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Master Shou Guan Shun recently organized a Yang Style Taiji seminar, featuring Master Guo Zheng Xun of Taiwan.
Master Guo, who was born in 1954, has been practicing martial arts since he was a very young boy.
He started training in boxing, Shaolin and Chin Na locking techniques from the age of 6 and entered the sports school system at middle school level; continuing his education in sports and physical education into high school, finally graduating from Taipei University with a degree in Wushu.
Master Guo has practiced a wide variety of martial arts, including traditional Chinese styles, in both internal and external disciplines, like Ba Gua, Taiji, Hsing-Yi, White Crane and Praying Mantis, as well as Japanese styles, such as Karate and Judo.
He learned Wing Chun from a renowned master, Lu Wen Jin and studied Taekwando to black belt level, participating in many international sparring competitions along the way.
After graduation, Master Guo taught at a Police Academy in Taiwan, as well as training undercover police operatives in self defence techniques.
In 1995 he began his studies with Beijing master Wei Shu Ren, from whom he’s learning Yang Style Taiji.
Master Guo, who has travelled extensively around Asia, and has been visiting Shanghai over the last couple of months teaching students based here, held a free “Yang Style Discussion Forum” at the Wushu club in Chang Ning district on Sunday 22nd March.
The three hour seminar was a chance for Shanghai practitioners to gather together and hear some of Master Guo’s experiences in learning Yang style Taiji with Master Wei and discuss some different training methods and understanding of Taiji principles, as showcased by Master Wei’s teaching in Beijing.
Master Guo delivered a very interesting lecture, interspersed with his training experiences and martial arts background, whilst also sharing stories of his own learning process both before and after he met Master Wei.
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Talking about some basic Taiji principles of “harmonizing the internal and external body and energy” and “the integration and utilization of Yin and Yang”, Master Guo shared with everyone his personal learning journey and of his training with Master Wei, especially in connection with “Rou Shou” or “soft, sticky hands”, and how Taiji principles can be used to overpower an opponent only after we have overcome the need to use our own inherent body strength and physical structure.
It was a fascinating lecture, and at the end Maser Guo pushed hands with a couple of participants who wanted to feel Master Guo’s energy and “flavour” for themselves.
The atmosphere was cordial and friendly and it was very nice to have the opportunity to hear a high level master talking so openly with others and being given the chance to share his experiences with other masters and like-minded practitioners.
We hope to have an opportunity to attend another such seminar with Master Guo and would thoroughly recommend studying with him to any students wishing to further their knowledge and skill in Yang Style Taiji, sticking hands or martial arts in general.
For more information about Master Guo’s background or to arrange classes or a seminar with Master Guo, please contact Rose Oliver.