Chinese Internal Martial Arts Master - Tim Cartmell

Chinese Internal Martial Arts Master - Tim Cartmell

Wudang Martial Arts Daoist Master Guo Gaoyi

Wudang Martial Arts Daoist Master Guo Gaoyi

"A very rare video of taoist master Guo Gaoyi demonstrating part of Wudang Taiyi Xuanmen (Taoist) Sword. Guo Gaoyi (1924-1996) was the first head coach of martial arts in Zixiao Palace, one of the main taoist temples in Wudang mountains, between 1983 and 1989. 

Born in Shangqiu in Henan province, Guo studied Shaolin styles since childhood. During the anti-Japanese war in 1930 he traveled to north-eastern China where he learnt sword and Taijiquan from Yang Kuishan, a disciple of general Li Jinglin. After his batalion was defeated Guo retreated to the temples in Lüshan in Liaoning province, where he was initiated as a taoist monk. This is where he learnt Wudang Sanfeng martial arts from master Yang Mingzhen. Not much is known about Guo's whereabouts until early 1980s - only that during the Cultural Revolution is was forced to become a layman and return to his hometown - and could "return to Tao" only in 1981. He became a monk again, living in the temples on the White Could Mountain in Biyang County in Henan, where he studied martial arts from Tang Chongliang. Tang studied martial arts Wudang Mountains from Wang Xintang, a taoist master of the Eight Immortals Temple, but also received guidance from famous Wudang abbot Xu Benshan.

When his master passed away in 1983 Guo left White Cloud Mountain and moved to Wudang. In 1984 he became the head coach of the taoist martial arts academy at Zixiao Palace. In 1989 Guo left Wudang and in 1990 retreated to Shennongjia to practice meditation. In 1993 he moved to Nine Palaces Mountain, where he passed away in 1996. Guo was one of my taoist inspirations - the photos of him demonstrating swordplay featured in "Pictorial China" in mid-1980s were one of the reasons that set me on the path and travel to China. Unfortunately when I entered the gate of Zixiao temple in July 1991, Guo was already Shennongjia, in the area the foreigners were not allowed to enter. This part of my China dream has never become a reality and I never managed to meet him." - Jarek Szymanski 

For more information about traditional martial arts of China please visit: www.ChinaFromInside.com

Taoist master from Laoshan Mountains - Kuang Changxiu

Taoist master from Laoshan Mountains - Kuang Changxiu

"Laoshan Mountains have a special status in China - well known for a story about a young taoist apprentice who seeked advice and wanted to learn the art of walking through walls, a story recorded by Pu Songling in his famous '"Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio". The master in the story was a taoist in Laoshan mountains, and the book itself was written there as well. Master Kuang Changxiu (1905-1993) was such master - a legend in the 1980s already, not only because of his skills in the Taoist art of internal alchemy but most of all in martial arts. 

Born in 1905, he studied many Shaolin related local Shandong styles since childhood. At the age of 26 he became a taoist monk of the Jinshan (Golden Mountain) branch of the Complete Reality School. Since then he studied taoist meditation methods, medicine and martial arts from Kuang Zhenjue, his uncle, a taoist master and a disciple of Li Shiqing, a teacher of Wudang system. He referred to the martial arts system as Laoshan school of Wudang Boxing; it focused on kicking techniques which Master Kuang excelled at and hence was nicknamed nicknamed "Kuang the Flying Legs". His internal skills were also legendary - he could spend a week without food and sleep, in the state of deep meditation. Master Kuang was also a famous doctor, and worked as a physician when forced to becoming a layman during the Cultural Revolution. He wrote many books - on medicine, martial arts, Qigong/meditation - as well as novels and stories. I was lucky to meet Master Kuang in July 1991, stay overnight in Laoshan's Taiqing Palace, and watch the impressive demonstrations of martial arts. The system seemed very authentic and the skills very impressive; it was not a random collection of routines as is the case of Wudang, but a well organized system. I wonder who carries the tradition now, apparently Master Kuang taught many disciples. 

The video is a part from the 1984 BBC documentary series "The Heart of The Dragon" called "Believing", one of the best productions showing real China in early 1980s, second only to earlier Antonioni's work." - Jarek Szymanski

Xing Yi Quan Paired Practise San Shou Pao by Master Sha Guosheng

Xing Yi Quan Paired Practise San Shou Pao by Master Sha Guosheng

Hsing Yi Tiger Fist - Master Su Dong Chen

Hsing Yi Tiger Fist - Master Su Dong Chen

Xingyiquan’s Tai Xing with Yizong Bagua’s Master Luo De Xiu

Xingyiquan’s Tai Xing with Yizong Bagua’s Master Luo De Xiu 

"Tai Xing is one of the longer and more complex animal forms of Hebei Xingyiquan. It contains an arsenal of techniques and strategies. Usually Tai Xing is translated as Phoenix, but is also referred to by other names such as ostrich and hawk. At our fall seminar, Master Luo explained that considering the animal shape’s tools and tactics, Tai Xing more aptly referred to the intrinsic nature of a type of vulture indigenous to northern China where the art developed."

                            Learn XingyiQuan Tai Xing at Boulder Internal Martial Arts

Xingyi Master Hong Yixiang 洪懿祥

Xingyi Master Hong Yixiang  洪懿祥

Xingyi Master Hong Yixiang 洪懿祥

Xingyi Master Hong Yixiang  洪懿祥

Xingyi Master Hong Yixiang 洪懿祥

Xingyi Master Hong Yixiang  洪懿祥

Push Hands/ Tuishu by Master Su Dong Chen

Push Hands/ Tuishu by Master Su Dong Chen

Xingyi Yi Master - Shang Yunxiang 尚云祥

Xingyi Yi Master - Shang Yunxiang 尚云祥

Bagua Zhang Master Ma Gui (马贵) (1857-1941)

Read all of this article HERE

Ma Gui (马贵), also known as Ma Shiqing (马世卿) (1857-1941), was the earliest disciple of Yin Fu (尹福).  Born in Beijing, he practiced several hard styles like Tiangangquan (天罡拳) and Shaolin Shiba Luohanquan (少林十八罗汉拳) before starting his Baguazhang training as a teenager.

Although small and short in statue, Ma had a genuine love for fighting and practiced diligently.  Consequently, Yin often brought him to meet other masters to try out his fighting skills. For many years, Ma also followed Yin in working security for King Su (肃王). It is said that when he was first introduced to the other palace guards, everyone thought this small boy could not possibly be good enough to do the job, and that the only reason he was there was because of his relationship with Yin.  Very soon however, no one would belittle him anymore, as he beat many of them severely in challenges. Ma always practiced hard. While working for King Su, Ma was required to patrol the area around the palace at night under the high palace wall which had big stones around its base. It is said that on his patrol, he would kick the foundation stones of the wall with every step he took. After years of this practice it was found that the foundation stones were badly damaged.

Dong Haichuan (董海川), founder of Baguazhang, took a liking to this grand disciple.  It is said that for many years while working at King Su’s palace, Dong would supervise intensive daily training for Yin and Ma. Since Dong had no family, when he retired from service at the King Su’s palace, he initially lived at Ma Gui’s home for several years, before finally moving in with Shi Jidong (史继栋).  So even though Ma belonged to the third generation of Baguazhang family, most likely he received more direct training from Dong than most second generation masters. It is a common confusion that many people think Ma was in the second generation of Baguazhang family.

Read the rest HERE

Xingyi Master Su Dong Chen - Bible of Kungfu

Xingyi Master Su Dong Chen - Bible of Kungfu

Xingyi Master George Xu: Differences between Predators and Humans

Xingyi Master George Xu: Differences between Predators and Humans

Dai family Xin Yi Liu He quan, master Liang Xiaofeng--English subtitle

Dai family Xin Yi Liu He quan, master Liang Xiaofeng--English subtitle

Xing Yi Quan master Wu Huijin, Pi Quan 吴会进师傅,正宗劈拳

 Xing Yi Quan master Wu Huijin, Pi Quan 吴会进师傅,正宗劈拳

"Master Wu Huinjin (吴会进) from Taigu, Shanxi province, is grandson of famous great grandmaster Wu Dianke(吴殿科). His style is very orthodox, following the legacy of Dai family, Li Luoneng(李洛能) and Che Yizhai (车毅斋) Xing Yi Quan old traditional form. Lineage: Li Luoneng(李洛能)- Che Yizhai(车毅斋)-Liu Jian(刘俭) -Wu Dianke(吴殿科)-Wu Xiufeng (吴秀峰)- Wu Huijin(吴会进) Wu family is onr of most important descendants in Xing Yi Quan circles. *"

Bagua Zhang - Master Hong Yi Xiang

                                                 Bagua Zhang - Master Hong Yi Xiang

Bagua Daily Practice - Master Marcus Brinkman

Bagua Daily Practice - Master Marcus Brinkman

Life of Baji Quan Master Han HuaChen - (sub Eng)

Life of Baji Quan Master Han HuaChen - (sub Eng)

Master Zhou Jingxuan - Spear and Sword

Master Zhou Jingxuan - Spear and Sword

"The Chinese gentleman in this video is my late teacher, master Zhou Jingxuan (1965-2015). Here we see master Zhou teaching and demonstrating the usage of two weapons: 1. The Big Spear (Da Qiang), used in Xing Yi Quan and Baji Quan. 2. The Straight Sword, known as Qing Long Jian (Green Dragon Sword) of the rare Shaolin Jingang Bashi system. Filmed in September of 2014. | If you like this video, please check out my best-seller, Research of Martial Arts, which covers a lot of master Zhou's teachings:

www.researchofmartialarts.com "