Tai Chi Coventry

The Origin of Wang’s Water Style Taichi

In Cheylesmore Taichi Club, we practise a unique form of contemporary taichi known as Wang’s Water Style. It is called Wang’s Style in honour of two grandmasters: Wang Zongyue (1525~1606) and Wang Zhuanghong (1931-2008).

Wang Zongyue is the de facto founder of Taichi Chuan because of his famous “Treatise on Taichi Chuan”, which has been widely respected in the Taichi circle as the Bible of Taichi Chuan. It portrays an ideal archetype of taichi which has become the holy grail for many passionate martial artists of both past and present times. While the Treatise on Taichi Chuan provides a vivid narrative of what constitutes taichi and what does not, it is not totally clear on how training should be conducted. This has been puzzling learners of taichi for many generations.

Wang Zhuanghong, a scholar and martial artist, was one of the great masters of the fifth generation of the Yang’s Style Taichi. He has been credited with contributing towards our understanding of taiji and how one can tap into the potential of the internal power for not only its martial application but also for health and personal development. His mastery of taichi and his in-depth research on Wang Zongyue’s Treatise has led him to the following discovery:

1. The power of taichi is inherent in everybody. It is not to be acquired by external means. The way to “enlightenment” is by clearing your own clouds and unlearning of old habits.

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