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Maryland Yin Cheng Gong Fa
Related Links
North American Yin Cheng Gong Fa - Master Zhang Yun
Shi Style Bai Yuan Tongbei - Master Strider Clark
Maryland Yin Cheng Gong Fa
Paul J. Cote, MS, PhD
Academic Training Traditions
PO Box 475
New Market, Maryland 21774
E-mail:
Academic Training Traditions (att8@verizon.net)
Phone: 240-994-0475
The YCGF logo and the photographs of Master Zhang Yun and of the late Grandmaster Wang Peisheng of Beijing are courtesy of Master Zhang Yun and the North American Yin Cheng Gong Fa Association. Grandmaster Wang is demonstrating representative postures (L to R) from Northern Wu style taiji quan, from Hebei style xing-yi quan, and from Yin Fu, Cheng Tinghua, and Liu Dekuan styles of bagua zhang.
Maryland Yin Cheng Gong Fa Internal Martial Arts
Regular Classes (2022)
Zong Yin Tang/Yin Cheng Gong Fa Wu Style Taiji Quan: We at ATT have specialized in the Yin Cheng Gong Fa Wu Style Taiji Quan system since 1997 and have gradually achieved expert level instructor status in taiji and qigong along the way under Master Zhang Yun. We have added experience with taiji extending further back with Yang style (since 1989) and more recently with Hao style (since 2009). Our teaching emphasis in Wu style taiji derives from Grandmaster Wang Peisheng. The name of his martial arts lineage (Yin Cheng Gong Fa) means the 'seal of sincerity in the martial arts', which we have pursued since 1997. We became a formal disciple of his student, Master Zhang Yun, in 2005.
Those who become members of ATT to study Wu style taiji and other YCGF arts can become associate members of YCGF under Master Zhang Yun. They may then become eligible at a later time to request to become a formal disciple in the YCGF lineage under the Zong Yin Tang lineage of ATT, and with Master Zhang Yun as grandmaster for their generation. Zong Yin Tang (of ATT) is an officially recognized and certified open-door branch [or hall] of the Yin Cheng Gong Fa family house. As indicated above, roughly translated, the ATT school name means: 'hall of the ancestor's seal (or mark) of internal family boxing', or 'hall of the lineage seal for internal family boxing'. It could also mean 'hall for following the seal of internal family boxing'.
SUNDAY (9:00 AM-10:00 AM):
Beginning Taiji Quan (This class is scheduled only by advance appointment)
January 2022
SUNDAY (10:00 AM-11:30 AM):
Wu Style Taiji Quan 37-Posture Form
January 2022
SUNDAY (10:30 AM-12:30 PM):
Wu Style Taiji Weaponry
January 2022
Winter Classes:
New Market, Maryland
E-mail link: Academic Training Traditions (att8@verizon.net)
Yin Cheng Gong Fa (YCGF): Wu Style Taiji Quan, Qigong, and Weaponry. Our classes feature the Wu style taiji quan and other exercises and some of the weaponry. Beginners are welcome to all of our taiji classes, but you should start out your first classes to run from 8:30-9:30am. After this introduction to instruction in performing the complete form, you may want to continue each week only with the early lessons (9:00-10:00am), and/or you may elect to join in all-or-part of the continuing morning classes.
Beginning Taiji Quan (9:00-10:00am): This is a new class segment designed specifically for individuals who would like to begin learning taijiquan. This instruction in movements and principles will enable progression to learning more complex taijiquan forms such as the Wu style. This class is especially important for beginning students wanting to understand taijiquan principles and movements in order to bridge their practice into the Wu style taijiquan form.
Wu Style Taiji Quan Solo Form, 37-Posture Form, and Weaponry (10:00am-11:30am). The subsequent 1.5-hours of Sunday class are mainly for those students who can practice the entire Wu style 37-posture taiji form. This class features the full 37-posture form with controlled martial applications practice, along with the practice of Wu style push-hands sets, various aspects of body testing for postural framing in applications, and selected standing and dynamic qigong exercises.
Wu Style Taiji Quan Weaponry (11:30am-12:30pm). Weather permitting, in the subsequen 1-hour of Sunday class, we train outdoors to include study of taiji sword (jian) and saber (dao). Also included at various times is training on staff (spear) basics and sword defenses to staff, along with saber practices from other internal arts.
Summary of Master Zhang Yun's Taiji Quan Lineage via GM Wang Peisheng:
Taiji Quan Lineage:
Yang Luchan>Yang Banhou>Wu Quanyu>Wang Maozhai>Yang Yuting>Wang Peisheng
Master Wang was privileged to study also directly under his grandteacher, Wang Maozhai.
Master Zhang Yun began his studies with GM Wang's first disciple, Master Luo Shuhuan.
Master Zhang had the unique privilege subsequently to study directly under GM Wang for many years.
SATURDAY (10:30 AM-12:00 PM):
Yin Cheng Gong Fa Bagua Zhang
January 2022
Winter Classes:
New Market, Maryland.
E-mail link: Academic Training Traditions (att8@verizon.net)
For our regular Saturday bagua class this winter (10:30am-12:30pm), we will devote time to the Beijing YCGF bagua systems (i.e., Liu Dekuan style and Yin Fu style); we note that this is sometimes flexible to include some study of our Taiwan bagua systems. This session, we will feature the Liu style 64 bagua straight line forms. We will also feature the Yin Fu 64 bagua sets, with the first and second sets of circle changes (8 changes per set). We note here that our Hebei xingyi set from the Bejing YCGF lineage is taught mainly via privately scheduled classes.
Summary of Master Zhang Yun's Xing-Yi/Bagua Lineages via GM Wang Peisheng:
Xing-Yi Quan Lineage:
Li Luoneng-->Liu Qilan----->Zhang Zhaodong-->Han Muxia---->Wang Peisheng
Li Luoneng-->Che Yizhai--->Bu Xuekuan------>Zhao Runting--->Wang Peisheng
Bagua Zhang Lineage:
Dong Haichuan-->Yin Fu------------->Ma Gui------->Wang Peisheng
Dong Haichuan-->Cheng Tinghua-->Gao Kexing-->Wang Peisheng
Dong Haichuan-->Liu Dekuan------->Gao Kexing-->Wang Peisheng
Master Wang also pursued bagua lineage study with Han Muxia (from Zhang Zhaodong) and Song Shutang (from Song Yongxiang).
Recent Special Events:
We note that no special events are being held during the pandemic (February 2020-present). We are not yet certain when the next majoe seminar event will be held locally. In the mean time, please study what is offered by ATT and we will keep you well informed of major events going forward with Master Zhang Yun.
13th Annual Maryland Summer Yin Cheng Gong Fa Seminar: Wu Style Taijiquan with Master Zhang Yun and Master Zhao Zeren. May 4-5, 2019, Capital Aikikai Dojo, 923 Sligo Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland. This seminar was part of the Yin Cheng Gong Fa Three-City Wu Style Taijiquan Seminar Tour with Master Zhang Yun and Special Guest Visitor Master Zhao Zeren. This three-city seminar tour featured three seminars on three weekends in May 2019. Master Zhang Yun and his colleague, and special visiting guest, YCGF Master Zhao Zeren, answered questions on empty-hand Taiji form and application, Taiji push hands training, Taijiquan fighting principles, and some Neigong (Qigong) exercises, as passed down from the late Wu Style Taijiquan Grandmaster Wang Peisheng. This special series of seminars represented a unique opportunity for American Taiji practitioners to meet Master Zhao, who is recognized as one of the best Taijiquan Masters in China. More details later.
May 4-5: Capital Aikikai, 923 Sligo Avenue, Silver Spring, Md 20910
May 11-12: Steel Dragon Kung Fu School, 100 43rd Street, Pittsburgh, Pa 15201
May 18-19: Suzanne Patterson Center, 1 Monument Drive, Princeton, NJ 08540-3036
12th Annual Maryland Summer Yin Cheng Gong Fa Seminar: Wu Style Taijiquan with Master Zhang Yun. June 9-10, 2018, Capital Aikikai Dojo, 923 Sligo Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland: Seminars based on the Taijiquan Classics. Master Zhang is a student of the late GM Wang Peisheng of Beijing. In this seminar, Master Zhang continued to teach and correct in detail the Wu Style Taijiquan 37-posture empty-hand form and applications, examine taiji push hands skills and fighting aspects, and introduced the Wu Style 83-Posture form (movements #1-27).
Saturday, June 9, 1:00pm-4:00pm
Form: 37-Posture Wu Style Form
Details on Xu/Shi relationships for selected form postures with martial applications
Xu and Shi refer to the attributes of being Insubstantial and Substantial
Saturday, June 9, 5:00pm-8:00pm
Push Hands: Development of Zhan-Nian-Lian-Sui and Shen and Yi for martial applications
Examples of Xu/Shi relationships for borrowing force and directing force
Zhan-Nian-Lian-Sui refer to attributes of Sticking, Adhering, Connecting, and Following
Shen [expressing spirit] and Yi [listening mind] refer to where you ‘project eyesight’ and where you ‘listen internally’
Xu and Shi refer (as above) to the attributes of being Insubstantial and Substantial
Sunday, June 10, 9:00am-12:00noon
Form: 83-Posture Wu Style Form
Covering postures #1-27 with emphasis on transitions not present in the standard 37-posture form and with martial applications
Sunday, June 10, 1:00pm-4:00pm
Taiji Fighting Principles: Development of Ting-Yin-Hua-Na-Fa and Fu-Gai-Dui-Tun
Ting-Yin-Hua-Na-Fa refer to Listening, Luring, Dissolving, Seizing, and Discharging in martial applications
Fu-Gai-Dui-Tun refer to Covering, Blanketing, Interception, Swallowing and represent timing for defense & applications
Wu Style Taijiquan 37-Posture Empty-Hand Form, Push Hands Training, and "Classics Tour Continued". Seminar with Master Zhang Yun. December 2-3, 2017, Princeton, New Jersey: Master Zhang is a student of the late GM Wang Peisheng of Beijing. In this seminar, Master Zhang will continue to teach and correct in detail the Wu Style Taijiquan 37-posture empty-hand form and will explain the application of selected postures. Push hand drills and skills will also be reviewed.
Master Zhang continued to cover the principles and practices of Taijiquan based on some of the chapters from his new book on the Taijiquan Classics. As described below, the seminars covered material from Classics articles dealing with everything from basic Taijiquan structure, basic Taijiquan push hands, Taijiquan fighting principles, and Taijiquan throwing. Having the book and pre-reading the chapters mentioned enables you to experience the seminar with what you have read.
SATURDAY, December 2, 2017
10:00am-1:00pm: Wu Style 37-Posture Form Practice, The Foundational Abilities of Taijiquan
One or two postures were taught in detail including practice method and application ideas.
Questions and answers about how to practice form.
Discussion of six foundational abilities of Taijiquan, upon which all Taijiqun skills are built.
2:00-5:00pm: From Taijiquan Principles to Push Hands Practice
Instruction in push hands concepts and self-defense skills using Taijiquan methods and body structure.
Instruction in two-person drills for improving your push hands practice and self-defense skills; questions and answers.
SUNDAY, December 3, 2017
9:00am-12:00pm: How to Use "The Taijiquan Classics" Book for Form and Push Hands Practice 1
Explanation of what is Taijiquan Classics and how to use the book to
help your form and push hands practice and applications; questions and answers.
1:00-4:00pm: How to Use "The Taijiquan Classics" book for Form and Push Hands Practice 2
Detailed explanation of some Taijiquan principles from the book and examples for training.
11th Annual Maryland Summer Yin Cheng Gong Fa Seminar: Wu Style Taiji Quan with Master Zhang Yun, 'Taijiquan Classics Tour', Aikikai Dojo, 923 Sligo Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland, June 17-18, 2017: Master Zhang is a student of the late GM Wang Peisheng of Beijing. This year, Master Zhang Yun presented taijiquan seminars based on some of the chapters from his new book on the Taijiquan Classics. As described below, the seminars covered material from classics articles dealing with everything from basic taiji structure, basic taiji push hands, taiji fighting principles, and taiji throwing.
June 17, 2017, Saturday
1:00pm-4:00pm
Session 1: The Nine Points
This session detailed taiji’s nine points of body method that are essential for proper form structure, use in push hands, and applications. They are: chenjian, zhuizhou, hanxong, babei, guodan, liutun, songyao, choukua, and tiding. The session started out with the 37-posture form warm-up. Master Zhang will then focus on each of the nine components in a very ‘basic’ tree-holding posture to explain why they are important. He then looked to the beginning grasp bird’s tail sequence to practice maintaining the nine points while changing postures. Then he returned to the use the basic posture to show some examples of its use in push hands and applications. Finally, the group triedto maintain the nine points through as much of the 37-posture form that they know. The nine points listed above, as passed down in the Wu family tradition, are based in part on the classical Shen Ba Yao (or Eight Key Points of Taiji) by Wu Yuxiang. Different groups use slightly different words and reference points to arrive at these classical components. During the seminar, Master Zhang explained the evolution from old times to the nine-point system using the images of ‘the ball’ and ‘drawing the bow’. [pp 195, 208]
5:00pm-8:00pm
Session 2: The Four Word Secret Formula
This session began by covering the most basic taiji principle important in form movement, push hands, and applications called xu and shi (or insubstantial and substantial). These were related to yang and yin in general and as specific two-person examples where the designations can vary depending on circumstances. Master Zhang then taught a very basic application of the principle used in push hands involving nian and zou to include several drills so that this principle could be experienced. He then detailed the push hands and self-defense components of the Sizi Mijue (or Four-Word Secret Formula) from the classic by Wu Yuxiang. They are: fu, gai, dui, and tun. These four principles relate to the progressive and correct timing in the application of taiji skills used in fighting when detecting force released by the opponent (i.e., before they release, just as they begin to release, as they approach maximal release, and at maximal release). Each requires a refined degree of sensitivity attained through ting (listening) and sui (following). [pp 63-65,112,199,262]
June 18, 2017, Sunday
9:00am-12:00pm
Session 3: The Five Key Points of Taijiquan
In this session, Master Zhang showed examples of taiji principles as used in fighting and as passed down by the Yang family and appearing in a manual passed down by Niu Lianyuan. Niu was a businessman who received instruction from Yang Banhou in the 81-posture big-frame form as a gift for helping the family at a time of great need. Apparently, Niu was given secret transmissions not published in any other Yang family classic. The contents of the manual were kept secret by Niu and by his student, Wu Mengxia, since the 1920’s. Many useful principles can be found in the manual, and in subsequent writings through the 1950’s by Wu Mengxia that are part of, or based on, this manual. The Taijiquan Wuge Yaoling (Five Key Points of Taijiquan [to guide the learner’s skill development]) are structured under the following headings: liu he jin (six-integration jin), shi san fa (thirteen methods), wu fa (five methods), ba yaoling (eight key points), and quan li fa (whole-body-force method). Of these, Master Zhang covered ideas from six integration jin (ninguo, zuanfa, luoxuan, bengzha, jingtan, dousou), several pairs of the thirteen methods, and whole-body-force method. [pp 502-505]
1:00pm-4:00pm
Session 4: The Gathering of Qi
In this session, Master Zhang covered the principles of gathering the qi in the body and its use (qilan). He showed how this gets applied as storing qi [he, xu] and releasing qi[kai, fa] for applications in taiji throwing [tifang]. Such principles are explained in early classics in articles like the The Five-Word Formula (Wuzi Jue) and the Secret Formula for Safang (Safang Mijue) passed down by Li Yiyu. [pp 131-133, 152, 222, 230-232, 236-240, 255]
Yin Cheng Gong Fa Special 3-City Seminar Tour with Master Zhang Yun, 2016: The Wu Style Taiji Quan of Grandmaster Wang Peisheng. This tour featured 3 seminars on 3 consecutive weekends (May 7/8, Princeton, NJ; May 14/15, Pittsburgh, Pa; May 21/22, Washington DC area (Silver Spring, Md). The special seminar tour was hosted and led by YCGF Master Zhang Yun. The seminars covered empty-hand taiji form and application, taiji push hands training, and the fighting principles of taijiquan as passed down from the late Wu Style Taiji Quan Grandmaster Wang Peisheng. During this event, Master Zhang also introduced and narrated invited instruction of Wu style taiji by his visiting life-long friend and colleague, and special guest, YCGF Taiji Quan Master Zhao Zeren (click here for more on Master Zhao). Master Zhang’s tour with the special guest demonstrations and instruction represented a unique opportunity for American taiji practitioners to meet Master Zhao, who is recognized as one of the best Taijiquan Masters in all of China. Aside from sharing his knowledge and experience in taijiquan, Master Zhao greatly enjoyed his visit by touring New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Washington DC. His travels and experiences in the USA are captured in a photo log (click here) that was constructed in Chinese by his host, Master Zhang Yun, for Master Zhao's friends to see in China.
