Journal 50

JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL YANG FAMILY TAI CHI CHUAN ASSOCIATION | WINTER 2022
志
杂
会
协
拳
极
太
氏
杨
际
国
50
GRANDMASTER
INTERVIEW WITH
WU KWONGYU
CONTENT
/ WINTER 2022 / JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL YANG FAMILY TAI CHI CHUAN ASSOCIATION
YANG FAMILY
TAI CHI
3 PRESIDENT’S LETTER
5 TEACHERS ACADEMY PICTURES
6 INTERVIEW WITH GRANDMASTER WU KWONGYU

(EDDY WU)
12 TALKING ABOUT ROLLBACK WITH MASTER YANG
18 CHINESE TERMS OF TAI CHI THEORY
19 JOGGING FOR STAMINA, YOGA FOR FLEXIBILITY,

TAI CHI FOR…?
20 FALLING IN LOVE WITH TAI CHI ALL OVER AGAIN

An Interview with São Paulo, Brazil Center Director, Angela Soci
26 INCREASING AWARENESS OF THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF TAI CHI*
30 TAI-CHI IN THE LIGHT OF SELF-DEFENSE
32 STEALING BOXING
39 SEMINARS
2 www.YangFamilyTaiChi.com | #50 WINTER 2022 | ALL CONTENT AND IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT © 2022
PRESIDENT’S LETTER YANG JUN, President
Transcribed by Edward Moore
D
ear Association Members, as always, I would like to use this opportunity and had travelled to China three times
to speak with our Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan members. This journal to study with my grandfather and me.
release gives me the opportunity to have a chance to talk about the status Angela also travelled to China, I think it
of Yang Family Tai Chi and our association. I have exciting news to share. was 1998, and studied with my grandfa-
On November 11th we celebrated the grand opening in Ribeirão Preto Brazil. The first ther and also with me. That is the starting
time I travelled with my grandfather to Brazil was in 1999. This time more than 100 point for Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan in
people joined us for this event and we also streamed the event online to the world. The Brazil. Ever since this beginning we have
event had a very close feeling with many old friends and tai chi practitioners. Some been developing schools and gaining stu-
people even brought their families to the events. As the event started it brought back dents in São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Rio de
many memories for me from the past. I remembered the first time I met with Roque Janeiro, and other places in Brazil.
and had my first conversation with him. It was quite a strange situation since he didn’t
speak English and I did not speak English The opening in Brazil is a very memo-
either. Roque had an interpreter to trans- rable moment that reminds me of our
late Portuguese to English, and I also need- beginning in Brazil and reaches into the
ed to translate from Chinese into English, present moment in which we have estab-
and we had to cross between two people’s lished a new branch. The purpose of the
translation so that the two of us could branch is to help to build the organiza-
communicate. Actually, I met him for the tion of the Yang Family International Tai
first time in the 1990’s. That was the first Chi Chuan Association and also so that
time I met people from Brazil. We started people in Brazil can do self-management
to build a relationship from that moment. and self-development to really build this
We also had a relationship in 1995 because as their organization so that they can de-
there was someone travelling to Taiyuan, velop and spread Yang Family Tai Chi in
Shanxi China from Brazil. His name was their country. So, that is the main purpose
Adriano. He stayed in China for months for us to have this branch. The secretary of
ALL CONTENT AND IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT © 2022 | #50 WINTER 2022 | www.YangFamilyTaiChi.com 3
President’s Letter
culture for the state of São Paulo attended the ceremony and also Angela gave a speech
as the president of the Brazil Association, and Davi, Ana, and Fernando of the executive
team also gave a speech. In Brazil I really feel that we have good people there. They are
young, energetic, and they are really looking for a new future for the development of
Yang Family Tai Chi in Brazil. I really hope that we can have a good starting point in
Brazil and set a good standard for a model so that in the future we can develop branches
in more countries. This will help people in more areas organize Yang Family Tai Chi
Chuan in their own countries and involve more people who understand their own
culture. So, this is the first news that I want to share.
“ They are young, energetic, and

they are really looking for a new
Also, November is a special month for me because it has been two years since my
grandfather has passed away. Up to now I have still been unable to go back to China
to see him. I don’t know how to describe my feelings, it’s just this situation. It seems
“
future for the development of
Yang Family Tai Chi in Brazil. that the time has passed, but it really hasn’t ended yet. Probably I am not the only one
to be in this situation. I just feel something has really limited me so that I cannot do
what I want or what I wish. I miss my grandfather very much. The opening of the Brazil
Branch was a special moment that made me remember him, and I think that many of
the people who have met him also remember him as well. I hope that I will one day have
the ability to visit him soon. Also, I would like to say thank you to the many people who
have showed how much they care about him in this time.
We have now reached the holiday season again, and I’d like to use this opportunity
to say thank you to everyone who has been supporting Yang Family Tai Chi. As our
situation is getting better, I am getting back into a normal teaching and traveling schedule.
I really wish that I can see everyone somewhere and some time in person.
I wish everyone a good holiday, a merry Christmas, and a happy New Year! 
Tai C h i C h uan
Teachers Academy
Master Yang Jun teaching at the

2022 TTM Seminar
in Danbury, CT. 
A
C h i C huan
achers
ademy
TAI CHI CHUAN
T EACHERS ACADEMY
INTERVIEW WITH MASTER
WU
KWONGYU INTERVIEW BY JIM PAYMAR
Transcribed by Joshua Neuhaus
Recorded at the 2019 International Tai Chi
Symposium
Jim Paymar: Master Wu, thank you so the family rules, until my teens. Then I
much for being with us today. said: Wow, I am twelve, I do something
Wu Kwongyu: My pleasure. that twelve year olds can’t do. Then I
started to analyze the age and thought:
Jim Paymar: I think what I would like wow, it’s real. And furthermore at the
to do is start off by asking you, what age of 14, 15 I tried to mock around
do you believe the essence of tai chi is? with my grandfather, who has trained
What is it that you think tai chi is all me from childhood – then my father –
about? and he beat the hell out of me. I said:
Wu Kwongyu: Let’s go back a little bit, Hey that can’t be, he is an old man…
to where I come from. I was brought up Then I started to realize the logic of tai
in a tai chi chuan family as the fifth gen- chi chuan more and more – and the
eration. In the old school they believed health parts and so on and so forth.
that one generation passes on to the Now, regarding your question, unfor-
other. So they told me, I have no choice, tunately the general public looks at tai
because I am my generation’s only son. chi chuan... It’s nice and beautiful, yes,
They told me like [eating] a Beijing and they want results right away. Be-
duck, to stuff whatever I can into me. So cause it’s so attractive. Especially on a
at one time I tried to digest as much as I show, you put the lighting and some
could, but as you know we started at the dress or costumes on, with the music,
age of six, how much [can] a child age it gives you a very good presentation.
of six [do] … So, what I did was follow And, of course, everybody wants the
INTERVIEW WITH MASTER WU KWONGYU (EDDY WU)
moon, but without knowing the way to ji, an, cai, lie, zhou, kao. Those are the
travel there. So, my family tried to keep 8 elements of power understanding. So
up this tradition, learned hard. My first you can understand what power is first.
generation learned so hard, even when Then, after you understand and you
their leg got broken, they still wanted know it, you speed it up, that is fajin.
to carry on. Then, some people start- That is power generation.
ed realizing, there is no shortcut. You Jim Paymar: When you do tai chi. Are
go through different layers before you you thinking, are you meditating?
can achieve the benefit to health. The
essence of tai chi chuan is prevention. Wu Kwongyu: No, no, no. Meditation
It is not for curing. You prevent bad is a subject by itself. It’s a compliment,
things from happening. Like aging, meditation in motion… I see you are
your path is slower […]. And most of doing something amazingly smooth.
the mind and body thing, the activa- But you’ve got to execute through your
tion of the scientific ways – how, why mind to call it mindfulness.
is rheumatism not happening? Because Because your mind is consistently giv-
you are working your joints. How are ing all the commands. They say in the
the ligaments not stringy? Because you tai chi chuan classics: jin duan, yi bu
are stretching them consistently. So that duan (劲断，意不断). This means, the
prevents walking like at 45° (makes a power diminishes, but the mind carries
hand gesture that indicates a stooping through. So, consistently, you cannot
body posture) – high and tall. Balance – think about what I am gonna shop lat-
if you know where your balance is, then er on and do the form. That is physical,
falling is out of question. So the essence not mind and body in harmony. So, no
of tai chi chuan is very objective, how- way.
ever, you’ve got to study step by step. Jim Paymar: In your style of tai chi,
So we have these 6 layers in Wu Style how many forms do you have?
Tai Chi Chuan. The first is mechanical.
As mechanical as a robot – don’t blame Wu Kwongyu: Ok, the old, the tradi-
them, because it’s so complex. So, after tional we only have the 37-form from
the mechanical movement you go into the old days. Then they start to walk a
smooth movement. Make the mechan- long form, 108 movements. 108 actu-
ical into smooth [movements]. So in ally is all duplication. In the 108 only
this whole thing, put the joints togeth- 37 forms are unique. And every single
er. The third layer is mindfulness. Use form has all the elements, like forward,
the mind to execute. Because it is mul- backward, left, right, center – the five
titasking. You ask the body to do differ- elements – and the 8 methods I men-
ent parts at the same time. Not moving tioned just now in the movements,
is also core. And after that, then how to eventually going up to a high level.
come into the picture. Stretch the liga- So, among the forms the amount of
ments to understand the eight types of forms you train is not important,
power generation. They call them eight the quality of the form you train is.
methods. In the book they say peng, lü, So, we have a section that we call
pan jiazi (盘架子). What is pan jiazi? Jim Paymar: Do you continually change
Train the form individually, until the style?
you’ve got the quality, the yin and yang Wu Kwongyu: No, I will not change
separation is there, the power is there, the style. But I will put the scientific
the mind is there, the breathing is there. point of view. I am from an engineering
This fifth level I have been mentioning background. So, I try to explain how
of the power levels would be the qi-lev- to execute such a movement in an en-
el. The classics say: The mind moves the gineering way. By gravity, 32.2 seconds
qi. The qi moves the body. So, basically per second – that kind of formula into
it is the power and the energy move- traditional tai chi chuan.
ment – not just waving, dancing. Jim Paymar: Your father taught you tai
chi?
Jim Paymar: Are you thinking though?
Wu Kwongyu: My father and my grand-
Wu Kwongyu: Yes. Your mind, mind-
father. Age of 6 they took me to my
fulness is a subject. To drive the move- grandfather. Like my father has been
ment. How to coordinate, how to put taken to his grandfather. And then, lat-
the jin inside. Instead of just bum- er on, I followed my father. So, we come
bum-bum (gesturing). That’s not coor- from the so-called martial family. My
dinated, that’s a sequence. So, in raise grandfather and grand-uncle worked
hands then you have the internal, how in the equivalent to Westpoint mili-
to stretch the ligaments through the tary academy, which in China is called
joints? This is truly an internal style. It’s Wangpo Military School to teach the
not (in a martial tone) ‘one-two!’. I’m officers to use tai chi as self defense.
not saying they are bad, they are differ- Jim Paymar: Right.
ent categories. The hard and the soft,
Wu Kwongyu: Ok.
the internal and the external. So, basi-
cally it’s two main categories. Jim Paymar: So, how many disciples
are there in the Wu style?
Jim Paymar: So your family began
doing this style of tai chi how many Wu Kwongyu: Wow, I can’t count. I can
do a rough, rough…
years ago?
Jim Paymar: Hundreds, thousands?
Wu Kwongyu: Well, back to the first
generation we talk about almost 150. Wu Kwongyu: Oh, it got to be in the
thousands. Because I am the fifth gen-
Jim Paymar: 150 years? eration. Second, third, fourth, fifth.
Wu Kwongyu: Yes, yes. And every generation has so many dis-
ciples. Disciples then carry on to have
Jim Paymar: Are you doing the same disciples. And that’s how the expansion
kind of tai chi today? goes.
Wu Kwongyu: I try my best to main- Jim Paymar: And how often do you
tain the quality of what I have been practice? And for someone who wanted
taught. But, I’ll tell you directly. This is to start taking your style of tai chi, how
very true. We are not machines. I am long would it take them to learn the ba-
lucky I got 90% of what my ancestors sic forms?
gave me. And I hope my disciples and Wu Kwongyu: Ok, nowadays, in 2019,
students have 90%. It’s never gonna be if you use the traditional, gotta start
100%. The subject is so wide. I’ll tell with the 108, you scare people off.
you so much: The form, the qigong, the ‘Wow, 108, how are we going to remem-
weapon, the push hands, the applica- ber? Too many.’ So, we try to compro-
tion, the meditation – my goodness, the mise with the modern lifestyle. We start
portfolio is endless. Everyday you train, to get some simple form with the ele-
you are– ment of traditional requirements – the
yin and yang separation gotta be there, the domestic problems of the family. If
the alignment gotta be there, and how you spend half an hour a day that would
to activate and not to hurt your knee, be a blessing.
to bend your knee, and stuff like that.
And most important, to recognize the Jim Paymar: Now, you started when
element of looseness. You know, people you were 6?
thought looseness is … (gestures wav- Wu Kwongyu: Yes, no choice.
ing arms), this is softness. Looseness is
… (lets raised arm drop with a thud), Jim Paymar: (laughs) No choice. Your
the basic looseness becomes power, if father, your grandfather, you were go-
you accelerate them. So you gotta learn ing to do it. But if you were going to sug-
the protocol of tai chi chuan first. Just gest an age where people could conceive
doing the form and being smooth then of it mentally, for a younger person,
labeling it as tai chi chuan – no. You got what age?
to know the protocol. Wu Kwongyu: For tai chi chuan, I
Jim Paymar: A moment ago you talked would highly recommend, not younger
about how it helps to prevent disease. It than 6. 7, 8 there are some exceptional-
helps to prevent arthritis and ligament ly smart children, little, little lady, baby
tears and things. – oh, they do beautiful tai chi chuan
Wu Kwongyu: Yes. form. But not everyone. Because it’s
so complex and so boring! Because it’s
Jim Paymar: So it is a preventative slow. Karate, hard style, yeah! Because
medicine? there is a lot of action to attract a lot of
Wu Kwongyu: It is if you have what you young age people.
call ‘work on the elements’. For exam- Jim Paymar: Taekwondo and kung fu
ple, if you don’t work your joints, how
do you expect your joint to function Wu Kwongyu: Yeah! There you go. But,
properly and prevent rheumatism? tai chi chuan, there is. But, I recom-
If you want circulation, if you don’t mend not younger than ~7.
achieve circulation by the yin and yang Jim Paymar: How often do you practice?
separation as weight-wise, right, you Wu Kwongyu: Everytime, I do tai chi
have less circulation, less qi, less func- chuan for a living, so I am practicing
tion. Now the mind is also important. every day, if I teach. But, I also do my
And you can’t do the form, practicing own portfolio checklist.
and thinking of what to shop later on.
You gotta put your mind where the Jim Paymar: When you walk through
form is. So again, prevention, yeah. The your day, from the time that you get up,
circulation goes, the immune system is tai chi part of your mental being?
works better. It doesn’t work instantly, Wu Kwongyu: To be very honest, it’s so
but eventually we get there. Provid- in me, so in myself, that every move-
ed how seriously you train. How often ment will be – according to your [ques-
you train. People have told me: ‘Oh, I tion] – more tai chi chuan language.
train once a week’, ‘I train once a month’, Like, people bang into me ok, I neutral-
‘once a year’. You do the math. 12 times ize. Do I have a temper? Yes. Especially
a year, come on! But this is the modern when I am driving, if the guy comes like
world. Not like the old days. I do have a crazy, then anyone is getting fired up.
student-disciple, who puts in 3 hours a Jim Paymar: You gave me this book.
day. Works fine, but he gotta admit, he
has it made. He doesn’t have to make a Wu Kwongyu: Yes.
living, because he’s already there, right? Jim Paymar: Is it important to read
But people have to work, take care of about tai chi?
Wu Kwongyu: No, this is our 75 year Wu Kwongyu: In the old days, as I said,
anniversary thing and it tells you where people thought – the younger genera-
our family comes from and what has tion thought – it’s for old people only.
been happening to the world. Because it’s so slow. And they don’t see
so much of the martial aspect. And, two
Jim Paymar: But is it important to read types of people come to our club. First,
to study, is study part of learning tai ‘oh, I only want health’. I say, you know,
chi? you do the health part, eventually you
Wu Kwongyu: Good question, any learn to know why you do such a move-
style, any martial art you can do with ment for the application. And the other
no brainer. Physical. Like you want to group comes in and says, ‘I want appli-
sweat it out. But with no brain cannot cation only’. So, no. You’ve got to learn
learn tai chi chuan. Because you have the form to learn the language of tai
the intellectual parts and the physical chi chuan. So throughout the years, we
found more youngsters interested. Be-
parts. You cannot apply just the form.
cause, you know why? We do have a lot
You could apply the intellectual part.
of hard style teachers – not only mem-
But, ok, first question, what is yin and
bers – come to convert to tai chi chuan.
yang? Why is it so important? What Because they can’t bang woods any-
is yin yang separation? What is tai chi more, cannot chop things anymore and
chuan? So you’ve got to read the book their brute force is diminishing. That’s
to understand the primary so-called why I see the change of people picking
protocols. Why have you got to be loose? up tai chi chuan more and more.
Why can you not be tight? You know,
Jim Paymar: So, if you were to take
when you do tai chi chuan – (raises your crystal ball and look into the fu-
shoulders high, stiffens up) – that’s not ture? Where do you see tai chi going? I
gonna happen. You got to be loosened mean, last night they said there were 80
(shoulders sink). Then you got to know different …
the alignment. And those make you
Wu Kwongyu: There you go, the answer
work. Ey, no matter how bad you do, it
is there. I can see organizations… The
won’t harm you. It’s better than doing Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Foundation
nothing. Remember that. (Interviewer put this event together. Get all the inter-
laughing.) Well, instead of sitting, national interest in it. And I have a fed-
watching tv, drinking coke and playing eration which is international. Maybe
mahjong. You do something, it is better not as many as 80 countries. But we do
than nothing. have substantial countries interested.
Jim Paymar: When you think about tai But try to get the real essence, let’s just
chi. And you think about – I don’t know say the tai chi chuan, the benefit of it,
to explain to the world. If you don’t
how old you are now, but…
know the language, fine, then you have
Wu Kwongyu: 72, and to be 73. a translator. If you have the language
Jim Paymar: So you have been doing then you don’t have the language barri-
this for 66 years. er. I don’t speak French or Portuguese.
So I do need a translator. But the basic
Wu Kwongyu: Yes. fundamental reason is there, to expand.
Jim Paymar: So, how has tai chi All got to be…
changed over time? Have you seen … Jim Paymar: Would you suggest or
you know, you have lived in Canada, do you believe that if more people did
you have lived in China. What has tai chi that our health … of the world
changed about tai chi? might improve?
Wu Kwongyu: Just to give you a very ments and inspire people to have high-
simple example, I was in Sydney, Aus- er levels. Train the trainer, train proper
tralia, and New Zealand one month instructors to expand this art. That’s the
and a half ago and their growth is very only way. Otherwise people still think
big in size. But, see, a lot of … only 60 that tai chi chuan is a mysterious thing.
years old – I consider that young. They It’s the “qiii” (exaggerating, then shak-
start to use walkers and the back is ing his head). It’s very logical. So try to
bent. Then, what I am trying to tell you, put the scientific thing on it.
I asked him, ‘what do you guys do for
Jim Paymar: And I said it was the last
exercise’. You know what the answer is?
question, but define qi.
Tai chi. Then I say ‘how do you do tai
chi’? ‘Like swimming!’ So this is it, you Wu Kwongyu: Qi is energy. Qi is heat.
have to deliver the proper message to Heat is energy. So you don’t have qi, you
the world. Tai chi chuan is not just like don’t have heat, you don’t have energy,
swimming. you are kaputt right now.
Jim Paymar: Final question. Jim Paymar: And qi is throughout your
entire body?
Wu Kwongyu: Sure.
Wu Kwongyu: No, qi is a subject by
Jim Paymar: How do we get more peo-
itself. We have qi as in general. Our
ple to know about tai chi and the ben-
body. But when you are sick, you hard-
efits, especially the health benefits?
ly talk. So in Chinese medicine they
Because I have interviewed some scien-
say you are weak in the central qi (puts
tists and some doctors already and they
on an exhausted face). You don’t have
say that they can show proof of medical
the energy to talk. But once your inner
studies that show that it improves our
energy is strong, strengthened up
health. How do we get more people to
through circulation, through – it’s a
start to believe in that and to begin the
subject by itself – called the qigong
practice?
breathing techniques. Then you – I
Wu Kwongyu: Very good question. So don’t want to crack the mic, but (inhales
we got to have a program. I think all the and exhales loudly). This can be very
families are having the trained trainer strong and substantial. And sometimes
program. Train, in the old days, this you don’t need the mic to speak for
was their livelihood, so they have been hundreds of yards.
teaching every day. They hide some-
thing in their sleeves. So now it’s 2019, Jim Paymar: Right ok. Master Wu,
so a lot of organizations – like right thank you so much!
now, this time – they have the tourna- Wu Kwongyu: Pleasure. 
Talking About
ROLLBACK
ENERGY MASTER YANG JUN INTERVIEWED
Edward Moore: Hello Master Yang. Today,

BY EDWARD MOORE
square and yu means diagonal. Rollback

I was hoping that we could discuss is one of the 4 square energies. Actually,
rollback energy. I remember that you when we call it “rollback” this is still
have talked about many ways that roll English. In Chinese we call it “lü.” In
back can be seen in the forms and the Chinese there are two ways to write lü.
applications. It seems like a very useful One way is specifically for use in tai chi
energy, but also possibly challenging to chuan (履). The other was to write it is
understand, since rollback is so versatile. commonly used to describe the idea of
Rollback energy can be deflecting or split- following the current current (捋). For
ting. In the hand form the movement is example, if you have a beard, you comb
almost horizontal, but in the sword and it in the downward direction, or if you
saber forms as large circular motions. have a pet like a cat or dog, you follow
Can I ask a few questions about rollback the direction of the fur when petting
energy for our readers? them. This is the second way of writing
lü. Personally, I think that both are
Master Yang Jun: Yes, in tai chi chuan correct. Some people use the first way
we identify the 8 energies as 4 square that is more specific to tai chi to write
energies and 4 diagonal energies. This is it, but it can be very difficult to find this
in English. In Chinese we call them “si character in a dictionary. You need to
zheng, si yu.” Zheng means more like have a full dictionary or you will not
TALKING ABOUT ROLLBACK ENERGY
find this character. That one was cre- a physical training method, not some- this is the function of rollback. In the
ated specifically for tai chi chuan. Per- thing about the mind. I want to distin- hand form, when we are doing “grasp
sonally, I like the second way of writing guish which part of the relaxation we the bird’s tail” we have a rollback move-
it because I feel that it’s closer to the are talking about. Then, you know, if ment. This rollback is actually not pure-
meaning of lü. we understand tai chi energy/ ward off ly a rollback, for instance, your right
energy, then all of the other energies of arm is using the inside of the forearm as
Now, let’s talk about this technique: the 8 energies such as press, push, pull- a rollback technique, but your left arm
rollback. As when we discussed ward- ing… whatever you do, the technique is not. Your left hand is using a grabbing
off energy, when we talk about rollback, cannot be done without using the en- and twisting technique, a controlling
we need to talk about two different ergy. All the time when we are talking technique in this movement. When we
sides. One side, is related to the ener- about energy, this means tai chi energy. combine these two energies of the right
gy and the other side is related to the and left arm together, the right arm acts
technique (how we apply it). Regard- That means that across all of the en- as rollback and the left arm acts as grab-
ing the energy side we talk about “tai ergies it is the same. It is the balanced bing. We control the opponent’s elbow
chi energy” or “ward off energy”, which energy of the soft and the hard. If you joint. It is mostly like a control tech-
means that it is from the internal ener- understand ward off energy then you nique. Some people even use the left
gy extension or expansion to open the just use the ward off energy in rollback. arm with more of a pulling technique.
joints, tendons, and muscles to create Then, as I mentioned with the technical With more pulling, it is a rollback, but
this internally open feeling and to cre- side, rollback generally follows the di- more like a pulling technique. Some
ate this kind of spring effect. Like from rection that your opponent is attacking people do it more like a split technique.
the inside we are pushing air into a you in. When you follow this kind of It depends on how you apply the energy.
balloon so that the balloon is soft but moving motion you are kind of joined Even if the movements look similar on
it does have the spring-like absorbing with them and leading them off of your the outside, you can still have different
effect. We mentioned this part in our center. This is the idea of this technique. energies for different applications. So, I
last talk about ward-off, which is the tai Generally, we use the energy point of would say that if we only talk about the
chi energy comes from relaxation. The the inside of the forearm for this tech- pure rollback technique, this is mainly
relaxation method is internal, from the nique. I don’t really want to limit this about following your opponent’s di-
joints and tendons open and extend- technique to only your wrist or your rection or their “current” during their
ed internally. This is also what we talk hand, so you should have a bigger attack and then use a redirecting or
about when we talk about how to do range. You can use your hands for roll- deflection technique. This would be a
ward off energy. Tai chi energy is also back. You can also use your forearm for pure rollback technique. For instance,
ward off energy and this energy is not the energy point (where you are going in our hand form practice where can we
limp, not still. We are not focusing on to have contact with your opponent) to see pure rollback technique? When we
making yourself tight or limp. This do rollback. In the technique we want are doing “brush knee and push”: when
means you don’t focus on how much to follow your opponent’s direction. the arms circle upwards. This is more
force you are using; you focus through Touching, joined together with your like pure rollback technique.
the inside to make good relaxation for palm or the inside of your forearm to
Edward: I think for a basic defini-
better coordination with the technique. deflect your opponent off of your cen-
tion, we usually say that rollback can
This relaxation method or energy train- ter. This is the rollback technique. By
be thought of as a diagonal deflecting
ing method is the physical side of the itself, I would say that rollback would technique. Does this sound correct?
training method for sure. If we under- hardly be able to be used for an appli-
stand that relaxation, we also have the cation. Mainly, it is used as a deflecting, Master Yang: I think I would like to say
mental the mind part of relaxation, or to contact or join together with your that we are deflecting off of the center.
but here the subject is on energy, this opponent. To link together with your They are attacking towards your center,
part. This means that this is more like opponent as a yin/yang relationship: but you are deflecting away from the
center as a diagonal. This is probably side, when you are meeting your oppo-
a good way to say it. But sometimes I nent the first idea when your opponent
do see people using rollback, but they starts to attack is that you need to figure
are not following the current of the op- out where your beginning point is. The
ponent’s energy. They are pushing away second is how you can accept, or meet
too much. They did touch the inside with your opponent. When their mo-
of the arm, but they did not follow the tion is coming into you, how can you
current. You understand what I mean meet them? We call the third technique
by “current” right? It is the direction cheng. Cheng means that after you
“
of your opponent’s motion. It is a de- meet the attack, you can use your tech-
For example, in “parry, nique. For example, you can meet with
flection. Actually, in English it does not
block, and punch” this is sound quite clear to me because in En- your opponent as a ward off that has
a kind of a rollback glish, “deflecting” can sometimes mean an upward angle. You can also use roll-
technique also. “blocking.” I would like us to under- back to deflect and follow their angle.
You “parry” the stand that deflecting is more like follow- You can also coil them downward as a
ing the opponent’s current. For exam- press, pressing their energy down. This
opponent by following
ple, in “parry, block, and punch” this is is the third technique: cheng. It is like
their direction. So, this a kind of a rollback technique also. You accepting it, receiving it. So, these are
is more like what I call
“
“parry” the opponent by following their words that describe how we deal with
defecting. direction. So, this is more like what I the opponent. There are 4 steps. In
call defecting. Because we are moving Chinese we say “Qǐ, jiē, chéng, zhuǎn”.
them off of our center, we are moving (起、接、承、转 ). Qǐ means how you
in a certain angle, but I don’t want to begin it. Jiē means how you meet with
give the idea that a diagonal means that it. Chéng means how you deal with it,
we are pushing away your opponent. or accept it. zhuǎn means transforming
This will mean that we are not follow- it. Zhuǎn means to transform, or
ing their current path to deflect them. neutralize.
We should follow the current of their
You mentioned meeting with your op-
movement.
ponent. There can be different ways of
Edward: I remember reading that roll- meeting. For example, ward off is about
back can act like a spinning grinding meeting your opponent. I don’t know if
wheel, because when a straight energy I like this word, meeting. We can also
comes towards it, that energy is
say contact. I don’t want to use the word
deflected with a circular motion. Is this
“intercept” because it gives too much
because the circular motion can blend
of the idea of blocking. It’s more like
with the opponent’s straight motion
and take over the opponent’s energy? meeting or joining with them. There
can be different ways to do it. For ex-
Master Yang: I’m not quite clear about ample: Straight direction and horizon-
the question, but generally speaking if tal. From a straight direction, follow the
you meet energy that is coming to you movement and join with them to lead
in a straight direction, we generally use them to the diagonal direction. Side-
a more curved or horizontal angle to ways. With pressing, when they come,
join your opponent. For the technical you can press them more to the side, or
press them down. These are different As far as what we are doing in the form,
curves. So, we can use all kinds of an- there is a controlling and splitting tech-
gles and curves to meet with the oppo- nique on the opponent’s joint, but if you
nent. Then you get into the third word, adopt this technique as part of a pull-
chéng, which means to deal with them ing, then this will be more like setting
or accepting their position so you can up a trap for your opponent. With the
transform, neutralize, or change. That trap, it is unnecessary for you to think
is about the last word, zhuǎn. A direct that this is the only way to set a trap. For
translation of zhuǎn would be to turn, instance, you can also use this deflect-
but actually, it means to transform it ing to get into a position where your
into something that is good for you, or opponent is getting closer to you, and
to neutralize. when their position is close to you…
Edward: This question comes from tai chi chuan is an art in which we need
Joshua. Rollback can act as a kind of to close the distance to apply many of
trap, since it can lure the opponent in the techniques. For example, one of the
while making them believe that they
strongest techniques that we call body
are in a good position to attack until
it is too late for them to change their strike or shoulder strike, if they are too
direction and their center becomes up- far from away, you actually cannot use
rooted. What does it take to make this it. And if they are too far from you it can
a good trap? also be difficult to use the take down
“
technique. But some techniques do re-
Master Yang: Well, this is more about quire some distance. For example, you I’m not sure how to
the strategy side in applying a tech- can have a better punch when the op- best translate it.
nique. The best strategy in theory is
ponent is a certain distance away from Many translations say
adopting your opponent’s energy and
you. You have a good kick when they something like, to use 4
breaking them down. The directions in
are a certain distance from you. But ounces to break
the theory have a pretty good strategy.
sometimes for the technique we need to
It says to use less of your energy and 1000 pounds, this is a
be in a close distance to help you apply
try to adopt as much as you can from kind of an extreme way
that technique. Also, some techniques
your opponent’s energy to bring them
require you use a close distance so that to say it, or a little bit
“
down. This is guidance from the tai chi
theory. I’m not sure how to best trans- you can store energy. This technique is exaggerated.
late it. Many translations say something not limited to rollback. It can also be
like, to use 4 ounces to break 1000 used in other areas. For example, in
pounds, this is a kind of an extreme way rollback, we lead them closer in, and in
to say it, or a little bit exaggerated. They brush knee and push we set up a trap
do talk about using borrowed energy with your leg twisting their lower body
and also using that borrowed energy to and you can easily set up a strike. But, if
set up a trap. If you are able to follow you make a good technique, it’s unnec-
the opponent’s moving direction you essary to use a strike. You can also eas-
are actually not using your energy di- ily use a body-check or shoulder strike.
rectly against them. Following your op- Those will be very strong techniques
ponent. This is part of the idea of adopt- if you can set the opponent up in this
ing their energy. kind of trap.
One guideline for setting up a good tion with an opponent, if people are not
position so that you can adopt different experienced enough, often their mind
techniques is to adopt their energy. is fully focused on how they can control
Use the opponent’s energy to lead them the opponent. Because of this, they start
in to a trap. Second, create a good po- to forget how to remain in the correct
sition for yourself to apply the part of posture. They can forget the right posi-
the technique that you are best at. Some tion from the external body shape point
people are best on one part of the tech- of view, and also in the mind, since the
nique and when they are very good at mind is also connected to the energy.
this part, they can always find positions They are fully excited to use their ener-
that create the opportunity to apply the gy on the opponent and they don’t care
technique that they are good at. Each about their breathing, their positioning.
individual can be different. Mainly,
Then they sometimes end up in un-
you would like to use a good beginning
natural positions, and it’s because they
point and also meet your opponent in
are only thinking about ways to use the
the right position that lets you find a
techniques. This is a common situation
good transition to use those techniques.
when we first start to practice applica-
“
The best way is not to specifically un-
tions. Following more experience and
That’s why in derstand only rollback. The subject
time spent training, when you are able
the theory they talk could be open wider to look more at the to calm your mind which means that
strategy side. These are the basic ideas. your mind is more centralized and not
about the practice
Edward: When I have taught the roll- too focused on the detail parts, then
progression as first
back technique in classes, I find that they will be able to adjust the parts that
step being “movements
“
a lot of students make the mistake of make better posture and position. This
familiar.” becoming tense when they try to leads to be able to use the applications
capture the opponent’s wrist and elbow in an easier way. It’s the same as when
This makes their energy rise up more
you are learning to drive. When you
than their opponents. I remember how
learn to drive, everything is new and
you always teach us to remain relaxed
you take the driving position very seri-
so that our energy is sinking and
difficult for the opponent’s to sense. ously because you don’t want to create
How can you recommend that students an accident or have anything go wrong.
understand this relationship with the This pressure makes you unable to feel
opponent? like your natural self. That’s why in the
theory they talk about the practice pro-
Master Yang:This is mainly about expe- gression as first step being “movements
rience with applying the technique. For familiar.” The movements being famil-
instance, when you practice by yourself, iar isn’t just about practicing with your-
you can pay attention to the principles self. Even when applying techniques
and make a correct body shape from the with your opponent, there are external
external point of view. In terms of en- movements that you have to be familiar
ergy, we do not use too much strength with. Without those familiar processes,
so that we can apply the energy more then there is no way for you to be nat-
naturally through relaxation. Once the ural. You will be unable to fit yourself
situation changes to doing an applica- in a comfortable position. Barely any-
one can feel comfortable while doing the strategy is kind of a negative idea
things for the first time. They all need because you are willing to set a trap to
some experience and time to familiar- make them go into a position that is not
ize themselves with the movements and good for their side. To use it for balance
make correct coordination, position, and harmony, I would say that it is im-
timing... then you can more natural- portant for the direction to be central-
ly apply those techniques. So, it’s quite ized. The technical side here, I would
challenging actually to find the right say that the first part of rollback will
position, right timing, right moment
be easy because when your opponent
to apply the right technique. These re-
is excited and has some strong words
quire experience before you will be able
to direct into you, then I would say
to calm your mind. Then it will become
to do a little bit of following and lead
“
more natural. When everything be-
comes more familiar you will feel more them to the side. Give them a reason. Either way, strategy has
natural. Most people who drive don’t Let them go instead of going against two sides. Sometimes it is
even think about how they are driving, them. That can be good. But in tai chi
for good harmony, and
we think about where we are going, and chuan they have a second part, which is
that you borrow their energy and lead sometimes the strategy is
we forget about all the things that we
should do in order to drive. Our mind them into a trap. I think that part may- kind of a negative idea
does not need to focus on every detail, be you can save it. Maybe don’t apply it because you are willing to
but we are clear on each step that needs to everybody. Generally, l would like to set a trap to make them go
to be done. We just don’t need to think emphasize following them and leading into a position that is not
“
about it. The way that we can become them to comfort like the rollback mo-
good for their side.
like this is just through being familiar. tion. This will be a good part to use with
In this kind of situation, there is no way collogues and friends as a strategy. It is
to solve it if you don’t practice. The key unnecessary to lead them into a nega-
is to familiarize. tive position. I think that it depends on
Edward: I remember you saying that we the situation. The best part is to be in
can also think of the tai chi energies in harmony. Better to not be involved with
terms of our daily interactions with oth- any conflict if possible. This is more
er people. If someone is angry, we can
essential. But sometimes the situation
use yielding in order to avoid a conflict
at a bad time. Can you give an example may not be what you wish, and when in
of how we can apply the philosophy of a certain situation, you also need to un-
rollback in our daily relationships? derstand the strategy, and how to adapt
to help yourself stand in the best po-
Master Yang: I don’t really want to use sition. The point is: balance. How you
it, because the technical side is not only can find a balance point through your
to help you remain stable and balanced,
own center and also in the situation
but also there is the idea to make your
with others. If you can create a comfort
opponent lose their balance. So, this is
without directly resisting against them,
a relationship that is more in the direc-
it will be easy to set up the situation
tion of the opponent’s position. Either
way, strategy has two sides. Sometimes more harmoniously.
it is for good harmony, and sometimes Edward: Thank you Master Yang! 
CHINESE TERMS OF
TAI– CHAPTER
CHI4: HAND
THEORY
& EYES – BY: JOSHUA NEUHAUS
F
ollowing the traditional approach 手 (shǒu: hands) It is worth pointing out that 靠 (kào) despite its makeshift
and then 眼 (yǎn: eyes) are the last two of the five translation in tai chi context is not actually a word for our
segments of 知体 (zhītǐ: knowing the body). physiological shoulder. Furthermore, in its application it
Hand method first introduces you to the three basic doesn’t need to involve shoulder touch at all. All these
hand shapes and then moves on to the 13 techniques. techniques come in very different combinations and shapes
while integrating the whole body.
手型 (shǒuxíng): handshape
The three basic hand shapes are 眼 (yǎn): eyes
1.拳 (quán): fist, In China Mencius as well as Leonardo da Vinci in Europe said
2. 掌 (zhāng): palm, and that the eyes are the mirror of the soul. In tai chi our eyes are
3. 勾 (gòu): hook. considered to be internally related to 神 (shén: spirit) and 意
(yì: awareness/thought). 神 (shén) and 意 (yì) are the basis for
十三技法 (shísān jìfǎ): 13 techniques the expression of our eyes. Externally, our eyes are particularly
There are 8 energies and 5 more techniques summed up here. connected to our waist.
A rule for practicing these techniques is 攻防相连 (gōngfáng
xiānglián), which means that attack and defense are connected. There are three major factors determining which
The 8 energies are split into sets of four in reference to the 八卦 direction our eyes should be facing:
(bāguà: 8 trigrams) which has 4 squared sides and 4 cornered 1.主手 (zhǔshǒu): main hand,
sides.
2. 劲的方向 (jìn de fāngxiàng): energy direction, and
四正劲 (sìzhèngjìn): four squared energies 3. 对方的站位 (duìshǒu de zhànwèi):
掤 (péng): ward off the position of the opponent.
捋 (lǚ): roll back
挤 (jǐ): press Our field of vision (视野 shìyě) must be open and wide
按 (àn): push (开阔 kāikuò). Opening our view in that way helps find 平衡
(pínghéng, balance). The Chinese word 开阔 (kāikuò) is often
四遇劲 (sìyùjìn): four cornered energies
used to describe the view when looking at the sun sinking
採 (cǎi): pull
into the horizon over the sea, which could be an inspiration to
挒 (liè): split
肘 (zhǒu): elbow (also literally the physiological elbow) understand the quality of gaze that tai chi endorses. As for
靠 (kào): shoulder (not literally the shoulder, just hard 平衡 (pínghéng), in tai chi context it refers to the balance
tto translate) between two extremes, or balance between yin and yang, it
is to be distinguished from 重心的稳固 (zhòngxīn de wěngù,
The remaining five 技法 (jìfǎ: techniques) are balance in the sense of standing stable/grounded). Going a bit
1. 抓 (zhuā) grab, deeper, 平衡 (pínghéng) is a term that is also mentioned as
2. 拿 (ná) control, the goal of the principle “Seek Stillness within Movement”, as
3. 踢 (tī) kick, such we can understand that there is a connection between this
4. 打 (dǎ) strike, and principle that urges us to find an inner calm and our gaze that
5. 摔 (shuāi) take down. reflects this inner stillness. 
YOGA
for Flexibility,
JOGGING
for Stamina,
TAI CHI
for ...?
– A SHORT ESSAY –
BY: JOSHUA NEUHAUS
R
ecently I had a conversation programs. So, fighting then? No, I don’t most agile. We gain strength, but we don’t
with someone saying that they believe in comparing which martial art try to be the strongest. We learn to calm
didn’t understand why one ultimately makes the best fighters. our mind, but we don’t go as far as to seek
should practice tai chi. They a life of solitude and meditation. We gain
said, let’s suppose I want to At this point I realized I needed to open stamina, but we don’t aim to win a mara-
build muscle; will tai chi give me those my mind, break the frame the question thon. We learn to fight, but we don’t strive
muscles faster than a workout at the studio? had led me to limit myself to, and think for competition. We improve our stabili-
No. Let’s suppose I want to become about this question from a tai chi feeling
ty, but we don’t try to be skateboarders or
flexible; will tai chi get me there faster point of view. I would need to use tai chi
surfers. In almost all perceivable ways tai
to explain tai chi. The first thing I noticed
than yoga? No… Let’s say, I want to enter chi gives us a chance to improve on our
was that there is no point talking about
a ring and fight, will tai chi win me fights weaknesses and balance ourselves. We
what tai chi does better or worse – because
faster than MMA? No. better and worse don’t mean anything. learn to build harmony, first within us, and
Rather, I needed to find a description of then maybe also around us.
At this point I imagine your mind is strug-
what makes tai chi unique and different.
gling just like mine back then. At first, I And I think this is something worth
misunderstood the question to be about the How does tai chi approach health and striving for. We look at the big picture and
purpose of tai chi. So, health it is. But then fighting? How does it teach these things? discover that less is more. Our spirit rises
I realized I don’t really want to start an ar- Through integration. We don’t strive to and our qi sinks. If we want to expand
gument about whether tai chi is healthier excel at any one thing. We learn to be agile, further on any aspect, we are always free
than yoga, qi gong, or even modern fitness but we don’t go to lengths to become the to do so. 
FALLING IN
LOVE
TAI CHI WITH
ALL OVER AGAIN
Edward: Thank you for meeting with working in a hospital, and I was invited
me today! How have things been for you to teach there, and I am part of what
lately? they call the “integrative medicine nu-
Angela: Thank you very much for the cleus”. We are a group that develops ac-
invitation first of all. How have things tivities for the hospital employees. We
been lately? Well, I am working very call them our collaborators, since when
hard since Roque has gone, as I saw, to you are working for a hospital, you are
the other level of existence. This is a way not just an employee, you are enriching
of saying it that makes me feel that I am the hospital with your work. You are
not alone. I always feel that he is around more than only one employee, you see?
me. And, I am taking care of the school This is a concept that is very nice. In
ANGELA SOCI and the tai chi center. Also, we have the that area I am including the practice of
Center Director, Senior Instructor national school, we have these two ways qigong and tai chi for people in differ-
Maria Angela Soci began studying Yang of working here in Brazil because my ent sectors. These have been some of my
Style Tai Chi since 1978 in São Paulo – Brazil national school existed long before we recent activities. This is growing slowly,
and has been a student of Masters Yang
Zhenduo and Yang Jun since 1990. had contact with the Yang Family and and now I am beginning work with the
we didn’t close it, we just joined things patients from the same hospital. These
together. So, in my national school I patients are recovering from things like
have a lot of day-to-day activities. I am broken legs and other injuries, and it
AN INTERVIEW WITH SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL CENTER DIRECTOR, ANGELA SOCI
is called the rehabilitation area. They house many years ago. It was snowing
could also be recovering from heart in Seattle at that time, and Roque was
surgery, and there are activities twice a so excited to see the snow, since it was
week so that the staff can see whether rare for someone from Brazil. You had
their condition is improving. One of me take your picture that day and it is Roque Severino
Roque began studying Yang Style
these activities will be my classes, so we such a wonderful memory. I also feel Tai Chi in 1972 in Buenos Aires –
Argentina and had been a student of
are organizing this kind of work. So, I that Roque is still with us in so many Masters Yang Zhenduo and Yang Jun
since 1990.
am going in this direction more, which ways. It’s nice to talk of him and to re-
In Brazil in 1978, he introduced
has required me to study more. For in- member him makes me feel good. Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan to
stance, this last Friday I went to give a Angela: This is true. I have a shrine
Brazilians and spread the art all
over the country.
class at a course that was focused on here in my room with different pic-
mental health. A lot of psychologists, tures of him and every day I put a can- it really is possible to do many different
psychiatrists, nutritionists, and other dle there and talk a little bit and share things with these tools. I could develop
doctors in different areas attended this something with him. Sometimes when many ways of teaching using this mul-
class. They asked me to present a tai chi I have some doubts, I go there and I timedia process and giving not only
class for this event, and include some ask him, can you send me some light? I practical classes, but also with theory
information about traditional Chinese don’t know what to do, please help me! and technical information as well. So, I
medicine, the concept of yin and yang, began to develop some kinds of special
(laughing). Then, sometimes I have a
the five elements, and the mind body courses and well, I think that we sur-
dream and some solution comes and I
connection. After this, we worked to- vived somehow and also, we learned a
think that he is helping me.
gether so that the staff could have some lot and it made our world smaller be-
experience with tai chi. Our subject Edward: The second question I have cause I could have students from all
was body and mind, so I shared some is: so many tai chi schools around the over Brazil and parts of South Ameri-
things about breath and posture with world have been very challenged by the ca. It was really good to see and devel-
them as a way to encourage good men- events of the past few years. Can you op many different possibilities, and it’s
tal health. These are some of the things talk about anything that has helped a way of life. If we can understand the
that I am working on right now, and you to keep your school going in this difficulties, it can present really good
also teaching inside the tai chi school: difficult time? opportunities that we can explore. It
giving instructor’s classes and teach- Angela: Yeah, with this pandemic… can change your mind if you can be
ing about the philosophical areas as actually I had never before taught tai more open to the creative and open to
well. This is what I am doing lately, but chi online, and I did not know that it new opportunities that the situation
also what I have been doing my whole was possible to teach on zoom or on asks of you. I think this is not only my
life. Lately though, there has been a video, you know? I remember the first experience, but for all of us I can see
stronger connection with the scientific day that I gave an online class… I felt I that the world has changed somehow,
world. I like it a lot because it makes me could not handle that situation, watch- and my only complaint is that now, as
study more and I must connect with ing myself on that screen and nobody things are going back and people can
new vocabulary in order to speak to the else there that I could see, only me leave their houses and meet together,
doctors and psychologists. It’s a kind of myself, it was really funny. I gave a we have two sides”. On one side, people
challenge, but it makes me go forward 30-minute class. I don’t remember the have gotten a little lazy. They don’t want
with a strong will. subject, I just put myself there because to come out, and would rather stay in
Edward. I’m so glad to hear you men- these students were asking and will- their home, since it’s so comfortable.
tion Roque. I have such special mem- ing to have a connection with me and They would rather just get up and do
ories of Roque as my older disciple I was open to the opportunity. Then, something in their dining room, it’s ok
brother, and I was thinking of the time after that, I began having some regular for them. On the other hand, it’s amaz-
that we had all met at Master Yang’s classes and finally, I got the feeling that ing to see how people are out of their
houses again. The traffic! In my home- from the other side of the world, like
town of São Paulo, the traffic jams seem it didn’t even exist. We had to wait 20
much worse than they were before. It’s years to develop the things that I had
amazing! Somehow people came back in this vision back in the 1970’s, but it
very strongly in their businesses and was in our minds. So, all the time we
other areas. I didn’t think it was going were struggling, and we had the feel-
to come back so strong. I thought that it ing that the time was not yet ready to
might be calmer, but it’s kind of a boom do what we were trying to do. I was
again. searching for journalists. I went to hos-
Edward: You have been part of the as- pitals and business places trying to tell
sociation for many years, and you have people that this was the best, this is a
become one of the senior members, wonderful thing. I went to school, but
right? How have your views on tai chi that time was not the time yet, you un-
changed over time? Has it changed, derstand. So, we focused on our school
what tai chi means to you and how it and followed the idea to give the teach-
affects your life? ings to whomever was coming to us. It
was very nice. But after years and years
Angela: Well, before the organiza- passed and the world was changing,
tion of the International Association, the traditional Chinese medicine grew
“
I began practicing tai chi a lot in Brazil and the connection with
But after years and years in 1978. My understanding, China and the world grew as well. And
passed and the world because it was really inter- so, we could open doors and make tai
was changing, the esting, when I knew Roque, chi flourish. Many times, I cannot lie
he was my teacher and he to you, I felt that I was just beginning
traditional Chinese needed to have theory ma-
something. From 1978 to 1988 it was a
medicine grew a lot in terial and books on tai chi, new beginning. And, when it was 1998
Brazil and the connection and at that time in Brazil we and we met Master Yang and I went to
didn’t have any. We found a China, and when I came back and we
with China and the world very interesting book called
“
grew as well. Fundamentals of Tai Chi
Chuan, it was written by
a doctor from Taiwan. He
wrote a kind of perfect book for some-
were able to represent and carry the
name of the Yang Family with us it was
a new beginning. Then, when we were
able to go to China again, it was a new
beginning again. Now, for instance, I
one who is searching for information, have been working in the hospital for
history, technical information, and phi- 5 years and it’s a new beginning. It’s a
losophy. So, we found this book in the fresh start to develop something for the
English language and it was wonderful, future. I feel like I am the kind of person
and I was the one who knew English, who is planting seeds, you know? And I
and I began to translate this book. My don’t know if I will live long enough to
mind was focusing on the book, and I see everything that I am planting flour-
could have a view of the future because ishing one day. So many areas, but it’s
I could see the possibilities that this art good to have patience. For instance,
can give humans to develop in their I developed here in Brazil the first
lives and how many areas of human post-graduate course in tai chi, together
activities this art could fit in. That mo- with the university, which is the biggest
ment, I was too young, and I had this university of South America. I was the
big vision and I felt anxious, I was re- coordinator of this course. It was amaz-
ally anxious, you know with this view. I ing. I did this once in 2006 and it didn’t
didn’t have the tools and the maturity, work, you know? The community of the
or even the amount of technical growth academic world was not ready for that,
that I needed. And in Brazil, if some- and I then did the course again in 2016
thing was from China, it seemed to be and it worked. We were accepted. So,
to understand this in my life is related lenge, but usually, the way that people
to practicing tai chi every day. You say, take their first steps in tai chi is related
how can this affect your life? It affects to their health. They are searching es-
it in exactly this way: I have to be pa- pecially for good health. For some time,
tient, I need to have a very open view our art was not even considered to be a
about the real situation, and I need to martial art because the way that people
have a very clear idea and if it does not saw the practice, something slow and
belong to that time, then I need to step nice… so the idea that this is a martial
back and wait for the situation. And I art, and when the practice became fast-
understand that practicing every day, er sometimes made people scared. But
teaching every day about this art gives over time we tried to clarify what tai
me this basis, you know? Don’t make chi really was. We brought the overview
me crazy and anxious. Calm down and that tai chi can be a martial art, a health
everything has its own time to flourish. system that can calm the mind, we tried
So to have this view is very connected to help people understand. Now people
with what tai chi means in my life. are much more aware of the meaning
“
of tai chi chuan and how they
Edward. Next, I wanted to ask: we have If you compare tai chi
can understand the practice.
tai chi all over the world and I think
that the different cultures have some
Even so, if you compare tai with exercises like
chi with exercises like jog-
effect on the way that tai chi is under- jogging, or fitness at the
ging, or fitness at the gym,
stood. I wonder if you think there are we are very low in numbers gym, we are very low in
any unique qualities to tai chi in São compared to them because
numbers compared to
Paulo, or Brazil, or maybe in South people look much more for
America that might give the tai chi fitness than for a body and them because people
there a certain quality of point of view? mind connection practice look much more for
Angela: Well, you know, Brazilian peo- like tai chi. I cannot say that it fitness than for a body
ple are very interested, and have very is a competition, but we have and mind connection
“
open hearts to many things and have a far fewer people looking for
great curiosity about everything. But at tai chi than are searching for
practice like tai chi.
the same time, the level of commitment competitive sports. Maybe it’s
that people take with activities can be similar to the US. One coun-
a little superficial, you know? They un- try that is different is Uru-
derstand what they are doing and that guay. Uruguay is a country where lots
it is good for them, so of course they of people like tai chi. There are many
will follow it, but even so, someone may styles of tai chi and many teachers there.
drop out of tai chi practice at any time There are many sources and many un-
as if it is not essential to their life. So, derstandings about the art there. The
very few people consider practicing people from Uruguay tend to be very
tai chi as something essential for their calm. They speak slowly, and they have
lives. a kind of tai chi way of life, and they re-
ally get along with what our art is bring-
Edward: I think it can be the same
ing for them. I don’t know the percent-
in the US. As a teacher, you have a
age of the population exactly, but they
challenge to really have people stick
have many people who practice tai chi.
with the practice. To continue.
It is different from Argentina, Colom-
Angela: Yes, this is a problem, but bia, and Bolivia. There are teachers in
because of the way of life and because these countries, and many of them are
of economics sometimes people need my students, but each one has their own
to go out and say, I cannot afford to unique characteristics. Usually South
pay the class fees because I need to go American people are emotive, emo-
work or whatever. This is a big chal- tional. For instance, I went to Colom-
bia once to give a seminar and I went to well. I have a lot of books here. A big
Venezuela as well and after the classes, library in my room, and sometimes I
people come and hug me and cry. They see myself with five books at the same
cry and say, thank you, your class gives time because I am trying to prepare for
me such a great feeling! It’s amazing. I a class at the university or for the doc-
was amazed to see that. They are very tors, but when I go there to teach what
emotional and it’s natural, you know? I bring to the people is the experience
People from Colombia and people from that I have in my life, and the transfor-
Venezuela. In Argentina, no. In Argen- mations that I can make in my life. This
tina there are more… I don’t know, they view puts me in the place of one who is
are a little more distant because of their always ready to learn something new. I
culture. They connect their own way of think this is a philosophy of life: being
life to tai chi, their cultural characteris- an eternal apprentice, an eternal learn-
tics. As I have been traveling to many er. That’s why I have the feeling that I
places, I can feel the difference. In my am always beginning, that I am always
own county of Brazil, they have a differ- in the first step. Because it’s something
ent way of thinking about the responsi- that is brand new again. It’s always a
bility of practicing… We have teachers, surprise. And when I talk about tai chi
but we have a more individualistic way with people, they say that I have this
of being. They take tai chi more as their feeling of always falling in love, and so
own experience rather than a group that’s it. My philosophy… I don’t know
one. if it’s my philosophy, I don’t have a phi-
Edward: What is your philosophy on losophy… It’s a way of understanding
how we can learn and grow over the the practice in my life and how it works
years as students and teachers, so we in my everyday life, also as a teacher, as
don’t just reach a point where we stop a person, and as a student. That’s why I
developing. Do you think you have a admire the lives of the elders. The mas-
certain philosophy about that? ters that have been there before us. It
gives me a feeling of real appreciation
Angela: You know, my understanding for the efforts and sacrifices that they
about this is that you can never know made in their lives to leave this great
anything. The more I study, the more I legacy for us. When we think about the
practice, the more I have experiences, life of Master Yang Zhenduo, for in-
I can understand that I am just be- stance, how many complex difficulties
ginning. It’s amazing, you know? Of did he have to go through to survive?
course, you know, I feel that we have Even with all of these difficulties, he
steps but actually the steps are not steps was able to leave something so great for
that bring me up. I’m not on a staircase the next generation. So, this gives me
I’m taking steps, but each step opens a something to feel grateful for, to appre-
wider environment in front of me. So, ciate, and to feel respect for.
I can see that it’s wider and bigger, and
I have to dedicate more and I have to Edward: I think I can be a witness to
study more. So, I think this is the most what you are saying about how you are
difficult thing to make a new student able to keep the mindset of a student,
understand. What I can share with the because I remember when we were at
student is related to the application of a disciple training session in Datong,
the theory to my real-life experience, China. I remember noticing how you
you know? I also carry a lot of technical really were happy and excited to learn
understanding in my body, and that’s from everyone, and I was impressed
good, and that makes me connected because I thought how you have been
but if I don’t apply this to my everyday practicing and teaching so many years.
life it means nothing. So, I also study as I felt inspired to see this.
Edward: For my next question I was know this, or I am this rank… it can be
wondering if you feel well-connected to a kind of armor connected to the ego.
the other association members in the How they would like to be seen. If we
world? Do you feel like we could im- put down our guard and be ourselves
prove our connection? It’s a challenge about what we know from tai chi, I
to be connected together all over the think we can be very unified together. I
world, so I am wondering how you feel think this can be very important. I don’t
from the point of view of being in São feel that I have a connection with every-
Paulo. We have such a long distance one. Of course not, but I feel that if we
from the US, to China, to Italy. sit together to have tea or a beer, we are
going to be together. In tune somehow.
Angela: Of course, we have long dis-
tances between us, but when we meet, Edward: Now, we are also able to meet
we get along easily. But I think that after this long period of being discon-
what bonds all of us is the art and the nected, so that also helps. We can have
masters that we have. So, even if we do seminars again.
not have frequent meetings among us, Angela: Yes, that is very nice.
I think that we have a feeling that we
Edward: I have one more question for
are doing the same things and going
you today, and that is if you have any
to the same place together. Yesterday,
plans that you would like to talk about?
we had a meeting with Shifu about the
teacher’s academy and there is this feel- Angela: Well, what’s happening in
ing and thinking that each one of us is Brazil now that we are just beginning
doing different things in our areas and is a new branch of International Yang
that we should be more unified. I didn’t Family Tai Chi. So, it’s going to be open-
talk then, but I’m going to talk with you ing in November during
“
about this. I don’t know if I agree with Master Yang’s visit to Bra-
this, because, I teach the same thing zil. It’s going to open a new I must be very honest
that you teach, but I can be very differ- future for Yang Family Tai with you; I want to sit in
ent from you, but we know what we are Chi in Brazil. My personal
plans? I must be very hon-
meditation and forget
“
doing, and if we share the techniques
together and if we do them together est with you; I want to sit in me!
one day, the 103 or whichever form, we meditation and forget me!
are going to be the same. I think we are But I don’t know if this plan
already unified somehow. To struggle, can be done because I am
to find one technical way of unification, involving myself with a lot of external
maybe it’s going to damage our natural work with tai chi in many areas. This
way of being, you know? Sometimes also makes me reserve some branch of
the humanity of each one of us makes my future that is related to this as well.
us different. The language and the cul- But as age comes, we feel the desire to
ture make us different, but I think that be more closed and to go more into the
we are very connected. There are many inner side of the self instead of the ex-
people who I have never met, even other ternal side. It’s a feeling that takes you
disciples, but I am sure that if we sit at a very strongly, and I don’t know, this is
table together, we are going to speak the my way. But I hope that if I can find the
same language. Even if you speak Greek balance, the yin and yang that it should
and I cannot understand, we are going be, we can plant more seeds for the fu-
to have the same view about things, ture and let it flourish through the new
because we practice the same art, and generations that are coming now. Very
we have the same source of knowledge. good people.
Sometimes people can be a little closed, Edward: That sounds great. Thanks for
as if they are thinking, I learned this, I spending some time with me to talk! 
Increasing awareness
of
the HEALTH BENEFITS
of
Tai Chi
ABSTRACT patients. Everyone has role they can play
There is increasing scientific evidence in increasing awareness of the many
that practicing tai chi is not only good for health effects that arises from the regular
your general health and fitness, it is also practice of tai chi.
good for mental health, injury prevention INTRODUCTION
and lessening the effects of chronic dis-
ease. For example, tai chi has a beneficial There have been over 2000 scientific
effect on diabetes, heart disease, stroke, studies published on the health effects of
low back pain, osteoarthritis, and chron- tai chi.1 Yet to this day many people are
ic lung disease – to name a few. Public unaware of this extensive research, and
awareness of the therapeutic effects of tai its overarching finding that tai chi not
BY PATRICIA HUSTON MD chi is starting to grow because of popular only promotes health and mental health
Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of
news coverage, and credible patient infor- but also prevents injury and mitigates
Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
mation sources. Similarly, physicians are chronic disease. Why don’t more people
becoming aware of this, as tai chi is in- know about this? This paper summarizes
creasingly identified as a therapeutic op- the evidence, considers why these bene-
tion in professional guidelines and other fits are only starting to become known,
online medical resources. Everyone has a and identifies how everyone could play a
role to play in increasing awareness of the role in increasing awareness of the health
health benefits of tai chi. Tai chi teachers benefits of tai chi.
can discuss this with their students and
other teachers. Students can share their How do you summarize the results of
experiences of health benefits from tai chi 2000 trials?
* Note: An earlier version of this manuscript was with friends, family and their physician. There is a clear scientific approach to
published in German. See: Huston P. Taijiquan als Physicians can learn more about tai chi, understanding whether an intervention
therapeutishe Option. Taijiquan & Qigong Journal discuss its benefits with colleagues, and has a health effect or not. The most com-
Feb – Apr 2021 p.18-22. identify it as an option for appropriate pelling evidence on tai chi comes from
INCREASING AWARENESS OF THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF TAI CHI
well-conducted clinical trials where people Chronic diseases

who agree to participate in a study are What is less widely known is there is compelling evidence that tai chi can help to lessen
randomized to either a tai chi group or a the effects of many chronic diseases. In literally hundreds of clinical studies, tai chi has
comparison group (such as physiother- typically been found to be better, or at least as good as whatever it is compared against.
apy, or health education classes) and are For example, in a clinical trial for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee (which is
assessed for specific outcomes at the start very common with age), tai chi was found to be as good as physiotherapy. The study
and end of the trial. Then the outcomes found that after having just two sessions a week for two weeks, people in both the tai chi
are compared between the two groups. To group and the physiotherapy group, showed some improvement, and after 4-5 weeks
lessen the chance of bias, the people ana- showed at least a 50% improvement in both pain and function.6 The health effects of tai
lyzing the results of the trial do not know chi are summarized in Table 1.
which group is which (called “blinding).
Typically, after multiple clinical trials are
published, a systematic review is done to TABLE 1:
summarize what is known from all the tri-
als to date. Sometimes a meta-analysis can SUMMARY OF EVIDENCE FROM SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS ON THE HEALTH BENEFITS
be done (a type of systematic review that OF TAI CHI 4
includes a mathematical summary of the
results of multiple studies). Since clinical AREA CONDITIONS
trials are being done all the time, systemat-
1. PROMOTES HEALTH • May alleviate fatigue
ic reviews then need to be updated. When
several systematic reviews have been com- • May help normalize weight if overweight
pleted, then an “umbrella review” or over- • Improves fitness (aerobic, flexibility, strength, balance)
view is conducted to summarize all the sys- • Improves sleep
tematic reviews done on a specific area. So, • May relieve perimenopausal symptoms
a growing body of evidence keeps getting • Strengthens the immune system (improves ability to
summarized. The evidence presented here fight infection)
is based on four overviews on the health • Fosters well-being
effects on tai chi.1-4 • Reduces pain, stress and anxiety during pregnancy
2. IMPROVES MENTAL • Alleviates depression

General health, mental health and injury
HEALTH • Lessens anxiety
prevention
• May improve Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
Studies have also shown that tai chi • May relieve Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
improves aerobic capacity (especially in • May assist with schizophrenia
those who have been deconditioned) and • May help with addictions and substance use disorders
increases strength and flexibility. Tai chi • May increase social support among older adults
improves sleep and concentration. It can
help alleviate depression and anxiety and 3. PREVENTS INJURY • Prevents falls in older adults
promotes a sense of well-being. AND AIDS IN THE • Provides health benefits to cancer patients
RECOVERY PROCESS • Relieves chronic pain
Tai chi is good for the brain. Not only is it
4. PREVENTS AND • Lowers cholesterol and triglycerides
known to increase concentration and brain
connectivity, it is also known to alleviate
MITIGATES THE EFFECTS • Helps alleviate symptoms of chronic lung disease
OF CHRONIC DISEASE • Prevents and decreases cognitive impairment and
depression and anxiety, it may help with
addictions, and has been found to decrease dementia
social isolation among the elderly. • Provides adjunctive therapy for heart failure
• Improves coronary artery disease
Tai chi helps to prevent injury largely • Helps to control diabetes
through improving balance. This has been • Alleviates fibromyalgia
extensively studied in terms of preventing • Decreases hypertension
falls. For example, at least 14 systematic • May help control irritable bowel syndrome
reviews have concluded that tai chi can • Relieves low back pain
prevent falls in the elderly.2 This is very NOTE: • May help multiple sclerosis
important as falls in the elderly are a major Bolded items identify where • Improves osteoarthritis
source of emergency visits, hospitalization, tai chi is included in clinical • Slows osteoporosis
practice guidelines 7-14
and may lead to institutionalization.5
There are two important caveats with the Current situation more about this and discuss the health ef-
current state of evidence on tai chi. The People often start tai chi classes as it is fects of tai chi with their students and oth-
first caveat is the evidence for tai chi is not a challenging and relaxing mind-body er teachers. They may find out that others
as strong in some areas as others. That is exercise and then only later discover its have already found tai chi has helped their
why in the table when it states that tai chi health benefits. The therapeutic effects of health conditions. Anyone – but especial-
“may” be helpful, it indicates there is not as tai are only beginning to become more ly those who practice tai chi - can speak
much evidence, or that the evidence is not widely known. The general public is start- with other students, friends and family
as strong as in other areas. The bolded ar- ing to hear about it through popular news about tai chi and share their experiences
eas show where the evidence is strong and sources,15 credible online patient informa- of tai chi’s health effects on social media.
where tai chi is now included in clinical tion sources, such as the Mayo Clinic,16 Anyone can speak with their physician
practice guidelines.7-14 That said, the evi- and from popular books, such as the Har- about tai chi and identify the guidelines
dence is strong for quite a few conditions. vard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi.17 that recommend it.7-14 It may be helpful to
A recent meta-analysis on tai chi studies provide physicians with a list of available
examined the effect sizes,3 and found tai The medical community is starting to be-
courses in the area. Physicians could learn
chi had a large effect size for chronic lung come aware of the health effects of tai chi
if they come across some of the studies, or more about tai chi through conferences,
disease, low back pain, osteoarthritis, os- reading the guidelines and other scientific
teoporosis and Parkinson’s disease. Tai chi they start to see it is included in profes-
sional guidelines.7-14 Tai chi is also starting literature, discussing this with their col-
had a very large effect size for improv- leagues and then considering it for some
ing exercise capacity in those with heart to appear in electronic medical resources
for physicians. For example, tai chi is now of their patients.
failure, improving balance after a stroke
and in relieving some of the side-effects recommended for fibromyaligia when
patients have not responded to first line Discussion
of breast cancer treatment. Specifically,
treatments.18 The therapeutic effects of tai chi have
following radiation and chemotherapy
been known in China for centuries. But
for breast cancer, many women develop Increasing awareness in the West, this is new. Many people find
swelling and decreased mobility in their
arm on the side where the cancer was. In Although much has been studied on it counter-intuitive that a meditative mar-
tai chi, it takes time to disseminate that tial art could have a beneficial effect on so
trials where these women practiced tai
knowledge and consider how it might be many different health conditions. We are
chi, the swelling went down and the mo-
applied. One study looking at the uptake only beginning to understand the under-
bility of the affected arm improved. Tai
of research and found it can take over a lying biological mechanism that could ex-
chi can greatly increase the quality of life
decade for evidence to be applied in prac- plain this.21 Even in the face of compelling
for many women being treated for breast tice!19 In a recent study that asked physi-
cancer. scientific evidence, there are always early
cians why they didn’t recommend tai chi adopters and resisters. But, increasingly,
The second caveat is, that even consid- to their patients, a number of things were evidence-based health care professionals
ering all this evidence, it is important to identified such as: lack of awareness, lim- agree that – based on the evidence – tai
emphasize that tai chi is not a panacea ited access, lack of standardization (for
chi has significant health effects.
that provides an instant cure. People may example not knowing if the tai chi done
in studies is the same as what is locally Understanding the health effects of tai chi
notice some changes right away, but usu-
available) as well as the fact tai chi may be may also influence how tai chi is taught.
ally the changes take place gradually over
seen as “foreign”, so their patients may not For example, the United States Centers
time. For example, people with low back
be receptive to it.20 Physicians also noted for Disease Control now links to an on-
pain may have chronic stiffness and inter- the need to hear about the evidence and
mittently have painful flare-ups. After do- line tai chi course specifically designed for
discuss it with colleagues as part of the
ing tai chi for six to eight weeks, they may older adults with arthritis who are at risk
process of making it “mainstream”.
find they are less stiff and with time, they of falls.22 It may increase physician confi-
may find their flare-ups are less painful, During this time where there is still a dence to recommend tai chi for their old-
or that their flare-ups are less frequent. gap between the evidence and its uptake, er patients who have chronic disease con-
However, if they stop doing tai chi, their there is a lot that can be done to increase ditions, if they can recommend a tai chi
back stiffness may return. awareness. Tai chi teachers could learn course that has been designed for seniors.
Conclusion
Tai chi is not only good for your general health and mental health, it can also help prevent injury and mitigate the effects of chronic
disease. Although scientific evidence that documents this has been accumulating over the last few decades, it is only now becoming
more widely known to health professionals and the public. Everyone has a role they can play in increasing awareness of the many
health effects that arise from the regular practice of tai chi. 
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kelmann A, Wolf B, Häuser W. Komplementäre und alternative Verfahren beim
A Qualitative Study. J Altern Complement Med. 2021 May;27(5):434-441. doi:
Fibromyalgiesyndrom : Aktualisierte Leitlinie 2017 und Übersicht von system-
10.1089/acm.2020.0418. PubMed.
atischen Übersichtsarbeiten [Complementary and alternative procedures for fibro-
myalgia syndrome : Updated guidelines 2017 and overview of systematic review 21. Huston P. A Sedentary and Unhealthy Lifestyle Fuels Chronic Disease Progres-
articles]. Schmerz. 2017 Jun;31(3):289-295. German. doi: 10.1007/s00482-017- sion by Changing Interstitial Cell Behaviour: A Network Analysis. Front Physiol.
0206-1.PubMed 2022 Jul 8;13:904107. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2022.904107. PubMed
12. Qaseem A, Wilt TJ, McLean RM, Forciea MA; Clinical Guidelines Committee of 22. Lam P. Tai Chi for Arthritis. Tai Chi for Health Institute. https://taichiforhealth-
the American College of Physicians. Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, institute.org/programs/tai-chi-for-arthritis/ (accessed September 23, 2022)
Tai-chi in the Light of
SELF-DEFENSE
M
aster Yang once mentioned spectrum of self-defense skills beyond an
eternal spring as the pur- exchange of blows. Martial arts such as tai
pose of tai chi. That means, chi offer us the opportunity to build bet-
tai chi has the goal of ter foundations for meeting most of life’s
promoting health and prolonging life. In challenges. Based on healthy movement
this article I would like to consider the im- and good practice habits, there is poten-
plications of what this means considering tial to resolve conflicts with ourselves and
the expectation that martial arts should with others, and to create harmony in our
be teaching applicable self-defense. lives. Ultimately this is just saying that
The term self-defense in the context of applications of self-defense are found out-
BY JOSHUA NEUHAUS side of fighting. Nevertheless, for under-
martial arts is probably the most frequent-
ly misunderstood. So before we move on standing the relationship between tai chi
to the subject of combat, it should be and self-defense the question of how far
said that a generally good approach to tai chi prepares us for combat is relevant
self-defense involves acting responsibly even after discovering the value it adds to
and with foresight. Life requires a wide life in general.
Tai-chi in the Light of Self-Defense
How tai chi teaches us to fight the movements to understanding energy derived from the form are an extremely
and ultimately to spirit clear. Much like safe approach to improving energy un-
Tai chi teaches us to move our bodies the Art of War says, one who knows him- derstanding, compared to the free spar-
naturally. It improves our flexibility and self but doesn’t know the opponent will ring that one might be inclined to en-
balance in all situations. It strengthens lose as many fights as he wins. gage in, for the most direct simulation
“
our body and structure. We learn to use of combat experience. On
techniques such as strikes, kicks, grabs, All that said, there is To sum up, tai chi does not a strong basis tai chi stu-
take-downs, and joint locks in attack and no arguing that tai chi
defense. We learn to better understand as we know it, typical teach the ability to defend dents can consider moving
the overall relationship between our- of kung fu in gener- the body very quickly, but on to testing their skills in
free practice with gradual-
selves and the attacker, and learn strate- al, takes a less direct there is little to no wear ly increasing pressure.
gies to change it in our favor. approach to devel- and tear, so the martial art
oping combat skills To sum up, tai chi does not
Although tai chi - just like other martial compared to other
can continue to be
teach the ability to defend
arts - therefore seems quite well equipped systems. Techniques, practiced into old age the body very quickly, but
to prepare us for a real fight, there are
structure, coordina- while our physical well there is little to no wear
many cases in which even skilled mar-
tion, and awareness being tends to improve and tear, so the martial art
“
tial artists are unarguably outmatched
are practiced inten- can continue to be prac-
in equal opportunity physical confronta- consistently.
sively over a long pe- ticed into old age while our
tions with people that have gone through
riod of time and then physical well being tends
much less or very different practice.
incorporated only to improve consistently.
There are two approaches to interpreting
step by step into applications and part- The fast and hard way of learning com-
this reality. One is to say that the system
ner exercises long before free fighting is bat is only suited for very few - tai chi
didn’t prepare us as well as we expect-
learned. Even then, there are good rea- may seem like an indirect route, but it
ed. The other is to try to find fault with
sons to embrace this curved path. is also a path that carries you much fur-
the individual practitioner. I suggest we
look at the issue from a combined per- ther. Viewed on a larger scale, tai chi in
The problem with shortcuts
spective – meaning that we check if the modern times certainly doesn’t strive to
practitioner striving for martial applica- In tai chi as in any other martial arts and be competitive in its ability to prepare its
bility can still find a more complete un- also in combat sports, there is always a students for combat. That is by design
derstanding of the system of tai chi. For risk of injury in the rushed confronta- of the teaching system, which prioritiz-
this, one part of theory we must look at tion of our limits and in free combat. The es skills that improve life quality while
is the concept of yin and yang – check worse the condition of our body is, the minimizing risks of injury. Yet, the sys-
your training for the balance of form and more dangerous it becomes. Therefore, tem of tai chi itself with its open-ended
formlessness, moving and still, alone and it is important to develop our body and nature is built with flexible solutions in
with an opponent, cooperative and op- gain extensive experience in controlled mind, so that practitioners may strive
posed. One who has practiced form but settings. Following the logic of the kung to adapt their practice for combat appli-
never practiced free combat and didn’t fu philosophy we strive to master skills cability. But when the place that com-
learn to adapt the forms to the actual sit- to an extent that makes it easy to learn bat takes in tai chi practice loses touch
uation, can expect the odds to be mostly their application beyond the exercise with our striving for eternal spring, then
against them. The other part of theory to we derive them from. Likewise, tui shou we seem to have lost touch with its true
look at is how to get from familiarizing and cooperative attack-defense exercises purpose. 
STEALING
BOXING
- CHAPTER 17 –
Questioning with Blades,

Answering with Tears
BY GONG BAIYU
Translated by Ken Ning,

emended by Edward Moore
Stealing Boxing (偷拳, TōuQuán) was written by Gong Baiyu (1899-1966).

*Gong Baiyu 1899-1966 was a famed martial arts novelist from Shandong Province. Stealing Boxing contains
a fictionalized account of the lives of Chen Changxing and Yang Luchan in the Chinese martial arts novel tradition.
Translated by Ken Ning and adapted into English by Edward Moore.
While training in the courtyard, Master Chen and his disciples noticed
someone spying on them. They chased the spy and captured him, only
to discover that it was the silent young man who had been staying with
them for several years.
F
ive gleaming spears were pointing in In the sudden quiet of the room, he spoke
a circle at the silent young man. Geng in a measured but angered voice, “Stranger,
Yongfeng and Fang Zishou held his who has sent you to my house? What are you
arms tightly as they dragged the im- trying to accomplish?”
poster straight into the open courtyard.
The young man lifted his head slightly to
The whole house was in turmoil since ev- respond and then suddenly leaned even fur-
eryone had found out that the boy who they ther down. Two lines of tears burst out of his
thought could not speak had spoken and he eyes as he cried, “Shifu!”
had also turned out to be a spy. Women, chil-
Master Chen barked back at him, “Who is
dren, and servants: everyone wanted to see
your Shifu?” The anger in his voice filled the
what was happening. Master Chen sent his
room and the young man began crying even
family back to the inner house and only the
more.
disciples who were busy holding the young
man captive were allowed to enter the living Fu Jiannan saw that the master was extremely
room. angry, and quickly poured a cup of tea. He
offered it to Master Chen, whispering, “Shifu,
The light in the living room was shining perhaps take a break first.” After handing
bright, and the group of disciples stood Master Chen the tea carefully, he turned
around the captive, fiercely guarding him. to the young man and said in a kind tone,
Master Chen sat in a chair with his two eyes “Hey friend, what is going on with you?”. The
fixed intently on the boy. The young man young man just continued to sob. Fu Jiannan
knew that he was in serious trouble. He low- turned and asked the fellow disciples stand-
ered his head and stared at the floor, not dar- ing around them, “What is his name?”
ing to look up. His body trembled all over
with fear. Geng Yongfeng said, “He has been pretend-
ing that he can’t speak. He wrote his name as
Master Chen’s face turned cold in the bright Lu Si.” Fu Jiannan turned back to the young
lamplight, and he slapped the table with a man, saying, ‘Hey! Lu Si, what is your last
terrifying boom that made everyone jump. name? What’s your name?”
STEALING BOXING
The mute lifted his head cautiously to The young man sighed miserably and said,
glance around the room at the menacing “Shifu, please believe me. I am not a thief in
group of disciples. Each one held a weapon the martial arts world, and I am also not a
and seemed ready to strike at any moment. spy from a rival school. I will be completely
Third disciple, Geng Yongfeng stood togeth- honest with you. I grew up in a good family,
er with Chen Shihe, the second grandson of and I have always had enough food to eat and
Master Chen. Each of them held a sword as clothing to wear since I was a child. My fam-
they blocked the door. Fourth disciple, Fang ily has a few acres of rice fields, but I have al-
Zishou, held a leopard tail whip and blocked ways been in love with martial arts. Because
the window. The fifth disciple, seventh disci- of my love of martial arts, I have suffered
ple, and eighth disciple each carried a saber, many losses, so I now have the intention of
and they were lined up to the left and right. finding the most famous masters and learn-
The young imposter was trapped like a bird ing from them.”
in a cage. Escape was impossible.
He continued, saying, “Shifu, do you remem-
Geng Yongfeng continued ber that eight years ago, there was a young
to speak kindly. He began man that you met named Yang Luchan?”
“
to laugh and said, “My Then, turning his face to Fang Zishou, the
My friend, it must friend, it must have been young man said, “Senior Brother, you should
have been difficult for difficult for you to go un- remember that I previously sparred with you.
dercover for so long. Three Do you remember how you used the fourth
you to go undercover movement in the tai chi form to knock me
or four years! No one sus-
for so long. Three or pected a thing. Why did down?”
four years! No one you give yourself up to-
Master Chen said, “Oh! You are... Yang,
suspected a thing. day?”
what?”.
Why did you give
“
The young man still had
“I am Yang Luchan, and eight years ago I
yourself up today? not spoken a word. He
came to the master’s house to meet you.”
continued to bow low as
his tears fell like rain. Fi- When the young man said this, Master Chen
nally, he bowed even lower couldn’t remember, since it happened a long
and began to speak. He addressed the disci- time ago, However, fourth disciple Fang
ples respectfully, saying “Senior Brothers!” Zishou did remember it and he said with a
Then turned to Master Chen and said, “Shifu, confused tone, “But what happened when
please don’t be angry.” Next, he addressed Fu my donkey stepped on the basin? Was that
Jiannan, saying, “Big Brother!” Finally, he you?”
turned back to Master Chen with tears still in
his eyes and said, “Shifu, please believe that I Suddenly the young man’s face brightened
“
don’t have any bad intentions; I have suffered with joy, for he had at last found a witness.
so much in the past three or four years, and The young man said, “Master, I was ready to
my only goal was to become successful...” devote my life to learning your family’s ex-
cellent tai chi skills years ago, but the teacher
After a few moments passed, Master Chen refused to take me in. As they say, ‘The heart
replied, “What? You just wanted to be suc- can yearn, but there is no chance.’ After this,
cessful?” You must be a thief! You have sto- I was helpless and I left Chen Village. I visit-
len boxing skills from me to help you com- ed Jilu in the north and Wanyu in the south
mit crimes, right?” and spent five years of hard work looking for
QUESTIONING WITH BLADES, ANSWERING WITH TEARS
another famous teacher. Unsure of the next Yang Luchan said quickly, “Older Brother,
step, I traveled all over the martial arts world please don’t think like this. Actually, the fire
and visited various styles, but I could not happened because Cai Er ordered someone
find what I could consider a true and excel- to set it. Shifu, please think about it, how
lent teacher. I was even sometimes deceived could I have set the fire?” Then he looked
and I was very tired in the end. After all this back at Fang Zishou and said, “Fourth Senior
searching, it’s difficult to put into words how Brother, please help me out here. Shifu, that
discouraged I was.” anonymous letter to clear away the injustices
of the fourth senior brother was sent by me.
“I had big dreams in those years, but I had Please consider my efforts, and please forgive
suffered many setbacks and disappoint- me for stealing your boxing skills! Fourth Se-
ments. Even so, I knew that I must learn the nior Brother, remember? It was raining that
art of excellence. There was no way to achieve year. Do you remember the knocking on the
my goal, so I changed my appearance and window in the middle of the night? It was
returned to Chen Village. When I first got me who delivered the letter to you! Senior
closer to the teacher’s house, I thought that Brother, you were saved!”
my dream was beginning to come true. I only
“
hoped that I could become an apprentice of The fake mute Yang Luchan
one of Master Chen’s disciples. That would knelt on the floor bowing
I had big dreams in those
have made me feel lucky. Unfortunately, after and repeating these words years, but I had suffered
I arrived here, I realized that Master Chen’s in his defense. Seeing the many setbacks and
disciples were not allowed to accept disciples captive’s humility, Master disappointments.
of their own under the orders of the master. Chen couldn’t help but calm
After I heard this, I was even more discour- down and return to his seat Even so, I knew that I
aged and did not know what to do. Later, I quietly. He considered that must learn the art of
plucked off my eyebrows and pretended to the imposter might be tell- excellence. There was no
be a beggar. Each day I thought about how I ing the truth. Master Chen
could meet with the teacher.” looked at the angry group
way to achieve my goal,
of disciples who were ready so I changed my
Master Chen angrily said, “Are you still lying
to attack the imposter at any appearance and returned
“
to us?”
moment. Next, he looked
to Chen Village.
Yang Luchan was embarrassed, and he knelt over at Fang Zishou and
with his head on the floor while crying out, saw that Fang Zishou was
“Shifu, I will talk but what can I say? I don’t looking back at him with
have any bad intentions! You still refuse to surprise in his eyes. They
forgive me, and it’s my fault that I was pre- both realized that they were thinking the
tending to be mute to steal boxing. But same thing. What if the imposter was inno-
teacher, these three or four years that I have cent?
been in your house, I have been dedicated
Master Chen secretly thought to himself:
to serving you, I have had no bad thoughts.
“According to this intruder, he helped us in
Shifu, when you were sick, and I served you
the past with an anonymous letter, breaking
day and night; When an evil person set the
the conspiracy of the prostitutes who sought
fire, and I did my best to save you...”
to ruin our reputation. If this is true, he saved
Geng Yongfeng started to yell, saying, “Non- Fang Zishou and cleared the name of our tai
sense, didn’t you tell someone to set the fire?” chi family... when I was sick, he served me
You are deliberately selling favors at the mar- with all his heart. He was always here, so if
ket!” he was evil, he could have easily attacked me
STEALING BOXING
at any time. He didn’t set that fire... it was Cai ter Chen’s thoughts. He turned from Mas-
Er who set the fire. He risked his life to help ter Chen to the imposter. He leaned over
us, and never seemed to think of himself. to carefully examine Yang Luchan’s physical
He’s been in my house, working diligent- appearance. Fu Jiannan noticed that the im-
ly for so long. Now it turns out that he has poster had a face that could be considered
been stealing our boxing skills. He has been heroic. This person has been pretending to
so dedicated and has taken such great risks!” be a mute for three years. Wasn’t that difficult
Looking at the small intruder still crouched for him? How was he able to convince them
on the floor, he thought, “he is a short person for so long?
and with small bone structure. I really didn’t
expect him to have such an impressive peng No one had noticed that he came to Chen
energy!” Village previously, and then returned several
years later in disguise. To remain undetected,
Master Chen considered all of this, and he he had changed his appearance by wearing
lowered his head and looked at the imposter dirty clothes. He adopted sideburns, and
again. The young man was still kneeling with made his eyelashes droop so that he could
a look of sorrow and fear, but pretend to be confused. When he first came
“
despite this, his appearance and to Chen village years ago, he looked like a
According to the temperament still seemed good. rich man with eyebrows like swords; When
imposter’s story, he he came back again, he transformed into a
Master Chen thought, “I orig-
was a member of the inally pitied him because I
poor mute man with bald eyebrows. Not only
did Master Chen and Fang Zishou not notice,
Ji’nan family. Judging thought he could not speak.
but even the full-time worker Old Huang was
by his demeanor, he Now I am impressed because
not suspicious. The whole time, Yang Luchan
it couldn’t have been easy to
did not seem like a stay silent for three years. If he
was nervous about being discovered, it was
martial arts world not easy to pretend to be mute. He was most
doesn’t have evil intentions, he
afraid that someone might hear him speak-
bandit. But he was a must be a tough and outstand-
ing out while he was dreaming at night.
ing man...”
rich man, how could
Fu Jiannan was thinking carefully: Accord-
he manage such an Master Chen’s disciples were
“
ing to the imposter’s story, he was a member
shocked to watch the scene un-
exhausting task? of the Ji’nan family. Judging by his demean-
fold as they stood crowded in
or, he did not seem like a martial arts world
the room, holding their gleam-
bandit. But he was a rich man, how could
ing weapons and ready at any
he manage such an exhausting task? Fu Ji-
moment to attack. They all stood frozen in
complete silence, watching as the master de- annan couldn’t help but shake his head. He
cided what to do with their captive. was about to comment, but before he could
speak, Fang Zishou shouted in a low voice:
Finally, Fang Zishou broke the silence and “Shifu!” He felt he could be silent no longer.
whispered, “Shifu!”
Master Chen turned, saying, “Oh! What?”
Master Chen only looked back at him; his
eyes widened but he was still speechless. Fang Zishou pointed with his hand, “This
stranger says… this man with the name Yang
The eldest disciple, Fu Jiannan, knew what says I was in that lawsuit and that the letter
was going on. He has already guessed Mas- that saved me was was provided by him.”
QUESTIONING WITH BLADES, ANSWERING WITH TEARS
Tai Chi Chen says, “What’s going on?” Fang Zishou suddenly remembered. He
blurted out, “Oh! That’s correct.”
Fang Zishou hesitated, “The incident of set-
ting the fire and fighting the fire has passed, Master Chen looked at Fang Zishou, Fang
so no matter what he says, his statement has Zishou nodded and asked Yang Luchan
no evidence, and it cannot be proved at all.” again “Yang, you have worked so hard to get
But the mystery of who wrote the anony- into Shifu’s house, what is the meaning of
mous letter can be proven. These words this? Tell us the truth now. You must tell us
have a history. We can prove who sent the all the details of the anonymous letter. If you
letter because it could not be fabricated.” He are the one who wrote it, then you can tell us
looked at Master Chen and then continued: what it said right now. As long as you tell us
“ I think that we can investigate him.” If he the details and how it all happened, as long as
is being honest, we can prove that the anon- you say it all correctly, then that proves that
ymous letter was provided by him. If he has you come to us with good intentions. If this
been doing his best for our Shifu and for the is true, I will personally intercede with Shifu
disciples and there is no bad intention; I beg for you.”
Shifu to consider to be easy on him.
Yang Luchan looked around at the gleaming
Geng Yongfeng interrupted. “The hand- weapons still trained on him and started
writing of the anonymous letters can be speaking carefully in a low voice, “I came
compared.” with good intentions. It took a long time
“
for me to deal with my
Master Chen was silent, and the look on senior brother’s incident. The incident of setting
his face seemed to signal agreement. Fang When I left home, my rel-
Zishou waited for Master Chen’s response. Fu
the fire and fighting the fire
atives and friends set up a
Jiannan said, “Fourth Younger Brother, what farewell banquet to wish has passed, so no matter
anonymous letter are you talking about?” me success. I have said what he says, his statement
enough. If you are kick- has no evidence, and it
Fang Zishou explained that he was falsely
ing me out of Henan, I
accused of murder and involved in a lawsuit,
will have no face to return
cannot be proved at all.”
and he was glad to have Shifu’s help. Because But the mystery of who
to my hometown.” After
of this help, he was able to be released from
prison. He said, “Thanks to the fact that the
saying this, he couldn’t wrote the anonymous letter
help sobbing and he burst
Shifu received an anonymous letter, he ex-
into tears, saying, “It’s
can be proven. These words
posed the enemy’s treacherous plot and they
true, I was from a wealthy have a history. We can
caught the real murderer.” As he said this, he
turned to look at Yang Luchan and asked,
family, but at this time, I prove who sent the letter
can’t go back home, so I because it could not be
“
“Did you send that letter to Shifu?”
have been drifting on my
own...” fabricated.
Yang Luchan replied quickly, “ Senior Broth-
er, that letter was written to you and sent to Fu Jiannan replied, “So,
your house, not to Shifu.” Have you forgot- you have entered the
ten that it was raining lightly that night, and martial arts world, haven’t you?”
I was the one who passed the letter to you
through the windowsill? At that time, you Yang Luchan wiped his tears and raised his
had been enjoying a few drinks before going head: “Senior Brother, I am not someone
to bed. You chased me through the rain!” who has no name or surname, why would I
STEALING BOXING
QUESTIONING WITH BLADES,
ANSWERING WITH TEARS
do that? I was wandering everywhere, and I

was visiting famous teachers, one in the east
and one in the west. I traveled to the Jiang-
bei and Henan areas, where there are famous
martial artists. I would visit them. I love
martial arts, but I do not have an imposing
physique, so I was looking for a master to
teach me.” He sighed: “Unfortunately, I wast-
ed 4 or 5 years of hard work seeking teachers
“
in many places. Later I found out that some
I traveled to the of these famous martial artists were either fa-
Jiangbei and Henan mous in name only, were falsely advertised,
areas, where there or they were simply bullying the weak. Some
were close to bandits. Some of the masters
are famous martial consider their skills as a business asset and
artists. I would visit refuse to pass them on. During this period, I
them. I love martial suffered many losses, was deceived, humili-
arts, but I do not ated, suffered blows, and so on...”
have an imposing As Yang Luchan spoke, Master Chen’s face
physique, so I was changed. The words seemed to soften Mas-
looking for a master ter Chen’s anger towards him slightly. Fang
to teach me.
“ Zishou and the others couldn’t help but
turn their heads to wait for Master Chen’s
response.
Seeing Master Chen’s reaction, Yang Luchan

realized that there might be some hope for
him. Still bowing low, his face became slight-
ly less pale and his breathing relaxed.
Master Chen spoke up in a clear voice,

saying, “tell me. In the past four or five years,
who have you learned from, what have you
learned, and why did you come back here
again?”
With a glimmer of hope in his heart, Yang

Luchan went on to tell Master Chen of his
journeys, and the many teachers that he had
met before returning to Chen Village. 
SEMINARS
PARIS, FRANCE
STAR ZAGORA, BULGARIA
April 29-May 1 103 Hand Form LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND
April 22-23 Senior Form
May 2 Push Hands May 27-29 103 Hand Form
April 24 Push Hands
May 3 Saber Form Contact: Robert Irrausch
Contact:Tihomir Todorov
Contact: Duc Nguyen Minh Tel: +41 762136767
Tel: +359 898 531692
Tel: +33 607267296 Email: robert@yangfamilytaichi.com
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Email: duc@yangfamilytaichi.com
ROME,ITALY MEXICO CITY, MEXICO

June 1-3 103 Hand Form June 17-18 Essential Form
June 4-5 Sword Form June 19 Saber Form
Contact: Anna Siniscalco Contact: Daniel Corona
Tel: +39 068610590 Tel: +52 5556735682
Email: anna@yangfamilytaichi.com Email: daniel@yangfamilytaichi.com
A
seminar with Master Yang Jun is a fun, inspiring learning experience that you will never forget. It is one of the very best ways to
quickly improve your skill and understanding of Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan. His great ability to clearly teach the finer points of tai
chi chuan and link tai chi theory to practice will help you learn how to perform the movements and understand in depth why they
are performed the way they are. This greater depth of understanding will allow you to refine your own daily practice of tai chi chuan long
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2022 © International Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Association.

Any reproduction, in whole or in part, of the herein publication, is strictly forbidden, without the written
authorization of the publisher.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
MASTER YANG JUN
EDITOR
EDWARD MOORE
ASSISTANT EDITOR
JOSHUA NEUHAUS
PROOFREADING
JOSHUA NEUHAUS
SUSANNA WEGNER
NIGEL JENNINGS
GRAPHIC DESIGN
MARCO GAGNON
CONTRIBUTORS
EDWARD MOORE
JOSHUA NEUHAUS
YANG FAMILY
TAI CHI
BILL WALSH
WU KWONGYU (EDDY WU)
ANGELA SOCI
PATRICIA HUSTON MD
KEN NING
FOUNDER PRESIDENT’S ADVISORY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Grandmaster Yang Zhenduo BOARD Fang Hong
BOARD OF DIRECTORS VP Administration
Therese Teo Mei Mei
Pam Boyde
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Master Yang Jun Claudio Mingarini Manager
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P.O. Box 786, Bothell, Audi Peal Han Hoong Wang
Secretary
WA 98041 USA Fang Hong Pat Rice VP Instruction & Standards
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JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL YANG FAMILY TAI CHI CHUAN ASSOCIATION | WINTER 2022

5 TEACHERS ACADEMY PICTURES

6 INTERVIEW WITH GRANDMASTER WU KWONGYU

12 TALKING ABOUT ROLLBACK WITH MASTER YANG

18 CHINESE TERMS OF TAI CHI THEORY

19 JOGGING FOR STAMINA, YOGA FOR FLEXIBILITY,

20 FALLING IN LOVE WITH TAI CHI ALL OVER AGAIN

26 INCREASING AWARENESS OF THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF TAI CHI*

30 TAI-CHI IN THE LIGHT OF SELF-DEFENSE

“ They are young, energetic, and

Master Yang Jun teaching at the

TAI CHI CHUAN

Edward Moore: Hello Master Yang. Today,

square and yu means diagonal. Rollback

well-conducted clinical trials where people Chronic diseases

2. IMPROVES MENTAL • Alleviates depression

Questioning with Blades,

Translated by Ken Ning,

Stealing Boxing (偷拳, TōuQuán) was written by Gong Baiyu (1899-1966).

do that? I was wandering everywhere, and I

Seeing Master Chen’s reaction, Yang Luchan

Master Chen spoke up in a clear voice,

With a glimmer of hope in his heart, Yang

ROME,ITALY MEXICO CITY, MEXICO

2022 © International Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Association.

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