Zhaobao tai chi
{{Infobox martial art
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| name = Zhaobao tai chi
| native_name = 趙堡太極拳
| aka =
| focus =
| hardness = Internal (neijia)
| formation = late 16th century
| country = China
| creator = Zhang Sanfeng (张三丰)
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| related_arts = Tai chi
| ancestor_arts =
| descendant_arts = Wu (Hao)-style tai chi
| famous_pract = Xing Xihuai (邢喜怀)
Zhang Chuchen
Chen Jingbo (陈敬伯)
Zhang Zongyu (张宗禹)
Zhang Yan
Chen Qingping
He Zhaoyuan
Song Yunhua
Peng Wen
| olympic = No
| website =
}}
{{Chinese martial arts}}
Zhaobao tai chi ({{lang-zh|c=趙堡太極拳|p=Zhàobǎo tàijíquán}}) is a style of tai chi that is often considered to be a modern style transmitted from Chen Qingping, but actually has a strong documented lineage that confirms its authenticity as an ancient style of tai chi and as a true transmission from Wang Zongyue.{{cite book|author=Wen Zee & Andrew Weil|title=Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan: Ancient Chinese Way to Health|publisher=North Atlantic Books|year=2002|isbn=15-564-3389-1}}
Form and Characteristics
The main set of Zhaobao tai chi, or Zhaobao Jia, consists of 108 movements in the big frame and 75 refined movements in the small frame progressing in difficulty. Great emphasis is placed on Yi (mind/intent) in Zhaobao training. Like many other styles, Zhaobao Jia can be practiced at three heights, each providing a different degree of complexity. Generally students begin with the Middle Frame (Renpan Jia), progress to the Low Frame (Pangong Jia) and end with the High Frame (Daili Jia).
Zhaobao tai chi's practical applications rely heavily on spiral uprooting techniques controlled through the use of Qinna, often followed with the use of sweeps or trips to bring the opponent to the ground. Flowing and coordinated techniques conform successfully to the basic tenets of the tai chi classics.
Zhaobao tai chi also has its own Neigong system based on traditional Daoist practice that enables the practitioner to develop the required physical and mental skills needed for successful mastery of the art.
History and Lineage
The Zhaobao tai chi style shares many similarities with Chen-style tai chi, and this commonality is considered by the school to be originate from an overlapping lineage with the Chen family - the 4th generation inheritor Chen Jingbo and the 7th generation inheritor Chen Qingping were both members of the famed Chen family.
Zhaobao tai chi is not a family style (although there exists the He Family offshoot named after the 8th generation inheritor He Zhaoyuan) and has traditionally been passed down from master to a chosen disciple. The Zhaobao name is given to the style as a way of honouring the village in which the art was kept for many centuries; Zhaobao Village in Wenxian County, Henan Province, China.
According to the style's tradition, Chen Qingping was the 7th generation master from the time that the grand master Jiang Fa brought the style taught to him by Wang Zongyue to the local area in Wenxian County.
Zhaobao tai chi's lineage down to Chen Qingping is as below:
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=Tai chi lineage tree with Zhaobao focus=
{{Zhaobao-style t'ai chi ch'uan lineage tree}}
Notes
=References=
{{reflist}}
=Bibliography=
- Peng, Wen. Zhao Bao Tai Chi Kung Fu, USA Tai Chi Culture Association. {{ISBN|978-0615255668}}
- Zheng, Wuqing. Wudang Zhaobao Taijiquan Small Frame, Da Zhan Publishing Company, Taiwan. {{ISBN|957-468-163-7}} (only available in Chinese)
External links
- [http://www.usataichikungfu.com USA Tai Chi Culture Association] Includes history and lineage of Zhaobao tai chi
- [http://www.chenstyle.com Chenstyle.com] This resource guide to Chen and related styles has a description and short video of middle frame Zhaobao Jia
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20081119021716/http://www.satirio.com/ma/taiji/history.html A guide to the history, lineage, contents and description of Zhaobao tai chi]
(Wayback Machine copy)