The Teachings of Chu GuiTing
Chu Gui Ting not only studied under some great instructors but was instrumental in the spread of such things as Yang style Tai Chi. Chu GuiTing learned his Xing Yi from Jiang YuHe and Li Cun Yi. Chu was a strong fighter and a dedicated martial artist.
See his biography.Yan Cheng De (see left) is the oldest disciple of the famous martial artist Chu GuiTing. He is also the president of the GuiTing Internal School Boxing Association.
DVD#22031 Five Element Linked & Counter-Attacks
Chu's eldest pupil Yang Cheng De
Single DVD, English subtitled, 42 minutes, $12.75
Five Element Linked can be practiced alone or with a partner, matched fists countering one another. It has a special emphasis on the punching aspects of Xing Yi with snap punch, ballistic snap punch, corkscrew punch, horizontal punch and more. In this presentation Mr. Yan demonstrates the entire for alone first and then shows it with a student helper for the two person version. He is even clearer explaining the applications for the two person set than when performing alone. According to Yan there is also a slight taint of Bagua added to the form by the Xing Yi masters who also knew that art.
DVD#22032 Twelve Poundings Chu's eldest pupil Yang Cheng De
Single DVD, English subtitled, 52 minutes, $12.75
Xing Yi Twelve Poundings
This is a classic Xing Yi favored by knowledgeable practitioners of the art. Its movements contain forward, backward, rolling, changing and elusive moves. It is a specific combination of Five Elements and Twelve Shapes. The entire set is shown uninterrupted by Yan himself. The breakdown follows and, though it does not show applications, it is very clear and well explained.
DVD#22033 ZhaZhi or Miscellaneous Poundings Chu's eldest pupil Yang Cheng De
Single DVD, English subtitled, 52 minutes, $12.75
ZhaZhi or Miscellaneous Poundings is a popular Xing Yi form. Some of the well known moves include Cat Washing Face, Fire Burning Body, Opening the Window to let in the Moon and Cushion Landing. Each stance has its attacks and counters. Thought popular it is also complex, according to Mr. Yan, and therefore it varies a bit form style to style. He gives a thorough breakdown of the movements following his own demonstration of the form. This is another form learned by Chu GuiTing from Li Cun Yi after GuiTing became Li’s last, and some say best, disciple.
DVD#22034 Eight Stance Fist (BaShi)Chu's eldest pupil Yang Cheng De
Single DVD, English subtitled, 48 minutes,$12.75
The Ba Shi Quan is one of the most popular of all Xing Yi fists. In fact Xing Yi fighters have been known as Ba Shi Men Eight Stance People in some areas of China. Ba Shi takes the Five Elements the shapes of the Horse, Sparrow Hawk and Chicken to combine them into a fast, powerful form concentrating on counter attacks. Chu GuiTing learned this directly from master instructor Li Cun Yi whom he followed for ten years. Yan himself demonstrates the form and talks you through the sectioned breakdown.
DVD#22035 WuDang Duel Sword Play Chu's eldest pupil Yang Cheng De
Single DVD, English subtitled, 48 minutes,$12.75
This form was created by the famous Li Jing Lin, the recognized master of WuDang fencing. Chu CuiTing spent two years with Mr. Li and learned this form from him. Yan, the teacher on the tape, spent over 20 years with Chu form whom he learned Tai Chi, Bagua, Xing Yi and Wu Dang swordplay. In this DVD’s basics we are introduced to the concept of sword triangles. Then we see the entire set, and the breakdowns. This is decidedly a major form and though Yan states that if you are familiar with Nei Jia styles it should be easy we can see that its many circles, counters, and offset timing would require a long time to perfect. That’s really no problem because there are many sections you could practice and master before going on but either way, this is not a trivial partner sword set.
DVD#22036 Simplified Yang Tai Chi Set Chu's eldest pupil Yang Cheng De
Double DVD, English subtitled, 98 minutes, $23.50
This is a simplified Yang style Tai Chi set created by famous martial artist Chu GuiTing from his inheritance from Yang Chen Fu (1929 HangZhou). These 46 stances retain the essence of real boxing from the influence of Mr. Chu who is said to have been a major promoted of Yang style. He took the old form and removed repetitions while emphasizing the fighting aspects. The form itself is quite complete showing just about all major movements with very few repeats. The Second DVD of this series also has a lengthy section on using Tai Chi principles to fight and a rear view of the entire form.
DVD#22037 Yang Style Tai Chi Saber Chu's eldest pupil Yang Cheng De
Double DVD, English subtitled, 98 minutes, $23.50
This version of the Yang saber was developed by Chu GuiTing himself so there are some new concepts added and “more brilliant” swordplay. My Yan shows details such as gripping the sword and the slightly different shape of the Yang saber versus the typical Kung Fu saber. He also tells the story of why the Yang style saber is designed differently. This version originates from the same form as the standard form but with moves added and, more importantly, to our mind a stronger sense of the weapon so the missing “saber wraps” don’t seem inappropriate at all. Worth a look if you care about this weapon and form. The penultimate section on the second DVD shows applications for saber fighting saber and one last view of the form.
DVD#22038 Yang Style Push Hands Chu's eldest pupil Yang Cheng De
Double DVD, English subtitled, 103 minutes, $23.50
As one might expect many versions of classical Yang style Push Hands are shown. According to Mr. Yan his teacher learned a great deal from Yang Chen Fu and captured the subtlety and power for correct Push Hands. Yan adds commentary not only on the many types of circling, stepping and single/double hands but the general strategy of the exercise. Yan shows a way to practice the famous Four Hands exercise alone. Then, in the second half, he shows Push Hands with steps and Da Lu Cornering.
DVD#22039 WuXing Fist and Wu Xing Sword Chu's eldest pupil Yang Cheng De
Single DVD, English subtitled, 51 minutes, $12.75
In general Yang's five elements is very clear, somewhat extended and relatively straight line. After his student demonstrates he makes sure to show all the key points himself. Things get interesting when he comes to the Saber. Yan demonstrates just the five element movements, no form, and then the usage for each of the moves. He is technical and detailed and— as we remind our customers—you can always get fifteen teachers wanting to demonstrate a form for any weapon and only one that will show the basics. Here is the broadsword infused with basic Xing Yi principles.
