Zhaobao tai chi ( zh, c=趙堡太極拳, p=Zhàobǎo tàijíquán) is a style of
tai chi that is often considered to be a modern style, but actually has a strong documented lineage that confirms its authenticity as an ancient style of tai chi and as a true transmission from
Wang Zongyue.
Form and Characteristics
The main set of Zhaobao tai chi, or Zhaobao Jia, consists of 108 movements in the big frame and 75 refined movements in the small frame progressing in difficulty. Great emphasis is placed on ''Yi'' (mind/intent) in Zhaobao training. Like many other styles, Zhaobao Jia can be practiced at three heights, each providing a different degree of complexity. Generally students begin with the Middle Frame (Renpan Jia), progress to the Low Frame (Pangong Jia) and end with the High Frame (Daili Jia).
Zhaobao tai chi's practical applications rely heavily on spiral uprooting techniques controlled through the use of ''
Qinna
Qinna () is the set of joint lock techniques used in the Chinese martial arts to control or lock an opponent's joints or muscles/tendons so they cannot move, thus neutralizing the opponent's fighting ability. ''Qinna Shu'' ( meaning "technique") ...
'', often followed with the use of sweeps or trips to bring the opponent to the ground. Flowing and coordinated techniques conform successfully to the basic tenets of the ''
tai chi classics
The T'ai chi Classics, or Taijiquan Classics (Chinese: ''Taijiquan Pu'' 太极拳谱 or ''Taijiquan Jing'' 太極拳經), is a collection of over 100 articles on the Chinese martial art of t'ai chi ch'uan written by the art's master practitioner ...
''.
Zhaobao tai chi also has its own ''
Neigong
Neigong, also spelled ''nei kung'', ''neigung'', or ''nae gong'', refers to any of a set of Chinese breathing, meditation, somatics practices, and spiritual practice disciplines associated with Daoism and especially the Chinese martial arts. Neig ...
'' system based on traditional
Daoist practice that enables the practitioner to develop the required physical and mental skills needed for successful mastery of the art.
History and Lineage
The Zhaobao tai chi style shares many similarities with
Chen-style tai chi
The Chen-style tai chi ( zh, s=陳氏太极拳, p=Chén shì tàijíquán) is a Northern Chinese martial art and the original form of tai chi. Chen-style is characterized by silk reeling, alternating fast and slow motions, and bursts of power ...
, and this commonality is considered by the school to be the manifestation of influences introduced by a member of the famed Chen family-
Chen Qingping.
Zhaobao tai chi is not a family style (although there exists the He Family offshoot) and has traditionally been passed down from master to a chosen disciple. The Zhaobao name is given to the style as a way of honouring the village in which the art was kept for many centuries;
Zhaobao Village in
Wenxian County
Wen County or Wenxian () is a county under the administration of the prefecture-level city of Jiaozuo, in the northwest of Henan Province.
Geography
Wen County lies on the left or north bank of the Yellow River, opposite the county-level cities o ...
,
Henan Province,
China
China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, slightly ahead of India. China spans the equivalent of five time zones and ...
.
According to the style's tradition,
Chen Qingping was the 7th generation master from the time that the grand master
Jiang Fa
Jiang may refer to:
* ''Jiang'' (rank), rank held by general officers in the military of China
* Jiang (surname), several Chinese surnames
**Jiang Zemin (1926–2022), as general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party
*Jiang River, an ancient ri ...
brought the style taught to him by
Wang Zongyue to the local area in Wenxian County.
Zhaobao tai chi's lineage down to Chen Qingping is as below:
Tai chi lineage tree with Zhaobao focus
Notes
References
Bibliography
*Peng, Wen. Zhao Bao Tai Chi Kung Fu, USA Tai Chi Culture Association.
*Zheng, Wuqing. Wudang Zhaobao Taijiquan Small Frame, Da Zhan Publishing Company, Taiwan. {{ISBN, 957-468-163-7 (only available in Chinese)
External links
USA Tai Chi Culture AssociationIncludes history and lineage of Zhaobao tai chi
Chenstyle.comThis resource guide to Chen and related styles has a description and short video of middle frame Zhaobao Jia
(
Wayback Machine copy)
Tai chi styles
Neijia