HISTORICAL CONTEXT AND LINEAGE

The 'Wudang Tai Chi 13 Forms' (武当太极十三势) represents a foundational cornerstone of Taoist internal martial arts preserved within the Wudang Taihe Sect. Steeped in centuries of sacred mountain heritage, this classical routine is presented by Fan Keping, the 13th-generation leader of the Taihe Sect and principal of the Nanjing Chinese Traditional Training School. Recommended by General Qian Jun, Fan Keping spent ten years studying internal martial arts and bone-setting osteopathy under Wudang Master Li Songru. As the author of 42 authoritative martial texts, Fan Keping brings unparalleled lineage authenticity and structural precision to this historic lecture series from the Nanjing Central Martial Arts Institute.

BIOMECHANICAL AND ENERGETIC MECHANISMS

At the core of the Wudang 13 Forms lies the harmonious fusion of spiraling physical mechanics, Dantian Breath Regulation, and energetic silk-reeling (Chan Si Jin). Biomechanically, the system incorporates specialized footwork—including the Sword Stance (Jian Bu), Rest Stance (Xie Bu), Cold Rooster Stance (Han Ji Bu), and Half-Horse Stance (Ban Ma Bu)—to forge unbreakable lower-body rooting. Energetically, practitioners coordinate slow, deep nasal inhalations and sinks with dynamic palm edge strikes, hook hand extensions, and circular torso sways. This continuous circulation opens meridian pathways, regulates vital organs, and integrates internal Qi with external mechanical leverage.

SYSTEMIC PROGRESSION AND MOVEMENT CHARACTERISTICS

The training curriculum is structured into two comprehensive sections spanning 13 core postures plus advanced application breakdowns: Section 1 includes foundational forms such as 'Immortal Releases Sword', 'Beauty Looks in the Mirror', 'Wild Goose Lands on Flat Sands', 'Swaying Willow with the Wind', 'Golden Hook Hangs the Curtain', 'Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg', and 'Pushing the Boat with the Current'. Section 2 advances through 'Iron Crutch Kicks the Stove', 'Fanning Wind Pierces Both Ears', 'Driving Away the Wise Ape Backwards', 'Two Dragons Enter the Sea', 'Parting Clouds to Support the Sun', and 'Looking at the Peach Beneath Leaves'. The program concludes with the signature 'Qiankun (Heaven and Earth) Ball' oval rotation exercise.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS AND HARD CONDITIONING

Beyond aesthetic health cultivation, the Wudang 13 Forms system contains practical self-defense applications and joint-fortifying conditioning. Through multi-directional palm thrusts, hollow-fist strikes, leg-hooking kicks, and continuous oval arm rotations, practitioners master off-balancing opponents while maintaining structural equilibrium. Featuring professional English audio commentary, this Region-Free DVD provides martial artists, Qigong enthusiasts, and Tai Chi practitioners with an invaluable, step-by-step masterclass in genuine Wudang Taoist internal cultivation.