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Post by Shifu Tolson on Feb 18, 2016 23:15:54 GMT -5
Some believe the Zhai Yao form was created by Zhao Zhu, the teacher of Liang Xuexiang. Others believe Liang was their creator. Unfortunately, we will probably never have a definitive answer.
Regardless of who originally created the form, we know that Liang Xuexiang's student, Jiang Hualong, had a hand in revising the form. This is due to the addition of elements of the style, Fanche, that are found within the form. Master Jiang received this knowledge from his friend, Li Danbai and added it into the mantis he taught.
Zhai Yao Quan is one form. It was divided into six sections for learning. At the Mantis Masters Academy, we practice it as one continuous form. Who originally divided it into six sections is unknown.
Here are the directions the practitioner faces at the beginning and end of each section:
Yi Lu: Right - Left
Er Lu: Right - Left
San Lu: Right – Left
Si Lu: Left – Right
Wu Lu: Right – Left
Liu Lu: Left - Right
Chinese cosmology tells us that the six sections of Zhai Yao Quan consist of 365 techniques that correspond to the 365 days of the solar year.
The form is believed to have been created to catalog the most essential fighting techniques of praying mantis kung fu. Hence the name, "The Essentials". These techniques were originally categorized as 秘 手 - mì shǒu - "secret hands". This becomes clear when the form is examined and one realizes that all the keywords and principles of mantis boxing are found within it.
Later, a seventh section was added that consists of ground rolling techniques. Again, theories are divided on who created the seventh section. Some say Liang Xuexiang, others say it was his student, Jiang Hualong.
The Zhai Yao Quan form is practiced very similarly in the Meihua based families. Seven Star and Eight Step families have created their own versions of the set. It is my belief that the version practiced by the various Meihua families is the oldest version of the set.
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Post by Shifu Tolson on Feb 18, 2016 23:37:36 GMT -5
The following is reproduced from my book, 太极梅花螳螂摘要拳 Grand Ultimate Plum Flower Praying Mantis Essentials Fist Sections 1 – 6
第一段
Preparation
Sink Qi, Embrace Elbows
Frame Hand Strike
Hide Peach within Leaves
Left Seal, Right Collapsing Strike
Incline Body, Mandarin Duck Leg
Close Hands, Straighten Body
Right Pluck, Left Rub, Right Yanking Elbow
Advance Step
Bent Step
Wrap Around & Whip the Ear
Mandarin Duck Leg
Right Stretch Forward Strike
Close Hands, Straighten Body
Move Sideways, Climb Mountain Hand
Steal, Open, Bottom Leaking Circle
Left Seal, Right Outside Reveal
Double Level Strikes
Lift Body, White Ape Steals Peach
Incline Body, Reverse Point Leg
Lower Step, Swallow Skims the Water
Advance Step, Double Seals, Lock Mouth Strike
Steal Open, Slant Body with Coiling Elbow
Rapid Strike, Swallow Jumps into Well
Aoyu Inclines Body, Trample Flank Leg
Turn Body, Overturn Chariot to the Bottom
One Wick of Incense Faces Heaven
Insert Elbow
Crashing Dot Becomes Jade Ring
Turn Body, Crashing Dot Becomes Jade Ring
Hard Raise, Separate Elbow to Knee
Following Strike, From Sea Bottom Lift the Yin
Advance Step, Jade Maiden Embroiders
Yang Hook Provokes Below
Insert Strike, Dig Eye Strike
Filing Palm
Close Hands, Straighten Body
Jade Maiden Crosses Bridge, Double Seals
Advance Step, Double Helping Elbows
Left Seal, Right Advance Palm
Hook Strike, Thunder Palm Hand
Lightning Spreading Hand
Thunder Palm
The Wind Sweeps the Leaves
Double Seals, Immortal Takes Hair to Ground
第二段
Turn Body, Left Points to the Road
Aoyu Inclines Body with Linked Kicks
Right Seal, Left Protruding Elbow
Left Pluck, Right Coiling Elbow
Right Separate Elbow
Right Filing Strike
Reverse Body, Lead Away the Goat
Lock Mouth Strike
Left Pluck, Right Separate Elbow
Ride Horse with Both Hands Fastened Together
Double Bind
Circle Bent Hollow Inner Cannon
Left Filing Strike
Right Seal, Left Chop
Take Treasure from the Sea Bottom
Left Seal & Right Folding Elbow
Left Seal, Right Collapsing Strike
Incline Body, Mandarin Duck Leg
Lower Step, Left Close Hands
Dodge Step with Slanted Circle Strike
Incline Body, Mandarin Duck Leg
Close Hands, Straighten Body
Advance Step, Powerful Chop to Face, Take the
Center
Left Seal, Right Collapsing Strike
Incline Body, Mandarin Duck Leg
Turn Over Body, Face Prick
Ride Horse, Hook Fish, Separate Elbow Afterwards
Rob Mind, Hatchet Edge Foot, Advance Step, Tread
& Collapse Palm
Incline Body, Mandarin Duck Leg
Close Hands, Straighten Body
第三段
Close Hands, Straighten Body
Right Seal, Left Pluck, Right Thrust Elbow
Left Open, Right Separate Elbow
Turn Body, Jade Maiden Works Shuttle
Take Hair to the Ground
Raise Body, Rolling Dragon Elbow
Lower Invite, Double Helping Elbow
Jade Maiden Threads Needle
Close Door, Take Hair, Back Catch
Advance Left Step, Left Separate, Right Piercing
Strike
Left Follow, Lock Mouth Strike
Left Seal, Right Pluck, Left Thrust Elbow
Left Seal, Right Collapsing Strike
Incline Body, Mandarin Duck Leg
Close Hands, Straighten Body
Scurrying Step, Open & Join Hands
Empty Body, Throw Right Palm
Incline Body, Mandarin Duck Leg
Turn Body, Arresting Hand, Overturn the Cart
Ride Horse, Overturn the Cart
One Elbow Covers Half the Body
Raise, Break Inner Pit
Left Seal, Right Collapsing Strike
Incline Body, Mandarin Duck Leg
Right Stretch Forward Strike
Close Hands, Straighten Body
Double Bind, Double Clapper Palms
Left Seal, Right Collapsing – Lift Left Step, Erlang
Carries Mountain
Turn Body, Lift Leg, Put Forward Arm to Ground
Rapid Strike, Lift Yin Palm
Double Divide, Mandarin Duck Leg
Rapid Advance, Double Bang Elbow
Close Hands, Straighten Body
第四段
Close Hands, Straighten Body
Jade Maiden Works Shuttle
Right Slap, Left Hand Threads Needle
Yin & Yang Hooks
Advance Step, Left Pluck, Right Collapse Step
Advance Step, Send Out Yang Palm
Slanting Elbow Protects the Center Hall
Left Pluck, Right Reverse Palm – Left Pluck, Right
Chopping Palm
Right Pluck, Left File – Left Pluck, Right Coiling
Elbow
Right Collapse, Right Hang, Left Join, Insert Strike
Left Open, Right Separate Elbow
Praying Mantis Dots Both Eyes
Penetrating Step, Piercing Palm – Left Pluck,
Collapse Step
Turn Body, Take Hair to Capture
Left Seal, Trample to Threaten Foot
Left Seal, Right Separate Elbow
Incline Body, Mandarin Duck Leg
Right Stretch Forward Strike
105
Close Hands, Straighten Body
Advance Step, First Take Eyes - Sticky Hand, Pick &
Offer Melon
Bottom Invite, Double Helping Palms
Left Pluck, Right Collapsing Dot
Steal to Open, Jade Ring Step
Turn Body, Left Seal, Right Separate Elbow
Join Hands, Overflowing Elbow Strikes Ear Ring
Double Press, Double Carry, Double Chopping Palms
Right Overflowing, Left Hang, Double Pushing
Palms
Rotate Body, Right Pluck, Left Circle Strike
Seize Mind, Mandarin Duck Kick
Left Seal, Right Separate Elbow
Join Hands, Hang Ear Ring
Left Seal, Right Collapsing Strike
Incline Body, Mandarin Duck Leg
Close Hands, Straighten Body
A Meteor Catching Up with the Moon
Left Seal, Right Collapsing Strike
Incline Body, Mandarin Duck Leg
Close Hands, Straighten Body
第五段
Close Hands, Straighten Body
Slant Elbow, Protect Center Hall
Right Hang, Left Join, Right Insert Thrust Heart Palm
Left Pluck, Right Folding Elbow
Right Hook, Left File – Left Seal, Right Collapsing
Strike
Incline Body, Mandarin Duck Leg
Close Hands, Straighten Body
Double Pit, Yin Yang Folding Palm
Left Pluck, Right Strike, Lock Mouth Strike
Right Double Pit, Coiling Elbow, Collapse
Double Seal, Advance Left Step, Left Yin Bang
Left Pluck, Right Separate, Right Yin Bang
Sea Bottom, Hit Yin
Right Hook, Left File Strike
White Tiger Washes Face, Head On Thrust
Incline Body, Mandarin Duck Leg
Close Hands, Straighten Body
Advance Step, Take Yin Palm
Lower Step, Left Close Hand
Dodge Step, Left Pluck, Right Circle Strike
Dodge Step, Left Pluck, Right Circle Strike
Right Hang, Pulley, Scurry Outward
Turn Body, Arresting Hand Turnover
Incline Body, Mandarin Duck Leg
Close Hands, Straighten Body
Double Bind
Double Seal, Left Helping Elbow
Left Pluck, Right Separate, Right Helping Elbow
Right Hook, Left File, Right Strike, Hollow of Belly
Strike
Left Seal, Right Collapsing Strike
Incline Body, Mandarin Duck Leg
Close Hands, Straighten Body
第六段
Close Hands, Straighten Body
Tai Chi Cross Cut
Right Hook, Left Splits Center
Coiling Dragon Digs Eyes Strike
Steal Strike Hand Concealed Within
Left Close, Reverse Yang Palm
Double Thrust Palms
Double Raise, Double Chop Palms
Right Fill, Left Hang, Right Folding Elbow
Turn Body, Raise Right Step, Left Pluck & Send Out
Yang Palm
Advance Right Step, Raise Left Step, Insert Elbow to
Outside of Knee
Join Legs, Palm Thrust to the Heart
Steal Open, Continuous Circle Strikes
Double Seal, Lock Mouth Strike
Steal Open, Jade Ring Step
Incline Body, Right Separates and Plucks, Left Hand
Rushing Flank Strike
Black Tiger Steals the Heart Strike
Left Seal, Right Separate Elbow
Point Upward & Strike Downward, Strike Lower and
also Deliver Upward
Revolve Body, Swallow Skims the Water
Right Pluck, Incline Body & Mandarin Duck Kick
Double Pluck, Reverse Point Leg
Forearm Elbow Meets Face Strike
Left Close Hand
Turn Body, Lean to the Ground with a Break Knee
Strike
Rapid Strike, Lifting Yin Palm
Raise Body, Lower Invite & Double Helping Palms
Turn Body, Rotate Hall Circle
Support, Hang & Take the Center
Left Seal, Right Collapsing Strike
Incline Body, Mandarin Duck Kick
Rotate Body, Right Pluck, Left Fist Thrusts a Strike to
the Flank
From Original Place Left Pluck & Right Circle Strike
Left Seal, Right Separate Elbow
Reverse Body, Four Gates Hang & Strike
Left, Right Double Seal, Right Raise Leg
Right Hand Pulley, Scurry Outward
Close Hands, Straighten Body
Copyright 2015
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Post by Shifu Lisjak on Feb 19, 2016 21:43:04 GMT -5
Hey Richard,
Cool! Interesting about the 365 techniques. I have the complete 8 Step system but have not practiced it since 00' when I switched to Taiji Tang Lang. I exclusively taught 8 Steps for a number of years. As you inferred 8 Steps came later considerable changing the footwork incorporating Ba gua stepping- hense 8 Steps. The zhaiyao doesn't look anything like Plum Blossom Mantis.
I had heard of mi shou but heard that it was different from zhaiyao- don't ask me to reference that though because it was a long time ago and I'm like an old car with a lot of miles.
Have you ever heard of Essential extraordinary hands (zhiqui yaoshou)? It is one of the forms in Taiji Tang Lang. I haven't learned it and never saw it.
With reference to zhaiyao, I have 3 application questions...
In the first line of zhaiyao 4, after a right uppercut in right mantis stance (hanjie- cold rooster: cat stance), the practitioner shuffles forward maintaining the same stance with right arm circling CCW to palm strike left (thumb down).
In the first line of zhaiyao 5, after 2 swinging lateral forearm strikes/throws in bow stances, left then right, again the practitioner shuffling forward, this time ending in a right foot forward falling stance [dengta (mounting-stamping stance)] with what appears to be a right palm strike to opponents groin and the left arm vertical in front of practitioners chest as if blocking (closed fist, palm side toward practitioners chest).
Lastly, in zhaiyao 6, line 2, after doing the typical backfist strike with right foot forward, the practitioner appears to make a right grab as he steps back with right foot to left mantis stance (hanjie- cold rooster: cat stance), ending with right fist at practitioners right temple, and left fist at palm down in front of abdomen. The same technique occurs at the end of the form right before the 4 jump turning hookfists in 4 directions.
When I get a chance I will send you clips of each of these 3 techniques.
George
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Post by Shifu Tolson on Feb 20, 2016 1:42:37 GMT -5
George,
Zhai Yao 4
左 采 右 劈 掌 - Left Pluck, Right Chopping Palm
It is simply a left arm grab and a chop with the right hand to the right side of the enemy's face. Since Hao family turns the palm so that the thumb points down and the pinky points upward, It makes a good concussive palm strike to the ear canal to pop the eardrum. If it hits, it is all good. If it is blocked, it sets the enemy up for the next move, which is a throw. Thus, it can be real or act as a feint.
Zhai Yao 5
I'll let Master Hao Bin explain this one via translation in my book on Zhai Yao:
海 底 击 阴 - Sea Bottom, Strike Yin
Application: The enemy sees me using “Right Yang Bang”. So, he draws back to escape. I advance my right foot (collapse pattern) and use my right palm to strike the enemy’s groin. Though it may be hard to think of the male groin as "yin". In Chinese medicine, organs that secrete fluids are classified as "yin" organs. Thus, a strike to the groin is often referred to as "strike the yin" or "lifting the yin".
Zhai Yao 6
I just watched Shifu Van Schuyver's video on section six. Though he leaves out a few moves between the beng chui (backfist) and the four direction hook punches, I think I have identified the move that you are talking about. And yes, it occurs twice in the form.
转 身 右 采 左 拳 扑 胁 打 - Rotate Body,, Right Pluck, Left Fist Thrusts a Strike to the Flank
The enemy strikes at my head from my right side with his right fist. I turn toward the right into a Horse Stance. While turning, my right hand plucks the enemy's right arm and I strike his rib-cage with a left hook punch (preferably hitting him in the liver area).
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