T’IEN TI TAO ACADEMY
Traditional & Modern Taoist Arts
by Shih-fu Symonds

In the Heaven & Earth Way system of Daoquanshu, we have a unique and holistic syllabus which covers the following subjects:

Taoist Quanshu, commonly called “Kungfu”

Taoist “Principle” Quanshu or Taijiquan

Taoist Zhangmin (Long Life) Diet

Taoist Kaimin (Open Gate) Yoga

Taoist Baduanjin Qigong & Exercise for Health

Taoist Specific Qigong Exercises

Taoist Basic TCM Diagnostics and Healing

Taoist Practical Philosophy

 

Taoist Quanshu Kung-fu.

There are many styles of Martial Arts available today. Probably around 70-80% is fairly basic, concentrating on what the founder/s see as necessary fighting skills. Within these styles one may find practices such as “snapping out” the elbows or knees in punches or kicks, forced stretches which can damage joints or even so-called “conditioning” where hands or other parts of the body may subjected to damaging treatment. Such practices can cause bursitis, tendonitis, nerve damage and much more besides.

T'ien Ti Tao offers exercise and techniques which are modernised to become more body friendly, or medically sound, while still being effective. Why does this differ? Many Martial Arts have been developed by a person who has trained in perhaps two or three styles, sometimes only to a low grade or rank, therefore not having much experience. The result is a style based on their personal experience and often a remix of what they have already learned. T'ien Ti Tao is a broad based system which traverses a Yang to Yin spectrum and deliberately started out that way, as a “fresh” system. This was done by firstly keeping that concept in mind of a Taoist System, a holistic one at that. Instead of copying techniques from other styles, theory, technique and “essence” was studied so that it was understood. The resulting essence, or essential technique, was then reworked and reworked until it formed what I believed to be a useful and practical method. Some of these essences came from backgrounds like Traditional Shaolin, Taijiquan, Xing-I quan, Ai Ki Do, Jiu Jitsu, Hap Ki Do, Shorinji Kempo and even a little Wing Chun Kung-fu. T'ien Ti Tao does not claim to emulate these, nor have any direct lineage, it used principles found in these to develop overall methodology; placing these into a Taoist structure; somewhat like completing a jigsaw puzzle.

The T'ien Ti Tao Syllabus took thirty years to develop and refine. There are Eight Forms, each took at least two years to develop! This is highly unusual, especially in the West. The syllabus starts a new student off gently and with care. It then increases in stepped grades so that the student makes soundly supported progress. Starting with the Yang elements, the students will gain a stronger and fitter body and more flexibility. The Forms train strength, focus, coordination, control, power and stamina. Each Form has its own characteristic and purpose, for example, the Small Gate Circular Form teaches close quarters combat and tight direction change.

In later stages students may learn more “internal” aspects, or Yin Kung-fu. These may include developing and harnessing Qi, willpower, subtelty, sensitivity, awareness and more. Overall the complete syllabus, from Acolyte to Master, takes the student on a journey to Yang, then Yin and this should eventually lead to balance and equilibrium.

The syllabus has been designed around all of this plus it has the addition of some simple psychology, both in defence terms and in student development, making it a truly unique system.

The syllabus is split. Almost any student who we feel is worthwhile, or who may have hidden potential, may come and learn nine sections of the syllabus; up to trainee instructor. This section holds masses of techniques, effective self-defence as well as life changing training and methodology. It has been found that students with the right attitude and strongest fighting spirit will stay on and study the course. After this the best will be given personal invite to “join the family”, in traditional Chinese style. These lucky few with the right attitude and will to see their training through to the end will be entrusted with the complete system and charged with protecting this valuable “family treasure” for life.

 

Jinquanshitaijiquan.
Taoist “Principle” Wellspring Quanshu.

With a lineage that goes back to Zhangsamfeng, and beyond, this 24 Forms, 40 Step Form is growing in popularity by the day. Wellspring was developed from a pure and simple standpoint. Deriving its main core of movements from Li (Lee) Family Style, then freely translating those movements with the spirit of neigonggungfu in mind, this formed the beginning of the “tribute” to Li and Wu Styles (the two are very closely related). The Form follows the common philosophical start, with the principles of Wuji, Taiji and then the action of “lifting water” whilst facing South. The Form flows around the compass points, physically, not philosophically, and includes the essential Thirteen Principles, all put into natural expression. Thus the Form does not follow or attempt to emulate the modern day classics. Jingquanshitaijiquan was developed from the basic principles revolving around Snake, Crane and essential core elements. Unintentionally it seems that this has resulted in a Form possibly the way that Zhangsamfeng may have created his. No intentions were used in this manner; the Form was created by trying to be in touch with Tao.

Like all good Taijiquan Forms, it contains visible outward elements of Yin and Yang as well as internal balance. The Qi can be felt quite strongly when the movements are performed. Some students have stated that a few of the movements look like Chen, Wu, Li or Sun. Although a few “tribute” movements were included from Li and Sun, everything is original and pure. Students of other styles have even reported that “it enhances our practice” and “opens up the energy channels so that we can now feel the ch’i in the other Forms we do”.

Jingquan means “well-spring” and as such refers to a source. The name suggests that it can be learned as a base for other styles to be added to. However, it is also attractive as a stand-alone style to which higher levels can be added as one progresses; adhering hands, adhering feet, sticking hands, taiji-jitsu, pole, spear, broadsword and straight sword.

 

Taoist Zhangmin Diet.

Taoist “Long Life” Diet, as it is nicknamed, has been around for centuries. It is often called Macrobiotic, so Taoist Macrobiotic would be more precise. The reasons behind the Taoist associations are to do with the development of the health aspects and the applied philosophy of Yin and Yang principles to types of food; e.g. Sodium is Yang, Potassium is Yin, whole grain brown rice is balanced.

There are also the Five Elements, sometimes referred to as the Five Flavours, salty, sweet, bitter, sour and spicy. In many Chinese households all these five are placed upon the table at mealtimes and diners help themselves. Eating a balanced diet containing the five flavours will help overall health. Rice is the staple grain of China.

I do not teach Zhangmin as such but have rewritten my old Master’s book and have included modern nutritional information, such as vitamin and mineral functions and needs. A wise person will read the book and make the right decisions about their diet, making changes where appropriate.

 

Taoist Kaimin Yoga.

Kaimin means “open gate” and is a popular nickname for Taoist Yoga as its techniques tend to open up the gates of the energy channels where qi or ch’i, Prana or bioenergy can sometimes get blocked.

I learned this system from my old Taoist Arts Master, Shigong Chee Soo. He taught us a range of exercises, some of which are variations of others. Each exercise has a warm-up, called a Sequence, and an Extension. Although we did not learn much in that time about their development, a few months practice makes it easier to see that these exercises must have been well planned and developed. Each type of exercise delivers a powerful effect to the part of the body used in the main, although many have a wider effect. I had done quite a lot of “external” Hatha yoga before trying these exercises and the difference was quite startling. Kaimin is classified as “internal” exercise and we only call it yoga as it bears resemblance to what is commonly called yogic exercise; e.g. stretch based. The Chinese classify exercises according to their effect on the body and anything which uses, has effect on or otherwise enhances the qi is Internal, Neigong.

The only way in which I have changed any aspect of Taoist Yoga is to group the exercises into three levels, beginner, intermediate and advanced, plus making some very minor alterations to any routine which could be of medical concern. I truly believe that Kaimin is the best form of stretch based exercise for general health and balance.

Oddly enough there is more Kaimin taught in Great Britain than anywhere else in the world, including China. This is because Shigong Chee Soo taught us, the lucky students, some of the rarest and most secretive of the Chinese Internal Arts; even now little known in China. His depth of knowledge on his subject has inspired me to keep this aspect of the Lee (Li) Family Arts alive alongside Zhangmin or Long Life Diet and some of the qigong, health and healing skills he taught us. It has come to my attention that much of his knowledge and teachings went over the heads of the greater majority of his students. I used to think that this was quite strange, but now understand that humans tend to look for the glamorous, not the obvious, and will often miss that which is right under their noses. This was not to be for me on this occasion as I had been looking for a good Taoist Arts Master and knew that Shigong Chee Soo was the right one, so looked and listened intently to all that he did and said.

Baduanjin – Eight Strands of Silk Brocade.

The Chinese luck enough to have a fine set of clothes for special occasions knew that dressing up made you feel good. These clothes would be decorated with fine silk embroidery called “brocade”. Hence this very popular set of eight exercises was named the Eight Pieces of Brocade as it made the “wearer” feel extremely good.

After learning a set with a similar name from Shigong Chee Soo I was aware that his was different to one that I had already come across before. This aroused my curiosity. Study and digging (far harder then without the Internet!) eventually revealed that over fourteen variations of Baduanjin (Pa Tuan Chin), and some were outlandishly different! Impossible to speak to the originators, one can only surmise that they developed the differences to suit themselves or even just to be different. Creating “different” does not always mean right, or safe, to put in a medical context relating to joints and health. Many years study revealed the essence and a professional in Beijing (Peking) who had created a ‘modernised’ set of standing exercises. This set was far more practical and I like practical, so went about developing a safer set based on these exercises.

Baduanjin is possible on more than one level. I was aware that there had been at times sets which could be performed while seated. Anyone who was either chair or bed bound could then participate in some exercises of a beneficial nature, giving them better circulation of blood, lymph and much more. This ranks as important to me and was therefore a necessary inclusion.

Interestingly, Baduanjin can be performed as Weigong (external training) or Neigong (internal training), and I thought that both should be included as options, or as we say in the West, “horses for courses”, meaning the right thing for the right job. In what is now known as Pa Tuan Chin The New (safer) Standardised Set, there are the following levels or methods:

1. Seated Baduanjin Set
2. Basic ‘Safer’ Standing Set
3. Intermediate Standing Set
4. Advanced Standing Set
5. Physical Standing Set.

Some students of this are now teaching it to specialised groups of people including wheelchair users, rehabilitating patients and even school children.

 

Taoist Specific Qigong Exercises

These have been around for hundreds of years. With the advent of better, faster and wider communications, the exercises are being collated, sorted and even sometimes evaluated for effect and practicality. Some Chinese medical specialists use qigong as well as Acupuncture or Chinese Massage, et cetera.

Shigong Chee Soo used to help many students and friends with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), he even helped strangers, some of whom who were eventually sent his way by Medical Specialists who could not do anything more for their patients, so sent them to see “the little Chinese man” who they heard could help many people. Among the tools he used were qigong (energy training) exercises. These can take the form of very simple movements, or even stationary exercises, as well as more complex sets of movements like the “Six White Rapids”, as he used to call them.

Many qigong exercises are well known in China for their healing and strengthening ability, as well as those that redress the imbalance of the energies. A traditional Chinese healer may use qigong exercise instead of acupuncture, if he or she deems the patient capable of using this to heal themselves, especially when stronger methods are not necessary.

 

Taoist Basic TCM Diagnostics and Healing

The term “basic” is used here for two reasons. Firstly I have never taken a full course on any one system of healing, like acupuncture. Secondly I feel that many skills come naturally as one progresses through the Taoist Arts, including some healing methods.

In old China many a Quanshu-gongfu teacher (Kung-fu Master) would become the village medic by default. Often there were no doctors available. The Master would have knowledge of broken bones, torn ligaments and general maladies from training, often learning the hard way. However, his knowledge was often enough to help over ambitious students, then they would inform their friends or family of “Master’s skills in healing”. This still happens in many remote areas of China, and even in cities, where this “hands on” knowledge may be preferred. Even in T'ien Ti Tao there are students who will consult teacher before a medical GP. Based on my years of learning, training, practice and experience I have developed some skills which can help common maladies such as headaches, sprains, period pains, et cetera. These are well known by many friends and students. It is also possible to use qigong, even from a distance, zhangmin diet, specific exercise for injury rehabilitation, and so on.

 

Taoist Practical Philosophy.

As can be seen by all of the above, the Taoist philosophy has been practically applied to many aspects of daily life and health. However, it has far deeper reaching implications. Having studied the wider vehicles of psychology and sociology, the implications of Taoist philosophy on students can be seen over a period of time to change lives. These changes can be for the better as they can give a teenager or young adult glimpses of responsibility, interaction and reaction, self-control, teamwork, hierarchy and much more besides. Powerful and life changing forces of mind and body. One of my students, a highly respected Doctor of Psychiatry, is now using some basic Taoist Qigong and principles in his treatments.

In an age where many people’s faith in religions has been shattered, the Taoist philosophy can in many practical ways help someone to overcome difficulties in their lives. In an age where few have any faith left in Orthodox Medicine and Hospitals, with MRSA+, strong drugs with (sometimes deadly) side-effects, misdiagnosis and other problems, simple, time proven Taoist TCM can be like a breath of fresh air on a spring day after a dark and heavy winter. Even in learning the wonderful Art of Taijiquan one can make astounding changes to one’s life and relationships. Detail, balance, harmony, awareness and many other good qualities are learned during practice. These can have beneficial side-effects not only on health but on marriage, work and even relaxation activities.

Many practitioners of the Taoist Arts become aware of the way that their lives seem to take on new and more positive meanings. The things which can hold us back are all negative human traits, like jealousy, power, wanting to be in charge of others, greed, spite and so on. The Taoist principle of “Wu Wei”, meaning to “become like water”, allows us to realise the importance of being one with, rather than one against things. It also implies letting go. To let go of power, wanting or even control over family, friends, partners or work, may seem a dangerous and foreign idea to those who are insecure. Lao Tze’s Tao Te Jing (The WAY of Life) teaches us that; “A Poor Leader seeks to control his subjects, therefore they rebel against him. A Great Leader sets his subjects free; therefore they follow him and support him.” The Tao Te Jing is full of what seem to be contradictions, but as we come to know, these are but simple truths as laid down in the Laws of Tao.

 

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