Vol 2, Issue 4/2000

Employing the Theories of the Old Masters in Ones’ Own Practise

About the Principles of Wu Style Taijiquan.
By Ma Jiangbao

Ma Jiangbao is a grandson of Wu Jiangquan, the founder of the Wu style and teaches in Europe on the basis of this family tradition. In his contribution to our series about Taiji principles he looks at the three areas of form training, of Tuishou and of the theory which gives direction to ones’ own learning. He stresses the importance of a correct posture, in which coccyx, back, neck and head form a straight line, and a deep concentration, which is important for a harmonious performance of the form. This position of inner calm should not be disturbed by thoughts about the correct performance. Ma Jiangbao’s guidelines for Tuishou are closely related to the Yin/Yang principle: to overcome hardness with softness, to meet an offensive with calm, to overcome your opponent through less power but better ability, to retreat to advance, circular movements.


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