WU Style TAI CHI

Two forms of Tai Chi are known in English as "Wu". Though the characters are different in Chinese they are most often spelled the same in English. One of these styles, the elder, is also known as "Hao" style sometimes and we use that designation to differentiate them here.

The Wu style as derived from Wu Chuan Yu (1834-1902) developed further with Wu Chien Ch'üan (1870–1942) and his 108 movement Long Form. From there it was passed along to Wu Kung I (1900–1970), his brothers Wu Kung Tsao and Wu Ying Hua,and his fierce fighting son Wu Ta-k'uei (1923–72) and his other children, Wu Ta Ch'i and daughter, Wu Yen Hsia.

Page two for Wu style

Click on each picture for larger version.

Wu Tai Chi Long Form  (Part 1) - #DVD25027
Instruction - 60 min.  See a clip of this set.

"On this title Master Wang Hao Da of Shanghai, an indoor student of Grandmaster Ma Yueh-liang, teaches basics and the first two sections of the Wu style tai chi long form. The title begins with an introduction followed by the entire long form. It then continues with a section on basics covering stances, hand and foot techniques, and internal training exercises. In the form repetition section which continues Master Wang covers the first two sections of six of the form. The format in each section of form repetition is divided into three segments. The first is the entire section with the names of the movements. The second segment contains a grouping of movements from the section repeated four times before moving on to the next grouping. The third segment concludes with the entire section performed continuously at normal practice speed."

Wu Tai Chi Long Form  (Part 2) - #DVD25028
Instruction - 64 min.  See a clip of this set.

"On this title Master Wang Hao Da of Shanghai, an indoor student of Grandmaster Ma Yueh-liang, teaches basics and the first two sections of the Wu style tai chi long form. The title begins with an introduction followed by the entire long form. It then continues with a section on basics covering stances, hand and foot techniques, and internal training exercises. In the form repetition section which continues Master Wang covers the first two sections of six of the form. The format in each section of form repetition is divided into three segments. The first is the entire section with the names of the movements. The second segment contains a grouping of movements from the section repeated four times before moving on to the next grouping. The third segment concludes with the entire section performed continuously at normal practice speed."

NEW! Wu Tai Chi Fast Set (Qigong)  - #DVD 25029
Instruction - 64 min. See a clip of this set. (No sound on the clip but the DVD has sound.)

The expert practitioner Wang Hao Da, demonstrates a preserved training from the Wu styles of Wu JianQuan. Creator Wu, who learned from his father—a student of Yang Lu Chan— wanted the set to be more easily taught so he rounded out the motions and eliminated explosions of power. His son, Wu JianQuan actually deemed the Wu version a style and preserved not only his father's modifications but the "missing" elements of Tai Chi's special power issuance. Wang Hao Da shows this beautifully adding a whole form of training that, until we saw Wang, we assumed only existed in the Thunder Style of the Chen family. Don't expect to learn the set though it is broken down and the names of the movements are given. If you have a good deal of experience use it as an inspiration for developing similar sections of power issuance in your own styles, regardless of name. A great reference and a good example of how Tai Chi cleverly disguises the fact that it is martial to the core.

Push Hands   (Part 2) - #DVD 25030
Instruction - 64 min.  See a clip of this set.

"On this title the training drills of Wu style tuishou (push hands) are presented. It begins with a brief introduction followed by the areas of study of the self practicing method, single hand operation with fixed steps, the double hand operations, the 13 basic manipulations, and concludes with a demonstration section with various partners. In the instruction segments of this title detailed close ups of the movements are included." See 25024 for part one of this series.

Wu Guang Yu (see below) is the great grandson of Wu Chien Chuan.  He is now the “gatekeeper”, fifth generation of the Wu style of Tai Chi. He learned from both his grandfather the famous Wu Kong Yi and from his father Wu Tai Kwoi. His uncles numbered Wu DaKai, Wu Da Qi, Wu Da Xin and Wu Yan Xia. His sister, Wu Xiao Feng, his sister, is also an experienced and deeply rooted inheritor of the Wu family Tai Chi. Mr. Wu is the chairman of Wu's Tai Chi Academy, Hong Kong HQ, Canada, the Chairman of the United Wushu Federation of Canada, the Director of the Confederation of Canadian Wushu Organizations, the Chairman of the Traditional Wushu Committee., member of the Canadian Olympic Committee and of the National Wushu Team of Canda. Collaborating with his uncle Wu Tai Chi, he opened Wu's Academy in Canada in 1975. He promotes Tai Chi world wide often frequenting Toronto, London, Hawaii, New Jersey, Malasia, Singapore and other destinations.

DVD 24211 Wu style Basic Push Hands
About 1 Hour , See Main VCD page for prices, Chinese /English Subtitles

Wu style is respected for its Push Hands applications.
Starting with correct leaning box stance this DVD takes you through the specific method of the Wu family regarding Push Hands practice. The subtitles are very explicit about every movement. There is also a nice section about the basic requirements of posture and movement, head placement etc. which some will find useful. Next is a good discussion on Wu’s family history and the concepts of Wu style Tai Chi practice. This is followed by Four Direction Push hands stationary. This rather different method is then made “rounder” until we reach the third level with continuous round Push Hands. Next steps are added. Then almost free style pushing. The end of the DVD shows the entire 108 Wu style form as a bonus.

56 Minutes Chinese/ English Subtitles      

DVD 24212 Traditional Standard Routine
Five DVDs, See Main VCD page for prices, Chinese /English Subtitles

Wu style is one of the major TC styles popular in HongKong, Macao, Phillipines, Singapore and Malaysia. This is version of the Wu Long Form is shown by the present Grand Master of the style, Wu GuangYu, the great grandson of founder Wu Chien Chuan, the grandson of Wu Jung Yi. The movements of Wu style are light and soft with a characteristic body lean to vector the energy in a specific direction. Since it uses a relatively small “frame” it is appropriate to learn for just about anyone any age. In addition Wu style is particularly adept at eye control and turning the waist. Though not as exciting as some other styles to watch it has a solid foundation and well thought out execution. This subtitled DVD shows Wu himself demonstrating the movements.
FIVE DVDs in this series.

266 minutes Chinese/ English Subtitles       

DVD 24213 Wu style Round Form
Triple DVDs, See Main VCD page for prices, Chinese /English Subtitles


This Triple DVD shows the 108 form of the Wu style Tai Chi in the “round” style. Edges and corners have disappeared and the general movement is closer to a higher level of execution. Movements cascade one to the other. This is probably the series most familiar to people who have seen demonstrations of the Wu style. Triple DVD.

181 minutesChinese/ English Subtitles       

DVD 24214 54 Movement Form
Double DVDs, See Main VCD page for prices, Chinese /English Subtitles

This 54 movement version of Wu Tai Chi is geared toward International competition. It is performed with light actions and constant mild speed. The movements are linked together a little more dramatically with repetitions mostly absent. It retains all of the Wu style characteristics but generally uses less space to perform. This is a DOUBLE DVD

181 minutesChinese/ English Subtitles       

DVD 24215 Wu style Sword Form
Triple DVDs, See Main VCD page for prices, Chinese /English Subtitles

This very long Tai Chi sword form from the Wu style is also light, fine and genteel. Some unusual movements for the straight sword (such as an arm carry and an over the head cut) highlight this performance. The footwork in the straight sword is revealing of higher level footwork of the basic style (as it should be in Tai Chi swords performances. ) The set is demonstrated by Ms. Wu Xiao Feng, a fifth generation holder who learned from her grandfather Wu Kong Yi and her father Wu Tai Kwoi. This set is also known as Heaven and Earth (Qian Kun) sword. TRIPLE DVD.

161 minutesChinese/ English Subtitles       

DVD 24216 Wu style Sword Form
Double DVDs, See Main VCD page for prices, Chinese /English Subtitles

Wu Quan Yu, the founder of the style, was a Manchu who adopted the Chinese name of Wu. This saber set is said to come directly from him. This is nothing like the Yang straight sword retaining strong intent with rather sophisticated movements for the saber. To our mind still not the great Tai Chi Saber we have been looking for but a respectable and essential segment of the Wu Tai Chi story. DOUBLE DVD.

129 minutesChinese/ English Subtitles       

DVD 24217 Wu style Wheelchair Form
About 1 Hour, See Main VCD page for prices, Chinese /English Subtitles

It may surprise some but we get a lot of requests for just this type of information. Here a top level practitioner, in fact a lineage holder, performing a seated routine. He has retained the essence of the Wu branch with much torso twisting, a subtle hand and intent intact. This set runs to 32 movements and is the work of Wu Guang Yu's efforts over a number of years. The only observation we should make is that the level of skill here will be hard for untrained or beginning students to catch. On the other hand you have the example of an excellent performance and, if you don't try for every nuance immediately, can act as a paragon for any practitioner.

60+ Minutes Chinese/ English Subtitles      

DVD 24218 Wu style Sword Form
About 1 Hour, See Main VCD page for prices, Chinese /English Subtitles

Wu Quan Yu, the founder of the style, was a Manchu who adopted the Chinese name of Wu. This saber set is said to come directly from him. This is nothing like the Yang straight sword retaining strong intent with rather sophisticated movements for the saber. To our mind still not the great Tai Chi Saber we have been looking for but a respectable and essential segment of the Wu Tai Chi story.

61 minutes Chinese/ English Subtitles       

DVD 10344 Wu Tai Chi 13 Method Saber
About 1 Hour , See Main VCD page for prices, Chinese /English Subtitles

Demonstrator/Teacher: Li Cheng Xiang. 4th generation inheritor of Wu Style and president of HaErBin WuShu association.
Structured similarly to the Yang Saber this version is done with a true flavor of Wu Style Tai Chi. The wraps and movements associated with the saber are preserved here more than in some Tai Chi versions of this weapon. A solid performance. The DVD begins with an explanation of the basic strokes of the sword, always a good thing to review.

60+ Minutes Chinese/ English Subtitles       

Li Bing Ci early on learned Tai Chi, TongBei, Xingyi Quan and other forms from many famous boxers such as Yang Yuting, Shi Zhenggang, Luo Xingwu, Shan Xiangling and Liu Tanfeng. He has been appointed as the the vice chairman of the Tokyo Tai Chi Association. Li is presently a member of China Wushu Coaching Association and Beijing Wushu Association respectively. He is also vice president of Beijing Wu-family Tai Chi Quan Reserach Institute.

#10359  General Appreciation

This is a survey of Wu style Tai Chi as well as Saber and Sword. It exemplifies the salient aspects of this style including an inclined posture, opening and closing alternating, jing training and gentleness wrapped in firmness.

60+ Minutes Chinese/ English Subtitles       

#10348 WU style Tai Chi Long Set

With Li Bing-Ci. This routine consists of 326 actions that are divided into 83 movements. Each form has two movements organized by odd and even numbers. The odd means "opening" and the even means "closing." The body leans distinctively to increase the stored jing. The movements are smaller than Yang with extra circling and coiling of the arms. Li Shihfu himself demonstrates with a female student showing the transitions. Very clear presentation with much emphasis on details and precision. This is a Triple DVD.

60+ Minutes Chinese/ English Subtitles       

#10467  WU Tai Chi Competition Routine

This routine conforms to Chinese competition rules in time, contents and arrangements. It has its own characteristics: light, quiet and smooth movements, with a middle frame. It focuses on river shaped steps. Body is kept upright but inclines with Wu distinctive posture.This is a Double DVD.

Chinese/ English Subtitles       

#10349 WU Tai Chi Push Hands and Sticky Poles

Contains the basic of the Wu Push Hands as a fixed and three-step partner exercise. Wu Push Hands takes a more martial position than Yang and really emphasizes a vertical spine position. Nicely demonstrated with simple instructions. Wu style emphasizes throwing the partner. The pole work is very good and continues many of the skills found in the Push Hands. A very adaptable two person pattern is shown.

60+ Minutes Mandarin/ Cantonese/ English Subtitles       

#10350 WU Tai Chi Broadsword

Wu Style Tai Chi Broadsword is called "13 Tai Chi Saber Actions" focusing on the combination of basic and essential actions which constitute the form. The Wu-family-style Tai Chi Saber is strong, fluid and precise. Similar to the Yang version some of the actions are - in our opinion - truer to the historical usage of the weapon. Li Shihfu himself teaches with an able demonstrator to show the transitions.

60+ Minutes Chinese/ English Subtitles      

#10468  Wu Tai Chi Straight Sword

Wu Style's sword is a short weapon. It belongs to the category of "soft" weapons. It contains the elements of Tai Chi such as gentleness, continuity and intent leading the sword. Traditioanl Wu play is rich in movement, exquisite in skills, graceful and smooth in performance. The "point" of sword is to coordinate external and internal movement. This is a Double DVD.

Chinese/ English Subtitles