Celebrating the Year of the Rabbit with Tai Chi and Martial Arts
Demonstrations
–
Chief Instructor Brett Wagland
The Year of the Rabbit is considered lucky in Chinese astrology. The
Rabbit can grant your wishes, so let us ask for a healthy and prosperous
year!
The Academy was invited to display its skills at the Multicultural
Festival, in conjunction with the celebration of Chinese New Year in
Civic. We had not participated in a demonstration for the general
public for many years. I was wondering how people would react to our
martial arts performance because we do not have flashy forms or even
fancy uniforms. We train deceptively simple movements in the martial
arts that we teach. People might not appreciate this type of training.
Our first demonstration was the Hun Yuan Tai Chi which seemed to
mesmerize the audience. Hun Yuan Tai Chi embodies gentleness and
strength. Its fluid, graceful movements are inspirational to behold.
“Cotton Fist” is another term that describes Tai Chi; its soft
appearance hides its internal strength. This year, students who join us
on the September China tour will have an opportunity to meet and train
with the Hun Yuan system founder, Grandmaster Feng Zhi Qiang, who
is 83 years old and still going strong. Grandmaster Feng is a living
legend in the Tai Chi and martial arts communities in China and around
the world. The Hun Yuan Tai Chi system is an embodiment of his life’s
work. This art will enrich the lives of all who practise it.
The Tai Chi demonstration was followed by the Wu Dao Gong students
showing the strength and concentration of this art. The movements
of Wu Dao Gong appear to be simple compared with some Chinese martial
arts that are acrobatic in
form.
Our training on the other hand looks easy and monotonous. However,
one soon discovers how challenging it is to coordinate and to release
power.
The main practices of the art are drawn from Xin Yi (Heart Mind
Boxing). Xin Yi has a long history in China and is known as one of the
three major internal martial arts. Tai Chi and Ba Gua are the others.
Although these three internal styles have distinctly different external
appearances, their essence is similar. They all train: (1) the yuan qi
(essential energy), (2) the use of the mind instead of brute force, and
(3) strong legs. The art of Xin Yi has undergone centuries of
refinement. The great masters discovered that 5 main forces could be
distilled from the hundreds of different styles of martial arts. These
5 forces make up the Xin Yi practice. The first one is called Chop or
Pi Chuan. This one movement requires many years to perfect, yet it can
be learnt in 30 minutes. Although it may take many years to master
these skills, the practitioner receives numerous benefits along the
way. This style of training is a form of meditation and physical
conditioning at the same time.
The apparent simplicity of these movements is deceptive. Without a
qualified teacher, one will never be able to fathom the depth of these
practices – much has to do with the procedure. Each step has to be
mastered before the next one can be explained or comprehended. This
process is similar to travelling to a foreign country. At first, you
read about it, then you see photos and you think you are prepared. On
arrival, you realise it is totally different from what you have
expected. Similarly, one’s initial impressions of the training will be
different from the actual experience of it. Until one passes the
practice, no amount of reading or talking can prepare one for the real
thing. Our students also demonstrated some Army Xing Yi. These arts
are rarely displayed in public, so it was a good opportunity for others
to see how these practices build power and coordination.
One of the highlights was a performance of the Guarding the Temple Form
by instructors Chris Radnedge and Justin Hogie. This form is a
combination of all the major forces of the Wu Dao Gong system. At
first, it is done slowly like Tai Chi. Then, it is practised with fa
jin (explosive power). Being able to practise these moves well depends
on the foundation training such as Chicken Legs. Chicken Legs is
practised with the thighs parallel to the ground at a 90 degree angle,
moving slowly from one position to the next. This training builds
strength and stamina and changes the whole body.
The last demonstration was an art called Yang Mian which is a system of
fluid, spring like movements. The uniqueness of this training is its
rapid method of changing a tense, uncoordinated body into a powerful,
rubbery weapon. Yang Mian is a results based system. Anyone who seeks
a relaxed, strong body capable of producing great power will find this
system very appealing. Chris and Barnes presented a great display of
body conditioning routines such as Gui Bei (Turtle Back), Arrow Punch,
Steel Body and some spectacular applications and take-downs.
Well done to all those who participated and thank you all*. As an
internal health and martial arts school of 28 years, we have tried to
source authentic masters. The quality of the demonstration shows that
our task is paying off. We are not a flashy or a macho school. We
endeavour to present an authentic spirit in our teaching and expression
of these arts. The training affects people deep into the subconscious
level. Many people who saw our demonstrations commented on this
different quality that our students exhibited, “They looked gentle but
expressed great power; what you teach has real depth.”
I am very grateful for teachers such as Fei Wang of Wu Dao Gong,
Grandmaster Fu Sheng Yuan of traditional Yang style Tai Chi,
Grandmaster Feng Zhi Qiang of Hun Yuan Tai Chi and Master Yang
Zhen Hua of the Yang Mian system. In the traditional Chinese kung fu
circles, students in the know would always seek out highly recommended
masters. This would ensure a good quality of instruction. Whether the
teacher accepts the student depends on his enthusiasm and willingness to
work hard. If one wants to learn from the best, one has to give one’s
best. In the old days, a teacher would instruct a student to a deep
level, only after 3 years of testing his character. The master needs to
see the student’s commitment. Without the proper foundation, one would
not understand the higher level instructions. In today’s world, we
think we can buy instruction with money. However, learning is a two way
street. The teacher can only teach when the student is ready and
willing. In China, they say that not only is the student looking for a
good master, but the master is also looking for a good student.
Tai Chi, Ba Gua and Xin Yi are arts full of ancient wisdom and practices
that can improve every aspect of your life. They are viewed as
treasures and to learn them properly is considered a great privilege.
To put the teachings into practice is to honour them. The instructors
of the Academy are dedicated to the spreading of this knowledge. We
hope you are willing to practise and be enriched by these wonderful
arts. The instructors of the Academy wish you all a happy, healthy and
prosperous year!
* As well as the instructors, we would like to thank the following
students for taking the time to participate in the demonstration.
Tai Chi: David, Joy, Ruth and George.
Wu Dao Gong and Yang Mian: Emanuela, Miranda, Michael, Barne, James,
Lian and Gordon.
