Cha Quan

Cha quan is a traditional Chinese martial art. Its graceful movements conceal a vast array of self-defense techniques and help to promote personal health and fitness. The practice of Cha quan is physically demanding, and practitioners can expect an increase in strength, flexibility, stamina, coordination and balance as a result of regular practice. Cha quan is a very broad fighting style, with techniques that cover many different empty hand and weapon methods.

Like many other Chinese martial arts, Cha quan is trained using a combination of forms, individual exercises and sparring. Though the systematic training practitioners will find themselves better suited to particular forms and comprehensive knowledge of every form is not a necessity. Individual exercises are more targeted to the specific needs of the practitioner, and help him or her to round out her abilities by improving strength, fluidity of movement, ability to generate force, balance, control, etc. Shi Lu Tan Tui, or 10 route Spring Legs is a well known exercise that is an integral part of a Cha quan education. Practice of Tan Tui helps to develop strong kicking ability and solid foot work.

As a form of exercise, the benefits of practicing Cha quan are myriad. New learners will notice improvements in almost all aspects of fitness, and practice of a martial art is a useful tool for improving self-confidence.

Historically, Cha quan has always been associated with the Hui people, an Islamic ethnic minority that live in China. Prior to the 20th century it was very rare for non-Muslims to learn this style. Chang quan, a style of modern wushu practiced throughout China, borrows heavily from Cha quan.

There are two legends about the origins of Cha quan:

One story begins with Sha Liang, a man alive during the Yong Zheng and Qian Long period during the Qing dynasty. He was the chief representative of Muslim soldiers in the Imperial army and is regarded as either the creator of the Cha quan system, or the most important promoter of Cha quan in its early stages. Cha quan spread to other parts of China from Guan Xian county, Shandong province. The primary practitioners of Cha quan were Muslim. Cha quan, and its afilliated art, Tan Tui, was regarded as a Muslim art. Throughout every generation, there were always renowned practitioners of these arts. The early promotion of Cha quan was in Shandong, Hebei, Henan and Anhui provinces, and it was often combined with wrestling.

Another legend states that Cha quan originated in the early stages of the Ming dynasty, and was created by a Muslim called Cha Shangyi. Cha quan in Henan provence was very popular in the Jia Qing period of the Qing dynasty. The main teacher was Ding Jilin, who was a disciple of Shi Taichun from Cangzhou, Hebei province. Ding taught in a number of big mosques in Henan province. His chief disciple, Guo Dengxuan, had close to one hundred disciples due to the popularity of Cha quan. Among them were 3 brothers: Ma Zhongqing, Ma Zhongqi and Ma Zhongli. These three were his most outstanding students. People called them Da Laoshi, Er Laoshi and San Laoshi respectively. All 3 teachers eventually moved on to teach in Anhui province.

Xin Yi Liu He Quan

Xin Yi Liu He Quan is a Chinese martial art developed by the Chinese Hui (Muslim) community in Henan province. The art was practiced in secret, and for several centuries was only transmitted to the most dedicated Hui practitioners. Only at the beginning of last century did the style start getting taught to the rest of the Chinese community. While the style is still very rare, the past two decades has seen its spread to western countries.

Xin Yi Liu He Quan, roughly translated, means “Heart, Mind and Six Harmonies Boxing”. The first thing one notices about Xin Yi is its simplicity; there are no large flowery movements and no long drawn out forms. Beginning practice focuses on developing whole body co-ordination, correct structure and deep muscular and mental relaxation. This is achieved through consistent, repetitive practice of various single movements and the use of zhan zhuang (“standing post” meditation).

A key element of Xin Yi training is the understanding and application of the six harmonies. Without these harmonies, there can be no whole body co-ordination or power, and qi will not be able to flow freely. The six harmonies are:

With diligent practice these attributes will become ingrained in the practitioner’s body, and will emerge naturally in any movements the practitioner makes. When the mind becomes calm and concentrated and the body is relaxed, the qi will flow unimpeded and the power will manifest naturally.

Once you understand the principles, you are freed from all formal constraints, but whatever you do is always natural and correct because you have totally internalized the principles.

According to some historical texts, Xin Yi Liu He Quan was created by Yue Fei, a famous general who lived during the Song dynasty, c. twelfth century AD. It was a very popular style during this time. In one particular battle, Yue Fei was surrounded by Jin soldiers at Niu Tou Mountain. Trapped in the mountain range, Yue Fei wandered for days, searching for a way past the surrounding forces. During this time he observed the actions and movements of the animals, and their tactics while they fought. He realised that each animal had specific characteristics, and, inspired by this, he created a simple set of movements designed to help people develop the fighting skills that the animals instinctively possessed.

Due to political influences during the Yuan and Ming dynasties, Xin Yi Liu He Quan became very rare among martial artists. Only towards the late Ming - early Qing dynasty did the art reappear. A legendary fighter named Ji Jike (also known as Ji LongFeng) from the Jun village of Puzhou Pinyang in Shanxi province travelled far seeking martial knowledge from renowned masters. At Zhong Nan Mountain he encountered a sage, with whom he had many matches but was unable to best. Ji Jike asked the sage what the name of this powerful style was, but the sage would never answer. After a number of years, the sage presented a gift to Ji Jike; the Yue Wu Mu script. Since this time, Xin Yi Liu He Quan has been passed on within Muslim society in China. It was regarded as a treasure for self protection, and it was forbidden for Muslim practitioners to pass it on to people of other ethnicities.

During the Guang Xu period in the Qing dynasty, a famous master from Zhoukou in Henan province named Yuen Fong Yi taught a martial prodigy named Lu SongGao. All of Yuen Fong Yi’s knowledge was passed on to him. Lu travelled Henan and Hubei, eventually ending up in Shanghai. He accepted many challenges within Shanghai martial circles and never lost a match, establishing himself as an authority in the martial world. He taught many disciples in Shanghai, such as Mu Qing Lan, Ma Yi Fang, Li Zun Xian, Wang Shou Xian, Xie Xing Bang, Zhang Zhao Yuan, Sun Shao Fu, etc. They all inherited this art, and have their own lineage under Lu Laoshi.

Taiji Quan

Taiji Quan is Dao.

Taiji strengthens your muscles and ligaments, harmonises your qi and your blood, cultivates physical and mental health, eliminates disease and prolongs life. All can achieve benefits from practicing taiji as a method of health preservation, irrespective of innate ability. When practised correctly, taiji is an exercise that results in pure benefit to the practitioner and rarely results in harm.

Taiji follows the theory of 'dong' (movement) and 'jing' (stillness). The application of this theory requires an understanding of the transition between emptiness and fullness. Taiji is practised with with an upright, centered posture, which creates mental stillness and relieves physical burden. Movement in taiji is light, nimble and always circular. Attention during practice should be focused on internal movement, and taiji is therefore considered an 'internal martial art'. All movements in taiji are very natural and relaxed. Because of this it is suitable for practitioners of all backgrounds, including the elderly, the young, male or female. It is also suitable for physically handicapped people and can be easily adapted to suit anyone's needs.

To achieve the greatest benefits from taiji, daily practice is essential. The idea of active training, where you are aware of the intricacies of each movement as it is performed, is especially important. Every single movement should be studied until it is understood in great detail, which serves to enhance awareness and control over your internal landscape. The benefits of taiji are physical and mental, and will add a broad perspective to your personal wisdom.

Regular training of the taiji form is at the heart of taiji practice. The form provides the framework for all movements, and through practice it is continually refined, resulting in great benefit to the practitioner. Kneading hands ('push hands') is used to train martial application and reinforce the understanding of Yin and Yang and how its change benefits health and wellbeing.

If you persist with your training, it will eventually guide you to the right path in life. You will have a strong feeling of qi permeating every part of your body, and through practice you will equip yourself with heightened sensitivity, enhanced reflexes, and a greater understanding of energy. Continued practice will give you insight into the ideal of ultimate relaxation and you will eventually be able to apply this in all aspects of your life. Given time, you will reach a level where you perfectly understand your relationship with nature.