Wu (Hao) is a powerful taijiquan system for health and martial arts. It is one of the 5 major tai chi styles recognized in China today.

Wu (Hao) was created by Mr. Wu Yu-Xiang, during the Qing Dynasty when Xiang Feng was emperor. Sometimes it was called Wu or Hao style. The style’s creator, Mr. Wu Yu-Xiang, was a scholar. He combined taiji training from Chen Qing-Ping, and Mr. Wang Zhong-Yue’s theories with study of Confucianism, Taoism, and Sun Tze’s Art of War. With this knowledge, Mr. Wu Yu-Xiang developed the main form of Wu (Hao) as well as the 13-Technique Taiji Spear (staff), 13-Technique Taiji Saber, and Moving-step Push Hands. From the basis of Mr. Wang’s Zhong-Yue’s theories, Mr. Wu continued the development of the 13-Torso Method, an Analysis of Taijiquan Theory, an Introduction of the 13 Postures, and Secret of the Four Words. Once Mr. Wu developed these he had completed a taijiquan system.

Studying with Mr. Wu, his nephew, Mr. Li Yi-Yu, developed The Secret of Five Words, Taiji Secret Attacks, and many other concepts. Because Mr. Wu and Mr. Li concentrated on the theories and martial arts aspects of their taijiquan system and diligently studied Confucius, they rejected students. They preferred a scholarly environment where they could further develop the system.

There was an important exception–Mr. Hao Wei-Zheng, who popularized the system. Mr. Hao accepted Mr. Li Shen-Duan as a student. Another student, was Mr. Sun-Lu Tang, a famous Xingyi, and Baqua teacher. He subsequently created Sun-style taijiquan. In addition, a businessman and famous Chinese-Muslim scholar, Mr. Li Shen-Duan studied under Mr. Hao. Mr. Li Shen-Duan taught many students in the Xintai area. The most famous ones are Mr. Chen Gu-An and Mr. Wu Wen-Han. Both taught Mr. Jimmy Kokkhang Wong and accepted him as their disciple.

The development of Wu (Hao) Taijiquan
Mr. Wu Yu-Xiang, the creator of the system of Taijiguan theory, came from a distinguished royal family. He was born in 1812 in Guangfu town, Yongnian County, Hebei province.

His great-grandfather Wu Jing-Yuan was a high-ranking officer of the Qing Dynasty army and grandfather Wu Da-Yong was a martial arts warrior—someone who has passed the imperial examination at the county level during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. His father, Wu Li, was a scholar. His elder brothers also passed the imperial examination. His brother Wu Chen-Qing was the mayor of Wuyung county in Henan province and his other brother, Wu Ru-Qing, worked as the chief inspector in the security department in Sichuan province. Mr. Wu Yu-Xiang was an educator and the leader of education. He was a scholar until his death in 1880.

All members of the Wu family were Confucian scholars and passed their examinations as government officials; however, kungfu was a tradition in the family. Wu Yu-Xiang’s father believed in a combination of education and martial arts. The Chinese called it “Wen Wu Her I” or Warrior Scholar. As a result, the three brothers learned kungfu from childhood.

The owner of a Chinese medicine shop—called Dahetang–rented a room from the Wu family. The owner, Chen De-Hu, came from the birthplace of taiji–Chen Jiagou, Wen county, Henan province, and was a martial arts practitioner himself. Mr. Wu Yu-Xiang practiced with Mr. Chen and discovered their styles were different. They sparred together until Mr. Wu decided the druggist’s skills were mediocre.

As the two practiced together, a third man—Mr. Yang Lu-Chan—returned to the area and worked as a martial arts coach for the medicine shop. Mr. Yang, who lived from 1799 to 1872, was the founder of Yang-style Taiji. He had come from Chenjiaguo where he studied the taiji skills of Mr. Chen Zhang-Xing. Mr. Wu and his brothers recognized the superb martial skills of Mr. Yang and determined to learn from him.

Mr. Wu heard of a man who was a taijiquan expert that lived in Zhaobao town, Wen County, by the name of Mr. Chen Qing-Ping. Mr. Wu had many questions that Mr. Chen could possibly answer. He was determined to find him. In 1852, Mr. Wu’s elder brother was appointed governor of Wuyang County, Henan Province. His mother gave permission for a visit. On the way, he detoured to seek out Mr. Chen. Diligently, he studied from Mr. Chen.

Later, when Mr. Wu had reached his brother’s house, he found the taijiquan manual of Mr. Wang Zhong-Yue in the mansion salt factory. The book enthralled Mr. Wu. It expanded his taijiquan knowledge. After that, Wu Yu-Xiang gave up his official career and devoted his life to the study of Taijiquan. He and his nephew, Mr. Li Yi-Yu, spent the next nine years improving their skills.

Combining Confucian theory, Sun Tze Art of War, Qigong, traditional Chinese medicine concepts, and martial arts skills, Mr. Wu Yu-Xiang formulated the following theories:

1) Explanation of 13 Postures
2) Taijiquan Theory
3) Analysis of Taijiquan Theory
4) 13 Torso Method
5) The Four Secret Words of Tuishou

Tai Chi: It’s no longer just for seniors. The slow fluid movement of Tai Chi is great for conditioning the body and mind.

For those interested in the internal martial arts, we offer classes on Wu (Hao) Taiji. Wu (Hao) Taiji is a gentle form of exercise with an emphasis on focus, relaxation, and proper posture. From a martial perspective, Wu (Hao) Taiji is effective due to its focus on smaller, connected movements generating immense power and the concept of softness overcoming hardness. Our Sifu, Grandmaster Jimmy K. Wong, is the sixth generation direct lineage of the Wu Yu-Xiang Wu(Hao) Tai Chi system.

According to Stress in America survey, 75% of American adults feel high levels of stress every month. For some, it actually turns into full blown panic disorder.

Study shows Tai Chi reduces stress and anxiety, while increasing energy, flexibility, and agility. Some evidence shows that it improves joint pain.

Tai Chi, also referred to as Tai Chi Chuan and Taijiquan, is the ultimate health and defense system started by a Chinese Sage by the name of Chang San-Feng. The movements throughout the the entire Tai Chi form emphasize both firm and soft postures aimed at developing inner self-control.

All the movements are practiced at a slow, meditative pace in order to develop control over one’s own energy force and balances. The energy force, or Qi (chi), as the Chinese refer to it, takes natural breath control and the awareness of the body to develop. Tai Chi Chuan combines all of these healthy attributes to bring about total internal and external strength and rebuilds one’s spirit and body.

Tai Chi: The Alternative to Medicine?

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The benefits of Tai Chi are:

• It warms the body in the winter and cools it in the summer.
• It develops good posture, resulting in relief of back pains
• It promotes deep breathing, develops the lungs to their normality, and tones up the heart
• It promotes digestion and enables the stomach to absorb the nourishments from food more efficiently
• It lowers blood pressure and reduces stress
• It prevents lime formation or precipitation in the bones
• It regulates blood circulation
• It cleans the digestive system
• It wastes no energy, induces perspiration, eliminates waste, and expels dampness and excess water in the body
• It promotes the assimilation of nourishment from food thus mending the bones and the marrow

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For more information about Wu(Hao) Taiji, please visit our website: http://wuhaotaiji.com/about-wuhao-taichi.php or click here for the full article about Wu Hao Tai Chi Chuan

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