Wang Bo and the Quan You style of Taiji Quan Sifu Wang Bo was born in 1932 in Shanghai. But his family soon left for the Si Ming Mountain region. At six he was initiated at the Deng Dai temple into a Buddhist sect. He became the disciple of Master Hui Liang, studying calligraphy, meditation and martial arts from him. He was given the Buddhist name: Yuan Xiu. Due to martial rivalry both Wang Bo and his master were forced to move and went to the Leng Shui Temple, still in Si Ming Mountain. During the invasion of China by the Japanese they had to move yet again, this time to the Shan Lin village, Feng Hua district. But Wang Bo’s studies with his master continued. After the Japanese invasion ended, Wang Bo, who had now been studying Buddhist for eight years, became a monk. Following his master’s suggestion he went to the Jin Hua mountains to search for other teachers. Again, after the Japanese invasion and the “cleaning” operation, and due also to the fact that soldiers and highwaymen were harassing the monastery, they lacked calmness and had to move to the village of Shan Lin, in the district of Feng Hua. There he continued to practice meditation and study martial arts. At one point he encountered Zhang Song Shan who also went by the name Hou Wang (Monkey King), a Shandong martial artist who was an expert horseman. Wang Bo became his disciple and was treated like a son. From him he learned swordsmanship, fighting and horsemanship. They both worked as body guards from time to time. Continuing with his studies, and on his master’s suggestion, Wang Bo moved to Shanghai where he met Tong Zhong Yi and his disciple Du Bao Kun. From this pair he learned Shaolin boxing and swordsmanship. However, at 22 wang Bo developed a serious disease which discontinued his Shaolin practice. At that point he began the study of the three “internal” arts. He studied under a famous doctor, Yuan Tie Jin, learning Yang Taiji, Push hands and branches of Chinese medicine including acupuncture and massage. He continued his studies with the well known artist Jiang Rong Jiao, concentrating on bagua Zhang and Xing Yi. After this he learned Taiji with Chen Fa Ke, encompassing first and second roads and the Canon Fist. Returning to Shanghai he worked under Zhao Lin (student of Yang Shao Hou) where he learned more of Yang Taiji. From Chen Wei’s student, Zhang Hai Dong, he learned the simplified form and more Push Hands. Continuing with the Yang heritage he studied with Zhang Ming Yu, a student of Yang Chen Fu, investigating Yang saber, sword, staff, Push Hands and San Da. For Wu style he studied with Gu Zi Liang, a student of Wu Jian Quan. Here he was shown Daoist Qigong, Five Animals Boxing and Wu style Push Hands. He also explored the major energies of sword and staff. Under Chang Yun Jie, from Quan You, he studied Quan You Taiji, Push Hands and San Da. He still practices Push Hands with his fellow student Bang Cai and Buddhist master Hai Deng. He has returned to Si Ming Mountain to practice with monk Chan Hui.From He Jian, student of Gai Jiao Tian, he had learned the Dragon Shaped Bagua Palm. Also he has absorbed the teachings of Wang Wei Shen, 20th generation inheritor of Song Xi Wu Dang boxing He has written a number of texts including: •The old structure (Lao Jia) of the Quan You style of Taiji Quan.(Available through •Plum.)Bagua Zhang (in French). •The old structure (Lao Jia) of Chen style Taiji (in French). ABOUT HIS BOOK: Wang Bo's rendition of Old Frame (Lao Jia) Quan You Taiji shows off his loose and limber movement. Sometimes he is almost monkey-like posturely often bending forward and taking an embryonic position. His kicks are impressive and his torso movement is wave-like and soft. His style captures some of the Wu Dang origins of Taiji and often better than those calling themselves Wu Dang stylists. Sections include Qigong and Tiaji, basic points, posture, Spirit and Chi and other points of interest.This book has the added interest of some sections translated into French beside the original Chinese. This text sells for $13.95 and is 167 pages long with many photographs.

A PDF sample of Wang Bo's Wu QuanYou Taiji