Wu-Style Tai Chi Chuan -Competition Routine Teaching and Learning
Teaching demonstration performed by Master Zong Weijie, the champion of national taiji quan competition
Language: Mandarin Chinese
Published by Beijing Physical Education University Press
ISRC CN-M24-96-0013-0

Wu Style Taiji boxing was created by Quan You (1834-1920) who lived at Daxing in Hebei Province. Quan You was of the Manchu nationality of China. He learned Taiji Quan from Yang Luchan and later followed Yang's second son Yang Banhou to study the short program. Quan You was known for his ability to soften his movements. Quan'son Jianquan changed his family name to Wu as he was brought up as Han national. Wu Jianquan (1870-1942) initiated and disseminated a style of Taiji which is comfortable and upright. His style is continuous and ingenious and because his routine does not require jumps and leaps, it spread far and wide among common people. Since this style of Taiji Quan was disseminated by the Wu family, it became known as the Wu style taiji boxing.

Wu Style Tai Ji Quan, also called Wu Style simplified Tai Ji Quan, was adapted from old routines of 83 forms. Now it emphasizes more accuracy of movements, will and energetic sense, paying attention to attacking skill and works. It is suitable for competition and health exercise. The competition routine of Wu style Tai Chi Chuan remains the characteristics of the movements in the tradition one with the combination of the movements from both the southern and the northern schools. It also preserves the main structure of the traditional routine. The layout of the routine is arranged symmetrically to the front and back, and the left and right, using the center of the competition floor as a standard. There are 16 single movements that are done on both the left and right sides of the body which demonstrate the symmetrical characteristics of Wu style.