Tai Chi Classes - Campbelltown

We provide Tai Chi classes for those located in or near Campbelltown. The particular form of Tai Chi you will learn is known as Zhao Bao He Style Tai Chi.
"He" is pronounced Kir (Mandarin).

Classes:

Monday
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Location:

Glen Alpine community Hall
Corner of Englorie Park Drive and Heritage Way
Glen Alpine NSW 2560
See Map

Zhao Bao He' Style Tai Chi

"He" Pronounced Kir (Mandarin)

Benefits

Zhao Bao He Style Tai Chi Chuan is a very old form of Tai Chi. It is an excellent exercise method which promotes good health and longevity. The consistent and faithful practice of this sport is reported to have strengthening effects on people suffering with poor health or chronic illnesses. The characteristic upright headline of the He Style with its prolonged deep breathing clears the mind, harmonizes blood and Chi circulation-thus helping to establish a general state of well being.

Application

The basic framework of Zhao Bao He Style Tai Chi Chuan consists of 72 forms. Each form has a collection of large and small, and flowing and reversed circular movements: even the chi inside the dantian is travelling in circles. Every circle is intertwined, thus inside and out- side circles become one, because of this characteristic, He Style is often called the circular fist form.

Framework exercises can be divided into large, medium and small frames, each pose in each frame is light, agile, circular, brisk and open. In order to meet the requirements of proper body postures such as "three points facing", steps following body movements", "movement without moving", and "conformity with the bends and the shape of the body," one must step as if reeling silk, move like flowing water (with each move remaining connected like a lotus root breaking with the fibres still holding together), and follow one form closely after another.

Throughout the whole fist form, the body frame maintains a posture that is central, upright, level, even, light, agile, rounded, and lively, with hard and soft movements complementing one another. During the entire exercise, thoughts are linked together to unite body applications. The exercise can make one healthy, as well as provide self-defence.

One should not expect to be successful in this style in haste. The first step to success is to learn the form. The second step requires accuracy. The third step requires internal energy to lead external movements. The fourth step is to inquire into the truth of applications. A piece of ice that is three feet thick is not formed in one cold day. Those who have patience will be successful in learning the style, and those lacking patience will fail. If one can devote one- self to study this style, learn diligently and practice hard, one can get better and better, attaining lightness, agility, smoothness, vitality, and a state of well being.

History

Jiana Fa who studied with Wang Zhong Yue (whose Treatise on Tai Chi Chuan is a classic) was the last survivor of the seventh generation of Zha Bao Tai Chi Chuan. According to a manuscript copy of He Style Tai Chi Chuan, Jiana Fa taught the Zhao Bao style to Xing Xi Huai in the final years of Wan Li in the Ming Dynasty (around 1620). Xing passed this style onto Zhang Cu Chen. Zhang onto Chen Jiana Buo, Chen onto Zhang Zhong Yu onto his son Zhang Yian, and Zhang onto his son Zhang Yian and Zhang onto Chen Ching Ping:

During the years of Dao Guang in the Ching Dynasty (around A.D. 1840), He Zhao Yuan a student of Chen Ching Ping, went to the capital in order to protect an elder statesman, Li Tang Jie. While He Zhao Yuan was in the capital, he acquired the best and most practical combat skills from different Styles of martial arts. Then he combined his acquired knowledge with the theory of Tai Chi, with its specific hand and body movements, footwork and postures. He improved his combat skills tremendously and developed an apparently different and original style of Tai Chi Chuan.

When He Zhao Yuan returned to his hometown he went to visit his teacher Chen Ching Ping. Chen asked He to demonstrate what he had learned in the capital, after he had watched He's form, Chen was amazed and commented, "I am really impressed that you have worked so hard during the past few years while in the capital. Your skills in martial arts have surpassed mine, now you can start your own style and call it He Style Tai Chi Chuan.

Later when Chen Ching Ping's teacher Zhang Yian returned home from Shan Dong, He Zhao Yuan went to visit him. Zhang Yian told He Zhao Yuan to show him some boxing forms. Extremely pleased with He's demonstration, Zhana Yian said to He "I'm very old now, yet I haven't seen any martial art or fist form as good as this, your martial art skills have reached the highest peak. A wonderful flower has blossomed in the tai chi garden of our town."

He Zhao Yuan passed on what is now called He Style Tai Chi Chuan to his sons He Jing Zhi and Hi Ren Zhi, and to his oldest grandson He Ouing Xi. Later He Ouing Xi taught many students, of whom his nephews He Xue Xing, Cheng Wu Qing, Chen Buo Ying, Hao Qiao and Guo Yun are best known. Master Kei Cheong-Sao was taught by Cheng Wu Qing which makes her a disciple of the eleventh generation from Zhao Bao.

He Style Tai Chi was introduced into Australia by Sifu Henry Murray in 1983, after years of practice and dedication Master Ji Changxiu-Sao presented Sifu Murray with the family sword and granted permission for Sifu Murray to teach He Style Tai Chi in Australia.

In 1991 Sifu Steven Young commenced martial arts training with Sifu Murray, in 1998 Sifu Young focused his training on He Style Tai Chi. Sifu Murray was impressed with Sifu Young's dedication and commitment and sent him to Hong Kong to represent him at Master Ji Changxiu-Sao 60th birthday celebration. Sifu Young trained with Master Ji Changxiu-Sao and performed in demonstration at Master Ji Changxiu-Sao birthday extravaganza held in the Hong Kong Shangrila.

Master Ji Changxiu-Sao presented Sifu Young with a Chinese Staff before he returned to Australia. Sifu Young entered the National Tai Chi Titles in 2001 "The Peaceful Challenge " and won 1st place in Traditional weapons.

Call 0413 953 535 or email us from our Contact page to find out more about our Tai Chi classes in Campbelltown.