasping the bird's tail**: Repeat the series of ward off, rollback, press, and push.
- Xié DÃÂn BiÃÂn, Oblique single whip**: Execute a single whip movement at an oblique angle.
- ZhÃ
Âu DÃÂ KÃÂ n ChuÃÂ, One fist under the elbow, one fist visible**: Position one fist under the elbow, with the other visible.
- Dào NiÃÂn Hóu, Step back and repulse the monkey**: Step backward while pushing the hands forward, repelling an opponent.
- Xié FÃÂi Shì, Flying oblique**: Move the body in an oblique direction, mimicking flight.
- TÃÂ ShÃ
Âu Shàng Shì, Raise hands and step up**: Repeat the movement of raising hands and stepping up.
- Bái Hè Lìang Chì, White crane flaps its wings**: Once again, spread the arms wide like a crane.
- Lóu Xë ÃÂo Bù, Brush knee and twist step**: Perform the familiar brush knee and twist step.
- HÃÂi DÃÂ ZhÃÂn, Needle at the sea bottom**: Lower one hand towards the ground as if reaching for a needle at the bottom of the sea.
- ShÃÂ n TÃ
Âng Bèi, Fan through the back**: Sweep the arms in a wide arc, as if fanning through the back.
- FÃÂn ShÃÂn PiÃÂ ShÃÂn ChuÃÂ, Turn body, parry and punch**: Turn the body while parrying an attack and delivering a punch.
- Xié Bù BÃÂn Lán ChuÃÂ, Step back, diverting and blocking punch**: Step back while diverting and blocking a punch.
- Shàng Bù LÃÂn Què WÃÂi, Step up, grasping the bird's tail**: Step forward while performing the grasp birdâÂÂs tail sequence.
- Yún ShÃ
Âu (yë), Cloud hands (1)**: Move the hands in a circular, flowing motion resembling clouds.
- Yún ShÃ
Âu (èr), Cloud hands (2)**: Continue the cloud hands movement with a second set.
- GÃÂo TÃÂ n MÃÂ, High pat on horse**: Raise one hand to pat an imaginary horse high up.
- Pë ShÃÂn Të JiÃÂo (yë), Open body and kick (1)**: Open the body and execute a kick.
- Pë ShÃÂn Të JiÃÂo (èr), Open body and kick (2)**: Repeat the open body and kick movement.
- ZhuÃÂn ShÃÂn DÃÂng JiÃÂo, Turn body, pedaling foot**: Turn the body and perform a pedaling foot motion.
- Jìn Bù ZÃÂi ChuÃÂ, Step up, planting punch**: Step forward and deliver a punch as if planting it firmly.
- FÃÂn ShÃÂn PiÃÂ ShÃÂn ChuÃÂ, Turn body, parry and punch**: Turn the body, parry, and punch.
- FÃÂn ShÃÂn ÃÂr QÃÂ JiÃÂo, Double kicking, turn the body**: Perform a double kick while turning the body.
- Tuì Bù DàHÃ
Â, Retreat step, beat the tiger**: Step back and make a striking motion as if beating a tiger.
- Yòu DÃÂng JiÃÂo, Right parting leg**: Extend the right leg outward in a parting motion.
- ShuÃÂng FÃÂng GuÃÂ n ÃÂr, Strike the ears with both fists**: Strike with both fists aimed at ear height.
- Pë ShÃÂn Të JiÃÂo, Open body, kick**: Open the body and kick.
- ZhuÃÂn ShÃÂn DÃÂng JiÃÂo, Turn body, pedaling foot**: Turn the body and perform a pedaling foot action.
- Shàng Bù BÃÂn Lán ChuÃÂ, Step up, diverting and blocking fist**: Step up, divert, and block a fist.
- Rú FÃÂng Sì Bì, As if closing up**: Bring the hands together in a closing motion.
- BÃÂ o HÃ
 Tuë ShÃÂn, Tiger and leopard spring to the mountain**: Leap forward with arms extended like a tiger or leopard.
- ShÃÂ Zi ShÃ
Âu, The cross hands**: Cross the hands defensively in front of the body.
- Xié Lóu Xë ÃÂo Bù, Oblique brush knee, twist step**: Perform an oblique brush knee and twist step.
- FÃÂn ShÃÂn Xié Lóu Xë ÃÂo Bù, Turn body, oblique brush knee, twist step**: Turn the body and execute an oblique brush knee and twist step.
- LÃÂn Què WÃÂi, Grasping the bird's tail**: Repeat the sequence of ward off, rollback, press, and push.
- Xié DÃÂn BiÃÂn, Oblique single whip**: Perform a single whip movement at an oblique angle.
- YÃÂ MÃÂ FÃÂn ZÃ
Âng, Parting wild horse's mane (1)**: Separate the arms as if parting the mane of a wild horse.
- Parting wild horse's mane (2)**: Repeat the parting wild horseâÂÂs mane movement.
- Parting wild horse's mane (3)**: Perform the parting wild horseâÂÂs mane movement for the third time.
- Yù Nü ChuÃÂn SuÃ
Â, Jade girl works the shuttles (1)**: Move the hands as if weaving, resembling a jade girl working the shuttles.
- Jade girl works the shuttles (2)**: Continue the weaving motion.
- YÃÂ MÃÂ FÃÂn ZÃ
Âng, Parting the wild horse's mane**: Execute the parting wild horseâÂÂs mane movement again.
- Yù Nü ChuÃÂn SuÃ
Â, Jade girl works the shuttles (3)**: Continue the jade girl working the shuttles movement.
- Jade girl works the shuttles (4)**: Complete the series of shuttling movements.
- LÃÂn Què WÃÂi, Grasping the bird's tail**: Perform the grasp birdâÂÂs tail sequence.
- Yún ShÃ
Âu, Cloud hands**: Move the hands in a circular, cloud-like motion.
- XiàShì, Downward posture**: Lower the body into a downward stance.
- Jën Jë Dú Lì, Golden cockerel stands on one leg (1)**: Balance on one leg, resembling a golden cockerel.
- Golden cockerel stands on one leg (2)**: Repeat the golden cockerel stance on the other leg.
- Dào NiÃÂn Hóu, Step back, repulse the monkey**: Step backward and push the hands forward to repulse an opponent.
- Xié FÃÂi Shì, Flying oblique**: Move in an oblique direction, mimicking flight.
- TÃÂ ShÃ
Âu Shàng Shì, Raise hand and step up**: Raise one hand and step forward.
- Bái Hè Lìang Chì, White crane flaps its wings**: Spread the arms wide like a crane.
- Lóu Xë ÃÂo Bù, Brush knee and twist step**: Perform the brush knee and twist step.
- HÃÂi DÃÂ ZhÃÂn, Needle at the bottom of the sea**: Lower one hand towards the ground.
- ShÃÂ n TÃ
Âng Bèi, Fan through the back**: Sweep the arms in a wide arc, fanning through the back.
- PiÃÂ ShÃÂn ChuÃÂ, Turn body, parry and punch**: Turn the body, parry, and punch.
- Shàng Bù BÃÂn Lán ChuÃÂ, Step up, diverting and blocking punch**: Step forward, divert, and block a punch.
- LÃÂn Què WÃÂi, Grasping the bird's tail**: Repeat the grasp birdâÂÂs tail sequence.
- Yún ShÃ
Âu, Cloud hands**: Perform the flowing, cloud-like hand movements.
- GÃÂo TÃÂ n MÃÂ, High pat the horse**: Raise one hand high to pat an imaginary horse.
- YÃÂng MiÃÂ n ZhÃÂng, Palm goes to meet the face**: Move the palm forward to meet the face.
- ShàZi BÃÂi Lián, Turn body, cross swing lotus**: Turn the body and make a cross swinging motion.
- Lóu Xë ÃÂo Bù, Brush knee, twist step**: Perform the brush knee and twist step.
- ZhÃÂ DÃÂng ChuÃÂ, Punch to groin**: Execute a punch aimed at the groin level.
- LÃÂn Què WÃÂi, Grasping the bird's tail**: Repeat the sequence of ward off, rollback, press, and push.
- XiàShì, Downward posture**: Lower the body into a downward stance.
- Shàng Bù Që Xëng, Step up to form seven stars**: Step forward and position the hands to form the seven stars.
- Tuì Bù KuàHÃ
Â, Retreat step, ride the tiger**: Step back and position the arms as if riding a tiger.
- ZhuÃÂn ShÃÂn PÃ
« Miàn ZhÃÂng, Turn body, palm meets face**: Turn the body and move the palm to meet the face.
- FÃÂn ShÃÂn ShuÃÂng BÃÂi Lián, Turn body, double lotus swing**: Turn the body and perform a double lotus swing.
- WÃÂn GÃ
Âng Shè HÃ
Â, Draw bow, shoot the tiger**: Mimic drawing a bow and shooting a tiger.
- Shàng Bù CuÃ
 ChuÃÂ, Step up and pound down**: Step forward and pound down with a fist.
- YÃÂng MiÃÂ n ZhÃÂng, Palm goes to meet the face**: Move the palm forward to meet the face.
- FÃÂn ShÃÂn PiÃÂ ShÃÂn ChuÃÂ, Turn body, parry and punch**: Turn the body, parry, and punch.
- Jìn Bù LÃÂn Què WÃÂi, Step up, grasping the bird's tail**: Step forward and repeat the grasp birdâÂÂs tail sequence.
- DÃÂn BiÃÂn, Like single whip**: Perform the single whip movement.
- Hé Tài JÃÂ, Closing T'ai Chi**: Conclude the form by bringing the hands back to the starting position and relaxing the body.
History
In 1914, Xu Yusheng established the Athletic Research Institute in Beijing and Invited Yang Shaohou, Yang Chengfu, and Wu Jianquan to teach. From then on, tai chi was taught to the public, changing the ancient closed-door policy where tai chi was only taught privately to people within a limited circle following the tutor-disciple relationship.
Grand Master Wu Jianquan enriched the art of tai chi handed down from his father, Wu Quanyou. His development of the slow set led to the creation of the style of tai chi that became known as Wu-style tai chi. He omitted some of the repetitions, fa jin (), stamping, and jumping movements to make the form smoother, and more structured with continuous movements. This form promoted tai chi's health aspects and was more suitable for general practitioners though it still included the martial applications.
Yang Chengfu also modified his own Yang-style tai chi in a similar way at the same time. His brother Yang Shouhou's form had a high frame with lively steps alternating between fast and slow movements with hard, crisp fa-jin. Chen Panling, who was a student of Yang Shaohou and Wu Jianquan, described tai chi form practice as beginning with slow movement changing to fast and returning to slow movement. He points out learning to exercise rapid movement in the form and training from soft to hard and hard to soft movements.
The Shanghai Wu-style Fast Form kept the original fajin (release of power), jumping, attacking, and stamping movements. This advanced form was not originally taught openly.
In December 1982, a martial arts meeting held in Beijing was held to foster the traditional martial arts. Wu Yinghua and Ma Yueliang of The Shanghai Jianquan Taijiquan Association disclosed the original Wu-style Fast Set for the first time to the public. In 1983, their adopted daughter Shi Mei Lin demonstrated the Wu-style tai chi fast form at the All China Traditional Martial Arts competition in Nanchang where she received the Award of Excellence.
Slow forms
The slow-motion solo form training sequences of tai chi are its best-known manifestations. In English, they are usually called the hand form or just the form. In Mandarin, it is usually called quan (). They are performed slowly by beginners and are said to promote concentration, condition the body, and acquaint students with the motion techniques for more advanced training. Solo weapons forms, as well as much shorter and repetitive sequences to train power generation leverages as a form of qigong (ch'i kung) are included. Wu-style pushing hands forms include two-person drill routines, which fulfil some of the same functions as power generation drills.
Other Wu-style fast forms
The Wu family's Hong Kong branch teaches a somewhat different fast form.
See also
References
Literature
- Wu Yinghua, Ma Yueliang, Shi Mei Lin (1987). Wu-style T'ai chi Fast Form. Henan Science Skills Ltd. Henan (only available in Chinese) /G122.
- Wu Yinghua, Ma Yueliang, Shi Mei Lin (1991). Wu-style T'ai chi Fast Form. Shanghai Book Co Ltd, Hong Kong (only available in Chinese) . .
- Wu Yinghua, Ma Yueliang(1991). Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan Forms, Concepts and Application of the Original Style. Shanghai Book Co Ltd, Hong Kong. .
- Ma Yueliang & Zee Wen(1986, 1990, 1995). Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan Push Hands. Shanghai Book Co Ltd, Hong Kong. .
- Dr Wen Zee (2002) Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan, Ancient Chinese way to health. North Atlantic Books. .
- Chen Pan Ling (1963, 1998) Chen Pan-Ling's Original Tai Chi Chuan Textbook. Blitz .
- Fu Zhong Wen (1963, 1999) Mastering Yang Style Taijiquan, Translated by Louis Swaim. North Atlantic Books .
External links