Antiquity and Origins
Tradition is that the principles of Yon Ch'uan (Soft Fist) Chinese Internal Martial Arts was created by Chen Hsi-I (pronounced Chin-Hee). Chen was a Taoist from the Hwa Shan mountain range in Shansi during the early part of the Sung Dynasty (960-1279 AD). Yon Ch'uan is an ancient Chinese temple-style meditation in movement, a martial art health care science. It comprises more than 500 sequenced, rounded, graceful, balanced movement patterns. Of the hundreds of different styles of Chinese Martial Arts, only three styles are considered Internal. They are Hsing-I Ch'uan (Form of the Will Boxing), Pa Kua Chang (Eight Trigrams Palm) and T'ai Chi Ch'uan (Grand Supreme Boxing). Yon Ch'uan Martial Arts incorporates the best principles of all three of the Internal martial arts styles and was first known by the name "Lop Hop Pak Fat (Liou He Ba Fah or Liu Ho Pa Fa), which means "Six Combinations & Eight Methods." The art has also been known as "Swimming Boxing," "Twelve Movements of Exercise Before Birth," "Idea Six Combination Boxing" and "Idea Spiritual Boxing."
Under the teaching of the late Grand Master John Chung Li, the art was known as Hwa-Yu T'ai Chi Ch'uan. Master Li named it for the mountain range where the art originated. He often showed his students the many impressive martial art applications but always emphasized correct posturing and movement principles to enhance the many health care benefits of Hwa-Yu T'ai Chi Ch'uan.
John Li was an internationally renowned Internal Martial Arts Grand Master who was tremendously skilled in the three major Internal martial arts systems. He was highly distinguished and respected by the great internal martial arts master of his time in China, Europe and the United States. Master Li taught the Internal health care science of Hwa-Yu T'ai Chi and the advanced Chi Kung exercises of the "One Yin Circle Palm Internal Art" to many university students in the United States, including Yale, Harvard, MIT, Boston University and the New England Medical Center. Master Li taught more than 700 seriously committed students while he lived in the United States including Master Robert Xavier.
Grand Master Xavier is one of only a few privileged students to receive certification from Master Li in both the Internal health care benefits of Hwa-Yu T'ai Chi Ch'uan and the more than 500 elite Internal movement vocabulary of the Yon Ch'uan self-defense system formerly known as Lop Hop Pak Fat.
Master Li gave the lineage of Yon Ch'uan Martial Arts to Master Robert Xavier shortly before his death. Master Li died in 1982. Master Xavier is the Chief Instructor and Lineage Holder of Yon Ch'uan Martial Arts and Hwa-Yu T'ai Chi Ch'uan with Headquarters in Bradenton, Florida.
"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
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