Brewers Blog | Heaven Mountain Taijiquan College UK GrandMaster Dr. Shen Hongxun

Zhan Zhuang - No it isn't!

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:08:40 +0000

Irritating me today is this quote, taken from an email sent out by a self styled world famous Tai Chi authority:

"part of a tradition of Chinese standing and moving mediation forms called Zhan Zhuang which is literally translated into English as "standing like a tree""

No, it isn't. This is the kind of hippy bullshit that is slowly turning Tai Chi into some kind of gloopy new age arm waving without function.

The proper translation of "Zhan Zhuang" in the context of Tai Chi practice is "standing on a pole (or tree stump, hence the easy mistake).

It refers specifically to the following method of defence used by small chinese communities in the middle ages. Often a deep ditch was dug around the village: where water was readily available it was filled and became a moat. In many instances this was not the case, so instead of water, the ditch was filled with pointed upright stakes, poles and other nasties to impale would-be interlopers. However, to allow nighttime access to the resident tribal members some poles (tree stumps) were left flat topped and set in a particular pattern. This pattern, known only to the occupying tribe, was learned so that it could be walked in the dark, allowing residents in but keeping others out. The standing practice performed as preparation for learning the walking pattern was called, yes, you guessed it, Zhan Zhuang.

Random Blog

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:23:24 +0100

We all had a very nice day at the Vibration Force seminar yesterday, despite me having mild food poisoning from a dodgy chinese on Friday night. Everyone made it through what was a surprisingly tough day and seemed happy but knackered by the end of it.

My thumb is working (but still quite inflexible) and so I'm back to hospital on Friday for another inspection and more physio. Hopefully it will work itself out.

Looking forward to the summer, with nice weather from here on in with a bit of luck and a few away gigs to brighten up the middle of the year.

Taiji Survey

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:37:02 +0000

University of Wales Lampeter

MA in Eastern and Western Approaches to the Body

Tai Chíi Practitioner Questionnaire

I am seeking your views as part of a study into Tai Chíi (Taijiquan) for a dissertation I am carrying out at the University of Wales, Lampeter; your contribution would be extremely valuable, and I would be grateful if you could respond to the questions below by email.

Questionnaires are being sent both to respondents active in the field of Tai Chíi, and to respondents from the medical and scientific community as an exploration of traditional Chinese and modern western views.

There is obviously potential benefit in increased understanding of tai ch'i, and in realistic assessment of health and martial aspects. The implications of the study may impinge on the relationship between traditional Chinese explanations and theories, and the world views supporting modern science.

Please note that while the questions specifically mention "tai ch'i", they topic is meant to include tai ch'i ch'uan, pakua, hsing i, i ch'uan, li he ba fa, ch'i kung, or any other similar relevant art.