Taming the Tiger – Fu Hu Quan

Taming the Tiger – Fu Hu Quan

Fu Hu Quan (Taming the Tiger) is an older form which does not originate directly from Wudang. “Taming the Tiger” is a form taught between Daoists to protect themselves from robbers, the form uniquely developed itself over the centuries.

Fu Hu Quan was only taught verbally, like most traditional forms between Daoists. Therefore no list of the movement set was ever written. The reason for this is the personal development, the structure adapts to intuition, and the person changes the form. Fu Hu Quan might be the same name, but the quality of the form differs for each individual.

This individuality is important for the philosophy of the form. The main principle of Fu Hu Quan is to fight against a much stronger opponent – teaching the Tiger his limits.

Before we go into practical explanation I want to tell you about the emotional influence in Fu Hu Quan:

The Mentality of Fu Hu Quan

Like all oral forms, the mentality has a huge role in the development, that is why between Daoists the person was picked carefully before teaching, the personality had to be appropriate for Daoist principles to secure the tradition and mindset of Wudang.

Unfortunately, some schools misunderstand the form since they input a very aggressive factor which should not be there. You are not the tiger in the form and to prevent the stronger tiger, you must remain calm and focused on utilizing optimal speed and performance. When fighting a more powerful opponent, there is no room for mistakes and taking this form from a more aggressive perspective will defeat its purpose.

Remember the Wudang principles of attacking last but hitting first, overcome superior abilities with superior mastery. Stay composed and unaffected by the tiger’s appearance and let intuition drive your movements. During Fu Hu Quan the focus and speed are tireless; often confused with aggression but only a calm breathing and the prevention of unnecessary movements will give you the critical advantage in the precise execution and speed to overcome the tiger.

The Practical Taming of the Tiger

The Tiger represents a bigger opponent, much stronger and a due to his size a little slower. The thinking of the tiger is to use his superiority and attack as straightforward and efficient as possible. The Daoist, however, does not feel pressured and instead of losing opportunities to attack by stepping back, a practical distance must be kept. Students who train this form should have experience with the right distance in combat. Do not fight the tiger directly but keep your distance and attack the rotation-point of the tiger continuously. Where the attack originates, the tiger is most vulnerable.

Fu Hu Quan makes use of a constant shifting of your gravity center to gain a better attack angle and position, never taking a direct hit the form is full of evasive movements. Once the opportunity is there, the Daoist will attack continuously and do critical damage to the tiger removing his motivation to attack again.

Fu Hu Quan has a full repertoire of attacks that cause tripping, removing strength in attacks, blocking weight shifting, preventing advantageous steps, grabs, and counterattacks.

The power of Fu Hu Quan comes from the right attack rotation, the fluid transition of body weight and attacks to balance your posture is the key to execute fast movements tirelessly. As the tiger finds himself unable to stop the barrage, the Daoist will eventually prevail.

Learning Fu Hu Quan

Fu Hu Quan is of the internal martial arts, so a certain amount of Qi and mental control is critical. Students who want to learn Fu Hu Quan should have basic knowledge in Qigong, Taiji, and Gongfu.

Breathing (Qigong) is the most important aspect of maintaining focus during the movements. The oxygen levels drop drastically when the breathing is not trained enough.

Relaxation (Taiji) is important for the movements to accelerate. Having hard shoulders or to rigid posture, in general, will reduce the amount of speed needed for the form.

Basic Postures (Gongfu) like Mabu and Gombu are essential for beginners to master before learning Fu Hu Quan. Like no other form a powerful posture is necessary to maintain a stable stance during this quick and evasive movements. The student should not feel challenged to keep the low positions.

You can learn Fu Hu Quan in our Wudang Academy and in the online classes!

The Oldest Documented Taoist Master Lu Zijian

The Oldest Documented Taoist Master Lu Zijian

Lu Zijian was well known for his high achievements in internal martial arts, Taoist alchemy & Qigong, Chinese Traditional Medicine and Chinese Traditional Painting. As a result of these excellences all converging in the same mind and body, Lu Zijian reached the age of 118 years full of vigor and a bright spirit.

Lu Zijian was born in Yichang, Hubei Province, Mainland China in the 19th year of Emperor Guangxu, Qing Dynasty (15th October 1893). Well, know the martial artist, heading the Dragon Gate lineage of Daoism (Long Men Pai). In 2002 Lu was awarded 9 Duan (the highest grade in Chinese Martial Arts ranking system).

Lu attributed his longevity to his lifelong practice of martial arts and his longevity qigong: Hunyuan yang sheng Qigong.

In 2012 he was considered as the oldest living Chinese citizen as well as the oldest living man, but Gerontology Research Group is still proceeding under further verification.

The former head of Chinese Ba Gua Zhang Federation (Eight Trigrams Boxing, one the three most famous Chinese Internal Martial Arts besides Tai Chi Chuan or Taijiquan and Xingyiquan).

He started at his young age to study wushu with his mother, and later he was accepted as a disciple of Master Jiang Yin then he studied at the State Medical School of Hubei Province.

Oldest Taoist Master Lu Zijian
Lu Zijian

Historical milestones:

1911: At 18 Lu went to Beijing, he studied Baguazhang with Master Li Chang Ye and Xingyiquan with Master Yu Shirong, and finally he returned in Chongqing Sichuan Province to study Taijiquan with Master Li Guo Chao. (Most probably due to the political instability leading to 1911 Chinese Revolution).

1920: he was a Gold medalist at the Nanjing Yuhuatai Martial Arts Competition at the age of 28.

1929: He was actively against a proposal passed by the Central Ministry of Health of the new Kuomintang (KMT) government severely limited the advertising and practice of Chinese medicine. But finally this proposal was not implemented, and he was part of the Commission for Chinese Medicine Organization. At that time he was in Chongqing as Martial Arts Chief Instructor and a member of the KMT Military Committee.

1979 He is back in Chongqing et was Municipal MCPPCC member. This year he opened his Yudan Zijian Martial Arts Academy as well as the Lu Zijian Chinese Medicine Orthopedics Clinic. He published several articles and books among them “Baguazhang Healing methods” and created his “Baguazhang Hunyuan Yangsheng Gong.”

2007: Lu Zijian on the 24th January became the Oldest man in the world.

2009: Lu Zijian on the 2nd January became the oldest person in the world and was 116 years old.
2012: On 21 October Lu Zijian died surrounded by his family and closest friends one month before his 119th anniversary.

Some historical facts

Huo Yuan Jia was not only a very famous martial artist of his time, but Lu Zijian and Late Great Master Huo have sworn brothers with Huo being the elder brother. They fought together with the  monopolistic influence of Foreign freight companies deserving first the Yangtze river then later in Shanghai. Then they join Chinese Resistance against Japanese troops. He killed three Japanese Martial arts experts in duels. During of the raids they launched against the Japanese forces, Lu’s wife was murdered. He used one single palm to kill one Foreign boxer named Marshall. The name of Lu Zijian grew very fast so that Chiang Kai-shek (Jiang Jie Shi) the Chinese military and political leader who was leading the Kuomintang (KMT) appointed him as one-star general and Head Bodyguard (General Chiang had thirteen top bodyguards, all of them were his disciples).

While China’s Liberation Lu did not follow the major of Chiang’s remaining troops in Taiwan, he chooses to stay in Mainland China; he stayed in a labor camp up to 70’s. But later he held progressively important posts such as President of Chongqing North-South Wushu Federation, Martial Arts Chief Instructor of the We He Chongqing Headquarters, Chairman of the Association of Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine, President of Sichuan Province Martial Arts Association, Director of the Chinese Martial Arts Research Institute…

In 1982 he was Gold medalist of the Gold Lion National Martial Arts Tournament.  He received a special Gold Award in 1984 at the Emei Mountain Boxing Tournament. 1985 appointed President of the International Gongfa Association. 1994, the Chief Adviser of the International Qigong Association, in 2000 he received the gold medal Senior People from the Chinese State Administration of Sports. The Chinese Ministry of Sports, Department of Martial Arts attributed him the title of “Leading authority of Chinese Martial Arts” and rewarded the highest rank of Nine Duan in 2002. He was the Honorary President of the Chinese Wudang Wushu Federation.

His contribution as Expert in Chinese Medicine Treatments for Bone Injuries is widely recognized as he treated numbers of patients in whole China successfully.

Besides his pedagogic skills, his chivalric and generous temperament leads him to nurture thousands of disciples including foreign students, some of them are even very famous and own their martial arts schools, perpetuating the “Zijian” style martial arts. All are under the head organization of Mr. Wang Qinghua. In 1986, he was hired as Principal Consultant International Qigong Society. In the same year, he was appointed as Vice president of the Wudang Martial Arts Development Center of California General Counsel. Since the implementation of the national Wushu Duan ranking system, Lu was involved in the long-term task to revise the teaching and training in Chinese martial arts with all the other 9 Duan top ranking experts of Chinese Martial Arts.

Study at Master Yuan Xiu Gang’s School

Study at Master Yuan Xiu Gang’s School

wudang-kung-fu6.jpgMaster Yuan Xiu Gang was born in 1971, he is a Daoist priest (Daoist name Shi Mao) and a 15th generation disciple of Wudang SanFeng Sect. Master Yuan’s lineage dates back to the 14th century when Zhang San Feng became enlightened by the Dao and created Taijiquan.

Master Yuan has loved martial arts since his early childhood. At the age of 7, he started basic physical training in wushu, and at 16 he studied Shaolin wushu for 3 years. As a result of his increasing skill in gongfu, understanding of internal martial arts, and enthusiasm for Daoism, in 1991 he went to Wudang Mountain, the known center of Daoism and internal martial arts. Master Yuan was fortunate to be accepted as a disciple by the great Master Zhong Yun Long. Since then, Master Yuan has been practicing internal gongfu like TaiJi, Qigong, XingYi, Bagua, and meditation. Wudang kungfu Baguazhang In 1994, Master Yuan was selected by the Wudang Taoist Association for Taoist Wushu Performance Team, and initiated into the Purple Heaven Palace, the largest Daoist temple at Wudang. With the blessing of the Chairman, Master Yuan joined the circle of Daoist culture. Since then, Master Yuan has furthered his practice of Daoist philosophy and internal gongfu.

As a member of the Taoist Wushu Performance Team, Master Yuan has traveled to various places in South East Asia to demonstrate Wudang Gongfu. He has also represented Wudang when receiving high-level Government officials and celebrities from other countries during their visit to the Daoist mountain.

With the promotion by the Government of the Wudang special administrative region, more people from all over the world have embraced Daoism and Wudang mountain. Improving well-being and health through exercise is becoming popular worldwide. Foreigners are becoming more aware of the famous Wudang internal gongfu previously known only to Chinese. Visitors from aboard are coming to here to explore Wudang internal gongfu.

Master Yuan has been responsible for teaching foreigners for years. Throughout these years, he has been dedicated to learning and improving his English for better communication with foreign learners.

In line with the slogan of the Government of the Wudang special administrative region: “Let the world know about Wudang”, Master Yuan established his own Wudang Daoist Traditional Kungfu Academy with the agreement of Master Zhong Yun Long. The mission of the academy is “To broaden the reach of Taoism and to train outstanding wushu experts”. The Academy welcomes visitors from any part of the world.

Wudang Kung Fu Training:

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1978 -1988: Various training throughout China with masters of traditional martial arts.
1988 -1991: Training in Shaolin kungfu, traditional sanda, and qigong.
1991 -1993: Training in Wudang Traditional Kungfu and internal arts.
1993 -1995: Lived as a Daoist monk at ZiXiao Gong. Studied Daoism, Daoist music (mainly singing), and Daoist Acupuncture and herbal medicine.
1995 -Present: Teaching while continuing his practices and studies of internal work.

Achievements:

Member of the Wudang Mountain Kungfu Research Institution
Committee Member of the Wudang Wushu Association
Officer in Charge of the Wudang Mountain Daoist Taiji Center for Health and Longevity
Numerous shows for Daoist singing, kungfu, and Taiji
Many shows have aired throughout China most recently was the Wu Lin Feng Zhen Zhou Show which aired on National China Television (CCTV)

Wudang Mountain is the birthplace of internal martial arts where the great Daoist priest Zhang San Feng came to live as hermit and learn the Daoist methods of immortality

During his time in Wudang Zhang San Feng created Neijiaquan, or what is now more commonly referred to as Taijiquan.Showing great respect for the long history of deep knowledge and culture Wudang was named a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1994.

By incorporating his many years of training in wushu, Daoist internal alchemy, and qi gong Zhang San Feng created Neijiaquan, which was later called Taijiquan or the Taiji 13 Form.

Wudang Kungfu

The Taiji 13 Form has formed the basis for Wudang internal wushu.The Wudang San Feng Lineage continues the traditions and teachings of our patriarch and the lessons of his successive generations.As a result, several branches of practice have evolved over the years which now comprise an abundant system.

Master Yuan has been practicing Daoist wushu in Wudang for over 20 years.Being a 15th generation lineage holder of the Wudang San Feng Lineage, Master Yuan considers it his great task to continue with proliferating the wonderful practices that have been passed down to him.He is a Master of exceptional skill and knowledge and is dedicated to teaching the wushu of Wudang and sharing the knowledge and practice of Daoism to the rest of the world.

Daoist Health Cultivation

In keeping with improvements in modern living conditions, people all over the world are looking to improve their health.As a result, there are many different systems of health improvement that are springing up all over.China possesses thousands of years of development in self-defense practices, various artistic forms of self-expression and various methods and systems of health cultivation.The reason that Wudang Wushu has been able to continuously prosper up to today without being drowned out by modern trends is that it maintains a truly unique cultural character; its primary focus is on its oldest and most practically applicable value – health cultivation.

Ancient Daoist practices apply the theories of combining movement and stillness, internal and external, refining and cultivating, and the physical with the mental/emotional/spiritual as the major focus for cultivation.These practices are used to balance and fortify the body’s original qi, vitality, and spirit. The cultivation of jing, qi, and shen as well as the physical body are given significant importance.Specifically, in the methods of refining and cultivating one follows the method of the meridians or energy channels of the body.Daoist Health Cultivation uses dao yin (Daoist stretching and breathing exercises), qigong, wushu/gongfu methods to harmonize and improve the circulation of the meridians, improve the flow of qi and blood, and harmonize yin and yang within the body – thereby achieving a great improvement in overall health.

At the present time, several Daoist Health Cultivation practices are suitable for all to learn and practice, including Taiji, standing meditation, Ba Duan Jin (the Eight Pieces of Brocade Qi Gong), Taiyi/Liangyi Quan, Five Animals Qi Gong, Taihe Quan, push hands, etc.These practices are soft and slow-moving and are helpful in coordinating breathing and intention/thinking, regulating blood and circulation, and relaxing the spirit and mind.They can help in lowering the degree of blood viscosity, reducing cholesterol, and blood stasis; improving blood circulation, and can significantly improve the condition of blood clotting related problems of the internal organs that may be at risk or in a bad health and cause for concern.For example – those at risk of heart attack, cerebral thrombosis (blood clotting), early stage cirrhosis of the liver, etc. can significantly benefit by adopting these practices into their daily lives.By opening the meridians and removing sickness and toxic substances from the body, one can therein begin to improve the overall yin-yang balance of the internal organs.Daoist Health Cultivation methods can significantly enhance and strengthen practitioners’ immunity to sickness and disease as well as slow the aging and deterioration of the different organ system of the body.It can be seen that these practices are quite suitable and beneficial for everyone – especially young children, the elderly and infirm and those suffering from waist and neck problems.

Wudang Kungfu

The Mysterious Spirit of Wudang Wushu

Wudang Wushu is one of China’s most famous systems of wushu.It possesses a long established history and is well known both in China and abroad.By using traditional self-defense and fighting technique as its foundation, implementing theory derived from the Yi Jing (Book of Changes) and Daoist neidan technique gradually a clear system was created that gave shape to a truly unique style of training.The core of Wudang Martial Arts is comprised of the theory of the waxing and waning of yin and yang, the changes of the Bagua (the eight trigrams of the Yi Jing), and the phases and interactions of the Five Elements.Wudang Wushu encapsulates the deep and profound philosophical traditions of China including Taiji, Yin Yang, Five Element, and Bagua philosophical traditions and theories.It combines this theory with fighting theory and technique, training and cultivation principles, and fighting strategy as methods of searching to understand the natural laws of life.We use wushu as a method of self-cultivation to improve our health and our wisdom. This is the great treasure of Wudang Kungfu.

The entire body of Wudang Wushu is comprised of Wuji, Taiji, and Liangyi.Taijiquan, Liangyiquan, Xingyiquan, Baguazhang, Wudang Sword and other internal wushu systems are representative of Wudang Wushu.Wudang Wushu maintains the traditions and unique styles of the different systems. It uses Daoist philosophy and theory to guide and also combines the study of Daoist medicine, the Yi Jing, and neidan health cultivation methodology as its overall guiding principles and disciplines.Alongside these, it fuses wushu fighting skills and exercises to strengthen the body and places great emphasis on understanding the body’s energy channels and acupuncture points.Wudang Wushu greatly stresses the importance of establishing a strong foundation in internal practice.By practicing to synthesize and coordinate the internal qi and the external body, there is born a unification of internal and external.Using the qi for explosive power, borrowing power, becoming adept in using the soft to overcome the hard, using stillness to regulate movement, possessing a great unification of soft and hard, nimbly turning, circling, and evading and many other techniques are all characteristic traits of “internal kungfu”.

Relaxed, natural movement, a soft external and strong internal, moving like clouds and flowing water, continuous and unimpeded action and many other techniques are Wudang’s great attributes that distinguish it from other wushu.

Location & Timetable

Yuxu Palace was built in 1413, formerly one of the largest buildings in Wudang with its 2,000 rooms, until it was destroyed in 1745. The remains of the palace include two pavilions housing stone tablets positioned upon stone tortoises, each of which weighs over several hundred tons. In recent years the Yuxu Palace has scene significant renovations and refurbishments while at the same time still retaining much of its original structure.

Training is held in the Yuxu Palace every day. If the weather does not permit outside training, there are two large newly renovated training halls at the academy where classes are also held. The academy also has a meditation hall for students.

What does a day of training look like?

Schedule Times
Qi Gong/ Free Training 6:00-7:00 AM
Breakfast 7:30 AM
Morning Training 8:30-11:00 AM
Lunch 12:00 PM
Afternoon Training 3:00-5:00PM
Dinner 5:30 PM
Free Training 7:00-8:30 PM

* note that the exact times may vary throughout the year to make full use of daylight

Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. Below we answered some of the most common questions

Visa information:

All persons intending to enter The People’s Republic of China from outside countries must first have a valid passport and a Chinese visa. We can help you with obtaining your Chinese visa by providing you with an invitation letter to hand in with your visa application.Any other circumstances or special needs for visa application can be communicated to Master Yuan via e-mail.

Visas can be extended here in town for up to one year. After one year, foreigners are required to leave the country to apply for a new visa. Most students who stay for more than one year simply travel to Hong Kong or other neighboring countries to do so.

Travel information:

Wudang Mountain (武当山– Wu Dang Shan in Chinese Pin Yin pronunciation) is located in the province of Hubei, located in Southern Central China.

The most common route for students coming to study is from Beijing.From Beijing, one can travel by airplane or train to Wudang. The train, about a 20-hour ride, is much cheaper and more direct than flights. If you are planning on taking the train, purchase a ticket for the K261 or K507 train to a town called Wudangshan. Wudangshan train station is located about 20 minutes from the school. If you cannot purchase a ticket to Wudangshan train station, purchase one for Shi Yan. Shi Yan is a city located about 1 hour from the school.
The following are some directions and Chinese phrases to print out to help with your ticket purchase:

Take a taxi to the Beijing West train station.

“Please take me to the Beijing West train station” – 。 (beijingxizhan)

Purchase a ticket for the train, K261 or K507, to Wudangshan.

“I would like to buy a ticket for the K261 or K507 train to Wudangshan .” – (womaiyizhangquwudangshan de huochepiao)。

Choose either a soft sleeper or hard sleeper ticket.

“Soft sleeper” – (ruanwo)
“Hard sleeper” – (yingwo)

If you are going to be flying from Beijing, purchase a plane ticket to Shiyan(WDS) city.Shiyan has located about 1 hours away from Wudang. If you would like for a taxi to meet you at the airport, please communicate this to Master Yuan promptly so that it can be arranged.

Helpful hints:

When traveling, be sure to keep an eye on your belongings. Keep your passport, money, and other valuables on your person at all times. Make sure that you keep Master Yuan updated on your travel plans so that it can be arranged for someone to meet you at the airport or train station upon arrival.
Some people have trouble setting up a VPN in China, if you wish to use one it is best to arrange this before departure

Contact Master Yuan Xiu Gang personally:

Go to Master Yuan Xiu Gangs website!

The Immortal Way of Wudang Gong Fu

The Immortal Way of Wudang Gong Fu

Wudang is merely a modern name for the immortal spirit of hard work. Once we embark the journey to self-cultivation, we find ourselves in Wudang, and this is why we ask many questions today. First, we must ask ourselves about what is pure. Purity must be the dedication to self-commitment when looking into the mirror. Determined about ourselves, we look inside our souls. We learn to respect ourselves, not to abuse our health and well-being. We find out that our will is absolute and so must be our determination of climbing the mountain.

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What is more fun and more engaging than a path to strive for? The road to immortality, not for others, but only for ourselves, we find it essential to our existence. In our improvement, we grow personally and embrace what has troubled us once. We were put to unrest before, but now we find ourselves in harmony. It is because we learned to hear our consciousness, what we truly need to achieve was already decided by nature. The laws of heaven and nature know no time, and so it is eternal.

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Wudang is the spirit of concentrated determination to shape the world for the better. We are never alone in our hearts, and so we find the connection of the Dao; for we are Wudang and will carry it forever in our hearts.

Sincerely, your Master 资济

Category: Daoism


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