...the varied arts of Wu Shi Jun
Wu Shi Jun is appearing everywhere right now. He is a professional instructor with a number of arts who seems, in addition, to be making himself something of a media presenter for the art. He is trying to remain traditional and yet popularize and explicate the relationship of the arts to Chinese culture. We put him under his name because his martial background is wide and extensive. He comes from XiaoYi in Shanxi province. He started learning BaFa and other systems from Jia Hu Chen, Dong Wei Shan and Li Tian Zhan. In 1966 he began Chen Taiji with Feng ZhiQian and Tian XiuChen. He has training in BaGua, Taiji, Xing Yi, possibly Yi Quan, Bafa, Long Fist and Canon Fist not to mention a number of others. Expect this section to continue to grow as Wu Sifu expands his presentations. Here's a little more about the Ba Fa style.
Click pictures below to see larger versions.
NEW!! DVD #29990 Form & Application of Chen Sword
$15.95 About 90 minutes, English Subtitles;
Wu Shi Jun demonstrates the Chen straight sword in 62 manners. His breakdowns are clear as is his emphasis on the movements. As a valuable addition he shows a number of applications against spear and against saber. Yet another applications tape this time for the straight sword. Again, taking a form as the base, Teacher Wu moves through many variations to give you a chance to see how the straight sword actually is applied both against spear and saber. As always Wu is generous with his instruction giving many examples of his movements. My only criticism is that, with weapons, it is my contention that core exercises and movements are more significant and useful than scenarios. Yes, if I knock the spear tip away I can cut downward on my partner's head. But anyone could as easily choreographed that sequence just from watching movies. The idea is to concentrate on core skills and the applications will be obvious. As Musashi said, he did not need to show people how to cut, rather how to get into the right position TO cut. Nonetheless many ideas and, as always, it is important not only to see the strike but how you get into the strike as isdemonstrated on the DVD.
NEW! DVD #29991 Practical Applications of Chen Tai Chi
$27.95 204 minutes, English Subtitles, Double DVD
Wu ShiJun. an enthusiastic teacher, shows his applications for the classical forms. The first, a double DVD, is loaded with empty hand techniques from a form invented by the famous Chen Fa Ke in his old age: The 64 Manners Chen Taiji. I particularly enjoyed the range of his variations. Some techniques are familiar and almost obvious, some are exactly out of the form whether or not to their advantage, some are surprisingly good and some are unfortunately too literal to be applied. The nice thing, though, is that there are a a lot of variations and a lot of ideas. The presentation and timing is interspersed with such a thorough breakdown of the form that you could also pick up the set as you went along. Something like three hours of viewing...
NEW!! DVD #29992 Form & Application of Chen Saber
Wu Shi Jun is a practitioner of Bagua, Tai Chi and the much lesser known Ba Fa style of Kung Fu. He is a real enthusiast and, frankly, I sometimes find his instructions clearer and easier to understand than practitioners with "higher eyes" in the arts. Take this form, for instance. It is a re-arrangement of the classic Chen Family Tai Chi Saber accomplished by the powerful master Chen Fa Ke. Wu's explanation ofthe breakdown and the sequence is very clear and certainly brought into focus by his general knowledge of Kung Fu. I would guess that his beloved Ba Fa style also has a nice saber set. To my eyes his presentation is cleaner and somewhat clearer than that of many people with the name of Chen. Though not brilliant everything is there and, should you have a wish to learn the set, you could certainly pick a worse coach. A decent proportion of the DVD is devoted, at the end, to applications of the saber against a saber man and a spear. Many are straight forward and simple but the majority of them hold to the principles of saber fighting refined over thousands of years by a people who only gave the weapon up a century ago..
DVD #11354 Eight Shape Eight Palms Bagua
This is an interesting version that seems to combine the idea of the basic Eight Palms based on the animals into changing palm like transitions. Another way to put it is that this form has eight shapes based on the following animals: Swallow, Hawk, Bear, Monkey, Dragon, Snake, Tiger and Horse. Each of these palms is usually associated with a single, simple change but in this set each palm has a change pattern of about eight movements. A very interesting thought not primary set that combines some of the energies of Bagua with some of the directness of Xing Yi. To our knowledge not associated with a particular style. Wu Shi Jun is a professional and polished teacher.
DVD #11355
Bagua Sun-Moon Chasing the Wind Double Sabers
A fast and fairly complicated sword with many changes indeed.Though there are circle steps don't expect too many as most of the footwork is standard linear for the sabers. Many, many whirling patterns. Even a single handed throwing of the saber into the air. But, essentially, a nice respectable set with a minimum of ground rolling and a maximum of patterns changes. Wu is very facile with the blades.
DVD #11356 Three Star Canon Fist's Hua Tan Palm (flower altar)
Particularly popular in Hebei, Hua Tan Palm is one of three palms originally associated with the Three Star (Emperors) Cannon Fist system. The foundation of this series was originally coposed of Da Tan, Zheng Tan and Hua Tan or Large Altar, Straight Altar and Flower Altar. The movements of this form are generally soft, open and fluid with little emphasis on power. This form was supposed to have been employed by Yang Ru Zhen and Yang Ban Hou to aid training in Taiji.The movements are wide open like Long Fist but without strong or jerky actions. Said to be a very good opening form even BEFORE one starts Tai Chi training. No applications. Wu Shi Jun is a refined and professional performer and the eleventh generation of Chen inheritors.
DVD #11476 Old Eight Bagua Palms
Wu Shi Jun is a popular teacher who, at one point, became the student of the famous Li Zi Ming. This is a set of short but very "twisty" Bagua changes. Not quite as simple as most "Old Eight Palms" these are somewhere between full one changes one is used to and the single action change most often associated with the mother palms. Wu is very flexible and light in his movements. There is not much application spoken here but the introductory section has a number of stance and twist training methods. A very pleasant rendition.
DVD #29993 BA FA QUAN Partner Practice
This is the primary single hand form of DVD 29995 performed with a partner.The "Eight Methods" paired boxing encompasses the Eight Techniques: Punch, Grasp, Seize, Intercept, Kick, Lean, Dodge and Vibrate. Also it shows the Eight Forces: Pushing, Drilling, Enfolding, Screwing, Chopping, Raising, Breaking and Warding Off. This is a Long Arm form but with the determination of the Short Fist. The movement are not only not meant to look easy, they are meant to look like a struggle. Thus the rougher, more primitive appllications meets the idea of developing spirit. A good military method. Partner should be careful, Wu warns us, because the movements of this set are dangerous.
DVD #29994 BaGua Linked Palms Training
The "Old Mother Palms" is the basis of this more advanced learning level which shows more speed changes, greater use of force and more up-and-down motion. It is rather obviously the same basic structure as Jiang Rong Jiao's New Palms but with a number of additional twists and turns. We agree with Wu Shi Jun and employ Jiang's Eight Palms in almost the same spot of our curriculum. He works these palms at an increased tempo. No applications.
DVD #29995 BA FA QUAN 8 Methods Boxing
We know, these are out of numeric order but what's new? Obviously DVD 29993 should come before this as this is the single person practice of that style. This gives a small history and explanation of the style. Next is a complete breakdown on the set. Finally a portiion of the two person version of the same form, ostensibly BaFa's main hand form.
DVD #29996
The Murderous Spear of 5 Dukes
As in many cases the spear technique here harkens back to that organized by General Ji Ji Guang who combined the methods of Yue Fei, Luo Cheng, Zhao Yun and Li Cheng. As Wu states, this is a complex and at least intermediate spear. The actions require good footwork and graceful transitions. By the way, Wu's technique is higher level than many practitoners we have seen in the series. Worth the effort if you are looking to see an advanced bit of practice.
DVD#29997 BaFa Big Spear and its technique
Where the Murderous Spear is complex this spear is "easy". There are only 24 movements in this set. The moves are much more appropriate to a Big Spear, though. Good solid basics are shown. We might not agree with every detail but here is a solid presentation of the dynamics and mechanics of the weapon. Good for all spear practice but particularily good for the large version of the weapon where it, along with the BaGa saber, were taught to troops.
DVD#29998 Shanxi Xing Yi 12 Animals and Linking Form
It is good to be reminded that the animal movements of Xing Yi are formed along the lines of their attack attributes as opposed to their appearances. Wu goes into detail on these animal motions describing each one with from four to seven actions. He then, rather cursorily, shows all the fives elements and, finally, the famous Linked Fist. His versions of these latter two are serviceable but not profound and they seem just "extras" to the bulk of the presentation.
DVD#29999 9 Postures of Dragon Style SuShen Boxing
This series is developed from the imitation of nine postures of the fabulous Dragon combining Tui Na (massage) and QiGong. This beautiful and inspiring series encourages the body to twist, stretch, move elegantly and serenely as a flying Dragon. This is more of a martial QiGong series but it has integrity. Compared to many it is elegant, interesting and something like a soft Xing Yi series.