by Wang Xuanjie (Translated by Chen Shengtao)
DACHENGQUAN is a set of barehanded exercises for health-keeping and combat. It was developed by my instructor Wang Xiangzhai in Beijing in the 1940s. The following anecdotes about him will help you learn something more about Wang and his dachengquan.
When Wang Xiangzhai created dachengquan half a century ago, wushu which waspopular among the folk was not much to the original and had become a showpiece rather than a fitness exercise and combat skill. To preserve thequintessence of traditional Chinese wushu, there was every need for allmartial artists to pay attention to the prevailing deviation and makeconcerted efforts for a renewal. His determined resolution strengthened ashe saw the Japanese invaders beating their victims of occupation for fun inBeijing. “We are a great nation,” he said indignantly. “How can we put upwith such insults?”
Then, while absorbing strong points of various schools of wushu, he createda style of barehanded exercises-dachengquan. To spread the newly- emergingroutine far and wide, Wang recruited a large number of youngsters and gavethem lessons personally. His aim was very clear and that was to help boostthe morale of the Chinese people and counter foreign pugilism. He issued astatement in a local newspaper and declared that he was ready to take on anyrivals including those coming from foreign countries. Continue reading ‘Anecdotes Of Dachengquan Founder Wang Xiangzhai’
(Ichuan, Dachengquan, Yiquan, exercise, qiqong, chikung, breathing, energy)
The Mighty Warrior Exercise Stand with the feet about double shoulder-width apart and toes pointing ahead. Bend the knees while lowering the body to stand in a horse-riding posture. Raise the arms sideways to form each an angle of about 60 degrees with the torso, the palms facing the ground and fingers apart. Keep the torso upright, lower abdomen loosened, chest held in, and the eyes looking into to the far distance with restrained concentration. Stand still for some time.
Move the arms upwards to shoulder height, and straighten the legs. Press downwards with the palms while bending the knees back into the horse-riding position. Repeat the procedure. The arm movements resemble those of an eagle’s wings, hence the exercise is also known as the Spread Eagle exercise. Repeat for no more than 360 times at a time.
Regular practice of this exercise will cause the vital energy to penetrate every part of the body and finally form a unique strength. Once this is required, with some simple instructions, one will be able perform wonders assisted by the control of breathing, such as cleaving a rock with one palm, hitting a stone tablet with the head, breaking an iron chain with deep breathing, letting a car running over the body. What he will be able to achieve the will be diametrically different from that put on by those sham kung fu masters under the name of controlled breathing.
Reference:
Dachengquan by Wang Xuanjie
Hai Feng Publishing Co. May 1988
ISBN: 9622381111
Page: 78
by Wu Yu-hsiang (Wu Yuxian) (1812 - 1880)
sometimes attributed to Wang Chung-yueh
as researched by Lee N. Scheele
The hsin [mind-and-heart] mobilizes the ch’i [vital life energy].
Make the ch’i sink calmly;
then the ch’i gathers and permeates the bones.
The ch’i mobilizes the body.
Make it move smoothly, so that it may easily follows the hsin.
The I [mind-intention] and ch’i must interchange agilely,
then there is an excellence of roundness and smoothness.
This is called “the interplay of insubstantial and substantial.”
The hsin is the commander, the ch’i the flag, and the waist the banner.
The waist is like the axle and the ch’i is like the wheel. Continue reading ‘Expositions of Insights Into the Practice of the Thirteen Postures’
Spread. To spread means that we mobilize our chi spread it over our opponents energy and prevent him from moving.
Cover. To cover means that we use our chi to cover our opponents thrust.
Check. To check means that we use chi to check our opponents thrust, ascertain his aim and evade it.
Swallow. To swallow means that we use chi to swallow everything and neutralize.
These four character transmission represents what has no form and no sound. Without the ability to interpret energy and training to the highest perfection, they cannot be understood. We are speaking here exclusively of chi. Only if one correctly cultivates the chi and does not damage it, can one project it to the limbs. The effect of this on the limbs cannot be described in words.
(attributed to Wu Yü-hsiang)
Reference:
Tai Chi Touchstones: Yang Family Secret Transmissions by Douglas Wile
Sweet Chi Press, April 1989
ISBN: 091205901X
Page: 27
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