Vol 11, Issue 1/2003
The Li Family System
Taijiquan in the context of martial and healing arts.
Interview with Tony Swanson
Taijiquan in the context of martial and healing arts. Interview with Tony Swanson Li style (Lee style) Taijiquan is part of a complex system of the Taoist arts of the Li family. The system as a whole has been little represented in Germany to date. In the following interview Tony Swanson, the chief teacher of the Taoist Arts Organisation (TAO), the best-known organisation of Li style Taijiquan, gives an insight into this extensive tradition and its current state of development. Besides Taijiquan it also comprises Fengshou Kungfu, Chi Shu – the art of throwing, Shuai Chiao – Chinese wrestling – and the healing arts of Kaimen, Daoyin Qigong and Anmo. Traditionally all parts of the system were taught together, but Chee Soo, who spread the art chiefly in England, responded to the wishes of his students by teaching various areas individually. Now Tony Swanson is attempting to reunite the various aspects of the system and thus to restore its original holistic nature.
