Curriculum

The Nei Jia Kung Fu Curriculum currently being offered is as follows:

1. Wu Style Taijiquan System:

Simplified Wu, Slow Set (Long Form), Fast Set (Longer Form), 8 Methods Chi Kung, 5 Elements Chi Kung, Power Forms (Lan Cai Hua, Wu's Xingyi, Power Form (Canon Fist)), Sword 1, Sword 2, Double Sword, Broadsword, Spear 13, Spear 24, 2 Person Sword, 2 Person Spear (Sticky Sticks), Push Hands: 5 Single Hands, Solo Hands, 13 Methods, 5 Moving Steps (including Da Lu), and Applications/Concepts for the forms and Free Style. Sharp holds certificates from the late Ma Yueh Liang, Wu Jian Quan's son-in-law and Wu's eldest daughter, Wu Ying Hua.

2. Jiang Rong Qiao's Nei Jia Kung Fu:

(Sharp holds a certificate in Jiang's Nei Jia Kung Fu from Zou Shuxian, Jiang Rong Qiao's adopted daughter, Cheng Jie Feng, and Cheng's Teacher Huan De Hai also of Jiang Rong Qiao's lineage). Sharp also studied Bagua and Xingyi with the King of Boxing (in China) Jiang Hao Quan, Xingyi with Deng Fu Xing, as well as received feedback from Wu Bin (Jet Li's Teacher), Liu Yu (Wushu Professional), Henry Look, Stuart Charno, and John P. Painter.

a. Baguazhang: The Mother Palms (Heaven, Lake, Fire, Thunder, Wind, Water, Mountain, and Earth), Old 8 Palms, 72 Leg Techniques, Bagua Power Training: Zhang Zhuang, Bagua Gong, Bagua Straight Sword (Long Form in 8 Sets), Broadsword (Da Dao), Reclining Moon Blade (Da Kuan Dao), Deer Hooks (Long Form in 8 sets), Bagua Rou Shou (Two Person Set, Long Form in 8 sets), Bagua Push Hands, as well as Applications for the forms and Free Style Concepts.

b. Xingyiquan: The 5 Fists, Mutual and Destructive Linking Sets, 12 Animals (Dragon, Tiger, Monkey, Horse, Water Lizard, Fighting Chicken, Falcon, Sparrowhawk, Snake, T'ai, and the Combined Eagle/Bear), Nei Gong (Qigong, Yi Quan, Healing Fists with Sounds), Animals Power Form (Hong Quan), Eight Methods Combined, (Ba Shi Quan), Za Shi Chui (All Forms Combined), 12 Animals Linking (Comprehensive Animals Set), 3 Hands Clash, Wu Xing Pao, An Shen Pao, Five Elements Sword, Six Harmonies Broadsword, Spear, Sun and Moon Spear Blades, Xingyi Push Hands, and Applications/Concepts for the forms as well as Free Style Concepts.

c. Nei Jia Concepts: Taiji Zhang Quan, Nei Jia Bian (A cane/whip with a 1st and 2nd Series), Yi Quan Zhangzhuang (with Fa Jing and Sound Training) and Applications for the forms and Free Style Concepts.

3. Liangong in 18 Forms:

A total of 54 exercises in all that are arranged into Three Series of 18 exercises each. These unique exercises address 1) Stress, strains, and sprains; 2) Joints and internal organs; and, 3) Yi Chi Kung (for Chi, or life force, enhancement). Sharp holds a personal certificate from Dr. Zhuang Yuan Ming, the creator of Liangong, for all three series.

4. Swimming Dragon Chi Kung:

All Five Phases are taught including: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Previously in the West, the majority of book and video instruction has focused on the Metal Phase only. Long term instruction also includes the Five Phases of Standing, Sound Meditation, and Sitting that additionally focuses on Dantian rotation. This comprehensive, yet concise approach to Chi Kung was taught to Gerald A. Sharp by Ju Beng Yi, Guo Ling's inner door student.

5. Soaring Crane Chi Kung:

This distinct Chi Kung practice is basically arranged into seven sections with the first five sections for connecting, harmonizing, and flowing the chi, a sixth section that includes an active self directed standing meditation, which invites the practitioner to free themselves of all blockages and engage the body, mind, and spirit in an altered state to encourage a breaking through of self imposed limitations of balance, perspective, and limitations in movement; as well as a seventh section which involves walking (both linear and circular) and stretching to complete the absorption and synthesis of energy. Sharp studied Soaring Crane with Wang Shunxi of Shanghai, a student of Zhao Jing Xiang, the creator of Soaring Crane Chi Kung.

6. Comparative Styles:

Some students are interested in being exposed to or studying other styles of Taijiquan, or compare them to Wu's practical small frame. When Gerald A. Sharp was engaged in form's competitions in the 1990s, he medaled in Chen and Yang forms, hand and weapons sets, both in the U.S. and China and even won a Round Trip to China at a well-attended San Francisco tournament.

a. Chen Style Taijiquan:

First and Second Routines, Chan Ssu Jing Gong (Silk Reeling Energy Work) Five Methods of Push Hands (Single, Double, and Moving), Sword, and Broadsword. Sharp was granted a certificate from Zhou Yuan Long in Chen Style studies. Zhou was a student of Chen Zhaokui (Zhou drew the line drawings of Chen Fake and Chen Zhaokui in one of the most popular Chen Style books ever written by Gu Liu Xin. His daughter, Zhou Peifeng, co-authored one of the first ever published books on Chen Style Sword with Tian Xiu-Chen). Sharp also studied with Cheng Jie Feng (and his teacher Huan De Hai), as well as Feng Heng Gen (Student of Gu Lu Xing), Chen Jun Yan (Student of Chen Zhaokui), and K.C. Hom of Singapore. Instructons follow Gu Liu Xing's classic text on Chen Style Taijquan.

b. Yang Style Taijiquan:

Long Form, Push Hands (Single, Double, and Moving), Fa-Jing Training, Sword and Broadsword. Sharp holds a certificate from Zhou Yuan Long, who was a student of Tian Zhaolin (Yang Jianhou’s student) and Fu Zhongwen (Yang Cheng Fu’s nephew). Zhou drew the line drawings of Yang Cheng Fu for Fu’s book, “Mastering Yang Style Taijiquan,” based on both the photos of Yang Cheng Fu and the postures of Fu Zhong Wen. Sharp also studied or received feedback on Yang Style from Fu Zhong Wen, Fu Shengyuan (Fu’s Son), Zou Shuxian (Student of Fu, organizer and sponsor of Fu's classes and workshops in the Hong Kuo Park District in Shanghai), Feng Ru Long (Student of Fu and a Wushu Professional), Chao-Li Chi (Student of Tung Hu Lin), Doc-Fai Wong (Student of Hu Yuen-Chou), and Dr. Carl Totton. Instructons follow Fu Zhing Wen's book "Mastering Yang Style Taijquan."

7. Yi Quan Chi Kung:

Yi Quan is an integral part of Xingyiquan training which includes standing, sitting, and reclining meditation practice, In modern times, Yi Quan has often been taught in isolation because the concepts can be applied in push hands and self-defense. This is different than the fighting art of Dachengquan created by Wang Xiangzhai. Because of the depth of the practice and some student's desire to deepen meditation, it can be offered as a separate discipline for those that are interested. Sharp studied Yi Quan with Huan De Hai, a Xingyiquan student of Wang Xiangzhai (prior to his development of Dachengquan) and Jiang Rong Qiao, as well as Cheng Jie Feng (Huan's student).

8. Guo Ling Chi Kung:

Presented and taught are the complete walking methods and a host of variations, comprehensive Meditation (Five Phases & Health Enhancement), Ruler, Sounds, and Meditations. Certified by Ju Beng Yi (Inner Door Student of Guo Ling).

Sessions are specific, thorough, and are taught by amicable arrangement. Materials for reference are available on book and (or) video. A special "block" of four sessions, one and a half hours each for a total of six hours is offered at a savings, and allows for up to two people to study jointly. For more information, check out the "Private Classes" category. For “Long Distance Study,” click on that button in the “Instruction” category.

Certificates are awarded to students who inquire and are able to demonstrate proficiency. The cost and type are as follows:

Currently, Certificates are $50.00 each (includes shipping) U.S. domestic and $80 outside the U.S., and are issued as a Lifetime certificate
For additional information contact Gerald A. Sharp at: chiflow@earthlink.net
NOTE: Please Consult Your Personal Care Physician Before Beginning Any Training Program.