Tai Chi and Kung Fu by Amy Sifu
Zhao Bao Taichi Moves Gallery
Zhao Bao He Style Taichi
Zhao Bao He Style Taichi is a traditional form of tai chi. The form consists of 72 movements and it takes about 6 minutes to practice the form. Each movement consists of big and small circular and swirling movements. From the beginning to the end, we use our mind to lead the movements. We have to keep our head, neck and body naturally straight. The center of all movements is the waist, which makes it crucial for the waist to stay loose, steady, and erect. The movements should be soft, even, and completed with ease and agility. We do not use muscle strength. The movements must remain fluid, and be linked together slowly and continuously. We need to relax the chest muscles and pull the rib cage slightly inward, so that no tension is present in the inner body. When practicing the form, each movement follows another. They should be linked together seamlessly and with liveliness. To do this, we avoid sticking out the chest, stomach, or buttocks, lowering the head, bending our waist, or arching your back. We should be careful of the shifting of the weight. Steps should be light and sensitive. The tailbone has to be in line with the spine at all times and should be curled slightly upward. This will help to keep the body straight and center our balance and link the energy in our body from top to bottom, unifying the entire body as one.
Pushing hands is another facet of learning He Style taichi. He Style taichi is powerful in pushing hands and combat. By practicing pushing hands, we put the taichi form in action. We can test the accuracy of the form and our ability to feel and sense the momentum/force of the opponent. It is a very intriguing game and interesting learning process.
Zhao Bao He Style taichi has proven to be beneficial to health. It improves blood circulation and enhances the immune system. It helps to bring about better body balance and prevent and alleviate illnesses such as heart disease, high blood pressure, stomach problems, spine problems and anxiety. A lot of students benefitted immensely after learning and practicing the form. They have become more healthy, lively, happy and energetic in their life, work and play pursuits.
Since Zhao Bao He Style taichi is very complex and subtle, learning requires keen interest and a lot of patience and perseverance. There are two prerequisites. We should learn from a good master. Secondly, we have to be persistent and patient in learning, work closely with and follow the detailed instructions of the master, and firmly abide by the virtues of martial art. There are four basic stages in learning. First we learn the basic form. Secondly, we strive to achieve precision in the movements. Thirdly, we learn to use the inner energy to lead the body in practising the form. Lastly, we learn the application of the form in pushing hands. It is essential that we should persist, be modest and always strive to improve ourselves. With such attitude and intensive practice under the guidance of a good master, we will be able to attain maximum coordination of the body and mind.
傳統趙堡和式太極拳略述和功能
太極拳源遠流長，是優秀的拳種，相傳為武當丹士張三豐所創，屬內家拳，以靜制動，犯者應手即仆。趙堡和式太極拳以地名稱謂，趙堡鎮位於河南省西北之温縣，始建於春秋時代，距今已有二千五百年歷史。本門祖師蔣發由王宗岳收為門生。蔣發遵照師訓，嚴格挑選弟子，形成趙堡太極拳七代鮮為外人所知，至今仍較完整保存張三豐所創始的太極拳真諦。
據和式太極拳抄本所載，此拳是蔣發於明朝萬歷末年(約公元一千六百二十年)傳授於邢喜懷，邢將此拳傳張楚臣，王柏青，張楚臣傳陳敬伯，陳傳張宗禹，張傳其侄張彥。後張彥傳陳清萍。
陳清萍傳人頗多，和兆元是陳清萍的弟子，為趙堡太極拳第七代傳人。和兆元汲取諸家武術之長，結合實際技擊，融合太極之理；改進某些手法、身法、步法與姿勢，演進了區別於原架式的太極拳，自和兆元開始，他所傳的太極拳被稱為趙堡和式太極拳，或趙堡太極拳和氏架。
和兆元傳子和敬芝、和潤芝，長孫和慶喜。和慶喜授徒頗多，以其侄和學信，鄭悟清、鄭伯英、郝玉朝、郭雲等最著名。鄭悟清傳授劉漢慧師父的恩師紀昌秀，劉漢慧師父為趙堡太極第十二代傳人。
趙堡和式太極拳拳架基本為七十二式，每一式皆蘊藏著大小，順逆的圓圈。內在丹田之氣也轉圈，內圈和外圈互相配合，圈圈相連，內外合一。因此有人稱此拳為圈拳。
整套拳架，沒有明顯發勁動作，自始至終一直保持著中、正、平、勻、輕、靈、圓活，剛柔相濟。在整個的運動中以意念貫串，使其體用結合，既能養生，又能防身自衛。演練拳架分大、中、小架。每一架每一勢都表現得輕靈圓活，舒展大方。走架上下起伏，左右翻騰，一圈套一圈，無處不圈。鬆胯，順勢，含胸拔背，沉肩墜肘，正腰落胯，分清虛實，上下相隨，內外合一，用意不用力，節節貫串，連綿不斷，一氣呵成。三尖相對，步隨身換，一動無有不動，隨曲就伸等一系列身法要求，行如抽絲，動如流水，藕斷絲連，勢勢相隨。
在練拳架之外，推手是太極拳的另一內容。在拳架練習中內勁達到一定純熟度，即需練習推手的要頌與方法，體驗熟習對方勁力的訓練;推手時採用上下步的方法，處處保持太極圈的形式，運用平素訓練之手、身、步法及內勁，在與他人推手時，磨練如何以靜制動、以輕制重，以慢制快，以弱制強，同時檢驗拳勢中己身之缺失而改正之，達到體用兼備，知己知彼的懂勁功夫。
拳經有云：掤履擠按須認真，上下相隨人難進，任他巨力來打我，引動四兩撥千斤。
學習 趙堡和式太極拳不僅自己需要勤奮練習，更需明師言傳身授。歷代先師皆授徒嚴謹，教授弟子邊授拳藝，邊教武德。學習此拳絕不能急於求成。第一步先學套路，第二步要求準確，第三步要求以內帶外，第四步才講求用法。
趙堡和式太極拳不但是一種優秀的拳術，也是一種強身健體、延年益壽的良好運動。只要按照要求走架練拳，全身各部位都會得到平衡鍛煉，血氣流通百病除，由於正頭領氣，呼吸深長，能使頭腦清醒，調和氣血，修養身心，練之日久可增強體質，加強心肺功能，全身氣血運轉自如，周身經絡暢通無阻，將體內不潔帶走同時把養份帶到各主要器官，達到防病治病的功效。趙堡和式太極拳鍛練和強化核心/丹田，可防止腎臟，膀胱，子宮，前列腺，脊椎等退化。練習趙堡太極拳對許多慢性病如腦退化、心臟病、血壓高、胃病、糖尿病、高膽固醇、高三酸甘油脂、精神緊張、失眠症、情緒病、脊椎退化、坐骨神經痛、骨質疏鬆、抵抗力弱等具顯著療效。
