Wu Style Tai Chi
The Wu style has a more controlled, narrower stance. The rear foot faces forward, not at a 45 degree angle. The weight distribution is more evenly distributed.
Style trademarks:
- Fingers extend upwards and are loosely separated
- More pronounced body lean than other styles
- Rear foot faces forward in Bow stance
- Narrower stance
- Front knee bent and back knee relaxed
Wu-style Tai Chi Chuan was created by Quan You (1834-1902) who lived at Daxing in Hebei Pro-vince (now under Beijing Municipality). Quan You was of the Manchu nationality of China. He learned Tai Chi 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’s son Jianquan changed his family name to Wu as he was brought up as a Han national. Wu Jianquan (1870-1942) inherited and disseminated a style of Tai Chi 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 Tai Chi Quan was disseminated by the Wu family, it became known as the Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan. The Wu Style was also known by the name “Zhong Jia” (“medium frame”).
Wu Jianquan
Wu 108 Posture Long Form
1. Beginning of Tai Chi Chuan
2. Raise Hands
3. Play Guitar
4. Grasp Bird’s Tail
5. Single Whip
6. Slant Flying
7. Raise Hands
8. White Crane Spreads Wings
9. Brush Knee, Push (Left & Right, 4 Times)
10. Playing Guitar
11. Step Forward and Push
12. Push Forward
13. Carry Tiger to the Mountain
14. Cross Hands
15. Slant Brush Knee and Push
16. Turn Body, Brush Knee & Push
17. Grasp Bird’s Tail
18. Single Whip
19. Fist Under Elbow
20. Step Back, Repulse Monkey (Left & Right, 3 Times)
21. Slant Flying
22. Raise Hands
23. White Crane Spreads Wings
24. Brush Knee and Push
25. Needle at Sea Bottom
26. Play Arms Like a Fan
27. Turn Body and Strike Fist to Back
28. Step Back and Punch
29. Step Forward and Grasp Bird’s Tail
30. Single Whip
31. Wave Hands Like a Cloud
32. Single Whip
33. Left High Pat on Horse
34. Right Foot Kick (Separate)
35. Right High Pat on Horse
36. Left Foot Kick (Separate)
37. Turn Body, Kick with Heel
38. Brush Knee and Push (Right & Left)
39. Step Forward and Punch Down
40. Turn Body and Strike Fist to Back
41. High Pat on Horse
42. (Right) Separate Hands
43. 1st Raise Foot
44. Step Back Seven Stars
45. Step Back and Hit the Tiger
46. 2nd Raise Foot
47. Hit Opponent’s Ear with Fist
48. Lean Back and Kick
49. Turn Body and Kick with Heel
50. High Pat on Horse
51. Step Forward and Punch
52. Push Forward
53. Carry Tiger to the Mountain
54. Cross Hands
55. Slant Brush Knee and Push
56. Turn Body, Brush Knee and Push
57. Grasp Bird’s Tail
58. Single Whip
59. Play Guitar
60. Wild Horse Separate Mane (Right)
61. Play Guitar
62. Wild Horse Separate Mane (Left)
63. Play Guitar
64. Wild Horse Separate Mane (Right)
65. Fair Lady Works at Shuttle (2)
66. Play Guitar
67. Wild Horse Separate Mane
68. Fair Lady Works at Shuttle (2)
69. Grasp Bird’s Tail
70. Single Whip
71. Wave Hands Like a Cloud
72. Single Whip
73. Snake Creeps Down
74. Golden Cock on Left Leg
75. Golden Cock on Right Leg
76. Step Back and Repulse Monkey (Left & Right, 3 Times)
77. Cross Slant Flying
78. Raise Hands
79. White Crane Spreads Wings
80. Brush Knee and Push
81. Needle at Sea Bottom
82. Play Arms Like a Fan
83. Turn Body and Strike Fist to Back
84. Step Forward and Punch
85. Step Forward and Grasp Bird’s Tail
86. Single Whip
87. Wave Hands Like a Cloud
88. Single Whip
89. High Pat on Horse
90. Slap Face with Palm
91. Turn Body and Single Lotus Kick
92. Brush Knee and Push
93. Step Forward and Punch to Opponent’s Lower Abdomen
94. Step Forward, Grasp Bird’s Tail
95. Single Whip
96. Snake Creeps Down
97. Step Forward Seven Stars
98. Step Back Ride the Tiger
99. Turn Body and Slap Face with Palm
100. Turn Body and Double Lotus Kick
101. Shoot Tiger
102. High Pat on Horse
103. Slap Face with Palm
104. Turn Body and Strike Fist to Back
105. Step Forward and High Pat on Horse
106. Step Forward Grasp Bird’s Tail
107. Single Whip
108. Conclusion of Tai Chi Chuan
Wu Style International 54 Competition Round Form
1. The Beginning
(Raise Hands)
(Play Guitar)
2. Grasp Bird’s Tail
3. Single Whip
(Slant Flying)
4. Raise Hands
5. White Crane Spreads Wings
6. Brush Knee & Push
7. Step Forward And Push
8. Step Forward And Punch
9. Carry Tiger To The Mountain
10. Cross Hands
11. Brush Knee And Push (Left)
12. Needle At Sea Bottom
13. Play Arms Like A Fan
14. Fist Under The Elbow
15. Repulse Monkey (Once)
16. Slant Flying
17. Wave Hands Like A Cloud
18. Single Whip
19. High Pat On Horse (Left)
20. Right, Left Separate Foot
21. Turn Body And Kick With Heel
22. Shift Forward And Punch Down
23. Turn Body And Strike With Back Of Fist
24. High Pat On Horse
25. First Raise Foot
26. Step Back & Hit Tiger
27. Second Raise Foot
28. Strike Opponent’s Ears With Fists
29. Lean Back & Kick
30. Turn Body & Kick With Heel
31. Wild Horse Separate Mane (Once)
32. Fair Lady Works The Shuttle (Twice, Front And Back) (Grasp Bird’s Tail)
33. Single Whip
34. Snake Creeps Down
35. Left, Right Golden Cock
36. Repulse Monkey (Twice – Left & Right)
37. Slap Face With Palm
38. Turn Body, Single Lotus Kick
39. Brush Knee & Push
40. Step Forward & Punch To Opponent’s Lower Abdomen
41. Step Forward, Grasp Bird’s Tail
42. Single Whip
43. Snake Creeps Down
44. Step Up Seven Stars
45. Step Back Ride Tiger
46. Turn Body Slap Face
47. Turn Body Double Lotus Kick
48. Bend Bow Shoot Tiger
49. Slap Face With Palm
50. Turn Body And Strike With Back Of Fist
51. Step Forward High Pat On Horse
52. Step Forward Grasp Bird’s Tail
53. Single Whip
54. Conclusion Of Tai Chi Chuan