Our History and Lineage

We would like to provide a brief description of the history and lineage of the Nam Hoa system that Bending Tree teaches. There's so much more information that we can provide, and you can check our Reading List that lists other sources of information.

It's a very rich history and we would enjoy the opportunity to have you in a class where you could learn more.

History

The Longevity Tree form originated in the Nam Hoa (pronounced Nam Waa) Temple in Southern China. Nam Hoa means "flower of the south." It is a Qigong form. There is a difference between Qigong and Tai Chi. The history of Qigong and Tai Chi is a lengthy and debatable one. Qigong is also spelled Chi Kung. Some believe it has its roots in Buddhist history from India, while others feel it is strictly Chinese. We do know that the Chinese monks practiced Qigong for health and spiritual reasons. It filtered out of the temples in many ways. Families were studying the animal martial arts at the same time, (such as the snake style or crane style). There are many families such as the Yang family, Wu family, Sun Family, and more. The Yang style of Tai Chi is probably most well known here in the U.S.

When the internal art of moving energy (Qigong) mixed with the external art of martial arts, it became Tai Chi as we know it today. Some say Qigong is not Tai Chi and technically they are correct. It is a bit like saying "the cow isn't the milk." Qigong came first and therefore is part of Tai Chi.

One of the primary ways you can distinguish the two are through the use of martial arts. Tai Chi has its roots in martial arts whereas Qigong has its roots in earth and universe energies. Tai Chi will have movements such as "Ward Off", (a blocking movement if someone is attacking you), and "single whip", (a very effective strike with the top of the wrist). Qigong will have movements such as "The Tree of Life", (and expansion of the chest, and a working of the shoulder muscles to bring earth energy and universe energy together), and "Lotus Flower Blooming", (a full opening of the energy through the body and a challenge to the body balance).

I can tell you from practicing both styles that, in my opinion, Qigong is a more gentle practice than Tai Chi. It devotes itself to finding your own chi and building and using it to be well both physically and spiritually. However I enjoy practicing both styles as they compliment each other so well.

This is a VERY SIMPLISTIC version of a long history which is a fascinating thing to study. I encourage you, if you are interested, to read up on the subject. There are many books and websites available. I suggest to you, though, that you not get caught up in the debate over where and when it started or which family style may be better or oldest, etc.

I suggest that you concentrate on how the practice of Qigong or Tai Chi feels to you. Information is powerful. Let your own chi be the guide to your study. Feel your way through it first, and study it after you have developed your own chi practice. Tai Chi is not something you learn- but something you practice.

Lineage

San-Feng Chang (13th century) was the legendary founder of Tai Chi Chuan. He was a monk who studied at the Buddhist Shaolin Temple and the Taoist Center at Wudang.

For the next 400 years, Tai Chi was practiced only in the Temples. Tai Chi has been recorded in formal documents since the time Wan-Ting Chen began the Chen Family Practice (17th century). The Chen practice stayed within the family until Chang-Hsin Chen taught it to Lu-Chan Yang, the founder of the Yang family practice.

The Yang Lineage

Chang-Hsin Chen

Lu-chan Yang (1799 - 1872) Founder

Chian Yang (1839 - 1917)

Chen-Fu Yang (1883 - 1936)

Chein Yi Tung

Hu Ling Tung

Kai Ying Tung

Jim Scott-Behrends

The Wu Lineage

Yang Lu-Chan Yang Ban-Hou

Chuan Yuo (1832 - 1902)

Wu Chian-Chuan (1870 - 1942)

Ma Yueh-Liang Wu Ying-Hua

Wen Mei Yu

Jim Scott-Behrends

The Nam Hoa Lineage

Wudang Nam Hoa

Master Mak

Kinh Nguyen

Jim Scott-Behrends