volume 16
December 2020
Editor Nasser Butt
British Martial Arts Awards Magazine Of The Year 2019
perception realization activation action
Lift Hands
The Internal Arts Magazine Volume 16 December 2020
Editor
Nasser Butt
L’orso Solitario
Published by L’orso Solitario Books, Leicester, United Kingdom Lift Hands The Internal Arts Magazine Volume 16 December 2020 Editor Nasser Butt Copyright © by Nasser Butt, 2020 & Fa-jing Ch’uan Internal Chinese Boxing Schools Nasser Butt asserts the moral right to be identified as the editor & owner of this work. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the editor. Waiver of Liability: The publisher assumes no liability for the use or misuse of information contained within this book. By purchasing or electronically downloading this publication, the reader hereby, waives any and all claims he or she may have now or in the future against Nasser Butt and Fa-Jing Ch’uan Internal Chinese Boxing Schools or its affiliates.
The points of view represented here are solely those of the authors’ concerned. You do not have to subscribe to them if you do not wish. Nor is their inclusion here necessarily an endorsement by Fa-jing Ch’uan Internal Chinese Boxing School or its affiliates. Cover Photo (main): Erle Montaigue Cover Design © Nasser Butt, 2020 [with thanks to Andy Haynes for his help] Cover Photography: Copyright © Nasser Butt Back Design: Copyright © Nasser Butt 2020; Photography: Marios Eleftheriou
lift hands
December 2020
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contents
Editor’s Note
Page 11
The House of Mouse The Art of Amy Faulkner
Page 13
A Root Seeker From Across The Ocean China Wushu Magazine, 1985
Page 15
10 Years Already! Peter Jones
Page 24
Erle Montaigue, The ‘Old’ Yang and a Bunch of Chinese Blokes Nasser Butt
Page 26
Yang Cheng-fu Form — The Martial View Peter Jones
Page 35
‘Just Watch’… Erle Montaigue Colin Power
Page 38
The Plough: The Wudang Hand Weapons Part 4 Nasser Butt
Page 40
That Lunatic In The Book Steve Morris
Page 50
Falling & Unfurling Part 2 Ramakrishna Chedumbarum
Page 54
The Lion Of Old Style T’ai Chi Ch’uan Dr Gregory T. Lawton
Page 57
Master Wang Xinwu: An Interview With Professor Wang Liang Nasser Butt translated by Mungo Zhangruibo
Page 60
Master Wang Xinwu on Erle Montaigue Master Wang Xinwu
Page 72
20 Questions with Colin Power
Page 76
What’s Next? Nasser Butt
Page 85
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contents
A Seminar With Erle Cheyne Towers
Page 91
The Dreams Of A Field Fence Dr Gregory T. Lawton
Page 93
As I Remember Master Erle Montaigue Katherine Loukopoulos
Page 95
The Energies of Taijiquan - Part 4 Nasser Butt
Page 103
Ode To The Tower Andy Haynes
Page 108
Hadjios Valley Camp 2021 Details
Page 127
In Memoriam
Page 129
Peasant Talk
Page 140
Useful Contacts
Page 142
The Art of Louiseneige Be
Page 143
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editor’s Note
Nasser Butt
elcome to Volume 16 — the final edition of Lift Hands Magazine for 2020. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy 2021 to all our readers and friends around the world!
We are still under lockdown and most parts of the world have seen a second wave of the Covid pandemic — including new variant strains. This has been a hard time on all of us across the spectrum and the martial arts community has suffered terribly. I already know of school closures as well as other martial arts related businesses. Whilst the loss of work and routine has been tough, there has been an incredible rise in mental health related issues as well as a simple matter of loneliness for many living alone or in extreme isolation. I hope that as a community we are all extending our hands in offer of help — even if it is just a phone call to those we know who are suffering alone in isolation. Lift Hands Magazine has now crossed the 20K threshold across 105 countries. This is a major achievement and I hope that we can all be proud of our efforts. I know I am and I thank everybody for their continued support. I feel blessed having so many wonderful friends helping me with this wonderful endeavour. Volume 16 is a special edition and one very close to my heart. It focuses on the legacy of Erle Montaigue — my teacher — a giant from the world of the internal arts 10 years after his death. Erle spent virtually his whole life seeking the ‘original’ Taijiquan and was probably the most vocal proponent of martial Taijiquan in the West — as it had intended to be by its original founders — and for decades he swam against the tide. Today, many talk the talk of martial Taiji, but few still are able to walk the walk! Taiji wasn’t the only subject Erle was known for. He was one of the first in the West to put together an entire Encyclopedia on the art of Dim-mak — a book that became a standard for anyone who was seriously interested in point striking. His demonstrations on the subject weren’t just ‘lame duck’ strikes where the ‘victim’ stood still and allowed the strike to happen — he’d demonstrate it in situ of an attack. For this issue I was hoping to have travelled and interviewed some of those whom he had influenced and befriended in his lifetime. Sadly, I wasn’t planning on the pandemic still lingering so late into the year! However, despite not being able to travel and thanks to the generosity of many, I still managed to get a few friends to pen their thoughts about their encounters with Erle. Far more importantly — after more then a year’s planning and much hard work, and many late sleepless nights talking to China, and through the effort and hard work of my student Mungo Zhangruibo — we managed to land a world exclusive… an Interview with Professor Wang Liang — the son of Master Wang Xinwu who awarded Erle his ‘Master Degree’ in China in 1985, when he became the first ‘Blue-eyed’ Westerner to achieve this honour in China’s 5 North Western provinces, after performing at the All China National Wushu competition in Yinchuan and being tested by other masters! Further, for the first time a complete translation of China Wushu Magazine’s coverage of Erle’s trip in 1985 is presented here — again thanks to my student Mungo Zhangruibo. I hope readers enjoy this issue. It contains much history and painful truths! Regardless of the arts we practice — it shows the dedication of those who truly walk the path. Stay safe, stay healthy… I hope and pray that 2021 will be a better year for us all.
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Cuba Cyprus Czechia Denmark Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt Estonia Fiji Finland France French Guyana Gambia Germany Ghana Greece Guatemala Hungary Iceland India Indonesia
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The Plough
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⼀ Part One 初夏，素有“塞上江南”之誉的银川，迎来了 1985 年全国武术比赛。数⽇激战后，正 当各路⼤军偃旗息 ⿎、鸣⾦收兵，满场观众准备离席退场时，从扬声器⾥传来广播淸 脆的声⾳:“请澳⼤利亚功夫代表团为 我们做精彩表演”。顿时，场内⽓氛回升，再次 响起热烈的掌声。 In the early summer, The 1985 National Wushu Competition was held in Yin Chuan. After a few days of “fierce fighting,” just as all the troops [contestants had] calmed down and retreated, and the audience were preparing to leave the venue, a crisp voice came from the loudspeakers: "Please let the Australian Kung Fu delegation perform for us." Suddenly, the atmosphere in the court [arena] rose again, and there was warm applause once
Erle leading the “troops” in Yin Chuan, 1985
more. 看⾼⿐梁、蓝眼睹的外国⼈表演中国武术，倒是别有⼀番情趣。 Watching foreigners with high nose bridges and blue eyes performing Chinese martial arts is really interesting. ⾸先出场的是⾼⼤壮硕、年近半百的团长 E•蒙塔古先⽣和⾦发碧眼、娇⼩玲珑的珍妮 ⼩姐。他们先后起 式，表演了太极推⼿和女⼦防身术，动作准确，功夫匪浅。接着， 代表团其他成员亦相继表演了八卦、 太极、太极推⼿等，他们的精彩表演、逼真神态， 不断博得⼀阵阵掌声，场内⽓氛轻松、愉快，充满友 情。 The first to appear was the tall, sturdy, nearly half-hundred-year-old head Mr. E. Moontagu and the blonde blueeyed, petite and exquisite Miss “Jenny”. They started one after another, performing Tai Chi Push Hands and Women's Self-defense Techniques, with accurate movements and great skill. Then, other members of the delegation also performed Ba Gua, Tai Chi, Tai Chi Push Hands, etc. Their brilliant performances and vivid expressions continuously won bursts of applause. The atmosphere in the venue was relaxed, happy and full of friendship.
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⼆ Part Two 带着诸多问题和浓厚兴趣，我们⾛访了蒙塔古先⽣。在宁夏宾馆⾥，这位身着印有团 龙标记和⿊⾊中式 练功裤的“中国武术爱好者”同我们热清攀谈起来。 With many questions and keen interests [curiosities], we interviewed Mr. Moontagu. In the Ningxia Hotel, this "Chinese martial arts lover" wearing a black Chinese-style training pants with dragon logo in black started talking with us. “听说先⽣⼀⾏是⾃费来中国的?”“是的，因接到邀请时已来不及申请资助。”“您 不远万⾥来中国，是为 了......?”谈到此⾏⽬的，蒙塔古先⽣很兴奋。他说:“⽬前，澳 ⼤利亚正风⾏诸如‘瑜珈’、‘柔术’、‘空⼿道’ 等功夫。经过长期研究，我认为 这些功夫的源泉⼤多在中国，或从中国武术沿引⽽来。武术的正宗在'中 国，我们此⾏ 甚来中国寻根、求源的。” "I heard that Mister [you] and your members came to China at your own expense?" "Yes, because it was too late to apply for funding when I received the invitation." "You came to China thus far for...?" Speaking of the purpose of this trip, Mr. Moontagu was very excited. He said: "At present, Kung fu such as 'Yoga', ‘Jiu-Jitsu,' and 'Karate' are popular in Australia. After longterm research, I think most of the sources of these Kung fu are in China, or are derived from Chinese martial arts. The origin of martial arts is in China, we have come to China to seek roots and sources during this trip." 谈话中得知，蒙塔古先⽣ 1968 年曾在澳⼤利亚跟⼀位王先⽣学习太极拳;1973 年，去 伦敦跟⼀位来⾃广 东的朱平江先⽣学习太极拳。朱先⽣是杨绍忠(杨式太极拳家杨澄 甫之⼦)先⽣的学⽣;第⼆年，他又从朱 先⽣学习八卦掌，同时开始练⽓功。习武⼗ 六载，他深深爱上了中国武术并决⼼让中华武术成为澳⼤利 亚的⼀项体育活动。 During the conversation, it was learned that Mr. Moontagu had studied Tai Chi with Mr. Wang1 in Australia in 1968; in 1973, he went to London to learn Tai Chi with a Mr. Zhu Pingjiang2 from Guangdong. Mr. Zhu was a student of Mr. Yang Shaozhong (the son of Yang Chengfu who was a master of Yang-style Taijiquan). In the second year, he learned Baguazhang3 (palm) from Mr. Zhu and started practicing Qigong. He has been practicing martial arts for 16 years. He is deeply in love with Chinese martial arts and is determined to make Chinese martial arts a sport in Australia. 三 Part Three 从蒙塔古先⽣那⾥我们了解到，澳⼤利亚功夫协会设在悉尼，拥有会员 4,500 ⼈左右， 这对 3,000 万⼈⼜的澳⼤利亚来说，所占比例是相当可观的。 We learned from Mr. Moontagu that the Australian Kung Fu Association is based in Sydney and has about 4,500 members. This is a considerable proportion in Australia with a population of 30 million. 在澳⼤利亚，所有教武术者，都需经过考核，以决定有否资格从事这项⼯作。考核通 过，发给执照，⽅ 可开设武馆，成⽴武术团体。蒙塔古先⽣是鉴定委员会的成员，主 要参予评定太极、八卦掌等项⽬。 In Australia, all teachers of martial arts need to go through an assessment to determine whether they are eligible [qualified] for this job. Only after having passed the assessment and having been issued a licence, a martial arts hall can be opened and a martial arts group can be established. Mr. Moontagu is a member of the committee,
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Erle, returning from the North Western Provinces in China, 1985
mainly involved in the evaluation of Tai Chi and Baguazhang. 谈到中国武术的继承、发展和创新的有关问题时，蒙塔古先⽣很诚恳地对我们说，中 国现在实⾏开放政 策，无疑，这将⼤⼤推动武术运动的前进和发展。但在创新的同时， 不要让传统的东西失传了，应该把 其中那些优秀、精华的东西继承下来，做为创新发 展的基础。另外，做为中国武术，⼀定要保持和发扬 既有攻防意义，又有健身价值的 特⾊，使中国武术沿着健康的道路向前发展，早⽇推向世界。 When talking about the inheritance, development and innovation of Chinese martial arts, Mr. Moontagu told us frankly that China is now implementing an open policy, which will undoubtedly promote the advancement and development of martial arts. While innovating, don't let the traditional things get lost. We should inherit the outstanding and essence of them and use them as the basis for innovation and development. In addition, for Chinese martial arts, we must maintain and carry forward the characteristics of both offensive and defensive techniques and the value for fitness, so that Chinese martial arts will develop along a healthy path and can be promoted to the world as soon as possible. 关于成⽴国际武术组织，他认为，这是把中华武术迅速推向世界的⼀个重要步骤。只 有扩⼤武术的范围 和影响，才有可能让世界上更多的国家，更多的⼈了解中国武术。 为此，他建议:“中国武术组织应经常 派出武术专家、运动员到世界各地从事教练、教 学⼯作;组织武术表演团到各国表演、宣传。⽤你们的话 讲:眼见为实嘛。” Regarding the establishment of an international martial arts organization, he believes that this is an important step to quickly promote Chinese martial arts to the world. By expanding the scope and influence of Chinese martial arts, it will be possible for more countries and people around the world to understand it. He also suggested: "Chinese martial arts organisations should often send martial art experts and athletes to coach and teach around the world; organise martial art groups to perform and promote in various countries. In your words: Eye See is True (seeing is believing)." 最后，蒙塔古先⽣⾼兴地告诉我们:“咱们是同⾏，我也是记者，常为杂志撰写⽂章。 今后，我⼀定尽域 ⼤努⼒宣传报导中国武术的发展情况。”蒙塔古先⽣是这么说的， 也是这么做的。他不仅长期从事武术 教学⼯作，还创办了⾃⼰的出版社，出版武术书 籍，并曾撰写过⼀套(三本)有关太极拳的书。 Finally, Mr. Moontagu happily told us: “We are doing the same job, and I am also a journalist. I often write articles for magazines. In the future, I will do my best to promote and report the development of Chinese martial arts.” Mr. Moontagu, in reality has already done what he’s said, not only has he been engaged in teaching martial arts for a long time, he also founded his own publishing house to publish martial arts books, so far he has written a set of (three) books4 about Tai Chi. 呵，蒙塔古先⽣个热情的寻根者。 Ah, Mr. Moontagu, a passionate root-seeker. ********** Editor’s Notes This is the first time that the article covering Erle’s visit to China in 1985 - [which appeared in China Wushu Magazine in October 1985] - has been completely translated and placed in the public domain. During its translation we have tried to retain and stick to the original ‘colourful’ Chinese text in order to give the reader a flavour of Chinese nuance, and in some cases have placed a direct Western meaning enclosed in brackets immediately after the word for clarity. The accompanying photographs do not appear in the original China Wushu Magazine article. These photographs were given to Nasser Butt by Erle Montaigue himself for safekeeping as historical documents, as well as giving him the authority to use them in his articles, and originally appeared in ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway’ published in 2014. A scan of the original document has been added at the end.
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1. Mr. Wong Eog in 1967 according to my personal notes. The author of the article has written Mr Wang in 1968 - this may just be due to a simple error in communication. 2. Mr. Zhu Pingjiang = Mr. Chu King-hung, in 1974. Here the author has written the name of Erle’s teacher in traditional Chinese as opposed to Cantonese. Again, the article states that Erle trained with Master Zhu/Chu in 1973, whereas my notes state 1974. The discrepancy could, once again, be due to miscommunication or due to the way Chinese traditionally number years. However, it should not be considered a major anomaly. 3. Although Erle began his Bagua training initially under Mr. Zhu Pingjiang, in 1981 he went to Hong Kong to train with Bagua Master He Kecai [Ho-Ho Choy].
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Erle with Grandmaster Fu Zhongwen in Yinchuan, 1985
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A
s it is coming up to Erle's passing, I can't believe it's been ten years already! Erle was one of my best friends as well as my Taiji teacher. I have some fond memories of Erle over the years.
Erle would regularly come down to my class in Ammanford Carmarthenshire, West Wales, since he only lived a few miles up the road. He would often give me a call to see if I would be in class that evening. On one occasion, he called to ask if I was in class that evening? I said no, I wasn't going to be there. “Fuck Mate I was going to come and see you!” came the reply, such was our relationship. Whenever Erle would turn up, there would always be a big hug and as I would start the class in no time he would take over. He loved it! There was one time when I knew Erle was coming down to class so, I gave some of my old students a call, who didn't come to class no more, because I thought it would be good for them to see Erle. It was always great to see him and always a great evening of training for everyone. We had many conversations about many things over the years, which I terribly miss now. He always had time to listen to people even if they spoke shit! Our conversations spanned many subjects from personal life, Taiji, students and the daily machinations of the WTBA. Nothing was off the table so to speak. Our friendship and relationship was such that he would often ring me to get things off his chest or even to ask my opinion on a matter. There came a time when one day Erle simply turned around and told me from now on you don't pay for none of my classes or workshops if you can make it, this is what Erle was like. In 1998 Erle made me the 4th Lifetime Member of the WTBA. There are only four of Erle's friends/students who have received this honour, and I will always treasure this accolade from him. He was one in a million and his teachings are second to none. Going back in the day when Erle was still living in Australia, I would often speak with him over the phone if I needed to know something or just wanting a good old chat. Sometimes when I would call he’d be in the bloody bath, but he’d tell Sandy, his wife, if Peter phones, give me the phone to talk with him, but if anyone else phones tell them I will call them back. [But saying that, when I knew he was in the bath I would tell him to call me back!]. At the time when Erle started thinking about moving to Wales for the first time in the early 90s, he had me wandering around parts of Wales with my camcorder filming properties and sending the film back to him. During that same time one day I had a knock on my front door, it was the postman with a load of boxes - Erle had sent over the entire catalogue of his videos to date [all the good oil] in anticipation of his move. However, due to personal
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reasons at the time, the move failed to materialise. So, I said to him what do you want me to do with all these videos - as there were boxes of them? He told me, “It’s up to you, you can tape over them if you want, or you can watch them and teach them back to me someday!” I know he was only joking but it was so funny with him saying that at the time, but hey up that was Erle, it wasn't all about money with him. I still have those boxes and the videos safely in my loft. Anyway, after a time - some years later - the move was back on, so off I went again going around parts of West Wales with my camcorder filming properties and sending the film back to him. Finally, there was good news, he liked the property in Llangadog and the time came for Erle and his family to move. I met Erle at the motorway services and from there he followed me up to his new home in Llangadog, and the rest was history. Erle remained there until his death on 26 January 2011. Erle will always be in my thoughts, and I'll always miss him dearly. I think everyone who had ever met Erle would say that he was a lovely person — one who gave of his knowledge freely. Some, I’m pretty sure would say bit more than that! Until we meet again my old friend.
Fooling around outside Jim Uglow’s School in London
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Left to Right: Anthony Pillage, Mo Teague [centre] & Gavin Richardson
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Author’s Note: I originally began writing this article way back in 2008 and finally completed and published it in the summer of 2014. The original article delved into the subject of lineages — especially that of my own teacher, Erle Montaigue - as well as a case study of Cheng Man-ching and was written in two parts. Further, I discussed Old Yang Style Taijiquan as inherited by the students of Yang Shao-hou, in particular, and what later became known as the ‘orthodox’ Yang Family long form of his younger brother Yang Cheng-fu. The original article was widely read and met with critical acclaim [and the expected abuse]. On the following pages is an abridged version of the Introduction and the opening chapter of the original work dealing with the preposterous claims that Erle Montaigue invented the Old Yang Style himself and it ends with a conclusion to his legacy itself — a separate chapter — and what is now being claimed in his name by his so-called ‘inheritors’. It is still a long read and I have updated parts of it with new information which has come to light since the original article was published. I urge readers to not see this as an attack on any style or school. It is a representation of those facts which we can glean and ascertain from what is certainly a clouded history! God-Willing, the revised and updated the article in its entirety will be released as a book soon with additional material. It is not enough to rebut the claims of others or point fingers if one is not willing to do the same from within ones own heritage! **********************************
Introduction I began this project many years ago, June 2008 to be precise, though the idea had occurred to me perhaps, even, a couple of years earlier then that! I had already been training with Erle, himself, for several years at this point (almost a decade) and had read many on-line discussions in various forums of Erle’s fraudulent origins! These claims seemed to range from the sublime to the ridiculous to the absurd! I remember staying up late into the early hours many a night, arguing with people across the world. Most of these so-called critics had never met Erle nor ever trained with him! The sole basis for their out-pouring of bile were his published works or those which was available directly from his website and eventually YouTube. Most of these claims were based on or around his lineage and his audacity to claim to be teaching the original Old Yang style, which according to these electronic warriors nobody had ever heard of, including their own impeccable lineage holding ‘masters’ from around the Orient! So, it was obvious to assume that he must have made it all up and he was nothing more than a charlatan trying to dupe the martial arts community into believing his lie! I remember in the summer of 2008, sitting under a huge, bright yellow canopy in Rostock, Germany, having an ice cream and chatting with Erle about this very subject amongst many others. “How many battles are you going to fight Nass?”, was Erle’s reply. “I could provide them with all the evidence they need but I’m NOT going to play their games and be distracted!” I had already started to research into the subject matter and it had yielded much and to my surprise with very little digging! However, apart from the information, the most valuable thing I came away with from all this was a friendship with a fellow traveller, Dr Greg Lawton, based in the United States, who has been studying martial arts, and the internal arts in particular, for decades [He is currently in his 8th decade of teaching]! I continued my research upon returning to England after the summer camp. However, now, I was no longer alone. Greg Lawton started to help me in not only finding information but perhaps most crucially by forcing me to ask the right questions. Weeks turned into months as we contacted Masters and Grandmasters, along with academics and renowned families on the subject of the Neijia, as well as legendary authors to authenticate certain historical events.
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Then, the information and the forthcoming of individuals began to dry up. By this time, however, Greg and I had already accumulated much information to start putting my article into shape [Little did I know at the time that the ‘article’ would not inly take up a number of years of my life but also would end up as book!]. The original article was to be called, ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway? - Cheng Man-ching: A Case Study’. The purpose of the article wasn’t to denigrate or criticise the quality of Taiji as practiced by Cheng Man-ching, but rather to look at the lineage claim of the man who, perhaps, was the most well-known practitioner of Taiji in the United States if not the Western world! It was always odd to me about how these electronic warriors sitting in the safety of their forums would criticise Erle, yet remain silent on far ‘bigger’ names? What was it about Erle that irked them so much that even now, three years after his passing, they continue to discuss him rabidly in their desktop dojos? Part 2 of this essay was the original project. It has been sitting in my documents collecting ‘cyber-dust’ for almost 6 years. Why? Because once I had accumulated my research and digested it, it became plainly obvious to me that most folk are so blinkered that they can’t see the proverbial wood for the trees! Lineages have taken on more importance then the subject or the quality of the so-called master! You could have the most authentic lineage yet, still, have very poor knowledge and skill! And, since when does a lineage equate to complete knowledge or even competency? Further, [and I will expand upon this in the main text] do we know the names of all and every student a master taught? Also, Erle’s words spoken in Germany resonated with me. How many battles was I to fight and why, when it didn’t bother the man himself? So, I let it be. Then a couple of months back [in 2014], I was contacted by Erle’s son, who asked me to go take a look at some of the comments that had been posted under a clip of his demonstration of the Old Yang on YouTube. There they were, the same old BS being regurgitated all over again by people quoting complex references and genealogies in order to ridicule Erle, yet failing to ask the most simple questions of themselves! “One more battle Erle!” I heard myself say. So, I dusted off my research material and began working on what is now Part 1 of this essay — ‘The Old Yang, Erle Montaigue And A Bunch Of Chinese Blokes’. Firstly, this is not a definitive history of the Old Yang nor is it meant to be the definitive history of the artist formerly called Erle Montaigue Dalby, Erle Dalby, Erle Montaigue, Moon-ta-gu or as his mates knew him Erle, Monty or Big Nose! No, the definitive history and biography will come at a later date - God-Willing or Inshallah as we say in Arabic (or hopefully, for my secular friends)! Rather, this is a short rebuttal to all those electronic warriors with axes to grind for one reason or another! Now, bear with me. Most of you who know me know I can go on a bit! But, I must clear up one matter before we start; Erle was not only my teacher but also my mentor, my friend and a father to me. So, most folk reading this will claim I am biased. Guess what? I am! But at least I admit it and I’m also biased towards intelligence and common sense! There, I hope that clears the air and we can now get on with the subject matter in hand!
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The Old Yang, Erle Montaigue And A Bunch of Chinese Blokes
S
o, what is the Old Yang style and who invented it?
Erle Montaigue! Shout all the electronic warriors whilst waving their ‘rum-soaked fists’ into the air! Erm… ok, this is partially true! What? Really? Ahem… we were just being awkward for the sake of being awkward! Yes, Erle coined the phrase way back in the early 1980s to distinguish the form he had been taught from all the modern variants of forms accredited to the Yang family and the Yang Cheng-fu long form in particular! The term ‘old’ simply denoted that the form was pre the changes introduced by Yang Cheng-fu to his family form over a period of almost two decades or so. Off with his head! How dare he suggest that there was an alternative form which the Yang family may have ‘concealed’? My master is the 6th generation, twice removed third cousin of the Yang family cook’s wife’s third cousin, who trained with Master Yang Cheng-fu, himself, and has a special silk robe given to him upon graduation, and was the undefeated champion of many a boxing match in his neighbourhood! My ‘master’ knows and he should… he is Chinese via Taiwan, with a short stay in Hong Kong before settling in Australia and he says that there is no such thing as an ‘old’ form! So is mine! Although he is the cook’s wife’s other cousin and settled in New York and he has a wooden sword fashioned by the teeth of Master Yang to prove he was a genuine student and lineage holder! And so they go on… There is no evidence prior to the usage of the term by Erle, that the Yang family style was ever referred to as ‘old’ or ‘new’. In fact, neither was their style referred to as Taijiquan1,2 in the time of Yang Lu-ch’an or Yang Fu-k’ui as he was actually known as. Rather, the Yang family forms were distinguished by their frames and the number of postures, and resultant movements. But, we’ll come back to this later. For now, we are going to journey backwards in time and substantiate some basic facts based upon the accusations hurled at Erle. Let’s begin with Erle invented the form. I’m going to pile that straight away under garbage, along with all the folk who proclaim such a stupid notion! Why? Well, because inventing a new form from scratch would be genial and put Erle on par with Yang Lu-ch’an himself. Anyone with half a brain cell who has ever seen the ‘Old’ Yang being performed will recognise the movements and realise that they are Yang family! So, Erle couldn’t have invented them as they already existed along with the sequence. Not only that, but, there were people still alive who had witnessed the ‘older’ forms in their heyday and NOT ONE called Erle a fraud or a liar on the matter! Who were these guys? We will look at these witnesses as well as the historical evidence available which clearly indicates towards the ‘Old’ Yang’s existence along the way.
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However, next we are going to be dealing with the question of Chen Pan-ling’s (CPL) form and his textbook entitled ‘Chen Pan-ling’s Original Tai Chi Chuan Textbook,’ and how Erle had used this book as his blueprint to invent the ‘Old’ Yang style. Now this is perhaps the most common accusation made against Erle by our electronic warriors! Let’s look at the claims being made in a bit more detail: 1. Erle obtained a copy of Chan Pan-ling’s book and added and subtracted postures to come up with his own form which he called the ‘Old’ Yang style and attributed it to a non-existent teacher, and the fact that Chen Pan-ling’s book does not refer to the form as ‘Old’ Yang is further proof that this form has never existed! 2. Erle added fa-jing at random intervals taken from the Chen stylists as there is no fa-jing in the traditional Yang style! 3. Erle, although using CPL’s form as proof of existence of his own style, dismisses it as “Just Chen style, which was no good”! 4. CPL’s form is not Chen style. Take a deep breath. Interlink your fingers and give them a good cracking! Take out your common sense cap and place it on your head, back to front, get ready to kick some ass!
Chen Pan-ling’s Original Tai Chi Chuan Textbook - The Background Chen Pan-ling’s seminal work, Tai Chi Chuan Chiao Tsai3 first appeared in the Chinese language in 1963, in Taiwan. Chen was a keen practitioner and historian of Chinese martial arts and had trained under the great masters of T’ai Chi Ch’uan, Hsing-I Ch’uan, Pa Kua Ch’uan (Baguazhang) and Shaolin Ch’uan on mainland China before moving to Taiwan after the Communist takeover: “I learned hsing-i from two hsien shengs, Li Tsun-i and Liu Tsai-chen; pa kua from two hsien shengs, Tung Lien-chi and Cheng Hai-ting; and tai chi chuan from all the hsien shengs: Wu Chienchuan, Yang Shao-hou, Chi Tzu-hsiu, and Hsu Yu-sheng. From 1927 to 1928 , I also went to the village of Chen Chia Kou… to research Chen’s tai chi chuan.”4 The style of Tai Chi Chuan appearing in the textbook was Chen’s own synthesis of “Chen, Yang, the two Wu’s and other tai chi chuan experts. The book combines these experts’ most elegant postures… I include over forty years of personal study and tai chi chuan experience.”5 and by his own admission, “I have not learned all there is to know. I wrote this book in a short time, so there are inevitably many errors.”6 It would take Y. W. Chang - Chen Pan-ling’s designated disciple — over 30 years to complete his Master’s request, to translate his [Chen’s] book into the English language, helped by Ann Carruthers for almost 20 years.7 The book was finally published in 1998, exactly 35 years after the original Chinese language publication in Taiwan. In their Introduction to Translation, the authors make the following key points amongst others: “We wish to emphasize: neither Chen nor the translators intend that you learn tai chi chuan by reading this or any other book. You must have a competent teacher. We cannot stress this too much. It’s the minuscule things — the way you only slightly move your hand or tilt your foot — that make tai chi chuan an art and a science. It’s from the demeanour of your teacher that you comprehend tai chi chuan as a way of life and not a mere exercise.”8 And… “Much of the information prior to Chen’s time was unwritten, and students learned by repeating the actions of their teachers… neither teachers nor students had cognitive foundations to explain why they performed their art the way they did. The often relied on philosophical or esoteric explanations jaded by folklore and unfounded by any scientific rationale.”9 Also…
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“When researchers discuss lineage or practitioners speak of their teachers using only romanised names, one cannot know to whom they refer. Add that to the many myths and legends about the old masters, and it is no wonder that the novice becomes lost and confused.”10 It is imperative that the reader pay heed to what’s been quoted above, in particularly the time frame of events as they will form a critical part of our argument in the pages to come. For now though, as I say to my students… “Hold that thought!” Erle Montaigue was born in 1949 in a small mining village about 50 miles south of Sydney, in New South Wales, Australia. Born by caesarean section, he weighed in at only 4 lbs, the doctors said he “would be a backward boy in both brain and body.”11 By the age of 12, it would appear that the doctors had predicted correctly, Erle could barely “read, write or add up!”12 So, by my reckoning in 1961, two years prior to Chen Pan-ling’s book appearing in the Chinese language in Taiwan, Erle Montaigue was struggling reading the English language! However, our electronic warriors would have us believe that Erle - a 'backwater' Aussie - who couldn't read or write Chinese is supposed to have somehow obtained CPL's Chinese book from Taiwan at the earliest in 1963 when he would have been 14 years old — translated it and learned from static postures in a book — where the authors themselves state that it is IMPOSSIBLE to learn such an intricate art from that or any other book without a competent teacher — and then within twenty-two years has invented his own style and then presented it to the Chinese Masters of the Yang family and duped them into giving him his Master's degree? Wow! That really is not only genius but audacious to say the least! Let’s not forget that it took Y. W. Chang and Ann Carruthers a combined 50 years to translate this book. Both were academics and had full access to all of Chen Pan-ling’s original text yet, Erle incredibly, somehow managed to do this in less then half their time! Really? Is that what we are supposed to believe, since by the early 80s Erle was already teaching the ‘Old’ Yang style publicly? Y. W. Chang died on January 31, 2002, at the age of 86, a few years after the publication of his translation of Chen Pan-ling’s book. At no point did Y. W. Chang, Ann Carruthers or any of Chen Pan-ling’s other major students ever claim that Erle had copied his (CPL) form! In fact, in the English translation, Erle is acknowledged as a colleague for his work and in helping promote CPL's work.13 I actually communicated with Ann Carruthers just after the publication of her translation, asking her about CPL’s and Erle's form and training methods — at no point did she EVER intimate that Erle had copied CPL! In fact, when I asked her about a few training methods she actually referred me back to Erle saying he'd be more of the authority on that! So, why the acknowledgement and why the similarities? Simple… both, Erle and CPL shared a common heritage - Yang Shao-hou. [Here the original text continues with ‘The Two Brothers: Yang Shao-hou and Yang Cheng-fu’, which has already been published separately in Lift Hands Volume 10, June 2019, followed by a brief biography of Chang Yiu-chun and The Lineage & History of Erle Montaigue, and Conclusion] Let us return back to the question of Chen Pan-ling’s form and it’s similarities to or with Erle’s ‘Old’ Yang Style. Both forms at a glance have a lot in common. This has fooled even some former disgraced distant students of Erle, who only trained with him in person a handful of times and then went on to write tomes on the subject!81 But then at a distance all trees on the horizon look the same! It’s only when we get close enough, are we then able to observe and realise that the trees are of varying varieties with different leaves, colours, structures, and in some cases not trees at all but shrubs!
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Chen Pan-ling makes it quite clear that his form is a synthetic form combining a variety of different styles and focused on health! The posture similarities between the ‘Old’ Yang and CPL’s form are easily explained because, for most part, Chen follows the sequence of Yang Shou-hou’s form, albeit with some modified components. He then adds in a mix of the two Wu’s, who also have their origins in the Yang family — thus essentially making it a Yang based form! However, the two forms differ considerably when looked at in detail, unlike the “90% same” claimed by some82! To start with Chen Pan-ling’s form contains NO fa-jing just as Yang Cheng-fu’s form, whereas, Erle’s form is full of fa-jing components and speed changes throughout the form! In fact, according to no less an authority then Grandmaster Doc-Fai Wong: “Fa-jing is for martial arts training. However, 95 percent of those learning Yang tai chi do it for health and relaxation, not for fighting. Today, a vast majority of Yang style instructors are not trained for fa-jing. The fa-jing training of the Yang family is not taught using the regular forms most people practice. The Yang family has another form the fast form, also called the small circle form — that is specifically for fa-jing training…. In ancient times, fa-jing was not taught to outsiders of the Yang family. Therefore, the teachers of today’s instructors had never learned fa-jing and could not have taught it. If a modern-day instructor knows fa-jing, he probably got it from other martial arts training. Besides the lineage of my teacher, Dr. Hu Yuen Chou, other great teachers of tai chi such as Fu Zhong Wen, Dong Ying Jie, Yang Zhen Duo, and Cheng Man Ching didn’t show fa-jing in their forms. Has anyone seen the Chinese contemporary Yang 24 form, the 40 form and the 88 form with fa-jing? Please let me know (of course, not counting the videos from the Australian instructor). And, it’s not only the Yang tai chi style that doesn’t show fa-jing in the form. The Guang Ping Yang style, Wu, and Sun styles of tai chi (as well as some other branches) don’t show fa-jing. The Chen style is the exception. That doesn’t mean those tai chi styles have no fa-jing teaching for their closed-door disciples. When tai chi is taught for fighting then fa-jing training is essential. I am sure that all advanced tai chi levels have fa-jing training. Forty-five years ago when I was a tai chi student, I saw no one from Chen or Yang style that could show me fa-jing. That was what I meant to say in my previous column. I wish that this Australian Yang tai chi instructor was around when I was learning to show me his Yang fa-jing. I could have learned it from him. I wish I had met him 45 years ago. Now when we talk about Yang tai chi, we are talking about Yang Cheng Fu’s teaching. The teaching style of Yang tai chi in Australia might very well have come from the Yang family, but it is not what most people practice in China. However, I am happy that in Australia there is an instructor who is able to promote the real essence of tai chi chuan (that is to say as a fighting martial art).”83 The “Australian Instructor” of course is a reference to Erle, himself! There are no leaping segments such as the ‘Sleeves dance like plumb blossom’ in Chen’s form! There are far more postures in the ‘Old’ Yang than in Chen’s form. At the small frame H’ao Ch’uan level the differences are even greater! In the ‘Old’ Yang one must aspire to 5 levels of the form. Chen’s book most certainly does not contain these! There are far more lower movements like ‘Bend backwards’ in the ‘Old’ Yang which are totally omitted in Chen’s form. Also, Chen’s book and form do not show the essential opening and closing movements nor the yin yang of the hands and the feet which are evident from the ‘Old’ Yang from the start. There are also differences in the way key postures such as ‘Fair Lady Works Shuttles’ are performed! The
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component of the ‘shuttle’ being passed is totally lacking in Chen’s form as it is in all the modified Yang forms! The ‘Old’ Yang is far more athletic in nature and one has to be already healthy to begin it! The ‘Old’ Yang, Chen Pan-ling’s form, and Yang Cheng-fu’s long form, all follow a similar order or sequence despite the differences, obviously because all three have their origin in the same root! Those who have ever observed the ‘Old’ Yang being performed by Erle or any of his senior students will see immediately that it is not a form which can be learned from a book. That much is made clear even from within Chen’s book! Chen Wei-ming when asked if the order of the Taiji form could be changed tell us: “Traditionally, the sequence of the postures is established and the transition between each of the postures is very natural. Students should follow it. In a good literary essay you can’t simply add or subtract a word. Although their are many ways of writing, once the text is down, it cannot be altered without detriment. For the most part Taichi follows the same rule.”86 So, those who claim that the ‘Old’ Yang does not exist or was simply made up by Erle Montaigue - well… the historical evidence, available, is clearly stacked against your reasoning! Erle was a double Yang vis-a-vis his lineage! Erle could have played the ‘game’ — accepted Yang Shouzhong’s offer via Chu King-hun, donned the silk suit, and today he would have been recognized as one of the great representatives of the Yang family style! But, no! He was a man of scruples, who instead decided to swim against the tide and truly earn the title of “A Passionate Martial Arts Root Seeker From Across The Ocean.” His continuous search for the “Supreme Ultimate Boxing” lead him to Chang Yiu-chun, who would impart to him the knowledge of Yang Shou-hou. People have often commented either how lucky it was that Erle met Chang - or have discounted Chang as a figment of Erle’s imagination! Erle never believed in luck, but he certainly believed in fate and… he would have said that he was fated to meet Chang! Erle always said that he “stood on the shoulders of ‘giants’” — in other words, he didn't make up the ‘Old’ Yang but rather he was merely transmitting what other men of genius before him had taught, before Taijiquan became a business in the West! He not only rediscovered important information, he also had the generosity to place that information in the public domain for everyone to see! Today there are many ‘masters’ from Europe - the UK, Italy and France in particular, North America, Australia, Africa and even China, who have utilised Erle’s hard found information without crediting him as the source of their knowledge! It would do their reputations no good if it were found that the source was a “high-nosed, blueeyed” Aussie as opposed to a Chinese person! I could name and shame people but to be honest — like Erle I’m not going to play that stupid game! Genuine class, skill and knowledge will always stand apart from the rest of the crowd… and when that skill is seen then ‘giants’ such as Fu Zhongwen will stand up and applaud! So, why, several years after his death are the electronic warriors still rabidly discussing Erle’s lineage and form? Perhaps it helps them sleep better at night. Repeat a lie enough times and it almost begins to sound true! The alternative is to accept that a white Australian, managed to discover what their Chinese masters failed to do and of course that’ll never do! History is littered with examples where lone voices speaking the truth were drowned out by the cacophony of the crowds wishing to maintain the status quo! But not this one — not Erle Montaigue! Egos are dangerous. Reputations built on financial arrangements and falsehoods worse still. But history is already proving them wrong! Erle’s contribution to the history of the internal arts has not yet been fully appreciated. I believe that one day this will be rectified but only if the present generation continue to train hard and put the ‘Old’ Yang Style firmly back where it belongs! The lone voice is slowly being joined by other voices!
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Notes 1.
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.
According to Gu Liuxin, the famous martial arts historian and former student of Yang Cheng fu, the art of Yang Lu-ch’an was referred to as Zhan Mian Quan (cotton boxing), Ruan Quan (soft boxing), or Hua Chuan (transformation boxing). — “An Introduction To Yang Style Taijiquan” : Mastering Yang Style Taijiquan by Fu Zhongwen; translated by Louis Swaim. Chang Yiu-chun, the teacher of Erle Montaigue, referred to the Yang family art as H’ao Ch’uan or ‘loose boxing’. Originally published as Tai Chi Chuan Chiao Tsai by the Chen Shan Mei Publishing Company in Taipei, Taiwan. This Chinese language edition appeared in 1963. The English language translation was published in 1998 by Y. W. Chang and Ann Carruthers entitled: Chen Pan-ling’s Original Tai Chi Chuan Textbook. Chang Y. W. & Ann Carruthers. Chen Pan-ling’s Original Tai Chi Chuan Textbook, Blitz! 1998. pp. xxvi. The full list of Masters with whom Chen trained appears in Appendix B pp. 163-66. ibid. pp. xxix. ibid. pp. xxviii. ibid. pp. xv. ibid. pp. xviii. ibid. pp. xix. ibid. pp. xxiv. taijiworld.com - Erle Montaigue, 1949-2011 ibid. Chang Y.W. & Ann Carruthers. Chen Pan-ling’s Original Tai Chi Chuan Textbook, Blitz! 1998. pp.xiii
81. Butt, Nasser. Combat and Healing, Volume 60. November 2009. WTBA News. pp. 44-47. 82. ibid. 83. Doc Fai-Wong. No Fa-Jing in Yang Tai Chi Form Practicing. Column by Grandmaster Doc-Fai Wong INSIDE KUNG-FU MAGAZINE, July 2004 Issue. 86. Chen Wei-ming. T’ai Chi Ch’uan Ta Wen - Questions and Answers on T’ai Chi Ch’uan. Shanghai, 1929. Reprinted by the T’ai Chi Ch’uan Research Association of the Republic of China, Taipei, 1967. Translated by Benjamin Pang Jeng Lo & Robert W. Smith, 1985. Blue Snake Books, an imprint of North Atlantic Books. pp.20.
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Yang Ch'eng-fu Form - The Martial View A Brief Introduction Peter Jones
I
n this series of articles in Lift Hands magazine I will be showing readers the Yang Ch’eng-fu form from its martial perspective, and looking at the postures in more than one way. I know that some out there think that Yang Ch’eng-fu is not as martial as Yang Lu-ch’an - they couldn’t be more wrong! Both forms are martial as well as healing arts. We all know that Ch'eng-fu [1883-1936] was responsible for toning down the martial side, in order to make it easier for everyone to learn but, the martial has always been there. In this series of articles, I will be showing the basic martial applications from Yang Ch’eng-fu's form for the beginner. As your knowledge, skill and understanding improves through good training, you will go on to discover the higher techniques from within the same postures. We all know that Erle wrote many books, and one of them Power Taiji - is about the Yang Ch'eng-fu form and a great book to have in your library. Let us begin with the opening posture of the form.
Figure 1
1.Your partner may grab you around your chest area [this one is very easy to execute]. You re-attack your partner’s arms by raising your own palms up attacking his arms and then slamming both your palm downwards into his chest [Figure 1]. 2.This time your partner comes at you with both his palms — as if he is going for your neck — but you meet him before he gets to your neck, by grabbing both of his arms and pulling him downwards onto your knee [Figure 2]. 3.In the third application your partner throws a punch to your head. Bring both your palms up to defend against the punch as you take a step [or two] to move around your partner finishing behind him [Figure 3A]. You pull him down backwards [Figure 3B]. You could use your knee to attack his back or spine as you pull him downwards using his shoulder or head. These are more than three way to use the first move in the form.
Figure 2
Figure 3A
Figure 3B
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These are just some of the ways Yang Ch'eng-fu's form could be used for self-defence. We all know that Yang Ch’eng-fu has a good healing side, but I hope you can see that it has also got a good martial side too. It is this martial view of the Yang Ch'eng-fu form which will be our focus. In my own training, Erle had me doing Yang Ch'eng-fu's form first before moving on to Yang Lu-ch’an's form. He told me that it would be good to learn Ch'eng-fu's form first because, learning this form, will give you a great understanding and foundation before going on to Yang Lu-ch’an's form, [How right Erle was and for that I thank him]. He further added… once you have learned Ch’eng-fu's form, when doing Lu-ch'an's form — there's only a few moves different you'll have to learn, [Erle’s words not min]. But having said that, in Lu-ch’an's form there are a good few moves more! [I do apologise about the drawings. I would normally take photos but the times we are in at the moment, I am unable to do so and I hope the drawings will serve their purpose for now]
Yang Cheng-fu demonstrating a martial application Image taken from Methods of Applying Taiji Boxing by Yang Cheng-fu and Dong Yingjie, 1931.
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19
I
first met Erle in 1997 after being invited to attend his Sunday classes at his home. He made this invitation to me personally after only a brief chat on the phone, that was the way he was. That invitation was the beginning of many hours of training with Erle and his fantastic, eclectic group of students. More than just training it became a family event with my wife and two sons mingling with Erle’s family, never doing a moment of training themselves but getting up to as much mischief as humanly possible. Family was also what Erle was about. I hold no claim to any special closed door training because Erle had no need for that. He showed everyone willing to watch the Essence of Taiji, right in front of you. If you attended any of his training sessions or workshops you received a lifetime of future content. Nothing secret to see here…just watch. Sadly many people failed to understand that they needed to “watch” so that they could understand the essence of Taiji. The future of their Taiji depended on it. Most people spent the time trying to copy or imitate the movements because they thought that they were ready. They were not…if only they had “watched” they may have been ready one day. You may be able to shake left, right, left but if you had only watched you would have gained so much more. Arguing whether it was left, right, left or right, left, right meant that your eyes were not open. When I was attending Erle’s training sessions I was not ready for the advanced…I was a beginner, however I knew when to listen and when to watch. Yang Cheng-fu’s third son Yang Zhenduo stated in his book Yang Style Taijiquan that the “explanations on usage are brief so that the trainees will learn the essence of the movements without following them mechanically.” Obviously he also suggests if you just imitate the movement then you are in danger of missing the point.
Erle teaching in Leicester whilst being observed by Romina Naito 2009 World Champion, Lee Family Style Taiji.
If you disagree and find that high level imitation is all that you need to know an art then I say that you are forever stuck in time. You are copying a point in time, a piece of a journey…someone else’s journey. Erle is no longer with us…yes you can pick up the mechanical movements from a video but you need to find yourself a good instructor and when they say, “Just watch,” stop what you are doing and with every fibre of your being do just that…your future depends on it.
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Introduction
T
he plough, according to the Society of Ploughmen1, is one of the most ancient of farming tools:
‘Historians are generally in agreement that the earliest implement was probably a crude pointed bent stick or tree branch which was used to stir and break the soil surface. In effect, a hand-held hoe in which the user scratched at the earth to bring nutrients to the surface and let moisture penetrate the soil. This would then produce a suitable tilth and condition in which seeds could be sown. Over 4000 years ago, those basic hand-held tools soon developed into simple ‘scratch’ ploughs. These primitive ploughs were pulled by oxen, camels or even elephants and in some instances even their women folk were used… These ‘scratch’ ploughs continued to be used for thousands of years.
Figure 1
Figure 2
The primitive plough made an open shallow furrow, pushing soil away to either side rather than inverting it. The ancient Egyptians made considerable advance in its design. They also succeeded in growing many crop varieties in their dry arid climate by devising complex irrigation systems. As depicted on many of their monuments, the development of the plough from hand-held sticks to implements pulled by animals put them far ahead compared to other civilisations. However, the Greeks and Chinese were not so far behind and further developed the Egyptian ploughs with wheels. These were known as ‘crooked’ ploughs because the beam curved forwards towards the draft animal. The fitment of wheels provided greater control and manoeuvrability. Oak was used for the share beam, elm the draught beam and iron for the shares. Iron at that time was very precious so plough metal would be reshaped into weapons in times of war. Eventually, the plough was developed to cut a long soil slice and turn it upside down, burying surface residue, conserving moisture, aerating the soil and killing weeds. …Anglo-Saxon law required every ploughman to make his own plough and that no one was entitled to use one unless they constructed it themselves. The origin of the word ‘plough’ is difficult to determine as throughout Europe the spelling is similar ‘plog’, ‘ploh’, ‘pflug’, ‘ploeg’, ‘plogr’ and old Saxon ’plog’.’2 So, whilst the purpose and function of the plough in general culture is pretty standard and well-known, and we use the word to describe the action ‘to go through a substance or an area of something with difficulty’ - it is to the East that we must turn in order to gain further insight not only into a fuller meaning of the word but also its use as an actual weapon in ancient times. Across the Indian subcontinent - as you traverse its length and breadth - the most common word used for the
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plough is ‘Hal’ regardless of the language you speak. Of course there are synonyms as would be expected in a land of a myriad of languages and even more dialects - however, it is agreed upon that the word has its origins in and is inherited from Sauraseni Prakrit 𑀳𑀎 [hala], and from Sanskrit चल [halĂĄ].3 The word simply means ‘plough’ [plow], as in the Western sense, in both Hindi and Urdu [‍ ]Ű Ů„â€Źand is pronounced the same - Hal. However, there is also a second etymological meaning of the word and it is inherited from Arabic [‍]Ř Ů‘ŮŽŮ„â€Ź ŮŽ 4, [Ḽall], written in Urdu as ‍ ﺣ‏- meaning ‘to solve’; ‘to dissolve’; ‘to loosen’ or ‘to unfold’. Further, another term used widely in both Hindi/Urdu derived from Hal is Halchal, also written Hulchul - a versatile noun meaning ‘turmoil’; ‘agitation’; ‘turbulence’; ‘panic’ and finally ‘hilana’ — ‘to shake’; ‘to disturb’ thereby changing its shape or position and ‘to jerk’ or ‘to jolt’. One can see that the term Hal [and its derivatives] in the Asiatic languages is very versatile indeed and pretty much describes every motion and action of the plough as it tears through the earth. The Hal or Hala was the weapon of the Hindu deity BalarÄ ma5 — the elder brother of Krishna - who was ‘also known as Baladeva, Balabhadra, Haladhara, Halayudha, and Sankarshana. The first two epithets refer to his strength, the last two associate him with Hala [Langala, “ploughâ€?] from his strong associations with farming and farmers, as the deity who used farm equipment as weapons when needed.’6 BalarÄ ma’s legend appears in many Parva [books] of the Mahabharata and his speciality weapons are fighting with the hala and mace. In the Bhagavata Purana, he uses it to fight demons, dig a way for Yamuna River to come closer to Vrindavan and pull the entire capital of Hastinapura into the Ganges River.6 In Western Culture, where ploughshares were turned into swords during times of war and the swords “beat into ploughsharesâ€? in time of peace — BalarÄ ma used the hala without changing its shape in both war and peace! The Plough is the fourth of the Wudang Hand Weapons. The primary skills it teaches are based upon P’eng and Arn, as well as rolling. It not only cuts and furrows through the opponents defences, it also rolls around and under in order to flip or invert the said defences. Further, just like in the legend of BalarÄ ma, it is used to ‘drag,’ ‘shake’ and ‘slam’ - thereby changing the shape or position of the opponent - just like the Yamuna River! Balarama, brother of Lord Krishna depicted holding his Hala. This mural is from the seventeenth century from a wall hanging in an Indian temple.
In attack, the plough primarily uses the ‘mother' & ‘father’ palms of Da Shou - although it is not limited to these in actual combat. It also helps develop and understand the ‘hooks’ of Arn and the ‘bow’ energy of the spine.
The structure of the arms primarily mimic the ‘crooked’ ploughs — where the beams curve forwards towards the draft animal [see Figure 2, above] — as well as the ‘scratch’ plough. The plough develops and trains the reflexive actions to perfection. Its primary target is the neck and it uses its curved structure to attack and defend simultaneously through a singular motion by using the opponents limbs as guidelines along which it furrows towards its intended target.
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The Solo Method
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Stand in a reverse Gōng Bù stance with your right leg forward and your left leg back. This isolates your hips, so that your primary movement comes from your waist. Your weight distributions are 70:30 percent in favour of the left leg. The hands hold the classic ‘old man’ posture - left hand p’eng and right hand hinge [Figure 1]. The right hand is held slightly yang. In this method both hands are going to strike a split second apart, so the waist turns will be very short and rapid. An observer watching the drill appears to see both hands striking together simultaneously.
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
As you start to bring your weight forwards onto the front foot, your waist turns left and right, as both hands are thrust forward with your forearms slightly rounded. Both wrists turn yin, causing the fingers to curve inwards [Figure 2], [Figure 7 - Side View]. As your waist now continues with its right, left motion, both wrists rapidly load and slam downwards - turning yin - as your fingers turn as far out as possible [Figure 3], [Figure 8 - Side View]. Again, as you continue with the left, right motion of the waist - both hands thrust forwards, this time with the palms turned slightly outwards as the wrists turn yang, causing the fingers to angle inwards [Figure 4], [Figure 9].
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Figure 7
Finally, as your waist continues its turn right, left - both wrists roll with the right rolling clockwise and the left rolling counterclockwise. The circle of the roll is small [Figure 5], [Figures 10, 11] and as you sit slightly back, both palms are once again thrust forwards like in the opening move [Figure 6], [Figure 12] as your waist settles in the centre.
Figure 8
Do remember that students were given one weapon per year to develop and master before they could go on to the next one. This means that there is more to this drill than meets the eye! Figure 9
Figure 11
In the two-person drill below, both practitioners must agree upon the purpose and the pace of their training, otherwise they will fail to learn the lessons which the drill will impart. All transitions must be fluid. The whole body must move as a single unit — connecting from the feet through the waist to the hands and rooted. The energy sunk into the Tantien!
Figure 10
Figure 12
The Two-Person Method
A
B
B instantly shakes his waist left/right as his arms thrust forward - ‘opening’ A’s arms - and striking into the vagus nerve with his fingers on both sides of the neck.
To start the method A attacks [press] B with both hands.
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Both B’s wrists rapidly load and slam downwards into the crease of A’s elbows [Lu5] - turning yin - as his fingers turn as far out as possible. This is NOT a push downwards - it is a rapid slapping motion causing A’s body to suddenly jerk forwards displacing his centre of balance.
B now borrows the energy from the slap downwards as his hands ricochet back towards the neck with the fingers of both palms turning inwards, striking into the pit of the throat [CV22], as well as the side of the neck.
A instantly counters B’s previous attack by rolling his palms under and around B’s arms by using the energy of his spine [loaded from the slap down by A ] - reversing the situation as his palms roll upwards and strike B in the Vagal triangle on Bothe sides of the neck.
Now A’s palms slam down onto B’s elbows in order to move B’s centre - his palms ricochet back towards B’s neck.
B continues to roll under A’s forearms…
… as he reverses the posture
B begins to roll his palms around A’s forearms borrowing A’s energy from the slap down to load his spine.
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… and re-attacks A’s neck releasing the energy of the ‘spinal bow’. This attack and reversal continues and develops the critical skills of the plough at the reflexive level.
A Word of Caution The points and targets mentioned in this drill are for reference purposes only! They are extremely dangerous and at no point should any attempt be made to actually strike your partner! References: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Society of Ploughmen - http://www.ploughmen.co.uk Ibid. A Brief History of The Plough by Alan Jones Wiktionary - https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/हल Ibid https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balarama Ibid
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Photography & Image CopyrightŠNasser Butt
E
rle Montaigue passed away with his family by his side in January 2011. Not a day goes by when I do not think about him, even just once. He made that much of an impact to my life. I am a selfish person. I miss his guidance, I am on my own now. When I do my morning practice, and I have a question, I must work it out myself, because there is no Erle at the end of the phone or responding to my emails, I took all that for granted.
Erle’s loyal students remain as protective of him today as they ever did. I have wasted a lot of time and energy in the past, fighting with keyboard warriors who think they can measure Erle’s ability by watching some YouTube clips. Erle years ago, had stopped engaging in such trivial matters, but I suppose I still have a lot to learn. So, what endeared Erle to me? He used to say something along the lines of: “Everyone will end up with the Tai Chi teacher they deserve”. So, in another life, I must have been a saint because I ended up with the best. Initially, I was attracted by his knowledge of the practical methods of Tai Chi Chuan. I was studying Tai Chi locally, with a very prominent teacher but the applications were never discussed. Out of frustration, I searched for some answers and purchased one of Erle’s early books. I had never heard of him at this point, as the internet was a mere twinkle in most people’s eyes. Any Tai Chi publication I had read up until this point showed unrealistic responses to unrealistic attacks and I needed to be convinced otherwise. When the book arrived, there was this lunatic with wild hair punching and kicking pads, bags and people. I was around twenty years old at the time and I eagerly brought the book into the class to show my teacher. He opened it, skimmed a few pages, looked me up and down in disgust and handed it back to me. The book went on the shelf to gather dust for a few years…. The next characteristic of Erle’s that appealed to me was his generosity. He had time for every question despite how irrelevant they must have seemed to him. He was also generous with his works. I had moved on years earlier from the teacher mentioned above and had since become a private student and assistant instructor for a Hong Kong national Wu style Tai Chi Chuan teacher. I was living the dream. I was learning hands on, one to one, not just the art of Tai Chi, but immersing myself into Chinese culture and philosophy as myself and my Sifu would spend hours together. However, it was my lack of understanding of the Chinese culture that ultimately led to an acrimonious split and once again, left me without a teacher. At this point, I contacted the lunatic with the wild hair from the book…. A week or so later, a parcel arrived at my house. I opened it to find two VHS tapes titled Tai Chi to the Max Volume 1 and Volume 2. Erle, upon hearing about my split from my Chinese Tai Chi teacher had taken it upon himself to send me two of his titles, free of charge. This was not business to him, he just wanted me to get the “good oil” as he so often would say. This generosity would be displayed throughout my time studying with him and I must admit, I never could have reciprocated with anything half as much. The next characteristic would be his warped, somewhat boyish humour. Almost immature at times but at the same time, extremely funny. I visited the village where he lived in Wales one weekend for a workshop and spent nearly an hour driving around all the back roads totally lost in my attempt to get home. I called him and asked for some directions and because he could sense my frustration, he just started to cackle non-stop down the phone line, which of course made me angrier than before. He found the whole episode hilarious. He was a very trusting person which surprised me at times as throughout history, his trust had sometimes been used against him. There are other people more qualified than me who can describe in detail how certain individuals would learn from Erle then leave his organisation and make all kinds of claims to belittle and vilify, this had to have hurt Erle deep down. Yet he continued to show trust in his loyal students. He once told me how much money he had in his bank account prior to moving to the UK which of course is a very personal matter. Erle had a myriad of qualities. Like all of us, he was also far from perfect, however, if he was unable to walk the talk so to speak, he would have been found out a long time ago. This is a person who held workshops worldwide for decades and could have been exposed at any one of these events. People like me would not have stayed with him. It’s as simple as that. I clearly recall on two separate occasions, attempting to take Erle’s head off during training. Both times, not only did I not even see his counter, but he inflicted enough pain on me to make me think “enough is enough thanks”.
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I have read some criticism over the years that his form was not pleasing on the eye or lacked beauty. First, I will say here and now, if you wanted a teacher who would insist on wearing the silk pyjamas and insisted on moving like a ballet dancer, then Erle was not your man. He had a build that did not aesthetically please at times, but Tai Chi is a martial art, not a performance art, and the martial was his forte and a further reason as to why he stood out from the crowd. For those people who would detract his form, I once witnessed a performance from him of the first third of the Old Yang form, done painstakingly slow, yet exhibiting complete balance and poise that when completed, drew a spontaneous round of applause from the attendees. Unlike a lot of the well-known names in martial arts circles, Erle had very little ego. He didn’t care that his love for family, animals and his continuing acts of kindness could be perceived as weaknesses. There was no need for any macho posturing, he was comfortable in his own self. He is greatly missed by us that knew him. We have a duty now to continue and expand on the knowledge that he gave us. He will always be my teacher, he will always be my mate, he will always be that lunatic in the book‌‌.
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Part 2
I
n the first part of this article we explored Taiji's way of establishing our ‘sphere of moving with power/awareness.’ This was a methodical process of establishing the limits of our range. Once understanding of this concept is developed (and it isn't a skill gained in a few months, it's something we need to cultivate over a many years), we can then move on to unfurling.
The two points from various classics that were highlighted were; "the waist as lively as a carriage wheel (The Great Pole Boxing Theory) " and "Central Equilibrium" (One of the primary energies of Taiji). 'Lively as a carriage wheel,' means being able to develop a supple and strong waist so the range of our rotation is maximized, which would allow a Taiji player to turn incoming force away from their center so they are not knocked over. A spinning top spins longest and fastest when upright. The slower it spins the easier it is to topple and any sort of lean will require it to spin faster to right itself. 'Central Equilibrium,' relates (in its basest form) to the straightness of the spine, any sort of leaning we permit to enter our postures, the more effort we require to stay upright and the easier it is to be toppled. No wonder trees prefer to grow straight up and building are made vertical, it is the easiest way for anything to stand. Principles are all well and good but what about actually striking something? I mean that’s what we are all here for really. When we want to produce power in any sort of strike energy must be gathered from the bottom up; from the legs (which are connected to the ground, to the waist through to the shoulders via the spine and out of the hands. By now it must be clear the advantages keeping aligned offers. It is the waist that transforms the legs energy from shooting upwards to a left, or right motion. The strong, supple waist that has been trained by countless repetition (the discussion for the first part of this article). Adding the two together is where the unfurling comes about. Take any ‘break entry,’ or forward step of any form, for example the posture of P’eng from grasping sparrows tail in Taiji. From block left we block right, load the waist right into the right leg (see figure 1).
Figure 1
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We step (figure 2) which loads the waist, our right leg posting us into the ground. Only now do we start to transfer our weight to the left leg and turn left (figure 3). Our left hand rises to 'ward off slantingly upward,' and our right arm moves down (figure 4). Breaking down the posture into four steps shows the whole process of the winding up and releasing of the body.
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Now even though the posture is designed to divert an oncoming strike to the face or produce a back fist attack, the power is built up is exactly the same. From the floor the energy we exert must be squeezed upwards, regardless of what the hands are doing. This is the crux, by learning not to fall and knowing our, 'sphere of movement,' any kind of power we need to produce is sent upward. Next the thighs and knees transfer the forward motion from back foot (figure 2) to front foot (figure 4), the directs and transform this energy by way of turning (figure 3). The shoulders and arms direct the hands which like leaves on a tree express the intention of the movement of the lower limbs. When we look at action of the hands, they are in fact doing the 'least' in term of producing and directing power. From figure 1 to figure 4, the left arm has moved up and the right arm has moved down. The hands, or rather the wrists, are the expression of our movements. Like a whip where the power is produced at the base and radiates to the tip, or where the wind disturbed the base of a flag rooted in the ground, the tip of the flag unfurls. This applies to any strike in any direction but it just so happens that the genius of old that created the forms placed the correct postures early on in pattern so the most important of concepts could be presented at the beginning. When we learn to unfurl, we discover how much we never used our bodies before. How power can be wrung from every muscle and sinew. But perhaps even more importantly, by learning how to move in this way, we are able to keep out body supple and strong right into our later years. After all, while muscles will waste with age, it is the sinews, the connective tissue that we are left with. I'll finish with another line for the Great Pole boxing theory, one of my favourites. "Regard the image of the old man able to hold off a multitude - How could this be by speed accomplished?" (All pictures have been reproduced from Erle Montaigue’s 'Old Yang Style Taijiquan')
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Images of Erle Montaigue - Photography & Copyright Š Nasser Butt
Do not be content with showing friendship in words alone, let your heart burn with loving-kindness for all who may cross your path.
'Abdu'l-Baha
M
any people have a “bucket” list of things that they want to do in this life, I have a list of remarkable people, to whom I owe a great debt for gifts that they brought to my life, and who are the first friends that I want to see in the next life. Erle Montaigue is one of those friends.
In a small book that I wrote called “Scent of a Forgotten Flower”, a book of meditations on the essence of T’ai Chi Ch’uan, I wrote, “I think that the greatest changes in my life resulted from a word, a gesture, a single deed, the silent passing of a gift from one hand to another, so gently and generously given that, at that moment, I did not recognize the blessing.” Many are those who attest to Erle’s profound generosity of spirit and the life changing gifts of kindness and knowledge that he bestowed upon them. To me Erle epitomized a belief of mine that, “If I am your friend you will not need my words of assurance, because you will know that I am your friend by my actions of kindness and generosity.” I not only considered Erle Montaigue my friend, but he and I were martial art brothers, since our primary teachers in the internal martial arts were both students of Yang Shao Hou. But perhaps more importantly, Erle and I shared a common philosophy that T’ai Chi Ch’uan was a combat martial art and we shared a passion for teaching T’ai Chi Ch’uan as it was originally created by Yang Lu Chan and practiced by the Yang family in the early years of its formation and before the modifications made by Yang Cheng Fu. In our friendship, Erle and I were united not only by our common lineage, our T’ai Chi Ch’uan philosophy, our sense of unconditional generosity and openness to others, but also by our thirst for historical knowledge on the internal martial and healing arts, and we were bonded and fused together because of the adversities that we faced from those critical of, and resistant to, Combat T’ai Chi Ch’uan. I long ago learned that arguing with others regarding their opinions or trying to change the opinions of others is a waste of time and energy. Erle knew this too and he knew that the best and most productive way to use your energy was in training those who were receptive to his message. There is no point pouring knowledge into a vessel that is full of opinions and ego. A friend of mine once told me, “For every light there is a shadow, the bigger the man, the brighter is his light, and the deeper and longer is the shadow that he casts.” Every great man and every great teacher have had a “Judas” and the marital arts community is full of them. Erle found that by simply pursuing truth and generously offering his amazing knowledge of the internal martial arts freely and openly that those in his shadow became his critics and detractors. The more you try to do what is right the more you will be challenged. The greater your knowledge the more the ignorant will question and criticize you. How do you know when someone has great capacity, has acquired profound knowledge, and has a unique gift to offer you? In other words, how do you know a true master? You know by their actions and Erle was one of the few who not only demonstrated his mastery of T’ai Chi Ch’uan to his immediate students, but he recorded and offered his gifts to the world. One of my teachers once told me, “You cannot give a gift you do not possess, and you cannot teach what you do not know.” Real T’ai Chi Ch’uan lives in the heart and Erle had the heart and fierceness of a lion. T’ai Chi Ch’uan is not simply a physical form, it is a way of life that shapes and moulds the soul. Erle fiercely personified the simple truth that everything is T’ai Chi, every action, every thought, every personal interaction, and every manifestation of life. Our friend to friend, teacher to student, and student to teacher relationships are T’ai Chi, Yin and Yang, and elemental in nature. Erle’s teaching, which he generously shared in thousands of hours of face to face, written, and recorded
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instruction, demonstrates the essence of T’ai Chi Ch’uan in the essential principles of test me and I will yield and redirect you, challenge me and I will dissolve and disappear, and attack me and I will disarm you and send you away confused. Erle’s life and legacy teaches that T’ai Chi Ch’uan begins in the heart and the mind and rarely requires a hand or a foot to punctuate conflict. When I watched Erle teach and demonstrate I saw a man who was able to bring the pure impulse of T’ai Chi Ch’uan into his body and soul like a primal urge, powerful, wild, and animalistic with the fierceness of a lion. All Erle needed to do was roar, and through his work, his gifted students, and the legacy of knowledge that he left to future generations, did he ever roar, and that roar is echoing still!
About the author: Dr. Gregory T. Lawton, D.C., D.N., D.Ac. is a chiropractor, naprapath, and acupuncturist. He is the founder of the Blue Heron Academy of Healing Arts and Sciences where he teaches biomedicine, medical manual therapy, and Asian medicine. Dr. Lawton is nationally board certified in radiology, physiotherapy, manual medicine, and acupuncture. He was the vice president of the Physical and Athletic Rehabilitation Center which provided physical therapy for professional athletes, Olympians, and victims of closed head and spinal cord injuries. Since the early 1960s Dr. Gregory T. Lawton has studied and trained in Asian religion, philosophy and martial arts such as Aikido, Jujitsu, Hap Do Sool, Kenpo/kempo, and Tai Chi Chuan. Dr. Lawton’s most noted Asian martial art instructor was Professor Huo Chi-Kwang who was a student of Yang Shao Hou.
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Editor’s Note It has taken more than a year’s painstakingly hard detective work to bring this world exclusive interview to the readership of Lift Hands in general and for those who have trained with Erle Montaigue in particular! For this, first and foremost, I must thank my friend and student Mungo Zhangruibo - he did most of the hard work which I have mentioned above — and Professor Wang Liang, the son of Master Wang Xinwu, for taking time out from his busy schedule whilst he was tending to his poorly mother to answer the questions I had put to him. To understand the historical importance of what is being presented here in detail for the first time, I must take the readers on a short journey back in time… For those who know me, know of my relationship with my teacher, mentor and friend - Erle Montaigue. It is well-documented. The project of what was meant to be a simple article on the subject of lineages first came to my mind around late 2006/7 between the two training camps in Rostock, Germany and the seed germinated in 2008 in the same location. It was here where Erle had asked me: “How many battles are you going to fight Nass? I could provide them with all the evidence they need but I’m NOT going to play their games and be distracted!” Upon return to the UK, I heeded Erle’s advice and put aside my accumulated notes and the associated historical records available in the public domain to one side, only to resume the battle six years later in 2014 - 3 years after Erle’s passing - entitled, ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway?’ Little did I know at that time that the battle would continue to rage into 2020 and that by this time, I’d not only be up against my old desktop foes, but also battling some whom I once considered friends! During the period of 2007-2011, Erle had steadily forwarded information to myself… a picture here, a picture there from his travels in China, the Philippines, Hong Kong, USA and elsewhere. The pictures would be accompanied by a short description and every now and then I’d ask him to expand on a particular subject to which he would oblige. I diligently kept notes… not only of my training but also regarding what I now call these “historical heirlooms” - or pieces of the jigsaw to which I would turn. Some of this stuff Erle had already placed in the public domain without much fanfare and minimal description — almost as if downplaying their significance yet, ensuring they were a part of his story. Erle had received his ‘Master Degree’ in China from Master Wang Xinwu in 1985 after being invited to perform at the All China National Wushu Competition, held in Yinchuan City - Ningxia, in the presence of no less an authority than Grandmaster Fu Zhongwen, himself. Before receiving his Mastership - Erle was tested in the presence of several masters specialising in Taiji, Baguazhang & Xingyi. This information is not really new… it has been out there in the public domain for a number of years. Whilst Erle had provided a brief introduction to Master Wang Xinwu in his publications and a video entitled ‘Chinese Masters Demonstrate, Vol.1,’ there were details amiss! Meanwhile, upon Erle’s death, the ‘lineage brigade’ in their online forums with fancy names were not only still debating Erle’s lineage but also denigrating those who had recognised him and had awarded him his mastership — these guys were “Communist representatives” of “wishy-washy” martial arts not the real deals! Further, in 2019, I was alerted to derogatory comments made from within ‘Erle’s camp’ regarding Grandmaster Fu Zhongwen by those who were trying to pass off their own self-declared masterships as genuine — they will be dealt with in ‘Concluding The Legacy.’ So, in November 2019, I sat staring at my computer screen, looking at the image of Master Wang Xinwu handing the Master Degree over to Erle in 1985 - his face beaming — in his capacity as a disciple of Grandmaster Fu Zhongwen and Vice-President of The China Wushu Committee. He was the key!
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With Erle’s tenth anniversary looming and playing on my mind, I wanted to conclude the legacy and whereas my previous research had been based in the what I could access online in the West, I now had the means with which to research within China itself! My student and friend, Mungo Zhangruibo, who was studying for his Phd here in Leicester, had to return back to Shenyang to care for his mother who had taken ill couple of years earlier. I sent him the photo of Master Wang Xinwu and Erle and a few other details and asked him to try to find out if he was still alive and teaching? Mungo went to work as we say — contacting the various martial arts authorities in China and searching their databanks. It took him a few weeks to find information on Master Wang Xinwu and then inform me that sadly, he had already passed away several years earlier. For a moment I felt at a loss - I had lost the opportunity! And then…”What about his school, his students Mungo? I know he had children. Who’s running the school? Does it still exist?” In January 2020 came the reply… “It took me quite a long time for this man-hunting - Prof. Wang Liang, who is the son of Master Wang Xinwu!” I will not publish the full details here [they will be published in the final version of ‘Whose Line…’] for what followed as it will take far too long. However, it began with a letter of introduction, evidence of credentials, personal details, subtle questions as if I was being assessed. More evidence. My lineage, my ancestry, my authority, and finally… “Prof. Wang would like to know about your name - Nasser - any special meaning in your language or culture?” I replied to each request with Mungo acting as my interpreter and representative… in between we got caught in the Covid-19 crisis, lockdowns and a world pandemic but continued our communications across the continents, and within the vastness of China itself , making sure we were all keeping well — building bonds and until we have arrived at this point. What follows is a brief interview with Professor Wang Liang — conducted by myself and translated by Mungo — regarding the history of his family in general and his venerable father in particular, as well as the era in which Erle made his visit to China. Due to the unique circumstances the world finds itself in and with Professor Wang also caring for his mother… I tried to keep the questions to a minimum and to the point, and likewise Professor Wang did too. Further, due to the constraints we were With my student and friend Mungo under, Professor Wang provided us with 2 documents which had Zhangruibo at my school in Leicester. already dealt with the historical questions regarding his father, so part of the answers come from these and is the reason why he, himself, and his father are in part referred to in the second or third person! However, despite this, I have no doubt that readers will clearly see the richness of the martial heritage of Master Wang Xinwu — rightly considered a legend in China for developing the martial arts of his people — and his family. In Islam it is a Quranic command to recite the Istirja (Arabic: ٱس ِت ْر َجاع, ْ ʾIstirjāʿ) upon receiving the news of someone’s death. Although Master Wang Xinwu died in 2005, I offer this upon learning of this ‘now’ as per tradition — Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un ِ " — ) إِنَّا هللَِّٰ َو إِنَّا إِ َليْ ِه َراVerily we belong to Allah, and verily to Him do we return." (Arabic: ج ُعو َن
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Q1: Professor Wang Liang, can you please give us a brief introduction about yourself and your family? 1: 王樑教授, 您可否简要介绍⼀下您⾃⼰和您的 家⼈? 答: 报纸采访推荐给您，讲的很详细 Answer: Please see the other document! Q2: Your father, Grandmaster Wang Xinwu was a renowned martial artist in China as well as the VicePresident of The China Wushu Committee and if I am correct — the creator of the Beijing 48 Style of Taijiquan, and a fight choreographer for the movies. Can you please tell us about your father - a brief biographical history - and how he rose to become such a prominent martial artist and the VicePresident of The China Wushu Committee? Please include who he trained with? His martial arts influences and the styles he practiced etc? 2: 您的⽗亲，王新武宗师是中国著名的武术家， 曾担任中国武术委员会副主席。如果我没错的 话，他创北京太极拳 48 式，以及在多部电影中 作武术指导。您能否介绍⼀下您⽗亲的⽣平， 比 如简短的传记，以及他如何成为⼀名如此杰出的 武术⼤家和中国武协副主席吗?请列举他师 从、 门派等?
Professor Wáng Liáng 王樑教授
[Editor: Professor Wang’s response to Questions 1 and 2 are combined from the provided documents below] 答: 1934 年，王新武出⽣在山东省济南市的⼀个武术世家，其⽗王兆 林早年在济南西关清真寺传授武 艺。他从 6 岁就开始跟随⽗亲习武。 1958 年他志愿报名⽀援宁夏，由山东调到宁夏体育运动委员会， 担 任武术运动员兼教练。从此在宁夏扎根，为宁夏培养了⼀⼤批武术⼈ 才，他⾃⼰也成为银幕内外的 “武林⾼⼿”。 Answer: In 1934, Wang Xinwu was born in a martial arts family in Jinan City, Shandong Province. His father Wang Zhaolin taught martial arts at the Xiguan Mosque in Jinan in his early years. He practiced martial arts with his father since he was 6 years old. In 1958, he volunteered to support Ningxia and was transferred from Shandong to the Ningxia Sports Committee as a martial artist and coach. Since then, he rooted in Ningxia and cultivated a large number of martial arts talents for Ningxia. He himself has become a "martial arts master" on and off the screen. 1964 年，在全国武术比赛中，他获得了太极拳第三名、⼤⼑第 三名的好成绩。宁夏武术队在全国武术 界声名鹊起。 In 1964, he won third place in Tai Chi and third place in Blade in the national martial arts competition. The Ningxia Wushu Team has gained fame in the national martial arts circle. 1975 年，王新武 41 岁，训练期间，膝盖拉伤，王新武总是⼀边 治疗⼀边训练，在第三届全国运动会 上，王新武 [获得太极拳项⽬冠军]，这也是宁夏获得的第⼀块全运会⾦牌。 In 1975, Wang Xinwu was 41 years old. During training, he strained his knee. Wang Xinwu continued his training while taking treatment. At the Third National Games, Wang Xinwu won the national Taijiquan competition, which was also Ningxia’s first gold medal in The National Games.
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Master Wang Xinwu — circa The Cultural Revolution 1966-76
其实除了太极拳，王新武还博采众长。全国名家王⼦平、查拳名 家常振芳是他⽗亲的朋友，形意拳名 家何福⽣是他长兄好友，利⽤这 些关系他投名师，学习了查拳和形意拳。 In addition to Taijiquan, Wang Xinwu also learned from others. The nationally wide known Wang Ziping and the famous Chaquan master, Chang Zhenfang, were friends of his father; and the well-known Xingyiquan master He Fusheng was his “brother” and friend. Taking advantage of these relationships, he learned Chaquan and Xingyiquan. 1982 年当选了第四届中国武术协会副主席 [He became] The 4th Vice Chairman of the Chinese Wushu Association in 1982. 王新武曾有⼀个雅号——“美髯公”，这和他的第⼀部电影《八 百罗汉》有关。 Wang Xinwu once had an elegant title — “Meiran Gong" (Bearded Man), which is related to his first movie "Eight Hundred Arhats”. 1983 年，应⾹港皇冠影业公司和中国新闻社南海影业公司邀请， 他在《八百罗汉》中，王新武扮演了 ⼀位权⾼势重、武功⾼强的⼤⾦ 国亲王，王樑则饰演他的侍卫队长。拍摄过程中，有⼀场戏，由于马 跑得太快，转弯时在地上溜倒了，王新武被甩出去五六⽶远后落在了 ⽯板上，王新武反应很迅速，安 全着地。影⽚获得观众的好评，⽽王 新武也因蓄有回族汉⼦特有的⼤胡⼦⽽被成为“美髯公”。 In 1983, at the invitation of Hong Kong Crown Film Company and China News Agency Nanhai Film Company, in "Eight Hundred Arhats,” Wang Xinwu played a powerful prince of the Jin Kingdom, and Wang Liang played the captain of his bodyguard. In the filming, there was a scene where the horse ran too fast and slipped on the ground while turning. Wang Xinwu was thrown five or six metres away and then landed on a stone slab. Wang
A family of martial artists — rehearsing choreography! Left to right: Professor Wang [leaping kick], his mother holding the sword in the background, M a s t e r Wa n g Xinwu, his sister [kicking] at Yinchuan Zhong Shan Park in 1985.
Xinwu reacted quickly and landed safely. The film was well received by the audience, and Wang Xinwu was also known as the "bearded man" because of the beard that is characteristic of the Hui men. 三部电影，五部电视⾥演员加武术指导 [He made a total of] Three movies, five TVs with actors and martial arts instructors. ⼉⼦王樑 6 岁开始练武，后来亦随⽗亲学习⼑术。在上海体育学院武 术系深造期间，参加全国⾸届体 育院校武术比赛，获得 5 枚⾦牌 1 枚 银牌。 His son, Wang Liang started training at the age of 6, and later learned sword skills with his father. During his advanced studies in the Wushu Department of Shanghai Sport University, he participated in The First National Martial Arts Competition among sports colleges and won 5 gold medals and 1 silver medal.
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List of Members of the 4th China Wushu Association (1982)
List appears courtesy of China Wushu Association - Master Wang Xinwu’s name appears right near top.
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回忆起跟随⽗亲习武，王樑说⽗亲⼀点也不“⼼疼”⼉⼦。训练 时，⽗亲⼿⾥拿着柳树条，⼉⼦练得不 好了就抽。8 岁那年，有⼀次 在公园练习双⼔⾸时，王樑不⼩⼼将⼑⼦扎进了右⼤腿外侧，⾎当时 就 流出来了，可是王新武就当没有看见，⼀直等到王樑练完才问他伤 势，为此王樑母亲和王新武吵了⼀ 架，后来这道伤⼜化了脓，留下了 ⼀个永恒的疤。“⽗亲认为练武的哪有不受伤的。”王樑很能理解⽗ 亲的⼼情。 Recalling the practice of martial arts with his father, Wang Liang said that his father did not “distress” at all training his son. During training, the father held willow sticks in his hand, and his son would be punished if he did not practice well. When he was 8 years old, Wang Liang accidentally pierced the knife into the outside of his right thigh when he was practicing a double dagger in the park. The blood flowed out, but Wang Xinwu pretended not seeing it. He waited until Wang Liang finished training, then asked about his injuries. Because of this, Wang Liang's mother and Wang Xinwu quarrelled. Later, the wound became pus and left a permanent scar. "Father thinks that there are no martial artists who are not injured." Wang Liang understands his father very well.
Master Wang Xinwu training Dao and Spear with his son, Professor Wang Liang in 1981
Q3: Your father was a direct descendant to inherit Yang Style Taijiquan. Can you tell us who he trained under in the Yang Style and about his relationship with Master Fu Zhongwen of Shanghai - the student and nephew of the legendary Yang Cheng-fu? 3: 您的⽗亲是杨式太极拳的嫡传后⼈。您能否告知他在杨式门中拜何⼈为师，以及他与上海传 奇⼈ 物，杨承福的侄⼦，的关系吗?
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答: 1963 年，王新武在上海学习近代武术训练法。其 间，他想拜访 傅钟⽂，但是⼀直没有时间。⼀天早 晨，王新武在公园练太极拳时， ⼀位长者叫住他， 说:“你的太极拳功底好，如果还想长进，每天早 晨来 公园找我。”这位长者就是傅钟⽂。拜傅钟⽂为师， 使王新武的 太极拳很快达到⼀个⾼峰。 多年后，都 会前往上海拜会傅仲 ⽂⼤师再进修。 Answer: In 1963, Wang Xinwu studied modern martial arts training in Shanghai. In the meantime, he wanted to visit Fu Zhongwen, but there was no time. One morning, when Wang Xinwu was practicing Tai Chi in the park, an elder stopped him and said, "Your Tai Chi skills are good. If you still want to improve, come to the park and find me every morning." This elder is Fu Zhongwen. Following Fu Zhongwen as his master, Wang Xinwu's Taijiquan quickly reached a peak. Many years later, he went to Shanghai to meet Master Fu Zhongwen and study further.
Master Wang Xinwu arriving with his teacher Grandmaster Fu Zhongwen to meet Erle Montaigue in Yinchuan, 1985.
Q4: What influenced your father to write his book on the 48 Techniques? 4: 是什么原因促使您的⽗亲完成了有关 48 式的著作? 答: 受原国家体委 中国武术协会邀请，当时全国太极 拳四位专家在北京，历时 ⼀年多，创编、完成了48 式太极拳全套动作。要求该套路要以杨氏太极动作 为主，融入陈、武、吴、孙式太极动作，并提⾼动作 Master Wang Xinwu teaching Taiji in Japan 的演练难度。 Answer: At the invitation of the former National Sports Commission and the Chinese Wushu Association. At that time, the four national Tai Chi masters were in Beijing. After more than a year, they created and completed a full set of 48-style Tai Chi. The routine is required to be based on Yang style Tai Chi, incorporating Chen, Wu, Wú, and Sun, and to increase the difficulty of the exercise. Below: Master Wang Xinwu demonstrating the 48 Techniques in Yinchuan 1985
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Q5: In 1985, during the All-China National Wushu Competition held in Yinchuan, my teacher Erle Montaigue was invited and gave a demonstration of his Old Yang Style Taijiquan which was witnessed by your father — did he ever mention this to you? 5: 1985 年，在银川举⾏的中华全国武术比赛中，我的⽼师(艾尔)蒙塔古 (Montaigue) 应 邀展⽰了他的杨 式⽼架太极拳，并得到了您⽗亲的见证。他曾经和你提起过这些吗? 答: 提起过，因当时我在上海体育学院上学，对我介绍蒙塔古 (Montaigue) ⽼师的详细情况并不多。 Answer: Yes, he mentioned. Since I was studying at the Shanghai Institute of Physical Education at the time, there were not many details about the teacher Montaigue introduced to me. Q6: In your opinion how rare was it to invite a non-Chinese practitioner to demonstrate at the All-China National Wushu Competition - especially in 1985? Had this ever happened before or since? 6: 您认为邀请非中国籍⼈⼠参加全国武术比赛有多么难得，特别是 1985 年?可以说这是史无 前例吗? 答: 是的，难度很⾼。 Answer: Yes, very difficult. Q7: During the same visit your esteemed father recognised my teacher Erle Montaigue and awarded him his Mastership. Once again, how rare an occasion was this for a non-Chinese to be recognised as a master in China? It is thought that Erle was possibly the first Western man to receive this honour? 7: 在同⼀次访问中，令尊慧眼识才，授予我的⽼师蒙塔古(Erle Montaigue)⼤师资格。再说， 对于⼀位 非中国籍⼈⼠，在此情此景之下得到认可是多么难得的⼀件事。有⼈认为蒙塔古可能 是第⼀个获此殊 荣的西⽅⼈?(您有什么看法?) 答: 全国不敢说，但在那个年代的确很少，在西 北五省区肯定是第⼀⼈。 Answer: I dare not say to the whole country, but it was really rare in that era. Anyway, it must be the first in the five north-western provinces.1 Q7A: So, it would be fair to conclude that Erle’s mastership was recognised as Yang Family line by both your father’s Taiji lineage through Fu Zhongwen and China Wushu Association - since your father, Master Wang Xinwu represented both? 7a/第七问延展 因此，我们可以得出这样的结论：蒙塔古(Erle)演 练的太极拳是与杨式太极传承⼀脉，技术⽔平得 到您⽗亲的认可。当时，令尊王新武⼤师不仅是 傅仲⽂宗师的亲传弟⼦，也担任中国武术协会副 主席⼀职，是吗︖
Erle receiving his Master Degree from Master Wang Xinwu in 1985, China
答: 是的。 Answer: Yes.
Q8: Your father and Erle remained friends and often wrote to each other. He also wrote the Foreword to Erle’s 1995 book Power Taiji. Can you please tell us about your honourable father’s passing and his continuing legacy and influence on Chinese martial arts? 8: 您的⽗亲和蒙塔古成为朋友，经常互通书信。他还在蒙塔古 1995 年出版的《太极⼒》⼀ 书中写了序 ⾔。关于令尊过世的情形，您可否告知⼀⼆，以及他对中国武术后继的影响? 答: 2004年患食道癌，2005年11⽉过世，终年71岁。
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我⽗亲教授太极拳的⼈很多，⼤约在2万⼈以上，成⽴了全国第⼀家太极 拳辅导站，获得国家体委和中 国武术协会的⾼度赞誉。不仅为全民健身做出 了贡献。同时，他所创建的太极拳辅导站模式在全国进 ⾏了广泛的推广。 王新武⼤师安葬于宁夏银川回民公墓。 Answer: [He]Suffered from oesophageal cancer in 2004 and died in November 2005 at the age of 71. My father taught Taijiquan to many people, about 20,000 or more. He established the country's first Taijiquan tutoring station, which was highly praised by the National Sports Commission and the Chinese Wushu Association. Not only has contributed to the national fitness, but also, the Tai Chi tutoring station model he created was widely promoted throughout China. Master Wang Xinwu was buried in the Muslim cemetery in Yinchuan City, Ningxia Province. Q9: Who now leads your father’s school? 9: ⽬前，哪位执掌令尊的武术门派? 答: 我女⼉王乾菁(北⽅民族⼤学 体育学院教师，全国冠军 健将级运动员) 在传承。 Answer: My daughter Wang Qianjing is in charge. She is a faculty member of the School of Physical Education of Northern University and a national champion athlete.
Miss Wang Qianjing — The daughter of Professor Wang Liang and grand-daughter of Master Wang Xinwu — current head of the school and continuing the family legacy.
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Professor Wang, Thank you so much for sharing your family history and the wonderful legacy of your father, Master Wang Xinwu with our readers. Thank you also for clarifying some of the historical questions regarding my teacher, Erle Montaigue’s visit to China in 1985. My best wishes to you and your family and I hope that we will continue our friendship and Inshallah meet one day soon. I bow low on behalf of myself and my school in respect to your father, Master Wang Xinwu. 王教授，非常感谢您与我们的读者分享您的家史 以及您⽗亲王新武⼤师的⽣平轶事。 同时，也感谢您澄清了有关我的师傅，埃莱·蒙塔 古（Erle Montaigue），在1985年访华时的⼀些历 史性问题。 我对您和您的家⼈给予最好的祝愿，并希望我们 继续增进友谊，早⽇见⾯ (saying in Arabic: Inshallah)。 我代表⾃⼰和我的门派向您的⽗亲王新武⼤师致敬。
Master Wang Xinwu 王新武⼤师 1934 - 2005
All historical images of Master Wang Xinwu and his family appear courtesy of Professor Wang Liang and are copyrighted. No unauthorised use of these images is permitted without explicit consent of the copyright holders. This interview is copyrighted © by Nasser Butt 2020. All rights Reserved.
Notes: 1. The 5 North-Western Provinces of China with a combined population of 100 Million (2017), where Erle Montaigue became the first Westerner to be recognised as a Master of Yang Taiji in 1985.
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artial arts are a Chinese national sport. They are also to be treasured by all people of the world. They are not governed by sex, age, location, seasons, or weapons. Because peoples of the world are now exchanging cultures and martial artists have similar interests, friendships of mutual benefit to all concerned arc being formed. The purpose of a martial art is to toughen your bones and muscles for self-defense and to improve your intelligence and mental attitude. Martial arts consist of both attack and defense, and these movements need to be placed in sequence to create a style. Taijiquan is one style of martial art. There are five different versions. The most popular versions in China are the Chen and Yang styles. The Yang style is very relaxed, smooth, and slow, with internal strength. It is suitable for all people, including the old, the weak, or those suffering from illness. In May 1985, Erle Montaigue brought the Australian Taijiquan Boxing Association members to visit Yinchuan City in Ningxia to see the AllChina National Wushu Competition. Master Montaigue gave a demonstration of his Yang-style Taijiquan, which was very well received by the audience, and the local newspapers and television station interviewed him. He is well remembered by the Chinese people since this time. I saw Master Montaigue's demonstration. His tuisau (push-hands), qi development, and style were very professional and close to perfection. I appreciate his knowledge. I know Master Montaigue has introduced Taijiquan to Australia and the Pacific region with excellent results. I am one of the direct descendants to inherit the Yang-style Taijiquan. I have written a book of 48 techniques, and I am also a Chinese Taijiquan champion. Master Montaigue and I have built a very good friendship because of our mutual love of Taijiquan and the fact that we are close to the same age [in terms of experience in taiji, not in literal years —Ed]. Also, we both have beards and curly hair and have worked on films. Our friendship is not only on a personal basis, however; my hope is that it will cement a friendship between Australia and China and group together to improve the standard of martial arts. I wish Master Montaigue every success in his business, and I wish Australia national success in Taijiquan. I send my special regards to martial arts devotees throughout the world. Master Wang Xinwu Foreword Power Taiji 1995
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I
f I were to go into the details of how Colin and I met and our relationship ever since then — it would simply take forever!
Although we had known of each other for some time through Erle, we finally met… found each other in Rostock, Germany 2007. Since that day we have continued to get together in the USA, Cyprus and routinely in the UK. In fact, it would be fair to say that Leicester has now become a second home for Colin through his bi-annual trips from Australia - and I must thank his wife, Lauron, for allowing him to come and stay with me for weeks on end each time. When I describe Colin as my brother - I literally mean it! We cannot choose our bonds of blood, but we are able to make that choice with those that we meet on our life’s pathways and he is indeed my brother in the truest sense. For several years now, each weekend, without fail, hours of our Saturday nights leading into Sunday mornings, are spent chatting on FaceTime, where we sit discussing world affairs, languages, books, general crap, life, families and our love for our art.
To say that he has perhaps, singlehandedly, encouraged and influenced me the most over the past few years would be an understatement! Many of our conversations over these years — whether in person or over the phone — have led us down a myriad of rabbit holes as we have explored and dared to question some of the established canon of our inherited martial art. By questioning, I don’t mean in an offensive or derogatory manner in order to simply shock or be different. No, far from it! These questions have, in fact, led to much soul-searching and looking inwards as well as forcing myself to search for answers elsewhere — and many treasures have been yielded indeed! Many of the articles appearing in Lift Hands - as well as the concept of the magazine, itself — bear the hallmarks of these conversations and I believe that I, myself, have become a better martial artist and person as a result of them and for this I will always be grateful. As I said at the start of this introduction, if I were to continue, it would require reams of paper and then some. So, I am going to allow Colin to give us a small introduction to himself, before we continue onto the 20 Questions. Welcome Colin Power to Lift Hands Magazine. Over to you…
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Training in Cyprus
“Like most of us I came into the world damaged and have had to make the best of what I have”. I was a bit of an odd bode as a kid and always felt out of place until I walked in a local primary school hall to take my first Tae kwon do lesson. I was not a naturally gifted student, just an average Australian 14 yr old boy that chose to work hard and be the best I could be. I had a good honest instructor that encouraged you. I continued with Tae Kwon do until going to university to study podiatry. University was in another city and meant living away from home at the tender age of 17. We grew up a bit faster then and you tried not to be a financial burden on your parents if it was possible. The excitement to me was finding a new instructor and of cause doing as little study at university as possible. I went through the telephone book and narrowed my selection down to something I could afford and something I could get to on foot or by bicycle…I was rather poor. Luck had it that a new martial art to Australia had opened up not far away and I was accepted as a student of Ninjutsu. The instructor had just returned from living in Japan for a few years…this was the early 80’s. I was young and safety laws …what were they. We fought full contact in every training session and in every thing we did. For 4 yrs I don’t think I had a week without a bruised something and my nose may not be as straight as it should be. It was also the first time that meditation and healing was introduced to me in a formal way. I was lucky that I had found two instructors that had pushed me to find my own path. They also taught me how to pull apart and find the essence of an art. Time off to build a Podiatry business and start a family…then the restlessness began, I went looking for another instructor. A false start with Karate…it was not the art but the chief instructor. Pick a good instructor rather than pick an art and if you end up going off to find another art at least you have spent some time with a good person. I had always read Australia’s best martial art magazine of the time “Australasian Fighting arts” and found the articles of Erle Montaigue interesting so one day I called him up on the phone to see if he had any instructors in my area. Sadly he didn’t but we chatted for a while and he said if I didn’t mind a bit of a drive I could come and train at his place. It was more than a bit of a drive but my lovely wife pointed out it was “only” 6 hours drive each way…and that started my time training with Erle and my introduction to Taiji.
71With Alex Krych, Erle and Nasser in Salisbury, MD, USA [2010]
It was 1997 and I had found my next instructor. I would do a lot of driving to train with Erle and when he left Australia I would do a far amount of flying to visit in Wales and train with him in Germany and USA. Erle awarded me my Instructor certificate in 2000 for dedication and hard work…it is the only certificate that I really need. I have a Masters Degree in Podiatry but my patients don’t come for the piece of paper on the wall and I feel the same way about my martial arts grading. If you want to train with me great but don’t come for a piece of paper on the wall. Martial arts is an extended family and my family blended in well with the Montaigue family and we still keep in touch on a personal basis. I left the World Taiji Boxing Association in 2016 because I had grown separate to it after the death of Erle. Comes a time when you realise that you don’t need someone to tell you how to do your art but to encourage you to study your art. I found Nasser…he says he found me, in Germany in 2007 and he has been encouraging me ever since. Martial arts has been important to me for a very long time but the people I meet through Martial arts are probably more important. Just an Aussie boy doing the best he can…nothing special. LH: Thanks for that Colin! Certainly got some pedigree there and mileage. I know of many students who literally have a club on their doorstep and yet struggle to make it to classes — let alone drive for six hours each way! Well, if you are ready for your questions, let us begin - If you could have personally witnessed anything, what would you want to have seen? CP: I often look around and think, “I wonder what this would have looked like before Man got his grubby little fingers on it”. The answer is easy… I would like to look upon my natural environment, all the places I have visited in my like and have a look at the dawn of time. The time before Man and his / her rise. LH: If you had to leave earth on a spaceship and take 4 people with you, who would they be? CP: If earth was going to continue to exist and my family would be safe to proceed with their lives then I would leave them to continue on their own journey. I would take a pilot, engineer and a medical practitioner …that leaves me one person. That person needs to be interesting and at the same time challenging. Someone that you know will be a good companion on an adventure. This was a no brainer because we have gone on many adventures together and still talk to each other. My lovely wife Lauron gets to come on another adventure as long as she can call the kids as often as she wants. Nasser as long as you can learn to fly the spaceship you can come too. LH: Hmmm… So, you only want me to learn how to fly the ship — not land it? [Laughs] In what ways are you the same as your childhood self? CP: My Mother would say stubborn , my sister would say annoying and my brothers might say that they didn’t know they had another brother LoL. Me… I would say that I have always been a deep thinker that can disappear into my own thoughts. LH: What animal best represents you and why? CP: I had the nickname “Duck” at one stage of my martial arts journey because of my ability to do a reasonable Donald Duck voice. I have also been called “Bear” because of my size but to me I feel very at home in the water…any water animal will do. LH: What is your greatest strength or weakness? CP: Strengths and weaknesses are funny concepts because they are interchangeable depending on the circumstance that you find yourself in. I try to be non-judgmental and accepting…sometimes I succeed and sometimes I don’t.
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LH: Do you trust anyone with your life? CP: Every time that I get in the car with my meaningful other at the wheel. LH: How do you want to be remembered? CP: Many cultures have men and women doing heroic deeds so that they can become immortal in song and stories. It is not likely that I am going to be remembered for long outside of my family and close friends. I would be happy if a smile came to your face when you thought of me…I don’t need to be thought of as a fearsome warrior. LH: What have you always wanted and did you ever get it? CP: I always wanted a farm with horses and yes I did have that farm but I was too busy and too poor to enjoy it. Next time I will be more specific when I talk to the Jinn and make a wish. LH: Do you know your heritage? CP: You don’t have long enough…one of my ancestors brought the 1st mule team to Australia from Chile. You could say that we have been Australian for a long time. My Irish grandfather fought in WW1. He was from a wealthy family but came back from the war to find his Father had remarried and was not allowed in the house by the new wife so he returned to Australia where he had been traveling when war broke out. I was told that we were Black Irish which I have been told means we had some Spanish blood from the Spanish Armada. LH: Are you still learning who you are? CP: I stopped trying to learn “Who” I am.. then I started to accept myself. This journey of acceptance is ongoing. LH: What, if anything, are you afraid of and why? CP: I’m afraid of many things, imagined and true. Imposter syndrome is possibly the biggest. I don’t try and reduce this fear because it drives me to new places that I may not have gone to without it. It drives me to study my art for fear of you finding out that I don’t know anything… LH: What is the most memorable class you have ever taken? CP: I have had many memorable classes and they all have one thing in common. People coming together to study, train and laugh until your sides hurt. LH: What book has influenced you the most? CP: I am an avid reader and have to read constantly to keep up with professional development as a Podiatrist. My thoughts are influenced by the written word and open new doors of exploration, unseen until someone guides you there with a few words. We have to be ready to read those words.
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With Elliot Morris
With close friend - The Late Tony Pillage
Books: Jonathan Livingston seagull popped out of my memory as an early influencer. (One of those books that you give away and is never returned) Infinite and finite games by James P. Carse is something that you should read when you are ready. LH: What ridiculous thing has someone tricked you into doing or believing? CP: I once went swimming in a creek with the Montaigue children and they wanted me to try a big rope swing that was attached to a tall gum tree which swung out into the creek. You had to leap out to grab hold of the wooden Nasser Butt, Colin Power, Peter Jones (centre), Adrian Jones & Elliot Morris crosspiece attached to the rope and hold on for dear life so that you didn’t hit the bank below. Well, they were young and light and I was much older and more solid. I did a spectacular leap and grabbed the crosspiece for it to crumble in my hands and I only missed the bank of the creek by a hairs width to surface to the load and nervous laughter of children that had guessed what would happen but didn’t realise what a close call it would be. LH:Who or what has been the greatest influence in your life? CP: Women…I have been blessed to have many strong influential women in my life that have appeared at just the right time. LH: What is the craziest thing one of your teachers has done or made you do? CP: I was demonstrated on by Erle this one day that he wanted to show the effect of pressure on the acupuncture point GV26. I think it was a turning point in our relationship when he realised what a stubborn man I can be. My eyes were watering and I couldn’t feel my lip properly for the rest of the day but we laughed afterwards and I got to learn that a strike to GV26 is very unpleasant. LH: When did you screw everything up, but no one ever found out it was you? CP: I screw up every day…don’t tell my patients. LH: If you had to choose to live without one of your five senses, which one would you give up and why? CP: One of my Grandfathers lost his sense of smell and he thought it was great because he didn’t have to wear deodorant anymore. We tried to persuade him otherwise but old men get set in their ways once they think they can save some money. I will give up smell because my Grandfather seemed to get on rather well without it. LH: If you could select one person from history and ask them one question — who would you select and what would the question be? CP: I talk to elderly people every day and find their lives fascinating because they are living history. I don’t need to ask a famous historical figure because I have found that average people have amazing knowledge…a well travelled Neolithic adventurer would be fun to sit down with and have a chat. The question: “What is your best story?” LH: How would you describe your art in ten words or less? CP: It is what you make it…
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Martial arts has been important to me for a very long time but the people I meet through Martial arts are probably m o r e important.
With Tony Pillage
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hat’s next?
How often have I heard those words uttered by students over the years! I have always advocated that all students pay heed to the foundations of the system, as have some of the other ‘old school’ instructors, like Peter Jones, especially since Erle’s death. Although others too have paid lip service to this mantra of “foundations,” very few actually have understood what this entails, and it is not too difficult to spot those who know and those who don’t! The foundations are critical in the survival and understanding of any system and in the development of the student him or herself. However, over the years, I have seen many students, both my own and those of Erle and other instructors rushing towards the ‘advanced’ forms or ideas and training methods, despite being warned repeatedly against such a folly. Erle was prolific at putting out information on the internal arts so that we were all able to advance in our training. However, he was always at pains reminding everyone that just because he was showing the ‘advanced’ ideas or forms, it didn’t mean that everyone was ready to do them. Rather, it was his way of showing the diligent students of what lay ahead if they continued to train correctly. I will let you in on a ‘secret,’ if you haven’t figured it out already — there are no advance forms per se! There is only the form — the one form — perfect from the start. The imperfections, however, are in us, the practitioners. The form goes to work on us right from the start, like a master craftsman, a stone mason, it slowly chips away at our imperfections if [and it’s a BIG IF], we allow it to do so, sculpting and moulding us in its own image. This is what practicing the foundations is all about. There is no ‘opening and closing’ form. If you practice your form correctly and pay heed to the foundational principles, you will one day arrive naturally at the point where the opening and closing movements will begin to manifest themselves. Most students, however, buy the “To The Max” series [some even begin with this instead of MTG2], and physically start to put the opening and closing movements into their form, as opposed to using these volumes as a guide once ‘opening and closing’ has already begun to happen naturally. This would be akin to attaching a patch made from sackcloth onto the finest silk! Instead of learning from the form, you are now trying to become its ‘teacher,’ this is surely a recipe for disaster! The same is true for the ‘waving form’ and the ‘stone hands form,’ and all the various other ways Erle showed the form could be done. He was simply laying down markers on a route, showing which way to head once you had come upon that road and how the various energies interplayed in the ONE form. The form is littered with ‘keys’, which when found or given, lead you to the higher levels of practice. But these ‘keys’ can only be discovered or given when the student is ready. Most students, in fact, will go through a life of training never even realising of their existence simply because they have ignored the foundations! I have been often accused of focusing too much on the foundations by some of my own students as well as others. I do not apologise for that! It is my duty to ensure that the system I have inherited and had the privilege to teach over the last 20 years or so, passes on exactly as it was taught to myself. The fact that most students fail to understand the precise nature of the foundations makes it even more imperative that we, as teachers, insist upon the mastery of them!
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ny art or system is only as good as its current practitioners and students. No point claiming to be studying the “Supreme Ultimate” or the original form of Yang Luch’an, when you do not invest time in understanding and developing the foundations of that system. An arrow fired from a bow will behave in exactly the same way whether in practice or in actual combat. It remains true to its nature and understanding, and that is exactly how the student of any system ought to be!
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Herein, perhaps, lay the advantages of the classical schools and their hierarchies, where students stood for hour upon hour practicing a single movement, day after day until perfection was achieved. No student would dare move from the spot where he had been asked to stand by his teacher and practice what he had been told to do, regardless of the time. Far more importantly, no student would have dared ask his teacher: “What’s next?” or “Show me the next move”! Within these hierarchical institutions the students would know their place. Their job was to do as they had been shown, until told to do so otherwise. Can you imagine a primary classroom in any school, where the student would go up to the class tutor and tell him or her what to teach them next? Or, that they were ready to take their GCSE’s or Higher Education Diplomas? No! It would be an absurdly laughable situation yet, there are students who are doing just that! I have trawled through my memory banks and spoke to several of my contemporaries as well as some of Erle’s oldest students and not one of us has any recollection of ever having gone up to Erle and asked, “What’s next?” Or, even suggest that we were ready to move onto the next level! When we were ready, we were told so by Erle himself. As all of us who knew Erle, know, he wasn’t so fond of such rigid structures and all that they entailed. Erle had spent most of his life self-learning and seeking information near and far in order to better himself, not only in the martial arts but also in life too. In a world littered with ‘secrets’, closed door students and magical and esoteric energies, he taught and showed everyone everything equally — at least to those whom he regarded his personal students and those who actually bothered to train with him in person — simplifying the most difficult of concepts for the beginner, with which to learn and develop. Furthermore, rather than being the ‘Master,’ aloof and beyond approach, he chose to be a friend to his students and stand amongst them as opposed to towering over them. Herein lay the problem, not with Erle but rather with the students themselves, they became lazy and complacent! Maybe, familiarity really does breed contempt! Any art or system is only as good as its current practitioners and students. No point claiming to be studying the “Supreme Ultimate” or the original form of Yang Lu-ch’an, when you do not invest time in understanding and developing the foundations of that system. An arrow fired from a bow will behave in exactly the same way whether in practice or in actual combat. It remains true to its nature and understanding, and that is exactly how the student of any system ought to be!
Though the metamorphoses be ten thousand, One principle pervades them. F r o m familiarity with the moves, one gradually awakens to understanding power. F r o m understanding power, one by stages reaches spiritual enlightenment. Without long application of effort One c a n n o t thoroughly penetrate it.
I often find students looking on in amazement when you show a martial or healing application and relate it to a posture in the form. Their amazement shows that the students have NOT connected the dots for themselves even at the most basic level. Equally, whilst doing the form, failure to recognise where postures are repeated in a variant or more subtle manner in the 2nd and 3rd thirds, are usually greeted with the exclamation: “Oh, I never saw that!” And yes, it will be these very students who will be rushing to buy the ‘advanced’ MTG tapes or asking to learn the next level! Here is a question. I address this to Taiji practitioners in general and those practicing Erle’s system in particular:
Great-Pole Boxing: The Theory
Where in the Old Yang form do we first come across the concept of the penetration punch? If you can’t answer that question in an instant, then you need to take a good hard look at your training and be honest with yourself — are you training correctly? Do you honestly understand not only the system but the elements of Combative Taiji itself? It’s no good sitting at home, watching YouTube and criticising how badly other schools practice their Taiji or self-defence, when you don’t understand your own system! Rather, spend that time wisely, training and bettering yourself. Any fool can point a critical finger at others. How many of us would have the honesty to apply the same critique to ourselves?
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"It's so necessary to have learnt the very basic form perfectly before going on to all this stuff... the openings & closings & the small frame and everything else! So important to have got the very basics down and you MUST have them perfectly before you can go onto anything else! And I literally see this all around the world People buy the advance tapes and 3 weeks later, they'll get in touch with me and say they've learnt the Old Yang style at small frame level, and what do I do next? You just throw your hands up in the air and say: Oi vey!" Erle Montaigue
A person practicing a modified form with dedication and to the best of their ability, in my opinion, is far better than someone practicing poorly with an Erle Montaigue! You can never achieve real success through association alone. Many who tout the lineage card are just that — trying to set up their stalls based upon association as opposed to actual skill and understanding. You WILL be found out in the end. Success comes through hard work and effort leading to understanding. It wasn’t called Gung-Fu for no reason. One had to train hard and invest in a loss in order to achieve. Erle stipulated, incessantly, that it took years of investing in “loss” in order to gain. He would, often, tell stories during class of how he would stand practicing the same movement for several hours a day in order to understand its essence. Yet, it seems, that these stories have largely fallen on deaf ears! The modern student does not understand nor wish to invest in the “loss” which Erle spoke about. I look around and see students rushing, worst still, going on to forms which they have no right to be even contemplating, let alone be doing — the ego can be a dangerous thing! Take the Pauchui as an example. There are students, whom I know, to have been training for less then 2 years and already, they are practicing the two-person form! One would have to ask whether and if they have fully understood the small san-sau at this stage? Definitely not, would be the answer! What they end up with, is a hollow form, a dance — void of power and essence. As if an affirmation of this point, I was contacted not so long ago by one of Erle’s overseas students, asking why it was going to take me a year to teach the Pauchui when it was a relatively short form? I just shook my head at my computer screen! The same goes for double push hands. So many rushing to do this and yet, I hear Erle’s words ringing in my ears as if only spoken yesterday — that it was in single push hands where we understood and developed our foundational skills. Again, how many of us actually practice hours upon hours of single push hands? I remember once being asked by a fellow practitioner at one of Erle’s sessions, how often I would practice push hands? I replied as often as I could and that for the first few years of my training I used to practice anything up to 3 hours a day, every day with various partners, in fact anyone I could get my hands on! The guy was suitably impressed. I only became aware that Erle was standing behind me when he casually leant forward and said,
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“Nass, you lazy bugger, I thought you trained harder than that? Try practicing 7-8 hours a day like we used to do at my old school in Sydney - then you can brag!” He wasn’t joking! I could go on with such stories and I have no doubt that my ‘older’ and more esteemed colleagues - Wally Simpson, Peter Smith, Peter Jones, & Al Krych* - could tell you even more. But, enough of this! You don’t need the monkeys to tell you what the organ-grinder was saying. Pick up any publication of Erle’s and you’ll hear the man tell you himself — train hard, train diligently. Do not rush and do not omit parts of your training.
Erle’s last visit teaching at my school in Leicester in October 2010. He visited Leicester regularly, sometimes [as on this occasion] only accompanied by his wife or his ‘girls’ for company on the drive.
The system is set and taught in a particular order for a reason. There are no short cuts. Only hard work and “loss”. And when you invest in “loss,” there is only one way your stock can go — up! *Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in September 2012. It has been re-edited and revised for publication in the current issue of Lift Hands. Alexander M. Krych - Erle’s friend, personal student, and chief representative of his system for the whole of North America - sadly passed in December 2014.
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any years ago I had the pleasure of training at a seminar being conducted by Erle Montaigue which was hosted at Sifu Jim Uglow's School in London. I had heard about Erle Montaigue for several years leading up to my attending this seminar and I was intrigued to see and feel first-hand exactly what he did and taught, specifically regarding the martial application of Tai Chi.
I remember at the time I'm I was on tour as a bass player in a band and this particular band were half Australian. I turned up with my bass guitar on my back and the first experience of meeting Erle was him coming over to me with a big smile on his face shaking my hand and welcome me as a fellow musician. It turned out that he had been to see the band a few weeks earlier in Byron Bay, shortly before they came to the UK to tour through the summer. The seminar was well attended with maybe 30 people present and the particular story I would like to bear witness to really and to share with you is as follows. There were two of the attendees who were both policeman, and one happened to ask a question of Erle and the question was, "Do these points that you are striking work on people who are drunk or high on drugs?� Erle replied, “Striking these points is not so much to do with pain compliance but rather that when certain points are struck in a particular direction and with a particular energy and intention, and sometimes when combined with other points, that they trigger a neurological phenomena in the human body which causes certain things to shutdown, either temporarily or more permanently.� He then invited the policeman who asked the question to attack him like a drunk person on the street might attack... So the man looked at his friend and shrugged his shoulders then yelled loudly, suddenly lunging at Erle. Very quickly they ended up in a standing grapple then Erle said, "You should never get into a grapple like this because you can do this"... He then very swiftly struck a point on the side of the back of the neck using a particular hand shape which consisted of a hook which was made from the index finger with the thumb pressed firmly as a support. As soon as this blow landed the policeman immediately dropped to the ground and was very soundly unconscious. Erle then rubbed the back of his neck and brought him back around. Later that day I had the pleasure of being very strongly winded by Erle with an application of Press posture which targeted a point just below the nipple. He did this in front of the whole group and as soon as I was struck I could feel the muscles around my lungs suddenly contract, pushing the air out very forcefully, and it took me a little while to be able to breathe in again. The influence of Erle Montaigue's work on my understanding of the martial application of Tai Chi was very strong, and it really added fuel to my fire as I continued to research the various ways this gentle and peaceful practice can be applied directly and decisively as a martial art.
About The Author: Cheyne Towers is a practitioner and teacher of Taiji, Qigong and Liu He Ba Fa (Water Form) based in North London
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THE DREAMS OF A FIELD FENCE Dr Gregory T. Lawton
The fence awaits the inevitability of snow, its knowledge gained from witness to countless winters past. The storm lays its veil across the field and casts its blanket upon the fence. The fence engulfed in waves of snow, stands resolute in contrasted silhouette, and dreams of warm days to come when Morning Glory and Ivy will clothe its canted posts and rusted wire strands with the ornaments of its spring attire. The fence longs to dance its posts across the fields and stretch out into unknown lands, but the greatest yearning of the fence, is to find that gate that opens its heart to the beauty held within. Thus are the dreams of a field fence...
About the authorDr. Gregory T. Lawton is an author of many books, most of them in the area of health science, but also in the genre of Asian martial arts, philosophy, poetry, and prose. Dr. Lawton is a passionate award winning artist and photographer who finds his artistic and creative inspiration in nature, and who frequently attributes the source of his images and writing to the 19th century Persian Prophet, Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Baha’i Faith, and the 13th century Persian poet and Sufi Mystic Jalāl ad-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī. Dr. Lawton has been a member of the Baha’i Faith since 1970 and embraces the Faith’s principles related to the promotion of world unity and peace.
Kindly reprinted with permission from: Translated from a Foreign Tongue, Copyright 2013, Revised 2017 Dr. Gregory T. Lawton Muyblue Productions 2040 Raybrook Street, SE Suite 104 Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546 616-285-9999
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Lift Hands would like to thank Katherine Loukopoulos Sensei for providing this exclusive book free of charge to our readers. To get your download link please visit and join our group page on FaceBook: Lift Hands: The Internal Arts Magazine
1949 - 2011
Image - April 1993 Courtesy of Katherine Loukopoulos Archives
Foreword I was happy when I was invited to Australia in order to teach a string of Kobudo Seminars. I had competed against Australians on several international karate championships and I vividly remembered their lively personalities, easy going attitudes, and friendly sportsmanship. In fact, regardless of the competition pressures, there was always a party in some Australian’s hotel room. On one of those parties I gave away my USA athletic suit in exchange for an Australian which I cherish till this day. When I travel in order to teach the time is not my own. How many days and how many hours each day I would teach — all are decided by the person who invites me. Such was the case when I was invited to Australia. The organizer, Mr. Sam Schofield, created my schedule based on demand from various dojo instructors, and dictated where and when I would be, and what I would do. I write all this in order to be clear that it was purely an act of FATE that I met Master Erle Montaigue on that day of April 1, 1993.
By 1993, I was already living, working and studying on Okinawa for the past seven years. During those years I had met a few Goju Ryu Australians who were IOGKF Members of Master Higaonna Morio, and a few who came to study with Master Miyazato Eiichi of Jundokan. In August of 1991, Master Higaonna Morio held his Black Belt Gasshuku Training Camp on Okinawa which was attended by Goju Ryu practitioners from around the globe, and of course, from Australia. On the final day of the Gasshuku there were the Championship Finals and Karate and Kobudo Demonstrations. As part of a team, I performed Tsuken Suna Kage no Kun (an oar kata). There is where Mr. Sam Schofield saw me and subsequently invited me to Australia. Therefore, most likely, Mr. Sam Schofield informed Master Erle Montague about me, who subsequently, wanted to meet me. I arrived on March 18, and departed on April 6; during the 20 days I was in Australia, I was bounced back and forth from Victoria to Sydney with various locales in between in what was a total of 56 hours of Kobudo instructions. It was the morning of April 1, 09:15 to be exact, when Mr. Sam Schofield introduced me to Master Erle Montaigue, his wife, and their three children. He sported a big smile, loose long hair, wore a T-Shirt and pants that reminded me the ‘Hippie Days’ put us completely at ease. He spoke fast, and asked many questions; I had no idea that Master Montaigue was conducting an interview. Most questions were how and why I went to Okinawa and about my ‘survival’ among Japanese and Okinawa karate men. I kept explaining and pouring it all out. What followed were technical questions about the Bo used as a weapon, differences among styles of Bo, and continuous requests to ‘show’ him.
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1993 75 April 1, Katherine Loukopoulos with Erle Montaigue & Sam Schofield
I did not learn WHO Master Erle Montaigue was until AFTER I had left from Australia. Right there and now, it was all ‘me’. And just when Mr. Schofield and I thought that we were finished, Master Montaigue suggested that we ought to put all this information on a video cassette. Not sure of myself, I was reluctant to put it on video, but Master Montaigue pressed on until I had no other choice. And there was also a surprise! On the outside of his home, on one side there was a complete built in studio with professional lamps and all type of photographic paraphernalia. He asked me to just ‘teach’ a Bo Kata. I complied for the camera and ‘taught’ Shushi no Kun Sho of Ryu Kyu Kobudo. When everything was done to Master Montaigue’s satisfaction which took several hours, as a grand finale, he asked me to perform the kata on normal speed on the nearby grounds. When I thought that I was finished, he requested that I perform Goju Ryu Kata Sepai which he also recorded. After numerous hugs with the entire Montaigue family, Mr. Schofield and I hurried off as we had another engagement to attend and an evening class to teach at Steve Roach Sensei’s dojo of IOGKF. It was not until a few weeks later upon my return to Okinawa when I realized the magnitude of Master Montaigue’s contribution and assistance to my martial arts career. Firstly, he produced a professionally made VHS Video of Shushi no Kun Sho Bo Kata, and subsequently through correspondence, continued to encourage me in order to make professional VHS Videos of all of my karate and kobudo kata. I followed his advice and in 1994 after considerable rehearsing, I documented in great detail all 18 kata of Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu.
This is what Master Erle Montaigue did for me: Shushi no Kun Sho - (周氏の棍(⼩)) - Australia, 1993 - Katherine Loukopoulos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQiAdQ0Nn1o&t=15s
Secondly, Master Montaigue authored the interview and submitted it for publication.
Erle Montaigue. Terry O’Neill’s Fighting Arts International, No. 82. OVERCOMING OBSTACLES: The success story of Kathy Lukopoulis, Pages: 37 – 41.
Master Montaigue and I continued to write to each other and offered his advice and suggestions whenever I asked. It is through the letters that I learned his relationship with music and with Taiji. Religiously, I received his Combat & Healing Magazine which was published by the World Taiji Boxing Association. For me, it is an honor to be included in Master Erle Montaigue’s Life Celebration. He lives in my heart.
Katherine Loukopoulos Bubishi Team Austria December 4, 2020
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How to order your copy: Click on the link provided, or copy and paste into your browser. https:// www.peecho.com/ print/en/677092 The website takes you directly to the page to order the book. 1. Which size do you like? Select the size. Next… 2. Would you like color? Select the color. Next… 3. How many copies would you like? Discount and Pricing. Next… (There is a discount pending on the number of copies.) 4. Where can we ship your order? Next…
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The Energies Author’s Note: In the fourth and final part of this article on The Energies of Taijiquan, I will continue giving brief descriptions of the main energies. I have left the introductory comments published in Part 1 below to avoid repetition. Outlined below are the basic descriptions of the energies — which I’ll be serializing over the next few issues. I have not placed them in any specific order, [although, obviously some would be learned or developed before others], I have pretty much listed them as they exist in my notes. My teacher taught eclectically and my notes reflect that and our conversations — but that does not mean that there is no order! Further, in some instances, I have added a bit of extra detail, although not in all cases, to give the practitioner food for thought with reference to their form and what it may mean. I was not spoon-fed by my teacher - I was nudged and cajoled by my teacher to work things out systematically and logically through progression. Establishing connections between the various threads of one’s training is critical. If you are unable to establish connections and or identify common threads then you may well fall short in skill! This is not the fault of the art nor of the teacher — provided, he or she, have taught you correctly — it is the fault of the student of not having practiced or trained diligently, or progressively! The entirety of Taiji’s Long Boxing is based upon The Thirteen Dynamics repeating themselves endlessly and ceaselessly, linked via transitions and transmutations leading to a higher understanding. Finally, the list below is not definitive, nor exhaustive. Different schools may use different terminology to describe the same thing, or may even interpret it differently. You do not have to subscribe to it. It is simply a record of what has been passed down in our line descended from Yang Shao-hou and like all mighty rivers there will be many tributaries, and side branches! ************ Sheathing Sheathing is literally akin to the energy of sheathing a dagger or a sword. Whilst this kind of energy is primarily used the essential eight kicking methods of Yang Taijiquan, it is also found in the ‘hidden punches’ performed during the Old Yang. The base premise of sheathing is simple — if your opponent kicks out with his right leg, you kick his left standing leg [see image opposite] and vice versa. An advanced version of this concept brings in both sheathing and unsheathing, where the inside of the knee of the opponent is attacked during the sheathing process — using a lead leg attack — and as the leg is retracted or unsheathed, you attack the back of the knee of the other leg using the heel.
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Reeling/Drawing of Silk — Ch'an Ssu Chin Reeling silk is a critical component of Yang Taijiquan — especially in the advanced methods. Everything in Taiji is performed in spirals, either in a slow or in an explosive manner akin to the way that silk has to be drawn from a cocoon so as not to break the thread. The correct, or rather full name, of Fa-jing is Fa-Jing Ch'an Ssu Chin — Explosive Energy Silk Reeling, where we throw out explosive energy and then bring it back. This consists of two components: 1. Outward Reeling/Drawing 2. Inward Reeling/Drawing In outward drawing of silk the energy revolves towards the outside and up. It is an attacking energy used to force your opponent’s energy. Inward reeling of silk is the counterpart and therefore, revolves towards the inside and down. It is a defensive drawing or reeling of the silk and is used to drain your opponent’s energy. During the sequence of ‘Seize The Sparrow’s Tail,’ for example, the type of drawing we learn consists of large, small, outward and inward in a revolving direction. In Yang Taijiquan we have 8 very specific training methods with which to gain this skill. These methods start relatively simple and become more intricate as we proceed! Twisting In this the body turns sideways and it is this sideways turning of the body which changes the energy. It is neither hard nor stiff and does not resist! Tangling This consists of a screwing action which circles around the opponent. It revolves around a fixed point thereby preventing the opponent from getting away! Shaking This is a sudden violent energy akin to a bird ruffling its feathers or like a dog trying to shake loose a rag out of his master’s hand! The primary power comes from the waist and the spine and it is commonly used to cause major dislocations of joints and gain release from grips, as well disorientate an opponent’s energy. It can be used to devastating effect at short range to strike using weapons such as K’ao and to shake-off an incoming energy. Lifting Lifting is a component of sticking. It’s effect and purpose is to pull out the root of the opponent thereby causing him to lose his balance. The skill involves advancing whilst sending power from the waist and the legs upwards in order to stick to and lift your opponent. Lifting cannot be achieved without having a stable and rooted stance yourself adhering to the Taiji Classics. Structure, therefore is critical. For a lifting to be effective you must take the cue form your opponent regarding direction, distance, manoeuvring and footwork. Sinking Sinking is used as a part of issuing. It is often considered the same as heaviness but it is not. It is more lively in manner and uses the component of folding in order to throw out an opponent with power. It is said to be “loose but not loose, taut but not taut”! The energy moves from the tan-tien to the spine and from there to the hands and the limbs.
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Severing Severing is also referred to as “hard energy” and can be applied by an individual component of the body — e.g. hand, forearm, elbow, shoulder etc — or using the body as a whole in a curve or a straight line. The skill of applying it lies in drawing an opponent off balance and then issuing to their centre. Drilling Drilling is regarded as a penetrating energy and can be applied using your fingers or fist. This is a specialised energy in Taiji and is sometimes referred to as “stopping a bullet with a bullet”! Drilling energy requires thorough understanding of reeling and oft confused with it though the two are not the same. As the name applies, it is like drilling into a piece of wood or corkscrewing inwards or downwards. Drilling is linked to the skill of striking acupoints [Dim-mak] and was therefore deemed a skill for an advanced student receiving good instruction from a qualified teacher. This energy, like sealing, can be used to devastating effect on the internal skills of the opponent. Traversing Emptiness — Ling Kong Jin The 5 Essences or Levels - Taiji Kong are simplified in ascending level of development as: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Bone Tendon Skin Hair Chi
According to the students of Wu Tu-nan, the student of Yang Shou-hou — they were told that: ‘Today I will offer this secret. Actually, as I understand the whole phenomena, it is just like a turn of the hand... First, the learner must place emphasis on Jin. Learn pecking jin. Next, learn swinging jin. Then, learn all the jins that are able to penetrate the air.
Continuing, learn to use "hung/ha breathing” such that when you breathe, i.e.,inhale/exhale become one with the other (person), then every movement comes naturally. With this then, you are ready to learn the Ling Kong Jin. Then practice about one or two more years. At this point, move your hands, move your feet, follow at will.’ LeRoy Clark - Sung Shu Min Meets Yang Shaohou
What we are clearly hearing from Wu are the skills developed through the practice of higher neigongs and reflected in Da Shou at the highest level — the level of chi. Whilst descriptions of traversing emptiness have bordered on the esoteric and miraculous in all reality they appear to be the skill to lure your opponent into mentally dropping their guard and projecting your intent either vocally or otherwise — causing them to become startled and falling backwards. It essentially results from the opponent’s own sense of expectation that something is coming! Conclusion In this series of articles I have simply attempted to cover the main energies of Taijiquan — briefly. These are by no means representation of the whole. They are merely meant to serve as an introduction to the student — a pathway through which to develop and understand their art in a greater depth. By studying and understanding these concepts — hopefully the diligent student will find greater meaning behind the dynamics of Taiji Long Boxing, Da Shou and other associated training methods from within this wondrous art.
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The Old Tower, Standing defiant, His foundations built on the shoulders of giants. Those passing his threshold stood in awe of the sublime architecture built with such certainty and although the surface is weathered and worn, his structure will hold for all eternity. The library within was vast and ageless, testament to the Tower’s greatness, and although the library no longer stands, those whom studied within hold his knowledge in hand. Many came to the Tower to learn his secrets, few were prepared for the depth of his teachings, fewer still could stay the distance, yet blessed were those who had the patience to honour the knowledge the Tower imparted, toiling in the courtyard to finish what they started, in the shadow of the Tower, he watched them all, some would rise, some would fall, yet all remember their time at the Tower, his imposing presence, and inherent power, and although the bricks are now crumbled and gone, the spirit of the Tower will forever live on In the hearts and actions of the faithful few, those who studied, those who knew that bricks and mortar could not contain his unparalleled essence, which still remains, his legacy untouchable, none can subdue the name of the Old Tower‌ Montaigue.
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n 2016, I left the World Taiji Boxing Association — formerly the Australian Taiji Boxing Association — founded by Erle Montaigue, with a heavy heart, after 17 years [these 17 years do not represent the totality of my time with the WTBA — they merely represent the time when I became an active member with the organization and the time when I started training with Erle, himself]. It wasn’t something planned — it was simply due to a series of events which occurred post Erle’s death in 2011, although if I am now honest, with hindsight, the signs were already there earlier but I had been too blinkered to see. Before I proceed let me make one thing absolutely clear — the most important thing for Erle Montaigue was his family… period! And there was nothing that he wasn’t willing to do for them no matter what the cost. Like any father, it was Erle’s wish that eventually one of his children1 would inherit his system and the WTBA, and indeed, he was working towards that goal at the time of his sudden and unexpected death in January 2011. It is critical to ensure that the above is understood — no outsider has the right or the claim to lead the WTBA! What, however, has been rightfully questioned are the subsequent claims which began to emerge after Erle’s passing and it is important to deal with this elephant in the room if we are to honestly appraise his legacy. In 2009, Erle passed on the day to day running of the WTBA to his second son. Upon making this announcement several rumours began to float that he had retired and some of his students openly questioned his choice. It is not my aim to recount all this here as it has already been dealt with and filed under ‘The Past’ — I will however, mention Erle’s response as it is critical to understand what transpired after his death. Part of Erle’s statement reads: Friends of the WTBA and other interested people… a few issues have been pointed out to me which I must now address as they simply aren't true! Firstly PLEASE NOTE: I am NOT nor have I retired!! I am still very much actively teaching and holding even more workshops and if those instructors who are putting out this misinformation bothered to come to class, they would know this! … My son Eli however has been with me now for 19 years and during that time his actual training time goes into literally hundreds of hours! Which is why I have handed the running of the WTBA over to him as he is the only one who has received almost everything I know to a degree where I know I can trust him to teach the real Montaigue system. If I were retiring, Eli, would inherit the true system aided by his brother, Ben and my trusted students2 including Nasser, Jerry and Peter Smith. There are of course many others such as Al Krych, Peter Jones and the list goes on and in terms of WHEN they started with me Pete Smith, Al, Tony Court, Pete Jones etc (the list goes on) would have precedence over some who have only had 12 lessons over 20 years! ————————————————— 1. Initially, Erle had always stated that it would be his eldest son who would be his heir and only much further down the line — post his arrival in the UK did this officially change.
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Some might have thought that because I was back in the music business that I would give up teaching!! Wrong! I simply had too much on my plate and after 30 years or so doing it all by myself, it is nice to have some help from my children. Hence my handing the running of the WTBA over to the only obvious successor, Eli. My sincere advice to those who find it difficult to accept that a 23 year old man can take over running the WTBA, is to take a look at your own ego. And when the remarks persisted, he responded [I have deliberately not included the name of his student as it serves no purpose — what is important is Erle’s response]: I hate writing stuff like that above, but my hand was moved due to ****’s insistent and continuous rubbish on his web site about me and my son Eli! And ****, as I have always told you mate, "NEVER COME BETWEEN ME AND ONE OF MY CHILDREN"!!! The text of Erle’s statement is clear — however, it lacks context to those not privy to certain information. Erle didn’t just pluck this statement out of the thin air. Before publishing this statement he had been consulting all his close friends and personal students regarding his response — including myself, and I would be the one who would go on to publish it. In order to protect his son from this onslaught he simply stretched the truth regarding his training in order to establish his authority [Erle’s friends and students backed him knowing what this was] and to prevent any future attacks — damage control — it is in this context that what follows needs to be understood. ————————————————— 2. Later, after more ‘trouble’ from another student — making more disparaging remarks regarding his family [and myself included] — and further expulsions from the WTBA, Erle and I would have this conversation again during which he simply stated: “Nass, I have ring-fenced him [his son] with 6 of my best personal students and friends who know and understand my system and, when needed, will step forth with their knowledge and skill to help him!” I would impart this to him years later [2015] after Erle’s death when he started wanting to make changes to some of the forms… explaining and demonstrating why the changes were nonsensical and lacked understanding of why they were done the way they were done, and that if he didn’t understand then there were people he could turn too to get that understanding and knowledge [there were students present in the room when I explained this]! He took this to mean that the 6 possessed some ‘secret knowledge’ which was to be passed onto him at later stages in life. Further, that this would mean that the 6 were better then him [by this time the narcissism had clearly set in] which couldn’t be true because his father had made him the head of the WTBA — by this fact he had confirmed that only he had been taught everything! Why wasn’t he made aware of this, why wasn’t his mother? Did the others know that they were meant to give him this information? I threw my hands up in exasperation! He obviously wasn’t getting it. I tried to explain that this was a conversation between Erle and I — nobody else, [I would later discover from one of Erle’s close friends and a student from Australia, that he and Erle had had a similar conversation with him before he departed for the UK], and that Erle had already made a similar statement already [see above], and that it wasn’t necessary for him to have told anyone — including his son — about a private conversation between two friends, nor put him under any additional pressure knowing that there were others out there who knew and understood more — some with specialised skills. In the end, seeing I was getting nowhere, I simply ended the conversation - You weren’t meant to know this any way, it doesn’t matter — forget about it. This, sometime after my departure, would be presented as some kind of a conspiracy on my part to undermine him and try to take over the WTBA — via an unimaginatively concocted interview — as I couldn’t handle the fact of someone way younger then myself running the organization. Nothing could be further from the truth [this will be explained in the main text]! It was comical to say the least especially since all my public statements and acts have been to the contrary — and what kind of fool tries to take over an organization by not only publicly leaving it but also by neither asking any of its members to follow him?
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A few months before his passing, Erle contacted myself after having had a long conversation with his friend Colin Power. His spirits were low. I will not repeat the entirety of our conversation — it is both private and unnecessary — I will, however quote him ad-verbatim below and give it context: “I have watched you improve since I have arrived in the UK so much that I can now entrust the running up there completely to you. I have only a handful of real students/friends and you are one of them. Maybe have Eli up there once in a while as a bonus to the students etc…” [He was ‘letting me go3’ — just like he had done with Alex Krych and Peter Jones, and others earlier! In 2009, Erle had already declared me his representative for Northern England4 and I had received my fifth degree in summer 2010 — as was his want, he was simply stating that he had the confidence that I not only understood his system but, also that, I could stand on my own two feet and continue independently to represent it. He wasn’t making me a master — nor was he giving anyone mastery over me — that much should be clear to anyone reading this. Erle had already given me the right to grade independently of him a few years earlier [again a similar pattern to Peter Jones and Alex Krych]. A year or so earlier, he had asked me to invite his son to Leicester on a pretext of a workshop to help develop his experience using my students. He knew the students who trained in Leicester, with myself, not only trained hard but also suffered no fools. He had also on occasion sent other WTBA instructors to come train in Leicester for a week at a time — most would depart after only a couple of days — it would be too much for them!5] Our conversation on that day was emotional and it didn’t end there. It continued in person when he came to teach at my school for what turned out his last time — accompanied only by his wife. I thanked him for his confidence in myself and told him in no uncertain terms that he had been a father-figure to me and I would continue to help develop his son’s experience — and my own for that matter — and did so for almost 6 years after his death! During no part of this conversation did he intimate that he had completed his son’s training or that he was now a ‘master’! As I’ve already stated — the above is simply to provide context, it should by no means be construed as a selfcongratulatory pat on the back! Erle passed away on Wednesday 26 January 2011. At no point did he ever publicly declare any of his sons [or anyone else for that matter] as masters nor did he declare any one of them to be the final and only authority on his system and work! No such statement exists and had he held that view, he would have proudly made it public knowledge — or at least have made it known to his personal students. I have spoken to several and no one student has intimated any such knowledge. Post Erle’s demise a revisionist history began to take place. At first it was an innocuous phrase here and there. Nothing alarming, although it would make a few of us roll our eyes and smile. It was simply someone trying to make their mark. ————————————————— 3. Quite early on at the beginning of my training with him, Erle had emphasised that the aim of all good teachers is to make their students independent of them. That didn’t mean that they would stop training with their teacher — it simply meant that the student had trained diligently and developed enough to now continue independently on their own path. Teachers who kept students dependent upon them, according to him were simply being treated as “Cash-cows”! Erle by this time had already stopped taking money from myself. Later, I would learn that he had done the same with Peter Jones and others too. 4. I am not going to post certificates here to back my claims. Those who know, know and those who don’t — it doesn’t really matter! 5. Erle would often contact me after — these instructors would return complaining to him that they had been knocked around — saying, “Well-done, that was the whole point — I wanted them to know what training in my system means!”
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Within just over a year or so the term ‘master’ began to be thrown around and ‘masterships’ began to be handed out — including one to myself which I joked about at the time as did a lot of my friends. I simply put it to one side. As the days and weeks continued I, myself, along with others, saw forms and concepts being explained incorrectly. I wrote about these in articles clearly stating that concepts and training methods were being misunderstood — hoping that the hint would be taken. I was not alone in this. Other instructors who had trained under Erle began to notice this too. By late 2015, I had already made plans for taking a sabbatical. Post Erle’s death, I had taken no time off for myself. I decided to take the opportunity to go through my own personal training notes with Erle. I made my announcements to that effect and publicly stated that my last 2 workshops would be in the USA in October 2015 and the UK in April 2016 — both would cover the Small San Shou, one of the training methods which had been taught incorrectly! More masterships!6 More revision! This time the recipient would claim to be one of only “two named lineage disciples” of Erle Montaigue — having trained with him for several years in Australia, as well as training with masters in China and Hong Kong! Newspaper articles7 would be published proclaiming this as well as online school adverts8. By the time 2016 arrived — the term master was used as a statement of fact and learning dim-mak at the age of 4 was being claimed. More and more eyebrows were being raised, more and more people were questioning the validity of these claims. By mid-April 2016 everything had come to a head — I realised that this was no longer my path and simply resigned from the WTBA and decided to walk away quietly. I no longer wished to be associated with something I knew was based upon revisionism! Whilst initially attempts were made for me to reverse my decision, thereafter, what I thought would be an amicable respectful parting of the ways — things instantly turned sour. I have no intention to repeat or regurgitate everything here. As I have already said they have been labelled ‘The Past,’ and sit in the public domain. Whilst I maintained my silence on any personal attacks — I would challenge those based upon the system and revisionist claims. Suddenly we were being told that Erle had been making things up. Statements began to appear online that information being taught by “some” or “other” instructors were simply things which Erle had made up to amuse those who wanted “secrets,” and that only his son’s “way is the truth”! ————————————————— 6, 7, 8 — The training history of Mr Leigh Evans can be confirmed very easily from his original teacher including his sojourn in Australia and what Erle thought of him! In all my years [11] of training with Erle, I never met Mr Evans. He was never present at any of the workshops or instructors sessions. In 2010, Erle had given me his instructors list to amend and remove those he no longer considered his “Inner Circle” — Mr Evans name never appeared on that list nor in the name of his personal students. I was, in fact, first introduced to him during Erle’s memorial service as a student who had recently started training again with Erle’s son. Anyone who knew Erle even remotely would know that terms such as “named lineage disciple” were alien to his vocabulary! Further, I have interviewed many of Erle’s Australian students upon the publication of these claims and not one can verify the “several years training in Australia”. The most they can recall is one short camp and an odd weekend. When challenged about these claims in the newspaper articles [South Wales Evening Post] — these were claimed to be misquotes. Funnily enough, the same details appeared on a website advertising martial arts schools in Swansea as well as in a personal message to myself in 2015. I have kept files of these publications safe.
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By the end of 2016 several people had already resigned [these resignations would continue over the years] from the WTBA — including some of Erle’s oldest students and friends. Some didn’t resign — they simply faded into the background doing their own thing, others who should’ve known better maintained a cowardly silence. Post 2016, the revisionism and claims began to become more concrete and bolder — even including the fact that Erle had been giving his students “bum steers” and that his son had become his father’s equal in his lifetime and become better then him in a far shorter time! Again, I have dealt with these claims and provided evidence to the contrary in articles which sit in the public domain. What I am going to deal with here are the ludicrous claims of ‘Mastery,’ length of training, knowledge and even the ridiculous claim of Erle’s son equating himself to Yang Lu-ch’an — the founder of Yang Style Taiji — in light of Erle’s statement above and the information we have sitting in the public domain9! Length of Actual Training: Erle: “My son Eli however has been with me now for 19 years and during that time his actual training time goes into literally hundreds of hours…” [2009] As I have already explained, the above statement was ‘damage control,’ — and yet at the same time, although the number of years are exaggerated, read the statement carefully… there is a caveat for those paying attention! In 19 years there are 166,440 hours! If you train an average of 3 hours per day over 19 years that would give us 20,805 hours! If you train 1 hour per day over 19 years that would give you 6,935! Are you beginning to get the picture? Erle is talking “hundreds,” not thousands. He was simply making the point that the student who had attacked his son had trained less — period! In 2009, the same year as the above statement, I interviewed Erle’s son [this was a continuation of the damage control] and published the interview in Combat & Healing. I asked him a very simple question: “When did you start your training formally?” [Formal does not include a child trying to imitate their father or mother in play like all children do] His response was matter of fact — information to which I was already privy from Erle, himself: “I started daily classes with Dad every morning at 7am when I was 14, and I just got more and more into it as time went by. My first memory though is of doing the first few movements of the Taiji form was when I was 4 or 5…” So, we have it from the ‘horse’s mouth’ — so to speak — that formal training began age 14 and since we are in 2009 aged 23, as Erle states, then by a simple subtraction we arrive at 9 years not 19! Type of Training In 2016 the following article appeared online entitled Tai Chi Master in which the following is stated: “If you have access to train directly with the master of a system, you will advance at a much faster rate. Erle Montaigue (Founder of the WTBA) was awarded his Masters degree in 1985 after about 17 years of training. When Erle Died in 2011 his son Eli (Head of the WTBA, Lineage holder of the Erle Montaigue Fighting/Healing system, and the Old Yang Style) after training properly for only about 11 years was at a much higher level of practice than Erle was in 1985. This goes to show what a difference it makes having the right teacher, even though Erle trained with the Master of the system, there was a language barrier, and of course he did not have every day live in training as Eli did. So the best way to work towards mastering Tai Chi, is to get as much hands on time with one as you can…” ————————————————— 9. I’m simply using factual information available in the public domain as it can be verified without resorting to a ‘he said, she said’ scenario.
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Where do I even begin to deal with this claim? Erle indeed was awarded his ‘Master Degree’ by Wang Xinwu in 1985. This is a simple fact. Another simple fact, which I have covered earlier in ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway?’ is that in 1979 Yang Sau-chung — the eldest son of Yang Cheng-Fu — had already invited him to come train with him in 1979 and in 1981 Erle took up this offer and was “offered the chance to become the official Yang family representative for Australasia, which he declined after learning the sums which he was expected to pay for the privilege! This story was coincidentally confirmed by Howard Choy (Choy Hung), in January 2013, who had studied with Yang Sauchung in Hong Kong from 1978-1980” So, why would Erle be offered to represent the Yang family in Australasia, if he wasn’t already up to scratch? Further, Master Wang Xinwu, writing about Erle’s visit in 1985 states: “I saw Master Montaigue's demonstration. His tui-sau (push-hands), qi development, and style were very professional and close to perfection.” So, whilst a known Master is stating that Erle’s skill and knowledge were close to perfection, we are being told that his son exceeded this perfection in far less a time! Do I need to mention Donald Trump? Ok, let’s grant that the claim is true. How was this achieved? We are told by having… “live in training” with the Master of the system, and by “training properly for only about 11 years” and getting “as much hands on time.” Well, many of these 11 years10 actually overlap with my own training with Erle, as well as most of my students and especially my training partner — Elliot Morris — and many others. I challenge any one of them to come forward and make a statement that what they witnessed in the training hall was equal to Erle or had even surpassed the Erle of 1985! Further, many students will easily confirm that Erle’s son moved out of home and into his own house in Swansea — so the “live-in” training clearly wasn’t for the entirety of the time! This brings us to the “training properly” with “as much hands on time.” Let us return back to the interview from 2009: “Describe a typical day in the Montaigue household?” "Orders first, working through the day, emailing and organizing. With a few fights thrown in in-between. A walk up the mountain with the dogs and music in the evenings.” “A few fights…” let’s not get too excited about this — we are not talking real fights! The interview continues… "What is a typical training day for yourself?” “Don't have one! I used to do good session in the mornings; Qigong, Taiji form, Bagua form, then some explosive stuff. But nowadays I just do what ever I feel like when I get the chance. If I'm just standing around I'll go through some forms, and if Dad's standing around, too, then I'll hit him and we'll do some push hands. ————————————————— 10. As I have already pointed out in the length of training… in 2009 this was 9 years — Erle would only go onto live one more full year — 2010 — before the end of January 2011 he passed away, so where the extra year comes from is beyond me, but perhaps I am nitpicking!
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Still try to at least do some Qigong in the mornings, if I don't have time to do the form though.” The answer is self-explanatory. Any further discussion upon “training properly” really is an exercise in futility! In 2017, another more grandiose titled article appeared online from which I shall highlight the main points below: Eli Montaigue is a self appointed Master...But so was Yang Lu-chan.11 I have been accused many times of being a self appointed Master, so I thought I would save anyone else to hassle by stating clearly that this is absolutely correct. As I have always said, I technically have a self appointed Masters Degree, but is that a bad thing?
Yang Lu chan was a self appointed master.... Sure he was probably tested by a lot of people with challengers who he would fight etc, but he created his own system, he did not have teacher who would have given him a Masters Degree on paper, he would have simply proved himself to these people, therefore he could then proclaim himself to have a Masters Degree. It's the same for me, my dad never actually said, "Eli I award you the degree of Master" He never gave me any grades on paper, apart from a grade 2 when I was 18 as I needed it to be able to teach at the YMCA in Swansea. The things that made me think I should have the masters degree are:
1. Dad told me that I had finished my training and that he had taught me everything he could. This is what is regarded as achieving your Masters Degree in the WTBA, but Dad never did anything formal with my grades. 2. Dad said publicly that I was his only and rightful successor, and that I was the only person that he had taught nearly everything he knows… Often people tell me I should go to China and get my "real" Masters Degree, but I always say back, how can someone give out a degree for a system they do not practice? What we teach no longer exists in China to my knowledge. Of course there may be similar things being taught, but Dad always said he didn't know of anyone still teaching what we teach, always stating that he is the only person holding this system. Yes I am a self graded master, but only because there is no one else alive who could have graded me, the Erle Montaigue system is a new system, it is based in the old arts, but we do them the way Erle developed it into… In his last years with us, he was no longer able to kick my arse, he would get back as much as he gave… Once again, where to begin? To admit that you are a self-declared master is fine — at least that is being honest — but then to categorise yourself in the same breath with Yang Lu-ch’an, the founder of Yang style Taijiquan, surely requires a major leap of both faith and imagination. Yang Lu-ch’an never declared himself a master. He was acknowledged as a master after not only many years of study under the Chens of the Chen village, but further study in the Wudang. Also, he was tested in combat — both within and outside of the imperial courts — earning him the title of “Yang The Invincible”. Yang’s training was so harsh that one of his own son’s tried to commit suicide and another ran away from home! The statement stinks of naivety, self-aggrandization and narcism. I will now deal with the two points [there are three in the original article but I’m not going to waste time with that] given — dealing with Point 2 first: ————————————————— 11. Most of these ludicrous articles can be found on taijiworld.com
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Yes, Erle did say that — this is simply a regurgitation of Erle’s original statement and we have accepted the fact that he wished for his son to head the WTBA — however, we have to place this statement in context as I have shown, Erle was simply protecting his son! Further, let’s not forget that he also said, “If I were retiring, Eli, would inherit the true system aided by his brother, Ben and my trusted students including Nasser….etc” The statement is worth dwelling upon — “would inherit” — this is sometime in the future and that he would be “aided” in this by others including his brother! As far as I’m aware Erle had no plans of retiring or even dying anytime soon! Now I’ll come to Point 1: “Dad told me that I had finished my training and that he had taught me everything he could. This is what is regarded as achieving your Masters Degree in the WTBA…” At no point did Erle ever declare that he had completed his son’s training! Knowing something, studying and understanding something are very different things. A teacher in a school doesn’t simply finish teaching the set curriculum and start handing out grades or assuming that that the teachings have been absorbed. So, when and where was it actually that Erle made the statement of having “finished” his son’s training? The next few sentences are probably going to be the most difficult for me to write and I don’t say this lightly. In July 2012, Erle’s son came down to Leicester for the annual summer camp. As per Erle’s request [see earlier], I had allowed him full access to my school and students, as well as to hold events and workshops there — for free! During the camp I was awarded my ‘Master Degree’ and the following statement12 was made: If any Instructor in the WTBA has helped me to make sure that I know I'm worthy of leading the system, and taking us forward from where Dad left off, it's Nasser. Some others would have doubts in my abilities, with me being young. Of course these are only the ones who don't know me, and have not trained with me. Not that I ever had any doubts, I've always been very confident in myself to lead the system forward. Many other instructors have been very supportive as well, but Nasser knows me the best. He's seen me grow from age 17 when I was just a very basic level instructor, to what I am today. So if he thinks I've got what it takes to lead the WTBA, then I know I'm doing pretty well… The first of Dad's workshops that I had to take, was the USA camp… At that US workshop the year before, he was on top game, he'd not been over there in about 10 years, and was throwing me all over the place showing how an old bloke could still kick some arse. I got a great beating that weekend! Everyone was so amazed at how powerful He was at 60 years old. Anyway, the US Camp… Nasser had gone out of his way to make it to this one, to support me, and when I got off the plane he was there to meet me. A friendly face and a big hug made me know I'd be able to get through camp. I also had a dream on the first night, before having to teach. Dad and I were teaching a class together somewhere, having a great time messing about as usual. He was showing a set of moves from the form, and someone asked a question about it, and so he did it again explaining it.
Then he looked over at me doing the same moves, and just said, “you know what, forget what I just said, look at how he's doing it, that's exactly how it should be done” And then raised his voice to the whole class, and said “he's your leader now, follow him and trust in what he says, I've taught him everything that can be learnt” And then he stepped back and handed the class to me, and said “it's your turn now”
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Now I know that seems like a big headed dream, but it wasn't from my mind, as I was feeling lost and insecure. I do believe it was Dad talking to me. So knowing I had Dad there with me in spirit, as well as Nasser in person, I was then full of confidence to run the workshop. Nasser has done so much to help me in heading the WTBA, making sure that everyone else also knows that I'm the one for the job. Dad told me in his own words a year before he died, that I was a master of the arts. He said, “Be confident my sonny, you know as much as me now in what we teach”… Nasser has made sure that anyone who makes some remark about me being to[o] young or something, that he stops them right there, and tells them what's right. From a combination of getting all the basics down over 7 years13, then seeing Dad on a regular basis for 8 years14, being completely dedicated, and it being at a time when Dad had perfected his teaching methods, Nasser to me has taken the arts to the top.
Dad thought this as well, he would always make comments to me in our Llangadog classes, how Nasser was the one he didn't have to explain anything to, and how he really understood the art as we teach it. This statement should strike down all the accusations hurled at me since my departure from the WTBA at a single glance — but this is not about me, I’m not the one claiming ‘Mastery’ or knowing all! So, according to his son — Erle told him that, “I've taught him everything that can be learnt” in a dream! But, in the same statement he says that Erle had told him this a year before he died! Is it a case of life imitating. A dream or vice versa? Or is it the sign of a mind confusing reality and fiction? Further, he correctly admits that , “Nasser knows me the best. He's seen me grow from age 17 when I was just a very basic level instructor, to what I am today…” So, from being a basic instructor15 at age 17 — he within a short span of years becomes not only a master but also a master who was technically superior to Erle in 1985! Whilst I supported him wholeheartedly, I never once alluded to or backed his statements claiming to be a master or Erle’s equal! My support was, as per Erle’s wishes, that his son head the WTBA — not that he had all the system, skill or knowledge of Erle! Perhaps this, in part, is my failure to have not openly stated this at the time. However, let us head back to the original mastership statement. According to this his father told him that, “What we teach no longer exists in China to my knowledge.” Really? A population of over 1.3 billion people! Nobody practices what Erle taught? Erle, himself, introduced me to other members of Yang Shao-hou’s line including my dear friend Dr. Gregory Lawton through whom I met another friend — Alan Ludmer and others [students of Professor Chi-Kwang Huo]. He, himself, mentions Hsiung Yang-ho — a contemporary of his own teacher Chang Yiu-chun — and his students. Further, the students of Wu Tu-nan are alive and well inside China as well as around the globe! ————————————————— 12. The original statement appeared online as well as being published on FaceBook. Further, the statement exists on video, as well as the fact that it was made in the presence of all the attendees at camp. 13. I do not understand these 7 years. I began training with Erle in 1999 through his UK workshops and was training under his local UK instructors prior to that. 14. These 8 years are from when Erle moved to the UK in 2003. During this entire length of time I only ever missed 2 training sessions — once due to the birth of my daughter and the second due to my car breaking down en route to training in Wales.
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And these are just the folk I can reel off the tip of my tongue. It is an incredible statement to make and the claim — “Yes I am a self graded master, but only because there is no one else alive who could have graded me…” — defines narcism and egocentricity! Well, you don’t have to travel all the way to China for that son — there are enough people in the UK for that — I suggest you start in Ammanford! Finally, “In his last years with us, he was no longer able to kick my arse, he would get back as much as he gave…” I’ll simply respond to this with the following: “At that US workshop the year before, he was on top game, he'd not been over there in about 10 years, and was throwing me all over the place showing how an old bloke could still kick some arse. I got a great beating that weekend! Everyone was so amazed at how powerful He was at 60 years old.” Yep, I was there — 2010 — in Salisbury, MD. And in the classes in the UK — the result was always the same and, despite all this, Erle was never going at it top drawer — he would hold back! And age 60 is not “old”! Having said all the above, I’d like to ask a question and I hope that the reader will see the relevance of the question. Let’s put aside everything — including the attack which prompted Erle’s original statement in the first place — Why did Erle make his son the head of the WTBA? Well, we don’t have to dig deep for that and all of Erle’s close friends and students will tell you the same, however, Erle himself provides the clear answer in the original statement: “Some might have thought that because I was back in the music business that I would give up teaching! Wrong! I simply had too much on my plate and after 30 years or so doing it all by myself, it is nice to have some help from my children. Hence my handing the running of the WTBA over to the only obvious successor, Eli…” So, it was due to the fact that he had “too much” on his plate, “Hence my handing the running of the WTBA over…” — nothing extraordinary here — it is simply a handing over of the day to day running of a business… nothing more as he, himself, at the time had started to refocus on his original music career. In the light of all the above, we simply see the statement for what it is — a father protecting his child and there is nothing wrong with that, nor with getting that child to help him with the day to day “running” of the family business. The Legacy I started this final component of ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway?’ with a quote from Shakespeare: “No legacy is so rich as honesty.” Some folk may read what I have written above as an attack — nothing could be further from the truth. It is not an attack, it is a clarification through qualification — not on the person or their personal character but upon the claims being made. I have tried my utmost to argue using existing statements in the public domain — delving very little into private conversations, which I believe should remain private unless it become of the utmost necessity to bring them to light. I have already written in my other works that the critique I applied to other ‘lineages’ and ‘legacies’ must be applied to Erle’s too. It is the fair and right thing to do, and as I have already stated earlier it could not be done without addressing the proverbial elephant in the room — the revisionist claims! ————————————————— 15. In Erle’s system you had 8 student levels bringing you to the level equivalent to a black sash/belt. There would then be 8 further levels or degrees equivalent to dans — after the eighth degree you’d be regarded ‘master’. Since Erle’s son claims that he had learned all and had been declared a master by his father in 2010 aged around 24 — this would mean that he advanced at a rate of more than 1 Degree [Dan] per year from age of 17! This is impossible unless you are some kind of prodigy and for those of us who were in class with him know this not to be the case, because what we witnessed and what is being claimed couldn’t be more further apart.
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In order to make an honest appraisal of Erle’s legacy one must have all the facts at hand especially in light of all the claims which have been made not only regarding him but, also, his system and those he taught post his death. His ‘System’ is not a “new system16,” and indeed “it is based in the old arts”. Erle’s ‘System’ is simply a combination of Yang Taijiquan, Baguazhang, Wu-dang Boxing, elements of Xingyi and a handful of eclectic training methods inherited from other martial arts. This is a man who travelled around the world and to the furtherest reaches of China at a time when China still wasn’t readily accessible to the world as it is now — collecting information spread far and wide and bringing it all together under ‘one roof’ so to speak. He did not invent the ‘Old’ Yang Style — it already existed. It simply wasn’t known as such nor practiced in the West like the later modified forms — where most of the martial elements had been lost or misunderstood. He wasn’t the only lineage holder or keeper17 of the system for the ‘Old’ Yang as has wrongfully been claimed! The Yang style of Taijiquan is a mighty river which ‘split’ between the two brothers Yang Shou-hou and Yang Cheng-fu — the latter branch started to focus more on the health aspects of Taiji and became the most widely practiced in China and later the world through default, not intention, whilst the former retained its original martial design and due to its difficulty lacked many practitioners. Further — surprise, surprise — after the death of Yang Shou-hou, the internal ‘political’ feud between the students of the two brothers ended with Shou-hou’s students simply walking away and being either written out of history18 or fading from memory. Later, these two branches of the Yang brothers would split into further auxiliaries — each split would cause further dilution of information. Erle’s Yang lineage arose from both Yang brothers — although he gained his notoriety with the Old Yang and by rightfully placing the martial emphasis back into Taiji as it was originally intended. Erle’s lineage from Yang Cheng-Fu’s line comes from Chu King-hung, the disciple and student of Yang Chengfu’s eldest son — Yang Shouzhong — with whom he started training in England in 1974. Erle’s lineage from Yang Shou-hou’s line comes from Chang Yiu-chun, whom he met in Sydney in 1978. Chang is not a well-known student nor did he teach many. The information available regarding him is limited but out there. In 1979 Erle was invited to Hong Kong by Yang Cheng-fu’s eldest son — Yang Shouzhong — an offer which he accepted in 1981 and had his form personally corrected by Yang. Further, he was offered to become the official representative of the Yang family for Australasia — an offer he declined due to the financial demands being made. During that visit he also trained with the Baguazhang Master — Ho-Ho Choi ————————————————— 16. In my article Progression, Change, ‘Erle-isms’ & The Classics — A Brief Commentary For The Nescient, as well as my published works on The 12 Secret Houses of Yang — all appearing in Lift Hands Magazine — I have continuously shown with references that Erle’s teachings are based upon the old writings we have including many of the training principles which are incorrectly attributed to him as having made up! Principles such as Erle’s so-called power stance and his way of practicing push hands using the back of the arms have already been covered as being practiced by ‘other’ strands of Taiji in the Houses. 17. Erle never claimed to be the only person teaching what he termed the ‘Old’ Yang Style. He openly acknowledged others such as Chen Pan-ling for example — although he did state that, ‘his’ inherited version of the form was different in that it retained the original leaping kicks, speed changes, low postures and fa-jing! What he did claim to be the ‘keeper’ of the system for was the Wudang Boxing he had inherited and learned from Master Liang Shih-kan, during his second visit to China in 1995. 18. See Lift Hands Volume 10 June 2019 — Harvey Kurland’s ‘Hsiung Yang-Ho’s San Shou Form’ and my article ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway?’ for further details.
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In 1985, Erle became the first Westerner to perform at the All China National Wushu Championships, with a handful of his students, performing in the presence of no less an authority than Fu Zhongwen — the legendary disciple [and nephew through marriage] of Yang Cheng-fu. During this period he was introduced to Fu Zhongwen personally by Fu’s disciple — Master Wang Xinwu. Master Wang would introduce Erle to other masters of Baguazhang and Xingyi and he would later be tested before receiving his Master Degree from Master Wang Xinwu in his capacity as the fourth Vice-Chairman of China Wushu Association and a disciple of Fu Zhongwen — thereby officially recognising Erle’s lineage and Taiji style as Yang Family. This would be a first in the history of the five North Western Provinces of China — an incredible feat in its own right during that era. In 1995, Erle would return to China one last time heading to the Wudang to train with Master Liang Shih-kan — the keeper of 12 Wudang Boxing Disruption forms. Every time Erle would gain a piece of knowledge, he would deposit it in the public domain [through the written word, video and eventually the internet] — although he would later admit that he, himself, had held some information back in order to differentiate between those who trained directly with him, but eventually even that would filter through into the public domain to an extent. He would, towards the end, openly castigate and lament at his students — “casting pearls before swines” — both openly and in private for not training correctly or understand what he was offering them! His eyes would smile with pride when he’d see those who would work things out and train hard. He would leave small messages of encouragement through a note, a text or mail. During his lifetime, Erle influenced the martial arts and self-defence of many martial artists from an array of different backgrounds and styles. He befriended and won plaudits from many martial arts luminaries and his contemporaries from around the world — including Antonio “Tatang" Ilustrisimo, Wong Shun Leung, Dan Inosanto, Keiji Tomiyama and Terry O’Neill to name but a few. Of course Erle had his critics too. Many though focused on his teacher Chang Yiu-chun — claiming he never existed and that, laughably, he learned the Old Yang from a book! That Taiji was not a martial art! The fact that his lineage was accepted by the Chinese and other Yang Family students seemed to just pass them by — a case of not seeing the wood for the trees. And finally, post his death he would also be critiqued by his own in order to establish their own revisionist history. I could go on but I believe that Erle’s ultimate legacy is yet to be realised. He had always said that he had to ‘fight’ hard to get his knowledge, and that he had to beg, borrow and even steal to bring this information to light — and that he had “stood on the shoulders of giants”. Erle had his faults too. Those of us who knew him and were his friends, accepted him knowing he wasn’t perfect. He loved and protected his family fiercely. He was generous. He was funny — loving practical jokes. He also made mistakes. He was also the man who, at least in the West, put the martial back into Taijiquan singlehandedly as he swam against the tide. He was my teacher. He was my friend. He was my mentor and much more. He had no equal — most certainly not amongst any single one of his students. Whenever a prolific martial arts teacher dies — schisms occur. It has happened before and it will happen again.
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Revisions will begin. Let us not forget one of the greatest revisions in Yang Taiji history — the discourse19 between Yang Cheng-fu and his grandfather, Yang Lu-ch’an the founder of Yang Taiji, taking place after the latter had been dead for 11 years already! And these last 10 years since Erle’s passing have been no different and why should they be — sadly human nature hasn’t evolved over the millennia! So, who or what is Erle’s legacy? I believe that this will ultimately be something for future historians to decide. Any ‘System’ is only as good as its present practitioners and their teachings. No more, no less! There is no one person — I believe components of his ‘System’ are held by many… some more than others, some less. But this is not unusual — it is the norm! So, how will those potential new seekers navigate through the quagmire? Perhaps, considering the time of year, I will quote from another oft misunderstood teacher, who was also denied by his own: 39And
He spoke a parable to them: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch? 40A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher…” 43“For
a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush…” Luke 6:39-40/43-44 I insist and encourage my students to not only practice, but to also study and research their art, it is only by doing this that they will realise that the good oil — so to speak — is still out there. The knowledge Erle fought so hard to obtain is being preserved, despite the efforts of others trying to throw a spanner into the works. I have no doubt that the debates will continue — I for one will no longer be a part of them. I have chronicled the history of my time spent with my teacher and his teachings to the best of my abilities20 and will continue to do so. I have also sought to clarify and place in the public domain historical events before my time with him — gleaning information from Erle himself, through research and from other sources… carefully cross-referencing. I now focus on my own journey, my own training, my own studies and research, as well as my students. I remain a student — a student whose path will remain in the shadow of the ‘Old Tower’! ————————————————— 19. See Lift Hands Volume 10 June 2019 — ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway?’ for further details. 20. Any errors found are not deliberate. Where it can be evidenced clearly that the information provided is incorrect — I will happily update the information and openly apologise if my error may have caused offence.
Images appearing in this article include those from Erle’s final visit to Leicester in October 2010. All images are copyrighted and no image may be re-used without explicit permission from the copyright owner. Copyright © Nasser Butt 2020
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Fa-jing Ch'uan Internal Chinese Boxing Schools are pleased to announce our fifth annual T'ai Chi Ch'uan Camp on the sundrenched island of Cyprus in March 2021 Based at the scenic Hadjios Valley Resort in Mazotos - a couple of kilometres from the pristine beaches off the Mediterranean coastline — this will be a great opportunity to learn one of the most ancient Chinese martial arts, renowned for its health properties, on the island of Aphrodite over 3 days. The camp includes: Qigong Old Yang Style T'ai Chi Practical Training Methods For Health/ Martial Arts Self-Defence Whether you are a novice or already have some experience and would simply like to brush up on the foundations, or have ever wondered how the art is used as a system of selfdefence - then this will be the perfect way to get a great insight into T'ai chi Ch’uan (Taijiquan). You will receive a minimum of 5 hours/day of training under instruction over 3 days.
Date: Friday - Sunday 19-21 March 2021 Training will begin at 12pm Friday.
and fridge. Full Wi-Fi is available throughout the resort at no extra cost.
Cost of training: 240 Euros for those registering by Friday 26 February 2021. (The cost will rise to 260 Euros for those registering after this date.) Cost of Accommodation: TBC Euros/Villa based upon a minimum of 3 nights (Fri/Sat/Sun) at Apollo Villas. Each additional night is TBC Euros for those wishing to extend their stay or arrive earlier. We have negotiated an exclusive special rate with Apollo Villas, allowing you to spend three days in luxury at an incredibly low price!
Meals: All guests will find a basic ‘Welcome Pack’ upon arrival at their villa for making their own breakfast , etc. For lunch and supper we have negotiated a special rate at the local Mazotos Tavern - based in the centre of the village, where Bambos and his family serve up the most delicious traditional meals with a wonderful friendly service! Alternatively, folk are free to make their own arrangements or even cook in the villa, buying produce from the local high street, if they so wish.
Please note, although partners and family are welcome, accommodation will be prioritized for those training as this is a busy time of the season! Each villa is selfcontained and has two bedrooms and can sleep up to 4 people sharing. All villas are fully furnished, including a functional kitchen as well as a washing machine
Participants will be expected to arrive on site by Friday (19 March) morning latest or Thursday* evening 18 March 2021) earliest and depart Monday 22 March or after the final training session on Sunday, unless they have extended** their stay in advance and are departing later depending upon flights.
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*/** These will incur additional charges. All accommodation costs must be paid in full at the time of registration. (PLEASE NOTE THESE ARE NONREFUNDABLE.) Nearest Airport: Larnaca (15 km from resort). Information for local carhire services is available upon request. Please contact Nasser Butt for further information and registration: Tel: +44(0)7792242150 Email: explosivefist@gmail. com Visit our website for further information on what we teach: www.fajingchuan.co.uk Website for Hadjios Valley: www.apollovillas.com/ hadjios-valley/ PRICES/DATES/ AVAILABILITY SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO ONGOING COVID PANDEMIC. PLEASE CONFIRM BEFORE
BOOKING
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Reverend Anthony Sean Bedlam Pillage 1961 - 2018
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Scott ‘The Devil’ Caldwell 1973 - 2018
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Alexander M. Krych
1957 - 2014 Chief Instructor of the Erle Montaigue System North America Pictured here with the legendary Fu Shu-yun - his teacher before meeting and continuing his training under Erle.
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Erle Montaigue 1949 - 2011
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The Oldest Established School of The Erle Montaigue System In The UK
Ammanford Scouts Hall Monday 7.30 - 9.15pm Wednesday 7.00 - 9.00pm Sunday Full Day (Monthly)
Peter Jones Chief Instructor Taiji Pa-Kua Internal Fighting Arts
taijipakua@gmail.com
Gaku Shi Juku Kendo Kai www.leicesterkendo.com
The Red Oak Erle’s Tree - Planted on 24 January 2012 at the Evington Arboretum, Leicester, U.K Red by name, red by nature.... The Red Oak (Quercus rubra) is one of many from the Americas and is so named for its spectacular red autumn leaf colour. Although usually known simply as the red oak, it is sometimes referred to as the northern red oak, which distinguishes it from the southern red oak (Quercus falcata).
It is one of the fastest growing of the oaks, it attains a height to 80-90 feet and a diameter of two to three feet. The tree has a single, lobed leaf with seven to eleven pointed or bristly tipped lobes. The lobe sinuses reach one-half way to mid-vein. The leaves are thin, firm, dull green above, yellow-green below, varying considerably. The fruit is a large, broad, rounded acorn with a very shallow disk-like or saucershaped cup or cap. The twigs are small, slender, greenish brown to dark brown. On young branches the bark is smooth and gray to greenish. On the trunk it breaks into long, narrow, shallow ridges flat and smooth on top. The under bark is light red. The Red Oak has a longevity of 400+ years!
Erle’s Oak — September 2020
Regular Contributors:
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Tony Bailey Louiseneige Be Nasser Butt Amy Faulkner Andy Haynes Peter Jones Dr. Gregory T. Lawton Katherine Loukopoulos Alan R. Ludmer Gavin Mulholland Krish Pillay Colin Power Gavin Richardson
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Editor: Nasser Butt Email: lifthandsmagazine@gmail.com Peter Jones - Chief Instructor Taiji Pa-Kua Internal Fighting Arts taijipakua@gmail.com The Guild of Internal Martial & Healing Arts Email: theguildofinternalarts@gmail.com
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The Art of Louiseneige Be
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