China Arts Association

In general, people understand Tai Ji as applying the theory that “Soft overcomes hard”, and, as a result, believe that the sequence of practice channels the use of “soft to obtain hard”, with hard as the basis for the form, and soft as the basis for application, while consciousness maintains the balance between the two.

However, Daoism states that, “A way can be a guide but not a fixed path.” “People of the Way do things in reverse” and like to do things the exact opposite to the accepted norm. Therefore, Daoist practitioners use an opposing method of practice, by practicing “hard to become soft”, “soft” for the form, and “hard” for application. Through generations of Kung Fu practice, and with the foundation of extensive research, it is possible to discard the superfluous and retain the essential, eliminate the false and keep the real, thus increasing the value of the techniques, and developing a unique style. Zhang style Tai Ji Fist follows the Daoist principle.

1. The thought behind the fighting tactics of Zhang Style Tai Ji

Zhang style believes that attack is the best form of defence, with no negative activity . Therefore, advance and retreat are as one, attack is defence, defence is attack; in the process of attack lies defence, in the process of defence lies attack, the two are united and are the root of each other. Within a movement that deploys a fist, there is another fist hidden within that movement, within techniques lie other techniques- the moves within the moves are always changing, and therefore every movement is unpredictable.

The basic techniques of Zhang Style include: charge, chop, slice, barge, push, press, knee, flick, grab, tear, stamp, kick, sweep etc. The form uses the entire body; there is nowhere that is not hitting, nowhere that is not used, the entire body is a fist.

2. The movements of Zhang Style

Zhang Style has absorbed the movements from various types of traditional Tai Ji, Ba Gua, Xing Yi, Shaolin and San Da, focusing on their practicality, stripped of any flashy superfluous ness, maintaining consistency in speed of attack Being prepared is protection against danger. The main focus of the movements is on “hard”, and within the “hardness” is contained softness, ease and agility, flexibility of change and vigorous stability.

3. The stances of Zhang Style

Zhang Style requires a low and balanced frame, with the posture low and sunk down, while also relying on numerous hand techniques, and an emphasis on sturdy Kung Fu common basics . Change should be made with ease and flexibility, using a twisting posture with careful and neat regulated movement, similar to the requirements of Chinese calligraphy. In the space between one movement and the next , the movement is smooth and fluid, while graceful in shape. The spirit is controlled by the mind, but the mind and spirit are not separated Like a boat moving up and down with the motion of the waves, the movements are flexible and nimble, retracting and extending with coordinated and sequenced motion, utilising single hand grabs, double hand grabs, clockwise grabs, anti-clockwise grabs; the whole body is a circle, the circle comprises linked fists, without the circle no movement can be made.

4. The Qi of Zhang Style

Qi is the central pillar of Zhang style fist, with a prominent focus on power and an emphasis on “active” footwork . “Qi is like the Emperor, with power as its Minister, the two compliment each other and are thus able to attain victory.” Zhang style emphasises that the hands, eyes, body, feet and spirit, consciousness, Qi and power must be united as one. Thought, breathing and movement are closely intertwined, not one can be missing. The mind must be tranquil, and stored power like a taught bow, to be released like an arrow when required

5. The Breathing Technique of Zhang Style

In all schools of Martial Arts, movement and breathing are closely interlinked. The types of breathing can be basically divided into two types: “regulated breathing”, and “compliment the qi breathing”.

“Regulated breathing”, is leisurely, even, delicate and warm. “Neither slow nor fast, breathing without sound, not coagulated or stagnant, continually breathing in and out, as if existing and not existing”. Contemporary and traditional schools of Tai Ji follow this form of breathing.

“Compliment the qi breathing” differs from “regulated breathing”. It utilises “the mouth exhales and the nose inhales” breathing technique. When breathing, the mouth is open while not being open, and closed while not being closed; the mouth exhales and the nose inhales, and a natural sound is emitted to aid the passage of qi. Zhang style predominantly uses this technique of breathing. However, because the aim, age and physique of practitioners is different, they might use “regulated breathing” to start with, until their Gong Fu has reached a suitable level whereby they can start to use “compliment the qi breathing”.

When looking at the level of difficulty and effectiveness, “compliment the qi breathing” is more difficult than “regulated breathing” to get a grasp of, and, therefore, “compliment the qi breathing” is more effective at attaining a higher level of Wushu technique.

6. The Dantian of Zhang style

Every move of Zhang style is accompanied by the use of the dantian. If the dantian does not move, then no movement is made, when the movement is made, the dantian follows; no bias can be placed on the importance of either. “The twisting dantian ” is the main pillar of Zhang style, with a smaller element of “the sinking of qi into the dantian” used. Therefore, the practice of this form of dantian manipulation is very difficult, but in terms of use in attack and fitness, it is highly effective.

7. How to practice Zhang style

In general, traditional Tai Ji requires the whole body to be relaxed, and uses consciousness and not power as its fundamental principle of practice. Relaxed leads to soft, soft becomes hard, hard returns to soft, hard and soft act together. During the execution of the form, slow comes before fast, and fast reverts to slow. However, Zhang style follows the principle that hard meets hard, soft meets soft, slow meets slow; it goes with the flow, movement follows momentum, and power release follows the movement.