"While people might easily recognize T'ai Chi Ch'uan's slow, calm and fluid movements as beneficial to one's health, the self-defense aspect of this internal exercise is not so readily apparent.
If the self-defense patterns of movement are not explained to people who are unaware of what we are doing, they might think us crazy to claim that so peaceful an exercise (when in different circumstances) is actually a martial art of self defense. Moreover, beginning students of T'ai Chi do not really grasp the defense aspect of the form.
For these reasons, explanation of T'ai Chi's self defense movements are best revealed through application. To explain by application serves a double purpose. It is a way to make people understand that, although in demonstration the form is fluid, delicate and looks beautiful, T'ai Chi is a martial art of self defense. For the student who is learning the many separate and distinct movements of the form, to explain each movement by demonstrating its application for defense is a way to insure that the student executes the movement more correctly.
Within each movement in the form there lies concealed not only self-defense application, but striking force that can be quite harmful to your opponent."
The following is an example of one Self Defense Application of "Wild Geese Flying in Pairs."
"Those who set out to learn the exercise, do not misjudge the value of The Chinese Five Word Song."
Verses 133-134
"The Chinese Five Word Song" was written by Master Li Tung Fung during the early part of China's Sung Dynasty. Master Li learned Hwa-Yu T'ai-Chi Ch'uan (Liu Ho Pa Fa Ch'uan Fa) from Master Chen Hsi-I, creator of the martial art and health exercise. Master Li Tung Fung took refuge in the mountain of Yun, southeast from the Lok district. While living on Yun, he authored the famous Chinese Five Word Song, which serves today as the only extant treatise explaining the principles of the original Liu Ho Pa Fa.
Hwa-Yu T'ai-Chi Ch'uan was a closed-door martial art for almost 1,000 years. Master John Chung Li opened the door to hundreds of students in China, the United States and Europe. Master Li translated The Chinese Five Word Song and added his commentary to each of the 134 verses to help students understand the truth within Internal Martial Arts. We are privileged to now offer the insights to this phenomenal martial art and healthcare science through the publication of The Chinese Five Word Song.
We are extremely pleased to announce the publication of The Chinese Five Word Song. It's filled with tremendous insights into the philosophy and guiding principles of Internal Martial Arts from one of the true masters of the 20th Century.
You can purchase "The Chinese Five Word Song" from top online book sellers (Barnes and Noble, Borders Books, Amazon.com and Books A Million).
Contact Mark McGee by e-mail if you would like to receive a signed copy of the book.
You'll also enjoy the new book by Master Glenn Newth titled "Hwa Yu T'ai Chi Ch'uan: Unlocking the Mysteries of the Five-Word Song." You can purchase this book through any of the major booksellers websites.
For more information about Hwa-Yu T'ai-Chi Ch'uan
Copyright 1995-2008 Hwa Yu T'ai Chi Health and Wellbeing
