Pao Chui (Cannon Fist) Form

Cannon Fist, also called Pao Chui, is the advanced form (71 movements) of the original Chen Style T’ai Chi created for martial training more than 300 years ago. Relatively few t’ai chi practitioners throughout the world have access to this advanced martial art form. As Grandmaster Feng often said, the efficient path to build internal power is through nurturing. 

In this routine, Dr. Yang shows how to use the nurturing approach to train Pao Chui.  His demonstration clarifies numerous sub energies in the movements for marital art application. He shows how to utilize intention and core (dantian) to build internal power. Precise footwork is demonstrated to develop rooting, a solid foundation and prevent injury. And spiral energy (silk reeling energy) for marital art application and pain prevention is present throughout. In this demonstration one can see the power harnessed through decades of practice using the nurturing  approach to master this demanding and powerful form. This is a significant contribution to the art of healing and martial art application. 

Dr. Yang recorded this form facing the Pacific Ocean in Seattle, WA in the summer of 2021. He dedicates this performance to his grandmasters, Chen, Feng, Gu, Wu, Yun, and Zhang: each of them had a “touch” in this form. He is especially grateful for the nurturing approach Grand Master Feng taught him for actualizing the potential of this ancient martial treasure.