Zhan Zhuang The Ultimate Inner Training By Yu Yongnian

By Author: David Zhu
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Dr. Yu Yongnian, worldwide most respected reference for zhang zhuang (post standing exercise) reveals the theories and practical training, as the essence of Taoist principles for internal development. He described it as the most straight way to reach a healthy and unified body while enhancing mental skills.

In his research Dr. Yu Yongnian demonstrates that among the most famous Taoist masters such as Lao Tseu, Guan Zi, Huangdi... all are precisely mentionning "zhan zhuang" as one of the ultimate self cultivation method.
But more important is that beyond these words, each serious practitioner, after a sufficient period of practice, will be able to understand most of Chinese ancient writing on internal cultivation, within all symbolic and analogic description, distinguishing the substance from the form.

"When I was training in the park under Master Wang Xiang Zhai, Doctor Yu later recalled,he would tell me to pull the tree towards me and push it back. This was from a distance and I could not imagine how I could possibly do that! Only after long practice did I begin to feel the
connection with the tree. ...
... Then I began to understand his words."

The "Search of Wu" is the world reference for this pile standing method called "zhan zhuang" and brings mental/body cultivation to another level. This constitutes the most important basis for Chinese ancient wisdom and also practical method for better health but giving the unvaluable key for whole body strength, central goal of all internal martial artists.

"In 1944 I started to learn zhan zhuang with Mr. Wang Xiang Zhai, studying the various posts standing of Yiquan, but especially those which can be used specifically for medical treatment of patients suffering from chronic diseases: these ones are called "Healing posts" (Yangsheng
zhuang)."

"If your upper (body) does not (reflect) any principle,
if your lower (body) is not substantial,
do not run like a horse,
do not fly like a bird. "

"Do not move until (acquiring) the object,
observe what it follows,
if you move then you will deviate from it,
inside calmness you will gain it. "

Guan Zi - Volume 13: Xinshu - Chapter 36

Later another famous philosopher, Lao Zi provided also a very interesting description of Zhan zhuang:

"Stand by yourself and hold (your posture),
observe the Wonderful,
Promote (internal) circulation untiringly,
then watch it arouses".

(Laozi - Dao De Jing - Chapter 1 and Chapter 25)

Later in the Classic TCM reference - Huang Di Nei Jing- we can find again some concrete references and explanations to Zhan zhuang:

"Lift and support Heaven and Earth,
Grasp Yin and Yang,
Breathing deeply air,
Stand and meditate profoundly,
(All) muscles (unified) as one."

All those descriptions are very similar to the modern Zhan zhuang's training method as you will discover in this book and even the more you'll practice and the more you'll find them convincingly identical.
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