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Tai-Chi for the Masses--and Others
Kuang Ping was the T'ai-chi set favored by Yang Lu-Chan, the man who brought forward the "Yang" style in the mid-1800's, now so popular throughout the world. Kuang Ping is what the man trained with himself. The popular "Yang" set was/is something for the masses--not for the aficinado, the athlete, the martial artist. I learned Kuang Ping from Kuo Lien Ying (that's him above, taken in the late 1960's), third generation student of Yang Lu Chan. I was already an accomplished runner and martial artist when I started training (1970), so it was difficult to please me in the arena of athletics--but 75 yr-old Kuo was definitely impressive! Eventually I studied five T'ai-chi sets, but his was/is definitely the most dynamic and challenging. I teach two sets currently: a short Yang style (for beginners and the unfit) and Kuang Ping. They are both available on tape. T'AI-CHI CH'UAN: A Few Words This soft or "internal" art is, in all aspects, a psycho-physical exercise, a boxing system, and a meditation method. Most of the tens of millions of practitioners are into it for health and meditation, so they move very slowly during the training. But what most people don't realize is that since the art is founded on using the principles of change, you can-and should-move the body and mind according to the need of the moment. This wondrous exercise can be used by anyone, male and female, old and young. A five year-old child and a person of 90 years or more are both able to practice T'ai-chi Ch'uan. The complete form can be learned within three months; pretty good acquaintance can be obtained with a year's practice; and a student training perseveringly for about five years can have significant integration of mind and body, intuition and knowledge. There are delicate details of T'ai-chi, keys to its marvels which are understood only with faithful practice. Traditionally, a person is required to train seven years before qualifying as a teacher. Of the more than 100 million people who practice T'ai-chi regularly, most train outdoors, even in severe weather conditions of northern China. The reason is simple and can be understood only when you accept the elements and embrace the opportunity to integrate with nature. Year-round, outdoor training is good for the spirit, heart, mind and body. Instructor Certification: T'ai-chi Ch'uan First - Third years: White Sash Fourth Year: Blue Sash Fifth Year: Green Sash Sixth Year: Gold Sash Seventh Year: Black Sash View this article in its entirety: Sifu Orem holds the following ranks: -Certified Instructor, Guang Ping Yang T'ai-Chi Assn.; -Black Sash/Instructor, from Gung-Fu Wu-Shu Institute; -6th Degree Black Sash in Chinese Boxing, from the International Chinese Boxing Federation; -8th Degree Black Belt in Zen Kempo-jitsu, from the World Nibuikai Budo Federation. He was also voted into the World Martial Arts Masters Society (head-quartered in Germany), as the ranking member of the Society. Sifu Orem is the author of several manuals focused on the practicum and methodology of effective training, including the acclaimed SENG PING TAO: PATH OF THE WARRIOR MONK and ESOTERIC MARTIAL ARTS OF ZEN: TRAINING METHODS FROM THE PATRIARCH. He has also created and produced 50 training videos with such diverse topics as Kempo Ki/Chi Development, Northern Shaolin for the Mature Athlete, T'ai-chi and Pregnancy, a children's Kung Fu series, plus many northern and southern Shaolin hand and weapon forms. He was a featured writer with the on-line martial arts magazine DRAGON'S LIST (dragonslist.com).
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