Wei Zhong Wu Guan UK History and Lineage
Given China's long history, the origins of most its cultural tradtions are largly unknown and the arts taught by the association are no exception. We have attempted to provide a brief summary what is known of the origin on the arts, with some brief biographical information on recent masters.
Baguazhang and Xingyiquan
Although Baguazhang and Xingyiquan are separate arts, as our lineage for the recent masters of these arts is the same, we have presented them together. In fact, there has been a lot of cross pollination between these two arts in among recent masters in other branches as well.
Baguazhang
Baguazhang is the most recent of the three major chinese internal arts
( the other two being Taijiquan and Xingyiquan ).
Research done by scholars point to Dong Hai Chuan being the creator of
this art circa the mid to late 19th century AD.
Our lineage is that of the Cheng branch via Sun Lu Tang.
Xingyiquan
Xingyiquan is possibly the oldest of the three major chinese internal arts.
Tradition states that the art are created by the legendary General Yue Fei
in the 12th century AD.
However, it is thought that Ji Long Feng (Ji Jike),
during the 17th century AD, is the actual creator.
Our lineage is that of Hebei branch via Sun Lu Tang.
Baguazhang
and
Xingyiquan
Noted Masters
Sun Lu Tang
Master Sun Lu Tang was considered to be a prodigy in martial arts. He was one of the first masters accomplished in the arts of Xingyiquan, Baguazhang and Taijiquan. It is he who popularized the idea of these arts being members of the Neijia ( Internal ) arts. He learned Xingyiquan under the famous Guo Yun Shen for eight years. He then went on to learn Baguazhang from Cheng Ting Hua. Master Sun was in Beijing, when heard of Hao Wei Chen having fallen ill. Master Sun assisted Hao and took care of him during his recovery. In this way, Master Sun endeared himself to Hao and was able to learn Wu( Hao ) style Taijian from him. Now that Master Sun had learned three traditional internal styles of Chinese martial arts, he began developing his own style - Sun style Taijiquan. He incorporated elements from Xingyiquan, Baguazhang and Wu( Hao ) Taijiquan into it.
Li Yu Lin
Master Li Yulin was a prominent and respected martial artist in the first half of the twentieth century. His first teachers, from whom he learned Shaolinquan and Xingyiquan, were Hao En Guang and Hao's teacher Li Cun Yi, both of whom made their names as security escorts. In 1924, when Master Li Yu Lin was 36, he began his martial studies under Master Sun Lu Tang, learning Taijiquan Xingyiquan and Baguazhang. In 1929 Master Li Yu Lin was appointed as Chief Instructor of the Shandong Central Wushu Association. The director of the association was Li Jing Lin, a student of Yang Ban Hou and accomplished in the Wu Dang Sword. Master Li Yu Lin learned these two disciplines from Li Jing Lin. Later when he traveled to Shanghai and exchanged ideas and techniques with Yang Cheng Fu . The Baguazhang Journal placed Li Yulin as one of Master Sun Lu Tang's most famous students. He was a professional martial arts teacher and his sons, Masters Li Tian Ji and Li Tian Chi, both followed in his foot steps.
Li Tian Ji
Together with his brother ( Li Tian Chi ), Master Li Tian Ji began martial arts training under his father, Master Li Yu Lin. Master Li Tian Ji graduated from the Shandong Martial Arts College as a Martial Arts Instructor. He taught at various universities and martial arts schools in the province of Shanxi and Hei Long Jiang. He came to Beijing in 1950 and was appointed coach to the State Wushu Team. From 1955 until his death in 1996, he was a member and executive member of the Institute of Physical Education and Sport. His main occupations were research, study and development of Taijiquan.
Niu Sheng Xian
Master Niu Sheng Xian began his studies with Master Li Tian Ji in the year 1959, learning Baguazhang, Xingyiquan, and Taijiquan. He has been awarded the grade of 7th Degree by the Chinese Wushu Association.
Zhang Wei Zhong
Master Zhang Wei Zhong started learning Shaolinquan and Shuai Jiao from 1969. In the year 1976, Master Zhang became a student of Master Niu Sheng Xian, learning Xingyiquan, Baguazhang and Taijiquan. He has attained the rank of 6th Degree under the Chinese Wushu Association.
Fei Bing
From the age of 8, Master Fei Bing has been studing Chinese Boxing. In 1980, Master Fei became a student of Master Wang Feng Ming, learning Chen Style Taijiquan & Hunyuan Qigong. In 1993 he started learning Xingyiquan and Baguazhang from Master Zhang Wei Zhong. At the same time, he began further Qigong training under Master Li Xiang Qian. Master Fei graduated from the University of Chinese Medicine Beijing in 1999 as practioner of Tradition Chinese Medicine. The Chinese Wushu Association awarded Master Fei the rank of 5th Degree in 1999. He is registered with the Tai Chi Union For Great Britain .
Lee Courtman
Lee Courtman started learning Internal martial arts from the age of 16. Lee started with the Shaolin art of Tiger Crane under Iain Armstrong of Nam Yang Pugilistic Association. At that time Lee had studied Routines, Sticky Hands, Weapons, and San Shou (Free Sparring). Lee also trained in dragon and lion dance training. During one summer evening a fellow shaolin class mate who had mentioned to Lee about this other great internal arts teacher ( Master Zhang Wei Zhong ). He had introduced Lee to Master Zhang and Lee started learning Baguazhang. After Master Zhang had left London Master Fei had started teaching Lee Ba Gua. Lee went on to learn Chen Style Taijiquan, Tui Shou (pushing hands), ruler stick Qigong with Masters Fei Bing, Tang Yue Xin, Wang Feng Ming and Feng Zhi Qiang.