V O L . 01 ISSUE 02

OCTOBER QUARTERLY NOVEMBER JOURNAL OF WUSHU IN DECEMBER AUSTRALIA Wushu Herald 2013 ISSN 2202-8137

What’s inside Australian Our community news Wushu Calendar events Community From the Board Portal World news

The new Wushu Herald which Sage and dragon: Jiaozuo, China replaces Wushu News is our contribution to the Wushu community in Australia.

We hope that it will continue to Wushu * Tai Chi * Kung Fu * Qigong be the source of information Dear Wushu and Tai Chi practitioners, section on pages 2-3. and education about Wushu, in welcome to the second edition of our new 2014 promises even greater excitement and Australian Wushu publication! all its forms. As a platform for many interesting Wushu, Tai Chi and Qigong sharing thoughts, ideas, As the Year of the Snake slithers swiftly and events. We hope to encourage more people experiences and achievements silently away, the spirited and dynamic Horse to join our state associations and partake in the benefits of practising this ancient we hope it will foster open gallops in with a promise of energy, excitement and strength. The Wushu Chinese art. As most of you are aware there discussion, facilitate the finding Council Australia anticipates that 2014 will are health-related benefits in learning these of common ground and help us be a most exhilarating year for the Wushu skills. all grow stronger together. and Tai Chi community and would like to We hope this issue will keep you captivated wish all our friends and colleagues a healthy, by the diverse coverage of many aspects productive and prosperous 2014, the Year of ranging from success stories of its members the Horse! to the latest Wushu / Tai Chi events, The Wushu Herald‘s editorial team has been interviews, articles by the respected masters extremely busy writing, editing and finalising and the reviews of books and films articles and reports contributed by its Our editorial team is very keen to hear your members and the wider Australian Wushu / stories and share them with the entire Tai Chi community. After a very successful community, especially in this dynamic Year and well-received first issue of the Journal of of the Horse. It is your publication and we Wushu in Australia we’re challenging greatly value all your contributions. So ourselves to publish an even more please contact us or simply send in your interesting second issue of the Wushu contributions and photos to Herald. [email protected]. As always, we’re thrilled and encouraged by Watch this space! the development and firming up of Wushu The ancient art of Wushu Happy New Year! and Tai Chi in Australia. Through that translates as “Martial competitions, workshops, lectures, journals, Arts”, is being practised in newsletters and participation in community On behalf of the Editorial Board, activities, we continue to grow and share our all its forms such as Tai Chi, skills, experience and expertise. Traditional and Competitive As we plan for more exciting events in 2014, Wushu, Qigong, Bagua, Xing we might pause to reflect on a very active Dr Khoo Cheng Choo Yi, Weapons Play (Sword, 2013 and we invite you to browse through Broadsword, Sabre, Cudgel, our Wushu Highlights 2013 All Over Australia

Spear etc.) and many others. 2

The NSW Wushu & Tai Chi Team EYE ON IT participated in the 1st International Traditional Wushu Championships in Hong Kong in May 2013. It was an excellent opportunity to catch up with old friends, make new ones and feel once Upcoming events again a part of the bigger Wushu world community. All athletes came home with in Australia medals. Their trip and training were partially funded by Wushu & Tai Chi NSW Incorporated, a member of Wushu Council Australia. YEAR OF THE HORSE A number of Australian Chinese New Year schools all over Australia had their Festivals. end-of-the-year performances 24 January - 9 February highlighting their achievements of the year. Pictured is the performance team of the Macquarie University Wushu & Tai Chi Club which participated in the Family Fun Day on the campus in All major Australian cities play December 2013. Hundreds of host to a number of Chinese spectators enjoyed the public display of New Year Festivals. Each venue the club’s members’ skills in Tai Chi, Tai offers its own unique festival Our congratulations to Elizabeth Lim Chi Sword and Fan. from Western Australia who represented The performance theme, performances and food. Australia at the World Wushu was followed by a Championships and won a bronze medal picnic. Visitors will experience Chinese - first time in the history of Australian Wushu. Lion Dance, Firecrackers,

Traditional Folk Music, Dancers,

Martial Artists and much more.

For more details visit

www.chinesenewyear.com.au WUSHU HIGHLIGHTS 2013

Prof. Sun Han Xiang 26 April 2014 (Lily) of YuLong Wushu-Tai Chi World Tai Chi & (Melbourne) runs Qigong Day Duan Wei and Qigong Workshops giving the Australian

practitioners the opportunity to increase their

professional level up to the international standards.

The Abbott of Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng, China, Shi Yongxin invited Master Tary Yip, of Deyin Grandmaster William Cheung, the Head of The Global Traditional Wing Taijiquan Institute (UK) Chun Kung Fu Association, to erect a 20 foot tall black marble plaque at visited Australia for the

the entrance to the Temple to honour Wing Chun’s connection to its first time and conducted a Shaolin roots. The Abbott appointed Grandmaster Cheung to head all series of workshops in Sun other lineages of Wing Chun organizations around the world to bring style Tai Chi, 24 Forms The last Saturday of April each Traditional Wing Chun Kung Fu back to the Shaolin Temple. and Xing Yi. He also gave year in 100s of cities, spanning a lecture under the over 80 nations, people come programme of the professional development together ... to breathe together offered by the Wushu and provide a healing vision Council Australia. for our world. Be a part of World Tai Chi The NSW Wushu and Tai Chi Festival in May saw multiple performances by various groups including & Qigong Day! Eastwood Tai Chi Group (left), continually going from strength to strength, under the leadership of Dr Paul Cheah.

3 EYE ON IT

Upcoming events in Australia

Tai Chi Australia Chief Instructor Master Han Jin Song has been awarded the 8th Duan Wei by the Chinese Wushu Association. This is the second highest grading in the world that can be obtained under the Duan Wei System. He had to complete a gruelling series Congratulations to Miciah Guglielmi of written and oral examinations to pass his grading. Master Han Jin Song is now only who not only won some medals but the second master in Australia (and one of hundred or so masters in the world) to also received his 3rd Duan Wei achieve this level and to be recognised for his unwavering dedication to promotion of Tai ausWushu, a partner of together with his fellow practitioners. Chi / Wushu both here and overseas. Wushu Council Australia,

Many Tai Chi practitioners offers the following all over the world celebrate workshops in the first quarter the World Tai Chi and Qigong Day that falls on of 2014: the last Saturday of April. The Australians are not an exception and the day was marked by multiple sessions in parks Xing Yi Five Fist everywhere. Linked Form Saturday 8 February 2014 Saturday 15 February 2014 1.00 pm - 4.00 pm

Traditional Sword and ALL OVER AUSTRALIA Techniques (12 hours programme - three sessions by four Master Damon Bramich delivered a lecture and hours) demonstration on Tai Sunday 2 March 2014 Chi Push Hands in Sunday 16 March 2014 November for all Sunday 6 April 2014 interested and keen 2.00 pm - 6.00 pm Sydneysiders. It was a

part of our current

educational programme for the general public. Yang Style

Federation Square is a place in Melbourne where people can come Traditional together to have fun, watch major social and sporting events and Broadsword and participate in the life of the city. Every Tuesday the ancient Chinese art of Tai Chi is enjoyed by hundreds of people, delivered free of charge Basic Skills by Tai Chi Australia (TCA). By popular demand, from 2013 every Saturday 8 February 2014 Friday morning TCA has also been offering Health Qigong. Saturday 15 February 2014 3.00 pm - 6.00 pm

All dates and times are

tentative.

For further information and cost

please visit

www.auswushu.com.au.

Bookings essential ! 4 EYE ON IT

Upcoming events in Australia

By the popular demand,

following Damon Bramich’s lecture and demonstration on

Tai Chi Push Hands last year, we have organised a separate

twelve-hour programme

which will focus on basics of

Push Hands and person-to-

person Tai Chi drills.

My experience of the Tai Chi workshops with

Master Tary Yip by Paul Cheah

Master Tary Yip, from Deyin Taijiquan Institute, UK, Tai Chi and it was great fun anyway. We can now turn to conducted three workshops, the 24 Form, Xing yi 5 Xing Yi when we are tired of slow Tai Chi movements. Push Hands Element Fist and the Sun Traditional Long form on the first two weekends of October 2013. I am really glad to have had the opportunity to learn the Workshops Traditional Sun Long Form because it not only clarified the (3 four-hour sessions) Most of us are familiar with the 24 form as it is usually the Sun 73 competition form, but it also allowed us to practise first form that beginners learn. However, Master Tary Yip the lively, rhythmic Sun Style for longer than the usual six Sunday 2 March 2014 enlightened us on the deeper aspects of the form. We were minutes! Sunday 16 March 2014 taught the “silent fa jin “ of the 24 form and how to improve We have to thank Dr Larissa and her team for the hard Sunday 6 April 2014 our practice by expressing the forms more clearly, using work done in bringing Master Tary to Sydney and we hope 9.00 am - 1.00 pm body and mind. that we can get him back to do more workshops in future. 3.00 pm - 6.00 pm Now I have a greater respect and appreciation for the standardised simplified 24-form Taiji and will endeavour to These workshops will help you practise it as it was intentioned by the creator, Li Tianji (the to sharpen your sensitivity so Uncle of Master Tary’s father-in-law, Professor Li Deyin). that you can learn “how to The Traditional Sun Style is not seen much in Australia and interpret the energy” as a it was great to have Master Tary teach us as he has the lineage from Professor Li Deyin through to the creator of combative technique. The the Sun Tai Chi, Sun Lutang. workshops will also improve As we had only two days to do 97 forms, I expressed my your understanding of the concern that we may not be able to finish it but Master Tary Martial Arts principles and take said he had successfully taught it in one day! He was right. His teaching method was impressive, taking us through your Tai Chi practice to a higher individual hand and leg movements and then linking them  I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop. I learnt many useful tips level all up until we were doing all the forms with little difficulty. and characteristics of Sun Style Tai Chi (which no one could His explanations of the applications also made it easier to explain to me before!). Master Tary Yip is a very remember the forms. knowledgeable practitioner and explains principles very well. Very patient too. Thank you! I hope he will come back next year for another in-depth workshop. Remembering the sequence of 97 forms would be a problem but Master Tary said it was similar to the  Very much enjoyed the workshop. Tary was great and All dates and times are Traditional Yang Long form. By breaking up the covered an amazing amount of ground in such a short time. sequences into parts like the Yang Long form, it was easy tentative. to remember the Sun style.  Happy with the workshop. Tary is very detailed and clear. He is an excellent instructor. For further information and cost Xing Yi is not a form I am familiar with as it is more of a Wushu than Tai Chi form. However, Master Tary clearly please visit  Good clear instructions with a lot of humour making learning explained and taught it in a way that we could easily follow. fun. People are happy with the workshops and looking www.auswushu.com.au. He showed how Xing Yi practice can actually improve our forward to more!

Bookings essential ! 5

WUSHU Wushu and INTERNATIONAL Olympic Games As a competitive sport, Wushu is displayed in taolu - standardised or

Continuing the theme of the self-created complex routines - that unsuccessful bid of Wushu for can be performed solo or with a inclusion in the Olympic Games, we sought the opinions of Peter Warr, partner; and Sanshou (Sanda) - Vice-Chairman of the Technical sparring. Competitions are run on Committee of the International the special type of carpets for Why did Wushu not make it Wushu Federation (IWUF) and Daria Tarasova, the representative modern and traditional Wushu of the Athletes’ Committee at the into the Olympics? endorsed by the International IWUF Executive Board. Wushu Federation and a special

This is an extract from the BBC interview with Peter medical science have bore fruits which lay the theoretical platform for Sanshou/Sanda - Lei Warr, Vice-Chairman of the Technical Committee of foundation for the development of happy, healthy people Tai. Four major weapons used in the International Wushu Federation. worldwide. modern Wushu competitions are: What would it mean for your sport to get that sole straight sword, staff, broadsword Olympic berth for the 2020 Games? and spear. The divisions in the Although Wushu has been around in China and other competitions observe the gender Asian countries for hundreds of years, in the west it is still a relevantly a new sport. There are approximately 40 and age factors as well as level of countries in Europe that practise Sport Wushu at the skills. competition level.

There are Sports Bodies, Managers, Coaches, Athletes There are four kinds of world and Families through out the world that have put time, Why should your sport be included in the 2020 championships for Wushu Olympics (what makes it worthy of a place) ? hard work and lifetime commitment to get Wushu to this selection stage. From a personal point of view I have organised every two years and studied many different styles of Wushu for more than 45 Wushu has 5000 years of History, Culture and supported by the International Philosophy to bring to the Olympic Family. China sent a years and have been the Vice Chairman of the IWUF demonstration team to the 1936 Berlin Olympics to Technical Committee for nearly 20 years. To see the Wushu Federation, a member of Wushu family join the Olympic family would be a lifetime introduce Wushu (Kung Fu) to the World. More than the IOC: twenty years ago, at the initiative of China, Asia, Europe, achievement and the best way to promote our sport. USA and Africa, the International Wushu Federation - World Wushu Championships (IWUF) was born. It has now more than 140 countries What do you think of your chances? (for the elite level, includes eleven from five continents. The IWUF was formally accepted by the IOC in 2002, becoming part of the Olympic Family. At the World Wushu Championships held in Macau last selected divisions of Wushu: bare- Since 1991, Including this year, the IWUF have year, an IOC inspection team observed the Competition hand routines, weapons, and organised 12 World Wushu Championships, 6 World to see how it was organised and the process of how the Wushu Sanda (full contact) Championships, 4 World competition runs. Their feedback was very positive, sparring); Wushu Junior Championships. They hosted the Wushu saying how professional the IWUF is and that there is - World Junior Wushu Tournament Beijing 2008 held during the Olympic nothing in the Olympic Martial Art format as fast, Championships (the same as for Games. Wushu is included within the Asian Games, powerful, graceful, acrobatic of hand and weapon forms World Games and the Combat Sport Games. that is so exhilarating for spectators to watch. adults); With the development of scientific research of Wushu We would be very privileged and honoured if the Olympic - World Traditional Wushu and the basic theory of Wushu kinematics, sociology and Selection Panel have the same opinion. Championships (open to all

Wushu was taken off the short list for the 2020 “[A]s Wushu was accepted as one of the final eight practitioners of all ages, with Olympics. Does it mean the end of the aspiration candidates for 2020, it demonstrates that the IOC for Wushu and Tai Chi practitioners to see their approves on many levels. Wushu is going [in] the right emphasis on traditional styles); sport one day in the Olympic family? direction or it could not have made it to the final eight. Wushu will still continue and get it. This is not a - World Sanshou Chen Guorong who is the setback”. Deputy Director of the Championships. Wushu Administration He believes that the procedure of bidding helps to Centre under the General promote and improve the system of Wushu. Out of two Administration of Sports parts of Wushu, traditional programmes that are more for the People’s Republic health-oriented for the general public are getting more Wushu (Chinese Martial Arts) is of China does not see it development than competitive sports, “which is more internationally understood as a as a failure. exclusive and physically demanding.” Currently the focus is “on the health benefits so the world term encompassing the disciplines He says that this is the understands what Wushu can give back”. first time the IWUF, that of modern/sport Wushu; traditional has now 145 participating countries, has actually Wushu/Kung Fu; Taijiquan/Tai Chi; applied. Source: Kung Fu Tai Chi Magazine, Sept/Oct 2013 Qigong and Sanshou/Sanda. 6 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Daria Tarasova was born and lives in Moscow. She I won Olympic medal — no words can describe the began her Wushu training when she was five years old. feeling of it. Now 24, she has twice been World Champion, 15 times European Champion and took first place at the 2008 I am not afraid to Duan Wei Wushu Olympic Tournament in Beijing. She is the say so because I Workshops in captain of the Russian National Team and has been think for all chosen as Wushu Ambassador of SportAccord. Daria Wushu athletes Sydney was also appointed to the IWUF Executive Board as a it was the real representative of the Athletes’ Committee. Olympic Games. We lived in the Olympic village, talked with great athletes from other sports. We felt the Olympic spirit. For me each medal is special, but this was one of the most difficult victories.

In order for Wushu to be included in the Olympic programme, I believe we should increase the level of non The Wushu Council Australia -Asian athletes. With each year, the level is growing, but has adopted the guidelines of for competitions such as the Olympics, the level must be

very high and not only in Asia. the Chinese Wushu We asked Daria:

 How it felt to have won gold at the special Association and the Duan Wei In addition, Wushu had to compete with wrestling which championship in Beijing 2008 during Olympics is an ancient sport from founding of the Olympic Games. grading system as an indicator  What, in her opinion, were the reasons for But this does not mean that we lost. Our task is to prove of the professional level of all rejection of the bidding this year to the IOC that Wushu can be successful in Olympic Wushu and Tai Chi  What she thinks should be done to improve the Games. We need help from all national teams and I look standing of Wushu in the world. forward to us all working together! practitioners in Australia. WCA

encourages everyone to get In December 2012, at Lausanne familiarized with this system Switzerland, 7 sports were shortlisted for and encourages readers to inclusion in the 2020 Olympic Games: Squash, Baseball - attend the following Softball; Wakeboard; Sports Climbing; Roller Sports; Karate; and workshops: Wushu. Wrestling joined the list in February 2013.

Duan Wei Yang and A further presentation to the IOC was held Chen Style Tai Chi in St Petersburg, Russia on 29 May 2013 where 3 of the 8 sports were shortlisted by Level 1 the IOC Programme Commission for vote at the IOC session in Buenos Aires, IWUF Olympic Bidding Team (L-R): Saturday 25 January 2014 Argentina in Sep 2013. The 3 shortlisted Mr Glen Keith (IWUF Vice President - Oceania); Mr Anthony 12.00 pm - 6.00 pm Goh (IWUF Vice President - Pan-America); Ms Daria Tarasova (IWUF Ath- sports were Squash, Wrestling and lete Representative); Mr Zaiqing YU (IWUF President); Mr

Baseball-Softball. Luc Bendza (IWUF Technical Representative); Mr Byron Jacobs (IWUF Referee Duan Wei Yang Style Representative) Tai Chi Level 2-3 industry a little bit better.” He asks why it didn’t get in. Sunday 26 January 2014 9.00 am - 3.00 pm “[M]aybe the organization did not work as well. So let’s say I‘m trying to do a job and I didn’t get the job. So I have to think – what went wrong? One is – did I hire Duan Wei Chen Style the right person to do the job? If the person couldn’t Tai Chi Level 2 do the job, I should fire them and get a new group of people. Second, if that person is doing their job – Sunday 26 January 2014 everything I want – then maybe I should change – a 3.00 pm - 6.00 pm different way to approach this. Whatever they are

doing now, it didn’t work.” Next intake is scheduled for April. He suggests that the IWUF needs to change. “You either change the people or you have to change the Chris Pei, well known master from US Wushu path. Hopefully that someone will come up with the All dates and times are tentative. Academy, has mixed feelings about the Olympic right idea and say, ‘We need to do this’.” For further information and cost rejection of Wushu. On the one hand he is sad as he hoped that “the art can flourish more, get more please visit sponsorship, more people to help, and make the Source: Kung Fu Tai Chi Magazine, Sept/Oct 2013 www.auswushu.com.au. To be continued... Bookings essential ! 7 EYE ON IT Master Paul Li's 10 points for attention when practicing Tai Chi Upcoming events in While preparing materials for publishing in this issue, we Australia came across this advice that was given to Tai Chi practitioners by Chuan Zhong (Paul) Li, Member of China Martial Arts Association and Vice President of the Chunming Tai Chi School, who trained for more than 30 Dr Christopher Zaslawski, years under Meng Xian Ming and is a 6th generation Associate Professor of the Master of Yang Tai Chi. In 2011 Master Li lived on the Sunshine Coast where he taught Sword and Tai Chi School of Medical and Forms in Caloundra and Maroochydore. Molecular Biosciences and We thought that it would be good to share these ten the current director of the points with our readers as they are of value for both beginners and advanced players. College of Traditional

Chinese Medicine at the

练习太极拳要注意十点 University of Technology,

1. 精神要集中不要有杂念 Sydney, has kindly agreed to Concentrate. Focus on what you are doing. Ignore all distracting thoughts, as in meditation. Practice without open this year’s series of free preconceptions and open yourself to feeling the movement and flow of energy. Visualise the movements and postures in advance of performing them. lectures.

2. 不要动作迟缓 反应迟钝 Tai Chi is practiced slowly so that we can and feel the transfer of weight and flow of energy as as we move. If we move too slowly it becomes more difficult to feel the point at which we complete each movement. Movement is initiated at the waist and should cause a passive consequential movement in the relaxed upper body. Everything is moving all the time. If we move too slowly we control (retard) the consequential movement, freeze parts of the body, and prevent the flow of energy. Moving too slowly will also result in slow reactions when dealing with external

forces.

3. 不要身体歪斜， 做到肩与胯合，肘与膝合，手与脚合 Keep the spine straight and upright and relaxed. Keep the shoulders over the hips, the elbows over the knees, and the hands over the feet.

4. 沉肘，松肩，使气血通畅 肘部不要悬扬 Let the elbows sink, keeping the shoulders relaxed to allow energy to flow without obstruction. Lifting the elbows causes the shoulder to lift and draws energy up from the centre.

5. 步法虚实要分明 Be clear which foot is real (solid) and which is void (empty)

6. 不要挺胸凸肚，那样就根脚拔起 He is going to focus on Avoid pushing out the chest as this draws energy up rather than sinking into the centre point.

7. 开步和扣步都不要过分 The Theory of Five Step only as far as you can reach without falling onto the foot. Elements and 8. 腕骨要正，握拳要直，让拳与前臂在同一直线上 Keep the wrist straight, the fist aligned with the forearm when punching. Meridian Channels in

9. 不能撒开两臂，使“正门”大开 Chinese Medicine.

Don’t open the arms wide leaving the front of the body open. Thursday 6 February 2014 10. 不要低头哈腰使中轴扭曲 6.30 pm - 7.30 pm Keep the back straight and the head up when reaching down. (tentative)

Translated by Stephen Ramsdale Professor Zaslawski has been practising acupuncture and herbal medicine for nearly 30 years and is an active researcher in the area. One of his PhD students has recently finished the project on stress Master Paul Li and Stephen Ramsdale in Hangzhou, 2012 at and Tai Chi. the International Traditional Wushu Competition. Venue TBA. Stephen Ramsdale, First Disciple of Chuan Zhong Li, is President of the Australian Niu Chunming Tai Chi Institute For further information and teaches classes in Caloundra. Stephen regularly travels please visit to Hangzhou to learn from 5th and 6th Generation Masters. www.auswushu.com.au. 8 WE RECOMMEND The Four Skills of Tai Chi Chuan Qi Gong: Feng Shui by Howard Choy For The Body

by Howard Choy & Howard Choy has been practicing tai chi for more than twenty years under vari- ous masters in Australia and Asia. He spent two years in Hong Kong with the late Belinda Henwood grand master Yang Sau Chung, the last keeper of the Yang style Tai Chi Chuan. Pan MacMillan: Australia, This material is reproduced here with the permission of the author.

1998

“How can I improve my tai chi?” is a question often asked by my students. It is also a question I have been grappling with for as long as I can remember. I once

posed the same question to my teacher, the late grand master Yang Sau Chung, and he tersely replied, “By practicing the form correctly!”

“But how?” you may ask.

A good teacher helps, but a teacher can’t be there correcting all the time. Wu Tu-Nan, a well-known tai chi master from China, proposed that there are four kinds of tai chi skills (kung), and if you practice the form (or push-hands or weapons, for that matter) with these skills in mind then it will be correctly

performed, and you will gradually improve your tai chi. They are: function, relaxation, jin, and chi. Howard Choy and Belinda

Henwood offer an interesting approach to the practices of Qigong from the perspective THE SKILL OF FUNCTION of Feng Shui which is usually associated with buildings and places. Tai chi is a martial art: each movement has a practical function. These functions must be understood. For

example, when we execute the movement “step up, You might be interested in deflect downward, parry, and punch,” do we understand how these moves are used in a self- other books by the same defense situation? How to step forward, how to deflect authors that deal with the downward, how to parry, how to punch? Not only do and the chi flow are related to the use. The more you we need to visualize our own movement, but we also practice visualizing the actual use and imagining Feng Shui principles, such must visualize the distance and posture of the yourself boxing with an opponent, the better you will be as: opponent when performing the form. in executing the form. The function corrects the move Understanding the practical use of a move will because it has a job to do; you will gradually remove help you correctly execute that move. The direction of all superfluous and useless “bad habits” and reach the the body, the coordination of the limbs, the breathing, stage of proper tai chi. Feng Shui — the Key to Health, THE SKILL OF RELAXATION Wealth and Harmony muscles. The mind is alert and the body sunk (low Pan MacMillan: Australia, center of gravity). A floppy body is in negative tension. It is equally as detrimental to your progress as a 1998 tensed body. Being floppy or being tense makes you sluggish. It blocks the flow of the vital energy (chi), and we lose the resilient, springy, sensitive quality associated with soft and relaxed muscles. Correct posture also helps in relaxation. The body is held vertical at all times while performing the A distinction must be made here between being form. In this way, the muscles designed to keep our relaxed and being floppy and sluggish. A relaxed body body upright are functioning properly. is one without friction in the joints or tension in the 9 Association of Feng Shui Consultants THE SKILL OF JIN (International) Incorporated What is jin? Although the source of jin lies in strength, it is not the same as strength. Strength is static force, while jin is dynamic. When the body is relaxed and sunk, the jin is gathered and concentrated by the mind Invites their members and and can be released at will in various forms to a particular part of the body. Jin can be fast or slow, hard non-members to or soft, tight or loose, stiff or springy, delayed or

explosive. The powerhouse of jin lies in the dan tian, released through the waist. Its energy is permeated Chinese New throughout the body by the free flow of the chi. Hence proper means of breathing and relaxing and tensing Year Dinner 2014 the jin is intimately related to the breath and chi flow. the muscles at the appropriate time with correct As a dynamic force, jin is governed by the posture. in Brisbane and Melbourne. laws of Newtonian physics. Take the equation Each of the eight tai chi basic movements – F = md/t, for example. Jin as a dynamic force (F) can peng (ward-off), lu (rollback), ji (press), an (push), cai For more details visit be increased by a corresponding increase in the mass (grab), lie (break or control elbow), zhou (elbow), and www.afsc.org.au (m), distance (d), and speed (t) of delivery. Although kao (shoulder) – has a particular jin associated with it. the weight of your body is finite, the mass can be Chen style tai chi has special emphasis on “screw concentrated by lowering the center of gravity at the action” jin and “cannon” jin. Along with push-hands, point of execution. Distance can be increased without four main jins also are involved: they are “listening” jin, pulling back by executing your movement in a circular “understanding” jin, “neutralizing” jin, and and/or screw action. Also, speed can be increased by “expressing” (explosive) jin. The Association of Feng Shui Consultants is an THE SKILL OF CHI independent, non-profit organisation run on a Tai chi is a form of moving chi kung (breathing voluntary basis by a exercises). The Classics make numerous references to committee elected from the chi. There are two main types of chi skill in tai chi: chi membership. We provide a circulation and chi utilization. The amount of chi in a convenient list of qualified person at a given movement is determined by both consultants. hereditary background, which is finite and AFSC® is one of the largest unchangeable, and diet and environment (including Feng Shui associations in methods used to maximize the intake of oxygen and the world. Association exhalation of carbon dioxide), which are infinite and membership is open to changeable. consultants, students, Circulation begins with the dan tian, where chi training institutes and related is stored. Chi is activated by the mind and flows along organisations world wide. the meridian channels to their ends at the extremity of AFSC® members work with our limbs and then returns to the dan tian. Proper chi residential, small business circulation is important to your health. This is where the and commercial projects and benefits of tai chi really shine. are qualified Feng Shui Chi utilization refers to the control and use of professionals committed to the great energy in one’s body. The internal chi the Association's Code of cultivated and circulated in the body can be expressed Ethics. AFSC® membership through the mind and applied externally to another denotes a commitment to person through correct postures and breathing. professionalism and has been developed to maintain, support, educate and share The four tai chi skills discussed here are inter-related and essential to all tai chi the passion for Feng Shui. exercises – from push-hands and da lu to san shou and weapons. Success in tai chi lies in understanding these four skills and then correctly practicing them with patience and perseverance.

Howard Choy [B Sc (Arch), B Arch], Director and Principal Architect of Feng Shui Architects, is a qualified and practising architect. He is a graduate in architecture of University of NSW. Howard was born in China and migrated to Australia at an early age. He has managed to keep his language and culture intact through his involvement with Feng Shui, Tai Chi and Qigong.

Feng Shui provides the perfect vehicle for him to combine his passion for Chinese cultural heritage with his professional practice. Howard is a foundation member of the Feng Shui Society of Australia and an Honorary Life Member of the Association of Feng Shui Consultants (International) Incorporated. On 5 February 2014 he will be one of the expert guest speakers at the AFSC® Chinese New Year Dinner in Melbourne and will lead a Feng Shui Walk around Melbourne Chinatown. 10 WE RECOMMEND Australian Wushu Community - Success Stories Interview with Maggie Alexander Seven years ago, an Australian By Dr. Khoo Cheng Choo writer Kylie Chan presented a fascinating world integrating the traditional Chinese mythology Maggie Alexander is a petite person Interviewing Maggie proved to be under a lot of stress at times, but I most famously maintained in the with a big personality. She’s softly- most informative and stimulating. found that breathing, in particular, has mystical and legendary Wudang spoken but when she speaks, people been a useful tool to calm myself down. Mountains, Martial Arts, ancient pay attention. Maggie was recently Maggie is very articulate and one of the Mike and I have taken extra workshops, magic, modern western life and honoured with the prestigious “ICT most focused people that I’ve met. But which have helped to extend our Woman of the Year” award by the more importantly, she presents a very knowledge of what Wushu offers. The even elements of Australian NSW Information Communications calm demeanour, which she credits relaxation techniques and the re- Aboriginal culture. In this world, Technology (ICT) Industry. partly to Tai Chi practice. energising techniques from Qigong the politics depends on dirty have quite been useful. celestial deals, love affairs Maggie became interested in Tai Chi after she and her husband, Mike, When asked to identify some highlights between humans and gods are witnessed with great admiration & of the practice of Tai Chi for herself, common and omnipresent delight, people practising Tai Chi in the Maggie proffered: deadly demons keep your public parks in China. Both thought that One important aspect is the social Wushu skills up to scratch. it was remarkable and they were interaction with other people. We have inspired. enjoyed coming together with people on World Tai Chi Day and celebrating. Over the next few years the first We‘ve had the benefit of tapping into book evolved into two trilogies: Back in Sydney, they joined MQ Sports & Aquatic Centre about 5 years ago to Larissa’s Wushu network and made get fit and learn Tai Chi. They became new friends. Mike is on the Wushu DARK HEAVENS pioneer members in Dr. Larissa’s Council and we’ve been involved with - White Tiger Koroleva’s Yang style Tai Chi class at NSW Wushu & Tai Chi Association. - Red Phoenix the Centre and regularly attend Tai Chi Maggie thought that to convince a Tai classes. In addition, they try to practise - Blue Dragon Chi skeptic or novice about the value of whenever and wherever they can - at learning Tai Chi you had to understand

home, in parks and even on holiday. what a skeptic’s/novice’s motivation is JOURNEY TO WUDANG However, although both are excellent and what might persuade them to - Earth to Hell Tai Chi practitioners, they don’t change. For example, for somebody - Hell to Heaven compete and simply enjoy Tai Chi for its who is stressed, or who is not particularly coordinated, or who is - Heaven to Wudang Relaxation and Health benefits. looking for a form of exercise that’s not Of her 33 years in ICT, Maggie devoted Below are excerpts from the interview difficult and hard on the body, she The story is now up to the third 23 as a volunteer managing a network on Maggie’s views on the benefits of Tai would recommend Tai Chi as a trilogy to help women advance their careers Chi: potential exercise solution. and reach their potential in the ICT Industry - Females in Information Khoo: Maggie, how has Tai Chi Maggie’s final thought was that it is vital CELESTIAL BATTLE Technology & Telecommunications benefitted you in your health? for the NSW Wushu and Tai (FITT). Association to get the message out Maggie: I really believe that Tai Chi as about the benefits of Wushu through opened by “Dark Serpent” in a form of exercise is suitable and Maggie has had a successful career in more activities involving the public, 2013. beneficial to all but it is especially good which would help recruit more members the ICT industry, designing business for older people. Mike and I have both processes enabled by information to our Association. She and Mike plan developed strength in our thigh and leg to visit a number of Rotary Clubs in technology. Companies that she’s muscles (not so much the upper body) worked with range from the 2014, talking about the benefits of Tai and we have better balance. Tai Chi Chi, based on their own experiences. Commonwealth and Westpac Banks, has helped our breathing and taught us Astra Zeneca and Cochlear in the how to relax our shoulders, chest and And that coming from the woman who health industry to Pernod Ricard, a wine arms. has just been presented with the “ICT company. Nowadays, she usually works Woman of the Year” award, augurs well in the North Ryde Business Park, close Khoo: Has Tai Chi helped you in your for spreading the Tai Chi word and to home. career? helping the NSW Wushu community grow and prosper! Maggie: Yes, as a consultant working on high pressure IT projects I’ve been

Far Far Away Tai Chi Australians love to travel. Some of them take their Tai Chi practice with them. Here we feature the collection of pictures of ordinary Tai Chi practitioners in action taken while on overseas holidays.

The second book in this trilogy - NSW girls in Hangzhou Demon Child - is expected to hit the Australian bookshops in June 2014.

Kylie Chan lived in Hong Kong for ten years, studied Kung Fu and Tai Chi as well as Buddhist and Taoist philosophy and has brought all of these together into her storytelling. To learn more about Kylie visit her website: Maggie Alexander in Paris www.kyliechan.com 11

Wushu & Tai Chi NSW unites all Wushu WE and Tai Chi Practitioners in NSW who RECOMMEND share the same values and make efforts to promote the art of Chinese origin and its physical and psychological benefits of the practice. The last two years were really It is a non-profit organisation that includes good for movies in the series of all Wushu enthusiasts practicing or Chinese martial arts. We intend to give you overall view of what interested in all aspects of Wushu was produced and how it was including but not limited to Taijiquan, perceived by the audience. Qigong, Traditional Wushu (sometimes However, we would like to start referred to as Kung Fu), Competitive and with the movie that in 2008 was Sports Wushu, Bagua, Xing Yi. presented by Jackie Chan in Cannes that stars the legendary Sammo Hung whom you might In every publication we will give space for introducing various organizations that play significant roles in the life of remember as a fat boy fighting Wushu Community in Australia. In this issue, we introduce Wushu & Tai Chi NSW. Bruce Lee in “Enter the Dragon”. Here he is a Wushu teacher in a remote place in China. The movie’s title is WUSHU & TAI CHI NSW is a state branch of the Wushu in Australia, promoting healthy way of life and increasing “Wushu: The young generation” Council Australia that promotes and develops Wushu (Sports awareness of the benefits of practice of Wushu for the and Traditional), Tai Chi (Taijiquan) and Qigong by uniting general public. athletes/members with common interests, providing a professional forum and assisting in further training of the Wushu & Tai Chi NSW Inc, a truly independent, non-profit practitioners to improve the standards in Australia. organisation of Wushu, Tai Chi & Qigong practitioners of

NSW, invites all practitioners of these arts to join our growing

We organise NSW competitions and help the athletes who state association. want to participate in National and International competitions in Wushu and Tai Chi both by training and financial Keep up to date with what’s happening in NSW, and let us assistance. In the past two years, for example, we secured a also know what you are planning and organising and how we few grants from local councils and raised more than $5000 can help you. through various fund-raising activities, which was used for training and travel of selected competitors. Our Committee consists of eight people from different

backgrounds and with various skills which ensures efficient

In addition, we run special programmes and workshops functioning of the organisation. If you feel that you can aimed at the professional development of athletes, coaches contribute in some way to the development of Wushu, Tai and officials. We support and promote all public events Chi and Qigong in NSW, please step forward. associated with popularisation of Chinese martial arts such as World Tai Chi & Qigong Day, Health Weeks etc. For expression of interest or application forms please contact and although it did not become We liaise with other Wushu, Tai Chi and Qigong local, [email protected]. We believe that the future of the a sensation, it is remarkable national and international organisations, Health and Sports Wushu, Kung Fu and Tai Chi in NSW and in Australia is in that it is one of the few movies Government Departments and support initiatives aimed at your hands! where “Wushu” was used in its the improvement of the administration of the sport of Wushu proper meaning. As one of the reviewers said – it is “a very watchable and enjoyable” film. During the past few years we have been made aware of significant confusion about various Wushu organisations in NSW and other states and their relationships. We are taking this opportunity to state that ...Some time ago, five students Wushu & Tai Chi NSW Incorporated is a part of the Wushu Council Australia. It is not to be confused either joined a martial arts school and with Kung Fu - Wushu New South Wales Incorporated which is affiliated with Kung Fu Wushu Australia learned the disciplines of Limited or with NSW Branch of Australian Kung Fu (Wushu) Federation which, as advised by the NSW Office Wushu and the bonds of of Fair Trading, is currently in the process of deregistration. We do not share their governance principles, friendship. Ten years later while administrative practices and moral standards. preparing for their Wushu competition, the students and their master must put their Did you know? formidable Wushu skills to the test in order to save their friends and bring a villain to This year Australian National Wushu Team (Taolu division) selected to represent Australia at the World Wushu justice. Probably not for die Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, consisted entirely of the members of Western Australia Chin Woo Association hard Kung Fu fans but overall it is a good movie that shows how (WACW). This achievement, proudly announced on their website, is truly amazing given the fact that the new National body, the Chinese Martial Arts are recently recognised by the Australian Sports Commission, claims to have more than 200 member organisations, 630 coaches taught today in China. and 70,000 (!) active participants. WACW’s dedication and loyalty to the Wushu Australia Leadership Team keeping its position for over 30 years in a kaleidoscope of various organisations finally seems to secure for now Perth’s status as the new Wushu Capital of Australia. 12

Upcoming Events Worldwide

Competitions

 Wushu Competition of 3rd Lusofonia Games (January 27 - 28 Goa, India)  5th World Junior Wushu Championships (March 11-18, Antalya, Turkey) Professional  Nanjing 2014 Youth Wushu Tournament (August 16-24 Nanjing, China) Development  6th World Traditional Wushu Championships (October 2014, China)  7th Sanda World Cup (November 2014, Jakarta, Indonesia) 6th IWG World Conference on  1st World Taijiquan Championships (November 2014, Chengdu, China) Women and Sport!

Helsinki, Finland Meetings June 12 – 15, 2014

Visit http://www.iwg-gti.org/  IWUF Technical Committee Meeting (March 12 Antalya, Turkey) for more detail.  IWUF Executive Committee Meeting (November Chengdu, China) Next Issue Training Courses Closing date for the next newsletter will be 21 February  International Coaches Training Course (March 18 - 21 Antalya, Turkey) 2014  International Wushu Judges Examination Course (June 2014, Sicily, Italy) Please send us your stories,  International Wushu Judges Examination Course (TBC China) your thoughts, share your  International Taijiquan Judges Examination Course (November 2014, Chengdu, information or concerns, or tell China) what you have achieved or are going to organise. Your Continental Events contributions are welcome!  1st European Taijiquan and Internal Wushu Styles Championships (May 4-6 2014, Bucharest, Romania)  European Grading Examination (May 7-8 2014 Bucharest, Romania)  15th European Wushu Championship (May 8-12 2014, Bucharest, Romania)  12th South Asian Games (TBA Nepal)  17th Asian Games (September 19 - October 4 2014, Inchon, Korea) wushu herald

Wushu Herald is a publication of the Wushu Activities organized by IWUF members Council Australia and ausWushu All rights Reserved 2013  Xinjiang International Wushu Festival (TBA Xinjiang, China) ISSN 2202-8137  5th Taijiquan Health Conference (TBA Shenzhen, China) For more information on Wushu Herald  Cangzhou International Traditional Wushu Festival (TBA Cangzhou, China) please contact the editorial board or the secretary of the WCA.  Zhengzhou International Shaolin Wushu Festival (TBA Zhengzhou, China)

Post: PO Box 406  Handan International Taijiquan Tournament (TBA Handan, China) Broadway NSW 2007  Shanghai International Wushu Exhibition (TBA Shanghai, China) Phone: 0422 622 797 / 0405 027 219 Email: [email protected] Additional invitations received www.auswushu.com.au

 The Great Internal Chinese Martial Arts Festival (May 29 – June 1 2014, Tenerife Island, Spain).

The views expressed in this publication are those of the individual authors, and not necessarily the official views of the WCA or ausWushu.

Wushu Herald Issue 02 October-December 2013 Visit us: www.auswushu.com.au I Follow at twitter I Like at facebook