East Wu Tai Chi – First Advanced Class
Time: Every Tuesday in August 2018, 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Oxford St, Box Hill, Wesley Church
At the East Wu Tai Chi Alliance, every student takes great pride in their student ID, known as the “Huangpu Military Academy” code. These ID numbers begin with the digit 2, representing the students of the First Advanced Class.
Because this group of students made history by being the first to welcome the legendary Master Xu Qinlan—a figure deeply admired by Cloud-and-Water Fan Tai Chi learners—who traveled thousands of miles to personally visit and teach in Australia.
Master Xu Qinlan, a 11th-generation ordained disciple of Shaolin, together with her direct disciple Teacher Wendy, designed a special intensive training program for the advanced class students in preparation for achieving outstanding results at the inaugural Martial Arts Festival.
Training Curriculum Included:
Chen-Style Tai Chi – National Grading System (Level 1 and Level 2 Solo Routines)
Chen-Style Tai Chi – Essential 18 Forms
Chen-Style Tai Chi – 49-Form Straight Sword Routine
46-Form Cloud-and-Water Tai Chi Fan
As the saying goes, “From a tiger’s gate come no weak cubs—great masters produce outstanding disciples.” Under the personal instruction of Master Xu and the rigorous training of Teacher Wendy, the students of the First Advanced Class delivered an outstanding performance at the 2018 Dragon Boat Festival Thousand-Person Gathering hosted by the Hebei Association.
Their striking and impressive display earned them a broadcast on CCTV International Evening News, bringing pride to the entire East Wu Tai Chi Alliance.
After undergoing rigorous training, these novice students—new to the martial arts scene—successfully passed the examination and were exceptionally awarded the Level 2 Certificate of the Chinese National Duanwei System by the General Administration of Sport of China.
As the saying goes, “Without enduring bitter frost and harsh winds, how can the plum blossom bloom with fragrance?”
Despite having never stepped onto an international competition stage before, these beginners, supported by sponsors from Huaxia Bailaotong, trained diligently in the Cloud-and-Water Tai Chi Fan and went on to win First Prize in the group competition at the First International Martial Arts Festival of Australia.
Meanwhile, the advanced class core group also began practicing the 24-Form Yang-Style Tai Chi, further deepening their skills and broadening their Tai Chi foundation.
The students of East Wu’s First Advanced Class, often praised as the “Whampoa Military Academy” of the Alliance, are not only outstanding in martial arts but are also devoted volunteers who actively contribute their love and service across all East Wu training programs. Every staff member wearing a code starting with the number 2 wears it as a badge of honor, representing their commitment to volunteerism and the spirit of giving.
The Chen-Style Tai Chi Essential 18 Forms was the core curriculum of this first advanced class—a course into which Master Xu Qinlan poured her utmost dedication and energy. Their hard work paid off: at the First International Martial Arts Festival, this signature performance by the first advanced class won the Grand Prize, the highest honor of the event.
Today, these “graduates” of the so-called East Wu Whampoa Military Academy are all certified and licensed instructors. They now serve as the backbone teaching force for the Alliance’s many large-scale training sessions, providing personalized guidance and leading small group training for hundreds of new students in each term.