How to practise Taijiquan to attain super health and longevity #1

Teaching of the 98 year old famous master Wu Tunan

from Wu style Taijiquan by Wang Peisheng & Zeng Weiqi (P221-228)

China Daily carried a report in its Nov. II, 1981 issue, entitled "A Long Life of Taijiquan." The opening three paragraphs read as follow: "At 96, Wu Tunan still has good eyesigh and hearing, is alert and clear in speech. His tall figure with its straight back and steady walk is that of a athlete, his blood pressure is normal, he can walk several dozen miles, and once a week he climbs the hills at Badachu, a scenic spot on the outskirts of Beijing. His wife Liu Guizhen, 10 years his junior, is almost as healthy."; "Wu and his wife attribute their health to the practice of Taijiquan, traditional Chinese shadow boxing. Wu, who is vice chairman of the Beijing Wushu Association, has been practising Taijiquan for nearly 90 years."

Aside from the above, the writer has often listened with admiration to the Master's quoting from memory famous passages found in tradition Chinese literary, medical, historical and philosophical works; and watched with keen interest how the old man could still toss a stuent, 50, 60 or 70 years his junior several feet away in the pushing-hands exercise.

Longevity plus such super health and clarity of mind is surely something to be envied at and worth striving for. The way of attainment sounds rather simple - the practice of Taijiquan. But why and how?

There are now in operation 161 Taijiquan teaching posts with about 750 coaches in Beijing. The yearly enrolment in 1981 amounted to nearly 50,000, reaching a total of over 250,000 since 1974. Statistics have shown that of those participants with chronic diseases, over 90 percent have obtained marked improvement, and many have returned to their jobs. However, men as old and healty as Master Wu are still rare, even among Taijiquan practicians. Is it because Master Wu is an exception to nature's rule? Or is it because the majority of Taijiquan practicians, enthusiastic and benefited as they are, have not practised Taijiquan in the way as Master Wu has? If so, how should it be done to attain such super healty and longevity?

One fine moring, the writer had a long chat with the Master, seeking an answer. Through our discussion, the Master's teachings emerged. My questions, and Master Wu's replies, are as follows:

Zeng:
Factors contributing to health and longevity are many. Why do you attribute your super health to the practice of Taijiquan and not to anything else? Tens of thousands of people practise Taijiquan every morning in Beijing, and as result of its very good health promoting effects, the number is still growing. However, compared with what you have attained, it seems the majority are not getting the full benefits promised by the art. Is it chiefly because the other factors influencing their health and longevity are possibly not as favourable as yours? Or is it because they have not practised Taijiquan as you have or as you deem it should be?


Wu:
Factors influencing health and longevity, favourable or unfavourable, are indeed numerous. Some important ones, like heredity, geographical environment, living and working conditions, affect us more basically than Taijiquan. Obviously, these factors are either beyond our control, or not easily altered by us. However, their ill effects may be lessened, and good effects enhanced by the practice of Taijiquan. In my own case: I was not born strong but very weak. I suffered lung, liver and spleen troubles as a child, until taking up Taijiquan at the age of nine. I gradually overcame my weakness after eight years of vigorous training under the tutorship of Wu Jianquan, plus another four years under the strict coaching of Master Yang Shaohou.

My health originally was less favourable than the average person's . As to living conditions, I have been through very stressing times. But I persisted in correct practice of Taijiquan under all circumstances.


Zeng:
In other words, it is not just the practice of Taijiquan, but the persistent and correct practice which leads to super health and longevity. Right?


Wu:
Precisely so. But I must add: by persistence, I mean life-long persistence. By correctness, I mean full accordance with the fundamental principles set in the Taijiquan classics.


Zeng:
Such a high standard is very hard to attain.


Wu:
Yes, and no.
It is certainly hard for the sceptics and the half-hearted. These often quit after having missed a few lessons, or upon finding their movements still awkward after a mere few months of practice. But those who are serious in their pursuit of super health and longevity, and who realize they are indeed attainable are therefore determined to spend the necessary time and effort required. They are usually attentive to their instructors and sensitively aware of the subtle differences in their own movements and feelings, depending on whether they follow the instructions faithfully or not. Generally, after learning and practising in such a manner for a year or so, the movements of these students becomemuch more coordinated and flowing, their health noticeably improves. The hour or so of daily practice becomes a time of joy, relaxation and self-achievement. Persistence then is no longer a problem. The only issues are how to makethe best possible progress in keeping with age, constitution, time availiable for learning and practising, and the finding of a good teacher and good practice companions.


Zeng:
That I can well see from my own experience. I started learning Taijiquan at 46 when I found my old favourite sport, weightlifting, a bit beyond my age. As Taijiquan is in many ways very different from weightlifting, I found the movements quite complicated and I did them awkwardly at first. However, with some knowledge of Taijiquan's health promoting effects, I determined to learn this traditional system of health promoting exercise and martial art. It was new to me and not only suitable to my age but an art I could practise to the end of my days. After a year of intensive learning and practice I was doing the movements more easily. A feeling of relaxation and well-being arose with every practice session.

Even when conditions would not allow me to do Taijiquan I tried to practise it in my mind, coupled with diaphragm breathing. In this way, I had not only managed to have avoided forgetting the sets I had learned,. but also could relax under conditions of stress. At the end of 1974, though then already 59, I started to learn new sets of Taijiquan. I found improvement possible even with two knees suffering from bone arthritis, in fact I was the runner-up in the 1978 Beijing Taijiquan Contest for the Aged. What a greath joy and satisfaction!

Today, Taijiquan is as much a daily necessity to me as eating and sleeping. What I am most eagerly seeking now is a deeper understanding of the art. As you are one of the oldest Taijiquan masters of our time, you have studied both traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine and are one of the earliest advocates of scientific Taijiquan, I admire you sincerely. Now what is your interpretation and evaluation of the cardinal principles of the Taijiquan classics from a scientific point of view? What are the most important points to observe in Taijiquan in order to get the best possible results?


Wu:
I am pleased with what you have experienced and that you are eager to hear from me. Let me say first that the basic principles and methods of Taijiquan and the healthful benefits ensured by this age-old system are in harmony with recent findings in physiology, medicine, sports science and other related fields.