Hwa-Yu T'ai Chi Ch'uan is an ancient Chinese temple-style meditation in movement, a martial art health care science. It comprises hundreds of sequenced, rounded, graceful, and balanced movement patterns. These movements are practiced with a precision seldom found in any other discipline.
Hwa-Yu T'ai Chi Ch'uan was first known during the early part of the Sung Dynasty as Lop Hop Pak Fat (Liu Ho Pa Fa), which translates as "Six Combinations Eight Methods." Master Chen Hsi-I, founder of Lop Hop Pak Fat, was a Taoist monk who grew up in the village of Ching Yun in the Ho Chow district of China. Hsi-I was fascinated by the fluid, ever-changing character of water. His observation carried over into the Taoist belief that nothing is so yielding, yet possesses so great a force. Hsi-I was also influenced by the "Animal Exercises for Health" which were created prior to the Sung dynasty. He developed Lop Hop Pak Fat after several years of meditation in the Hwa Shan mountain range.
Just what form Lop Hop Pak Fat took in the early history of Hwa-Yu T'ai Chi is difficult, if not altogether impossible to ascertain. Probably the original movements were similar to other newly developing Internal Kung Fu forms popular to the time.
During the Ching Dynasty the exercise system was known as "Idea Six Combination Boxing." It was later known as "Swimming Boxing." Master John Chung Li changed the name to Hwa-Yu T'ai Chi Ch'uan. It incorporates the slow, graceful movements of T'ai Chi with the best techniques of two other carefully guarded forms of Internal Kung Fu (Pa-Kua and Hsing-I).
"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 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).
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.
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