李式太極拳-失落的遺產
Dashi
Mohamad Yasin Owadally
There is no dispute to the fact that
many Chinese martial arts or health and Qi activity forms that might have
different names and appellation centuries ago, are now lost. One of the main
reasons many of those arts have failed to reach us, is probably by the death of
their founders or masters. In the past such arts were practiced, taught and
treasured within the family and were not shared to strangers.
Centuries ago, different styles of
Taichi from different schools or families existed. Today the five main systems
of Taichi Chuan that have survived and reached us are mainly: Chen Style, Yang
Style, Wu Style, and Sun Style. However to say that the multi styles and forms
we have today were similar to those practiced and taught by their founders
would be an exaggeration!
The original form of Yang Luchan’s
Taichi has now been modified by the Yang family from generation to generation
and lately by famous teachers to come with the various forms of Yang Taichi
that exist today. So the process of modification, codification and
standardization are facts which have made positive impacts to learners and
coaches as well.
Yang Cheng-Fu (1883-1936) and Yang
Sou-Hou (1862-1930), who were the grandsons of Yang Lu-Chan, and Wu Chien-Chuan
(1870-1942) respectively were invited to teach at the Beijing Athletic Research
Institute in the early years of the Republic of China. Yang Cheng-Fu and Wu Chien-Chuan were
asked to develop large frame and small frame Tai Chi forms to teach at the
school level. Lu Chan Yang studied Chen style and later developed his Yang
style Tai chi. The Yang style has been modified several times since its creation[1].
Those modifications were important to
render the Tai Chi more adaptable to the general public. The famous Chen style,
contrary to its original form, we find today numerous forms that are being
demonstrated and taught to help students (1) to learn the form easily without
having to memorise the intricate movements and (2) (creation of various forms)
in order to maintain the continuity to learn more forms, as human mind becomes
boring having to repeatedly performing only one form and it will be monotonous
and at times boring for practitioners to remain on the same set of movements
years after years.
While these 5 Taichi styles have
survived and are now the famous ones, in the book ‘La relaxation,
l’armonie at la maitrise de soi par le tai chi chuan,’ by master Chee
Soo, the inheritor of Lee Taichi style, he mentioned, I quote, “Only three
styles of Taichi Chuan are actually known, although the Wu style has
practically disappeared.[2]” Chee Soo was referring to the three styles-Wu,
Yang and Lee. In the 80’s Lee style was much popular as it was propagated
throughout Europe and the US. Chee Soo
had made a history on Lee style and at that
time most of the people were unaware
of Chen style or then it was barely known and practiced in Europe.
The Zhou dynasty and the Lee Style.
Ho-Hsieh Lee from Beijing at the beginning of the Western Zhou dynasty[3].
Lee (Li) Ho-Hsieh created the Lee
Style Tai Chi Chuan in a small fishing village outside Beijing. The style was
handed down through generations until it reached the last of the Lee
family-Chan Kam Lee. He was single and a trader in precious stones. He
travelled to many countries and finally selected Holborn, a district in London
to open his school of martial arts in 1933. He started teaching the arts of the
Lee family which consisted of Wushu (kung-fu), Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Kai Men
(Taoist Yoga), and Chinese Boxing. His first school was situated in London’s
Red Lion Square[4]. It was
there that Chan Kam Lee met the 14 years orphan boy, Chee Soo, who soon became
his favourite student. Chee Soo learnt all the arts with much dedications and
motivations. After the death of Chan Kam Lee, Chee Soo developed and
popularized the Lee family arts in all Europe and USA.
Lavinia Soo-Warr wrote about Chan Lee
in an article in Combat magazine saying that he was a teacher of Taoist Arts
from Weihai in Shandong province and derived from a religious (Taoist) or
possibly political group called the "Sons of Reflected Light".
Lavinia says the Arts included martial arts and healing techniques including
Tao yin breathing exercises which were not passed on openly during the time of
the political upheavals of the Cultural Revolution in China 1966 - 1976 when
Taoist practices like Tai Chi were banned.
Chee Soo devoted his life to the
practice and teaching of the Lee Family Arts, and trained a small group of
dedicated teachers in the Lee Family Arts. In the 70’s one of Chee Soo’s
students was Bhisma Teeluck-a Mauritian on medical training in the UK. In the
80’, I was fortunate to learn Chinese Wushu and the Lee Taichi style from
master Bhisma Teeluck in Mauritius.
The original form of Lee Tai Chi
consisted of only eight (8) movements; around those eight movements was built
the form as it is today, which comprises of 140 single movements in 42 sets. It
is a Yin & Yang system, as everything within, is in complete harmony and in
perfect balance with each other. Lee Style Tai Chi Chuan is also known as
‘Square Yard’ Tai Chi Chuan as it can be performed in a small area. There are
different forms and styles within Lee Style Tai Chi Chuan.
There are also some arts that are
connected with TCC such as Chi Shu, I Fu Shou, Chiao Li,
Lun Pei, Lun
Shou, Kai Men, Tao Yin
as well as, meditation and the Taoist healing arts. All these arts contribute
in building up the Sheng Chi, which is the natural internal force.
It is in fact my struggling journey
amidst history, with evidence and fact to once again bring back to China its
lost property-the Lee Style Tai Chi! The Lee Tai Chi is not doubt the lost
cherry on the big Tai Chi cake.
Weihai and Linyi both cities are found
in Shandong province a distance of roughly 4 hours in between. Had any Chinese
ever witnessed the performance of the Lee Taichi there?
Mr. Wang Yangquan, Senior Sport
Teacher at the Linyi University says the following, “We Welcome you (M.Yasin
Owadally) and look forward to teaching Li (Lee) Tai Chi to international
students and Chinese college students in Linyi University. Li (Lee) tai Chi is
very popular in The UK and other European countries. I saw them a few years ago
in Weihai, Shandong province. No matter what kind of tai chi, as long as you
like it, love it and keep practicing it to attain perfection, you will
definitely enjoy its benefits-health, fitness, peace, with a really loving and
caring nature. I hope your forthcoming book will add more glamour with
compelling teachings to new students around the world…[5]”
The
old pictures represent the performance of Lee Tai Chi in China, most probably
in Peking or Shandong in 1945’s. This position is the unique position of Lee
Style, Riding horse; the Crane spreads its wings.
Legend
and History
It is said
that the natural energy secrets appeared in China between 1000 and 5000 years
before Christ, to transmit the wisdom and knowledge brought by the “Sons of
Reflected Light”. These were eight persons who
measured more than 2.10 metres in length and dressed in mysterious robes at
that era. It is believed that after having taught these sciences they
disappeared from the earth surface. The art of health and healing they taught
comprised of eight
sciences:
1.
Chen Tuan:
Diagnostic
2.
Chang Ming:
Natural therapy
3.
Ts’ao Yao:
Herbal therapy
4.
Wen
Chiech’u: Thermogenic contact (The art of producing heat)
5.
Hsia Chen
Pien: Acupuncture
6.
Tien An:
Acupressure
7.
Anmo (T’ui
Na): Massage
8.
Ch’ili Nug:
The way of occlusion. (Closure or blockage of blood vessel)
These sciences include the Chinese
Martial arts and Tai Chi Chuan. Formerly these arts were preserved for two
fundamental reasons: (1) Prolong human lives (2) Create a spiritual link
between man and the Supreme God. With this state of mind, man could fully
appreciate the different aspects of human body: Physical and mental; and to
make use of the energy (Chi-Qi) in order to produce a perfect equilibrium of
the Yin and Yang. The figure ‘8’ is also an adaptation of the Ba Duan Jin Qi
Gong-(Eight Brocades Qi Gong).
The
creator of the art of Tai Chi, which originated in China, is unknown. The exact
time when Tai Chi began is also not known. Very long ago, the art of Tai Chi
was called ‘Nei Chia’, which itself describes the ultimate
use of Chi/Qi (the body’s vital energy) and the softness of the art. As
recorded in the Spring and Autumn Annals of king Gou Jian (496-465BC) of Yue
(present-day Shanghai, northern Zhejiang and southern Jiangsu): a highly
skilled female Nei Chia practitioner, named Yue Nue, once explained to king Yue
about the basic principles of Nei Chia which harmonise the body’s vital energy
with its physical manifestation (internal and external), done by combining
posture, breathing and consciousness when in static and moving states.
This
clearly shed light that before 465BC the art was well developed, so it could
have been created even earlier, and it could have been also called by different
names. The art of ‘Nei Chia’ clearly describes the techniques found
in Tai Chi Chuan. However historians differ on the origin of Taichi and its
real creators! Some claim that it was Zhang Sanfeng, a Taoist
priest from the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) who developed it on the Wu-Tang
Mountains. Yet some historians prefer to be cautious…they rather use the
word-‘developed’ instead of the word ‘created’!
According
to some other records, Tai chi dates back as far as 2,500 years! It involves a
series of slow, meditative body movements that were originally designed for
self-defence and to promote inner peace and serenity. The notion that "four ounces can deflect a thousand pounds", is no more a mystery for those who know and for those who
have mastered the Chi (Internal force). A skilful master or student may use a
small amount of energy to neutralize the far greater external force of an
attacker.
Master Chee Soo, the king of Lee Style, however,
maintains that Tai Chi Lee Style was created 3000 years ago and it has always
been a family style. Tai Chi, also known as Shadow Boxing, is one of the major
branches of the traditional Chinese martial arts. Its name is derived from the
philosophical term, ‘Tai Chi,’ the first known written reference of which
appeared in the
Book of Changes over 3000 years ago during the Zhou
Dynasty (1100-1221 BC). In this book it says that “in all changes exists Tai
Chi, which causes the two opposites in everything.” Tai Chi means the ultimate
of ultimate, often used to describe the vastness of the universe.
Lee Style: This style
is commonly known as the Yin and Yang because all the movements are in harmony
and perfect equilibrium. Historically, the Lee style becomes one of the oldest
forms of Tai chi that is still being preserved and practiced today. This style
was created by master Ho-Hsieh Lee from the Lee family that lived in the region
of Pekin (Beijing). Later Ho-Hsieh Lee moved to the east of Beijing (Shandong)
where his descendants stayed until 1934. It is in Shandong that the Lee family
moved and they kept practicing several Taoist arts there. In 1933, one of the
last descendants of the Lee family, Chan Kam Lee, moved to London and from
there he introduced the Lee (Li) taichi style to the west. The Lee style of Tai
chi Chuan closely related to a range of disciplines of Taoist Arts taught
within the Lee style including Qigong, Tao Yin, Chinese Macrobiotics,
Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taoist alchemy, Feng Shou Kung Fu (Hand of the
wind), and weapons training. The Lee family’s martial arts and disciplines were
fortunately revealed by Master Chee Soo from 1958 until his death 1994. This
unique style of Tai chi Lee unlocks the five distinct areas of development: (1)
Physical (2) Mental (3) Breathing (4) Sheng Qi or Sheng Chi-Internal energy or
internal force (5) Ching Sheng Li -External energy/ external force.
Taoism
Late
master Chee Soo stated, “The history of the Taoist arts within the Lee family
goes back over 2000 years in the fishing village of Wei Hei Wei (in Shandong
province). The Lee family kept the Taoist arts completely within their own
family group for all these years, handling them down from father to son and
daughter in an unbroken chain until the early 1930s when Chan Kam Lee, a
businessman and a native of mainland China, became the last in the line of the
family to inherit this style. …”
Evidences
of Master Ho-Hsieh Lee and the Zhou dynasty.
We say
that the Lee style created by Master Ho-Hsieh Lee was well existed during the
Zhou dynasty. The Zhou Dynasty ruled Ancient China from 1045 BC to 256 BC. It
was the longest ruling dynasty in the history of China. So when we say the Lee
style was created by Ho-Hsieh Lee about 1000 years BC, it coincides with the
era of the Zhou dynasty where the concept Taoism was prevalent. Referring to
Shandong province, precisely the village of Wei Hei Wei, on the coast of
Central China, about 200 miles from Peking (Beijing), where the Lee family
settled and practiced the secret Lee style which is part and parcel of Taoism,
we find the province (Shandong) similar to be the birthplace of Confucius who
was born in year 551 BC near the city of Qufu, in the Zhou dynasty. So the
spread of Taoism and similar arts like Tai chi were interconnected. The latter
period of the Zhou Dynasty is famous for the beginnings of two major Chinese
philosophies: Confucianism and Taoism. The Chinese philosopher Confucius lived
from 551 to 479 BC. Many of his sayings and teachings impacted the culture and
government throughout the rest of the history of ancient China. Taoism was
introduced by another famous philosopher Lao Tzu. He introduced the concept of
the yin and the yang.
Taoism
spread by Ho-Hsieh Lee, Chan Kam Lee and Chee Soo
Master
Chan Kam Lee and Master Chee Soo stress much on Taoism in relation to the art
they taught, we may infer about the great influence of Taoism at the time of
the great Master Ho-Hsieh Lee whose teachings on the hidden Chinese martial
arts including Tai chi was in accordance to the link from God to man. Taoism
actually refers to the merging oneself to the Universe. The Taoists give
themselves over to the Tao, the natural state and flow of the universe. Which
means losing themselves into the love of God, the Supreme and greatest. Chee
Soo mentions, “They (the Taoists) have two main objects: to prolong lives on
this earth and to create a strong spiritual link with the eternal (God)…”
Master Ho-Hsieh inspired by Confucius
In brief,
Taoism or Confucius was perhaps the reason that motivated Master Ho-Hsieh Lee
to develop the Lee style and other such arts for the benefits of man. The
formation of the Taoist culture itself is not complete without being ‘God
oriented’. The real Tao is interpreted as socialising with people through an
action beneficial to them (like Tai chi or any other sciences) to please God.
While these were formerly the reasons to teach martial arts by the Taoists,
they look ahead to be blessed by God and they themselves flow and merge within
the nature in the arts they are teaching or learning.
Family name ‘Lee’ existed during dynasty
It is
therefore most probable that the Lee style existed during the Zhou dynasty.
According to tradition, the Li 厲 surname
originated from Duke Li of Qi of ninth century BC, and the Zhou Dynasty state
of Li 厲. So the Lee family name was well
existed in Shandong during the Zhou dynasty. People with the surname ‘Lee’ are
concentrated in Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shandong, Henan, and Hunan provinces of
China. It is the Zhou Dynasty which gave
birth to Taoism. Thus the fact is, Master Ho-Hsieh had the family name of Lee
and he was an expert is Taoism and martial arts.
Martial
arts encouraged in the Zhou dynasty
During
Zhou Dynasty,
martial-arts dancing were designated as a component of education. The
application of wrestling techniques at the battlefield received much attention
from various states during the period of spring and autumn. The then emperor
held twice wrestling contests every year respectively in spring and autumn so
as to select excellent people of martial arts.[6] At the same time, the skill and
technology of sword forging as well as sword ceremony achieved rapid
development. According to this historical evidence, it is understood that
martial arts was encouraged. While quoting martial arts, it is understood that
Tai Chi Chuan is derived from Martial arts.
Is Tai
Chi a Chinese martial art?
If we see
the definition of Tai Chi we find the meaning to be, “the utmost or supreme.
Chuan or quan means, fist or martial art.” Now Tai chi Chuan may be translated
as the ultimate, supreme fist or martial art. So Tai Chi is no different to any
martial art but it revolves more on the soft side, away from brutal kicks and
punches with its beautiful series of moves which are interchangeable, focusing
on breathing, the Chi (internal force), harmonious displacements and all is
done with complete concentration. It is true to say that Tai Chi is actually a
form similar to the Japanese ‘Kata’ in slow motion. A ‘Kata’ or any martial art
‘form’ is in fact-“Series of attacks and defences with one or more opponents,
in one or more directions.”
Earlier
sources prove Lee style to be most ancient
According
to ‘Britannica’ I quote: “Tai Chi Chuan is designed to provide relaxation in
the process of body-conditioning exercise and is drawn from the principles of
Tai Chi, notably including the harmonizing of the yin and yang, respectively
the passive and active principles…As a mode of attack and defence, Tai Chi
Chuan resembles kung fu and is properly considered a martial art. It may be
performed with or without weapons.
“Freehand
exercise to promote health was practiced in China as early as the 3rd century,
and, by the 5th century, monks at the Buddhist monastery of Shao Lin were
performing exercises emulating the five creatures: bear, bird, deer, monkey,
and tiger. The snake was added later, and, by the early Ming dynasty (1368),
the yin and yang principles had been added to harmonise the whole exercise. An
assimilation of these developments, the art of tai chi chuan was codified and
named in the early Qing dynasty (1644–1911/12).[7]…”
According
to the above article from the ‘Britannica’ we may infer that free hand
exercises and movements similar to Tai Chi were well present in the early 3rd
century, though those movements were not baptised and coded as ‘Tai chi Chuan.’
Hence
to say that Chen Wangting or Yang Luchan to be the fathers of Tai Chi Chuan is
a bogus claim. Art of Tai Chi was well practiced either on a different name or
in one or more unknown forms much earlier or then more than 3000 years ago.
Chee Soo maintained that Lee style is the most unaltered Tai Chi form that
exists. Although it has been modified, yet it contained the steps and pattern
of the initial 8 forms and it is the real Taoist Tai Chi Chuan.
3rd
century animals steps found in Lee Style Tai Chi
When history unfolds (Ref-Britannica) that the free hand
form in the 3rd century contains adaptations from the moves of the following
animals: bear, bird, monkey, tiger and snake, the Lee style is the only form
that contains these stances and more! So to be rational, the
Lee
style is more nearer to the old school of Tai Chi than the others.
The earliest evidence of the form was
found in the Mawangdui tomb excavated in 1972-1974 in the archaeological site
in Changsha, Hunan. It said that the tomb dates back from the Western Han
ynasty (207 BC) and other historians are of the opinion that different arts
similar to Taichi were most patronised during Zhou dynasty or even earlier. The
depiction found in the tomb might be both old positions of health exercises,
Taichi as well as what we now call ‘Qi Gong’.
For instance
the Ba Duan Jin Qi Gong which has been standardized by the end of the 70’s is
totally different from the original form. There are many theories and
speculations around the origin of Qi Gong. One of the evidences again
originated during the reign of Zhou dynasty. The founder of Taoism Lao Tze (590
BC), wrote the book Tao De Jing where he compiled various breathing and
movement techniques and laid the written foundations of this ancient practice.
Qigong became one of the roots of Chinese medicine as well as the concepts of
Yin and Yang and the 5 elements. A clear picture of the archive position of Ba
Duan Jin will obviously shed light that the initial position or first exercise
which serves to activate the circulation of energy (Two Hands Hold the Sky, is designed to open the chest and promote deep
breathing improving the lungs) is completely different from what
has been standardized! In the archive manuscript we see the performer is
standing in the ‘Eagle step’ (That is ‘V’ shape position where the two heals
touch together making an angle of 35 to 45 degrees between the right and left
toes. This position is similar to the starting position of the Lee style Taichi
(Lee style) and yet in the new version or the current practice of the
standardized form of Ba Duan Jin we find not any eagle step! We therefore
confirm the influence of Taoism during the era of Emperor Zhou where this step
was much used in Martial arts and health exercises forms and this is why there
is such similarity in the Lee Taichi.
Lee style Taichi-(eagle step)
similar to the old archived depiction of Ba Duan Jin
|
Ba Duan Jin-old and new-see the
step positions.
|
Welcoming back a lost heritage
When so
many martial arts have disappeared through the passage of time for one or more
reasons, it would be wise to welcome back a lost heritage or a lost patrimony
in the form of culture or martial art which was away from the motherland for so
many years. When the Lee style Tai chi was held as a secret family art in
Shandong, it was later propagated in Britain and Europe as well as in Mauritius
for the benefits of human beings to please God-the real Tao that produces
success when we share. Lee style still remains the pride of China. Masters in
Chinese martial arts (especially in Tai Chi Chuan) are all striving for the
benefits of a healthy world through the practice of Tai Chi, and there is no
geographical barrier to knowledge and intellect!
Old pictures of
Wei Hei Wei
In fact it
is from Chan Kam Lee (through the report of Chee Soo) that we know Lee family
goes back over 2000 years in the fishing village of Wei Hei Wei. Was there
really a fishing village at Wei Hei Wei in the early 1930s? According to the
version of Chan Kam Lee and Chee Soo we know that the descendants of Master
Ho-Hsieh Lee stayed and settled in this fishing village which is at present in
the Shandong province until 1934. In fact we have old photographs that
collaborate with the version of Chee Soo of a fishing village at Wei Hei Wei in
and around 1930.
Master
Mohamad Yasin Owadally and the Lee Style
The Lee
style is an embodiment of all the virtues of health in an ancient Taoist Art.
The original form of only 8 movements are still found in the Lee form, but it
has been modified, enhanced and enriched.
I have learned, practiced, excelled in the several arts: Wushu, Oyama,
Taekwondo, Taichi, Sanda Boxing and Pencak Silat and I’m also a prolific
writer. My masters, mentors and guides in the Chinese martial arts are: Wang
Junfa (Chinese), Bhisma Teeluck, Kang Dake (Chinese), Shang YuXiang (Chinese)
and others. My sole aim is to propagate the Lee style Tai chi with a new touch
in the outstanding form and I’m making great efforts to bring back this unique
form back to China and the world.
Mrs.
Wang Xuemei:
Honorary Senior Grading: China
Wushu-Seven Duan, Member of the Provincial Scientific Level Committee says,
“The Lee Style Tai Chi is very beautiful and harmonious, some of the steps are
similar to the current schools of Tai Chi in China, but the Lee style retains
its flavour with most of its unique moves. Personally I would be much happier
if the efforts of Mr M. Yasin Owadally are fulfilled in bringing back this lost
heritage to China again. We would be happy to practise it and develop it in
China. Welcoming a new Tai Chi will trigger the joy similar to the discovery of
a treasure!”
Mrs.
Sui Changhong-Dean of
Linyi University says, “As China is the origin of nearly all martial arts, I
was bewildered to see them demonstrating a different style of Tai Chi-Lee
Style. I’m impressed by the Lee style which I came to know from Shifu M. Yasin
Owadally to have been originated in China very long ago and this art and style
had been transferred to Europe by a Chinese merchant by the name of Chan Kam
Lee. As I live in Shandong, it will be a
great honour for China to welcome back a lost heritage that was once practised
in fishing village of Weihaiwei. I wish Mr M. Y. Owadally success in his
efforts, research and hard work to bring back to China the Lee style Tai Chi,
one of Chinese lost art!”
Master
Wang Junfa,
Vice President, professor, master
tutor of Confucius institute of Chinese martial arts, 8th section says, “The
Lee tai Chi contains a dynamic balance and steps. The movements are concentric,
flowing and connected. All the elements of Chi are present and it is really
surprising that China is missing such a great Tai Chi. With all the evidences
and research work by my student M.Yasin Owadally who is also author of more
than 40 books, I would highly recommend that we welcome back this Lee style Tai
Chi so that our generation and the later generations may practice this form
too. It is never too late to welcome back a lost heritage.”
Ref-Le
Tao de longue Vie by Chee Soo 1979 Le Jour Editeur press-Taoist HoHsieh Lee’s
Tai Chi Chuan, China’s Lost Heritage by M.Yasin Owadally-The Taoist Art of Feng
Shou by Chee Soo.
Dashi Mohamad Yasin Owadally-President and Head Coach:
4th Duan-Wushu,
Gold Medallists in the Int’l Wushu Competition Tournament in China Aug 1996
representing Mauritius. Graduated in Chinese Sport Coaching (Wushu, Sanda
Boxing & Taichi Chuan at the Linyi University China). Gold Medallist in
Regional Taichi Competition in Jinian China 2018. Certificate in ‘Chi Kung’
University of Shandong China 2018. ‘Chinese Wushu Inheritance Contribution
Award’ in 2018 China. Member of Intl’ Kung Fu Federation-Author of 48 books.
李式太極拳--失落的遺產
毫無疑問，許多中國武術或養生氣功在幾個世紀前可能有不同的名稱和稱謂，但現在已經消失了。這些技藝未能傳至我們手中的主要原因之一可能是其創始人或大師的去世。過去，這些技藝是在家族內部練習、傳授和珍藏的，不會與外人分享。
幾個世紀前，不同流派或家族存在著不同風格的太極拳。時至今日流傳下來的太極拳五大流派主要是：陳式、楊式、吳式、孫式。然而，如果說我們今天所擁有的多種風格和形式與他們的創始人所練習和教導的相似，那就有些誇張了！
楊露禪太極拳的原始形式，經楊氏家族代代相傳，近年名師不斷修改，成了現存的各種楊氏太極拳形式。修改、編纂和標準化的過程對學習者和教練們產生了積極的影響。
民國初年，楊露禪之孫楊澄甫（1883-1936）、楊少侯（1862-1930）與吳鑑泉（1870-1942）分別應邀到北京體育研究社任教。楊澄甫和吳鑑泉受命開發大架和小架太極拳法，以便在學校進行教學。楊露禪學習了陳式太極拳，後來發展出他的楊式太極拳。楊式太極自初創以來，曾多次被修改。
那些修改對於使太極拳更適合大眾至關重要。著名的陳式拳法，與它的原始形式相反，我們現今發現許多不同的形式被展示和教授，以幫助學生們（1）輕鬆學習，無需記住複雜的動作以及（2）（創造各種形式）以保持學習更多形式的連貫性，因人的思維對於一直重複相同一套動作會感到无聊和乏味，且對於練習者來說，年復一年保持同一套動作，將是單調無趣的。
儘管這5種太極拳流派幸存下來並成為如今著名的流派，在《太極拳中的放鬆、和諧與自我控制》一書中，李式太極拳傳承人紀素（Chee Soo）大師提到，我引用他的話：「實際上只有三種太極拳流派為人所知，儘管吳式幾乎已經消失。」紀素（Chee Soo）指的是吳、楊和李三種流派。在80年代，李式太極拳非常受歡迎，因為它在整個歐洲和美國得到了推廣。紀素（Chee Soo）在李式太極拳方面做出了歷史性的貢獻，當時大多數人對陳式太極拳幾乎不認識，或者只是略有瞭解，在歐
洲也很少有人練習。
周朝與李式太極
李和協（Ho-Hsieh Lee)，西周初期北京人。李和協(Lee(Li)
Ho-Hsieh)在北京郊外的一個小漁村創立了李式太極拳。 這種風格代代相傳，直到李氏家族的最後一位——李占康（Chan
Kam Lee）。 他單身，是一名寶石商人。 遊歷了許多國家，最終於1933年選擇在倫敦的霍爾本區(Holborn)開設武術學校。他開始教授李氏家族的武藝，包括武術(功夫）、太極、氣功、開門（Kai
Men（（道家瑜伽））[1] 和中國拳擊。 他的第一所學校位於倫敦紅獅廣場。 正是在那裡，李占康（Chan
Kam Lee）遇到了 14 歲的孤兒紀素（Chee Soo ），他很快就成為了他最喜歡的學生。 紀素（Chee
Soo）以極大的奉獻精神和動力學習了所有這些技藝。
李占康（Chan
Kam Lee）去世後，紀素（Chee
Soo）在整個歐洲和美國發展並普及了李氏家族的武藝。
拉薇妮雅•索娃(Lavinia Soo-Warr)在《戰鬥》雜誌的一篇文章中談到了李占康（Chan Kam Lee），稱他是山東省威海市的道教藝術老師，來自一個名為“反射光之子”的宗教（道教）或可能是政治團體。拉薇妮雅（Lavinia）說，這些藝術包括武術和導引呼吸練習在內的治療技術，在1966年至1976年中國文化大革命的政治動亂期間並未公開傳播，當時道家的修習如太極一樣是被禁止的。
紀素（Chee
Soo）一生致力於李氏技藝的練習和教學，培養了一小批敬業的李門技藝教師。 七十年代， 紀素（Chee Soo）的學生之一畢斯馬•提拉克（Bhisma Teeluck)，模里西斯人（Mauritian)，在英國接受醫學培訓。 八十年代，我有幸在模里西斯(Mauritius)師從大師 畢斯馬•提拉克（Bhisma Teeluck）學習中國武術和李式太極拳。
李式太極拳的原始形式僅由八個動作組成； 圍繞這八個動作，形成了今天的套路，由
42 組
140 個單式動作所組成。 這是一個陰陽系統，因為內部的一切都是完全和諧、彼此完美平衡的。
李式太極拳因可在小範圍內練習，又稱“方院”太極拳[2] 。 李式太極拳有不同的形式和風格。
還有一些與太極拳有關的藝術，如氣術（Chi Shu)、易敷手（I Fu Shou）、橋力（Chiao
Li)、掄背（Lun
Pei)、掄手(Lun
Shou)、開門(Kai Men)、導引(Tao
Yin)[3] 以及冥想和道家治療藝術。 所有這些藝術都有助於建立生氣[4] ，即自然的內力。 這其實是我在歷史中的奮鬥歷程，有憑有據，再次將中國失落的遺產——李式太極帶回中國！
李式太極無疑是太極大蛋糕上遺失的櫻桃。
威海和臨沂這兩個城市都位於山東省，相距大約
4 小時。
有中國人在那裡看過李式太極的表演嗎？
這些舊照片代表了李式太極拳在中國的表演，很可能是在1945年的北京或山東。這個姿勢是李式太極拳的獨特姿勢，稱為·"騎馬，白鶴亮翅"。
臨沂大學高級體育教師王陽泉（Wang Yangquan)先生表示：“我們歡迎亞新•歐瓦達力先生（M.Yasin Owadally），並期待著李式太極拳傳授給臨沂大學的國際學生和中國大學生。
李式太極拳在英國和其他歐洲國家非常流行。
幾年前我在山東威海見過他們。 不管是哪一種太極拳，只要你喜歡它，熱愛它，並不斷地練習它，就能達到完美，你一定會享受到它的好處——健康、健身、和平，具有真正的愛心和關懷的天性。 我希望您即將出版的書能夠通過令人信服的教學為世界各地的新生增添更多魅力……”
傳說與歷史
據說，自然能量的秘密早在西元前1000至5000年間就出現在中國，傳遞“反光之子”帶來的智慧和知識。 這是八位身高超過2.10米，穿著那個時代的神秘長袍的人。 據信，在教授了這些科學之後，他們就從地球表面消失了。
他們所教授的養生和治療藝術包括以下八個學科：
1.陳摶（Chen
Tuan)：診斷學 2.常明（Chang
Ming)：自然療法
3.曹燿(Ts’ao Yao)：草本療法
4.溫傑鑄（Wen
Chiech’u）：熱發生接觸術（產熱術）
5.夏陳偏
(Hsia Chen Pien):：針灸
6.田安（Tien
An)：穴位按摩 7.安摩推拿(Anmo
(T’ui Na))：按摩
8.赤黎女(
Ch’ili Nug):：閉塞之道（閉塞或阻塞血管術）
這些科學包括中國武術和太極拳。 以前，這些藝術被保留有兩個基本原因：（1）延長人類壽命（2）在人與至高神之間建立精神聯繫。有了這種心態，人類才能充分體會人體的不同面向：身體的、精神的、 並利用能量（氣機[5] ）以產生陰陽的完美平衡。
“8”這個數字也是八段錦氣功的改編。
起源於中國的太極拳藝術的創始人不詳。太極開始的確切時間也不得而知。 很久以前，太極藝術被稱為“內家”，它本身描述了氣/炁（人體生命能量）的終極運用和鬆柔的藝術。
據《春秋》中越王勾踐篇（公元前496-465年）（今上海、浙江北部、江蘇南方）所記載：有位內家高手，名越女，曾向越王講解過內家的基本原理，即通過在靜止和運動狀態下結合體態、呼吸和意識來調和身體的生命能量與其身體表現（內在和外在）。
這清楚地表明在公元前465年之前，這門藝術已經發展地很成熟，因此它的創作可能更早，也可能有不同的名稱。
“內家”藝術清楚地描述了太極拳的技巧。 然而歷史學家在太極拳的起源及其真正的創造者上存在分歧！
有人稱是明朝（1368 - 1644）道士張三丰在武當山上開發的。 然而，一些歷史學家傾向更保守些……他們寧願使用“發展”，而不是“創造”這個詞！
據其它記載，太極的歷史可以追溯到2500年前！ 它涉及一系列緩慢、沈思的身體動作，最初是為了自衛和促進內心的平和與安寧而設計的。 “四兩撥千斤”，對於那些了解和掌握了氣（內力）的人來說不再是個謎。 一個熟練的高手或學生可以用少少的能量來化解攻擊者遠大於自己的外力。
然而，李派之王紀素（Chee Soo）大師堅稱，李式太極於3000年前已創立，且一直維持著其家族風格。 太極拳，又稱影子拳，是中國傳統武術的主要分支之一。
它的名字源自哲學術語“太極”，已知的第一個書面參考文獻出現在 3000 多年前的周朝（公元前
1100-1221 年）的《易經》中。 書中說：“易有太極，是生二儀”。
太極意味著至高無上，常用來形容宇宙的浩瀚。
李式太極：這種風格俗稱陰陽，因為它所有動作都是和諧且完美平衡的。
從歷史上看，李式太極拳是最古老的太極拳形式之一，至今仍被保存和練習著。
這種風格是由居住在北京地區的李氏家族的李和協（Ho-Hsieh Lee）大師所創造。 後來李和協 （Ho-Hsieh Lee） 遷居北京東部（山東），他的後代一直留在那裡直到1934年。李氏家族移居到山東並在那裡繼續修習多種道家藝術。 1933年，李氏家族最後的後裔之一李占康（Chan Kam Lee）移居倫敦，並從那裡將李氏太極引入西方。
李氏太極拳與李式內所教授的一系列道家藝術學科密切相關，包括氣功、導引、中國長壽健康飲食法[6] 、傳統中醫、道家煉金術、風手功夫（風之手）[7] 和武器訓練。李家的武術和學科幸運的從
1958 年被紀素（Chee Soo）大師所展示，直至他1994年過世。這種獨特的李氏太極拳的解鎖了五個不同的發展領域：(1)
身體
(2) 心理 (3) 呼吸 (4) ) 生氣或生炁[8] -內部能量或內力 (5) 精神力[9] -外部能量/外力。
道家
已故紀素（Chee Soo）大師說道：“李氏家族的道家藝術歷史可以追溯到2000多年前的山東省威海衛漁村。 多年來，李氏家族將道家藝術完全保留在自己的家族內部，從父親到兒子、女兒，不間斷地傳承下來，直到
1930 年代初，中國大陸商人李占康（Chan Kam Lee）成為其家族中最後一位繼承者……”
李和協（Ho-Hsieh Lee ）大師與周朝間的證據。
我們說，
李和協（Ho-Hsieh Lee ）大師所創的李派，在周朝就已經存在了。 周朝從公元前1045年到公元前256年統治古代中國。 這是中國歷史上統治時間最長的王朝。 因此，當我們說李派是由李和協（Ho-Hsieh Lee） 在公元前1000年左右創造時，正好與道家思想盛行的周朝時代相吻合。 提到山東省，準確地說是威海衛村，位於中國中部沿海，距北京約 200 英里，李氏家族在此定居並練習秘傳的李派，是道教的重要組成部分，我們發現該省（山東）與孔子的出生地相似，孔子出生於公元前 551 年周朝曲阜市附近。 因此，道家和太極拳等類似藝術的在此傳播是相互關聯的。 周朝後期因中國兩大哲學派的起源而聞名：儒家和道家。 中國哲學家孔子生於公元前
551 年至公元前
479 年。 他的許多言論和教義對中國古代歷史文化和政府產生了深遠影響。 道家是由另一位著名哲學家老子所創。 他提出了陰陽的概念。
李和協（Ho-Hsieh Lee)、李占康（Chan Kam Lee）、紀素（Chee Soo ）所傳播的道教
李占康（Chan Kam Lee）大師和紀素（Chee Soo）大師在他們所傳授的藝術中非常強調道家思想，我們可以推斷道家在偉大的李和協（Ho-Hsieh Lee）大師的時代影響很大，他所教授包括太極拳在內隱藏的中國武術和神與人之間的聯繫是一致的。 道教實際上是指將自己融入宇宙。道教徒將自己獻給道，成為自然狀態和宇宙的流動。 這意味著讓自己投入在至高無上、最偉大神的愛中。 紀素（Chee Soo )提到，“他們（道教徒）有兩個主要目標：延長在這地球上的生命並與永恆（神）建立強大的精神聯繫……”
和協（Ho-Hsieh)大師受孔子啟發
簡而言之，道家或孔子也許是促使李和協（Ho-Hsieh
Lee ）大師發展李氏風格和其他此類藝術以造福人類的原因。 如果沒有“神本位”思想，道家文化的形成本身就不完整。
真正的道被解釋為通過對人們有益的行為（如太極或任何其他科學）與人們社交以取悅神。 雖然這些曾是道教徒傳武術的原因，但他們更期待得到神的祝福，並讓自己在所教授或學習的藝術中與自然流動和融合。
“李”姓存在於周朝
因此，李式太極很可能在周朝就已存在。根據傳統，厲姓（Li)起源於公元前九世紀齊國的厲公和周朝的厲國。 因此，在周朝的山東地區就已存在著李氏家族。姓‘李’的族人主要集中在中國的浙江、江蘇、山東、河南、湖南各省。 周朝孕育了道家。
因此，事實是，和協大師姓李，是道家與武術的專家。
周朝鼓勵武術
周朝時期，武術舞蹈被列為教育的一部分。春秋時期，摔跤技術在戰場上的運用受到各諸侯的重視。 當時的皇帝在每年的春季和秋季分別舉行兩次摔跤比賽以選拔優秀的武術人才。
與此同時，鑄劍技術和劍的儀式技巧也得到了迅速發展。 根據此一歷史證據，可以理解武術是受到鼓勵的。 說到武術之時，可以理解成太極拳是源自於武術。
太極拳是中國武術嗎？
如果我們看太極拳的定義，我們會發現其含義是“最高的或至高無上的”。“拳”是拳頭或武術。故太極拳可以被譯為終極的、至高無上的拳術或武術。 因此，太極拳與任何武術沒有什麼不同，但它更偏向柔和的一面，遠離粗暴的拳打腳踢，而是以一系列美妙的動作為特點，这些動作是可以互相搭配的，專注於呼吸、氣（內力）、和諧的轉移，並需要在全神貫注的情況下完成。 可以說太極拳實際上類似於以慢動作進行的日本「型」（Kata）。事實上，“型”或任何武術“形式”都是“在一個或多個方向上與一個或多個對手進行的一系列攻擊和防禦”。
早期資料證明李式太極拳是最古老的
據我引用的《大英百科全書》：“太極拳旨在通過身體調理鍛鍊的過程提供放鬆，它藉鑑了太極拳的原理，尤其包括陰陽的調和，即被動和主動的原則……作為一種進攻和防禦的方式，太極拳類似於功夫，并可以被正式視為一種武術。它可以使用或不用武器進行演練。
“早在公元3世紀，中國就開始採用徒手練習來促進健康，到了公元5世紀，少林寺的僧人們開始模仿熊、鳥、鹿、猴、虎五種動物進行鍛鍊。後來又加入了蛇，到了明初（1368年），陰陽原理也被加入其中使整個功法協調一致。太極拳藝術在清朝初期（1644年至1911/12年）被編纂和命名......
根據上述《大英百科全書》的文章，我們可以推斷，徒手練習和類似太極拳的動作在三世紀初就已經很普遍了，儘管這些動作並未被命名稱為“太極拳”
。
因此，說陳王廷、楊露禪為太極拳之父，是不正確的。太極拳藝術在3000 多年前就以不同的名稱或以一種或多種不為人知的形式被流傳練習。 紀素（Chee Soo)認為李式太極拳是現存最原始形式的太極拳。
雖然被修改過，但它仍保留了最初八式的步驟和模式，是真正的道家太極拳。
李式太極拳中發現的三世紀動物步
當歷史展開時（參考大英百科全書），公元3世紀的徒手練習形式中包含了對以下動物動作的改編：熊、鳥、猴、虎和蛇，李式太極是唯一包含這些步法和更多內容的形式！
所以理性地說，李氏太極比其他形式更接近古式太極拳。這種形式的最早證據見於湖南長沙考古遺址1972-1974年發掘的馬王堆古墓。 據說該墓的歷史可以追溯到西漢時期（公元前207年），其他歷史學家認為，與太極拳類似的不同藝術在周代或更早時期最受推崇。
墓中發現的描繪可能既是古老的健身運動、太極拳，也可能是我們現在所說的“氣功”。
比如七十年代末已經標準化的八段錦氣功，與原來的形式完全不同。 關於氣功的起源有許多理論和猜測。 其中一個證據又起源於周朝地區。 道教創始人老子（公元前 590 年）撰寫了《道德經》一書，其中彙編了各種呼吸和運動技巧，為這一古老的練習法奠定了書面基礎。 氣功以及陰陽和五行概念成為中國醫學的根源之一。通過觀察八段錦的檔案姿勢可以明顯看出啟動能量循環的初始位置或第一式（雙手托天，旨在打開胸腔，促進深呼吸，改善肺部） ）與與現行標準化形式完全不同！ 在檔案手稿中，我們看到表演者站在「鷹步」（即「V」形位置，兩個腳跟接觸在一起，左右腳趾之間形成 35 到 45 度的角度。這個位置類似於李式太極拳的起始姿勢，但在新版本或現行的八段錦標準形式中，並未發現任何鷹步！因此，我們確認了道教在周天子時期的影響， 這這種步法在武術和健身運動中被廣泛使用，這就是為什麼李式太極拳與之有如此相似之處。
迎回曾失去的遺產
當許多的武術出於一些原因隨著時間的流逝而消失時，以文化或武術的形式迎回離開祖國多年的失落遺產是明智的做法。李式太極拳在山東是秘傳的家傳藝術，後來傳到英國、歐洲以及模里西斯，造福人類、討神喜悅，真道當我們分享時會帶來成功。李式太極至今仍是中國人的驕傲。 中國武術（尤其是太極拳）的大師們都在通過太極拳的實踐，努力為一個健康的世界帶來益處，知識和智慧是沒有地域障礙的！
威海衛老照片
事實上，我們是從李占康（Chan
Kam Lee)（通過紀素
（Chee Soo)的報告）得知李氏家族的歷史可以追溯到2000多年前的威海衛漁村。
1930年代初，威海衛真的有一個漁村嗎？ 根據李佔康（Chan Kam Lee）和紀素（Chee Soo）的版本，我們知道李和協（Ho-Hsieh Lee)大師的後裔一直居住並定居在這個位於現在山東省的漁村，直到1934年。事實上，我們有與紀素（Chee Soo）版本相符的老照片，證實在1930年左右的威海衛有一個漁村。
穆罕默德·亞辛·奧瓦達利大師與李式太極拳
李式太極拳體現了古老道家藝術中健康的所有美德。原始的8個動作形式仍然存在於李式太極拳中，但已經過修改、增強和豐富。我學習、練習並在多種藝術形式中取得了出色的成就：武術、大山派（Oyama)、跆拳道、太極拳、散打和彭查克·希拉特（ Pencak Silat 印尼武術），我也是一位多產的作家。在中國武術中，我的師傅、導師和指導者有：王俊發（中國）、比斯瑪·提拉克（Bhisma Teeluck）、康大可（中國）、尚玉祥（中國）等等。我唯一的目標是以新的方式傳播李式太極拳的卓越形式，並且我正在努力將這種獨特的形式重新帶回中國和全世界。
王雪梅女士：名譽高級等級/中國武術七段/省科學水平委員會委員王雪梅女士表示：“李式太極拳非常優美、和諧，有些步法與現在在中國流派的太極拳很相似。”但李式太極保留了其大部分獨特動作的風味。 如果穆罕默德·亞辛·奧瓦達利（M.
Yasin Owadally）先生的努力能夠實現，將這一失落的遺產重新帶回中國，我個人會感到非常高興。 我們很樂意在中國練習和發展它。 迎接新的太極拳，會引發類似於發現寶藏的喜悅！”
隋長虹女士：臨沂學院院長表示：“中國是幾乎所有武術的發源地，看到他們展示出不同風格的太極--李式太極，我感到很困惑。
李式太極讓我留下了深刻的印象，從師父M. Yasin Owadally那裡了解到，李式太極很久以前起源於中國，這種藝術和風格是由一位名叫李占康（Chan
Kam Lee）的中國商人傳到歐洲的。 由於我住在山東，中國將非常榮幸地迎回威海衛漁村曾經擁有卻失去的遺產。 我祝愿 M. Y. Owadally 先生通過他的努力、研究和辛勤工作，將中國失傳的藝術之一李式太極拳成功帶回中國！”
王俊發大師：中國武術孔子學院第八期副院長、教授、碩士生導師表示：“李式太極拳蘊含著動態的平衡和步法。 動作是同心的、流動的和相連的。 太極拳的所有元素都具備，中國缺少如此偉大的太極拳，著實令人驚訝。
根據我的學生 M.Yasin Owadally（也是 40 多本書的作者）的所有證據和研究工作，我強烈建議我們歡迎李式太極拳的回歸，以便我們這一代和後代也可以練習這種套路 。
迎回失落的遺產永遠不會太晚。”
穆罕默德·亞辛·奧瓦達利（Dashi Mohamad Yasin Owadally） - 主席兼主任教練/武術四段/1996年8月代表模里希斯在中國舉行的國際武術比賽中獲得金牌。 畢業於臨沂大學中國體育教練專業（中國臨沂大學武術、散打、太極拳）。2018年中國濟南地區太極拳比賽金牌。2018年中國山東氣功大學證書。2018年“中國武術傳承貢獻獎”。 國際功夫聯合會會員，著有48本書。
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