Wu_Style_Tai_Chi_Fast_Form
The different slow-motion solo form training sequences of tai chi are the best-known manifestations of tai chi for the general public. In English, they are usually called the hand form or just the form. In Mandarin, it is usually called quan (Chinese: 拳; pinyin: quán; Wade–Giles: ch'üan²).
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They are performed slowly by beginners and are said to promote concentration, condition the body, and acquaint students with the inventory of motion techniques for more advanced styles of martial arts training. There are also solo weapons forms, as well as much shorter and repetitive sequences to train power generation leverages as a form of qigong (ch'i kung). The various forms of Wu-style pushing hands have two-person drill routines as well, which fulfil some of the same functions as the power generation drills.
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 very close and well-known people within a limited circle known as the tutor-disciple relationship.[1]
Grand Master Wu Jianquan revised and 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 today known as Wu-style tai chi .[2] He omitted some of the repetitions, fa jin (發勁), stamping, and jumping movements to make the form smoother, and more structured with continuous steady movements. This form promoted the health aspects of Tai Chi and was more suitable for general practitioners though it still contained all the martial applications and training.[1]
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 and crisp fa-jin.[3] Chen Panling, who was a student of Yang Shaohou and Wu Jianquan, describes tai chi form practice as beginning with slow movement changing too fast and returning to slow movement. He also points out learning to exercise rapid movement in the form and training from soft to hard and hard to soft movements.[4]
The Shanghai Wu-style Fast Form kept the original fajin (release of power), jumping, attacking, and stamping movements to be studied by those eager to advance their tai chi practice. This advanced form was not yet taught openly.[1]
In December 1982, there was a martial arts meeting held in Beijing to foster the traditional martial arts of China. Wu Yinghua and Ma Yueliang of The Shanghai Jianquan Taijiquan Association contributed to this effort by disclosing 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.[2]