Experience a complete system of martial arts, integrating all three internal styles, that was developed by Great Grandmaster Wang Shu-Jin, transmitted directly to current Grandmaster Wang Fu-Lai, and, through him, to Hiromi Johnson, head instructor of Cheng-Ming Association, Virginia Branch. Students of Cheng-Ming progress systematically through the curriculum and enjoy personal correction of their form by Grand-master Wang Fu-Lai during his semi-annual visits to our dojo.
Fees, Policies and Registration Information
Classes at the Hiromi T’ai Chi Dojo are ongoing. You can start any time.To find out more about registering for classes, please visit the Fees and Policies page.
View the Class Schedule here.
T’ai Chi Ch’uan (Tai-Ji Quan) 太極拳
Prerequisite: No previous skill is required.
- Download the Cheng Ming T’ai Chi Form List here (Pin Yin by Holly Chen)
- Download the Cheng Ming T’ai Chi Sword Form List here (Pin Yin by Holly Chen)
T’ai means “grand” , Chi “terminus”, and Ch’uan “fist.” [The word "Ch’uan" (or "Zhang") will be omitted in the following text.]
Cheng-Ming T’ai Chi is derived from the “Orthodox Style” developed by the executive committee of the T’ai Chi organization at the National Academy of Martial Arts in Nanking in 1929.
It is a complete sequence synthesized from the five major family styles of T’ai Chi (Chen, Yang, Wu, Sun and Wu/Hao.) One of the goals was to preserve the essence of T’ai Chi. Extraneous and inefficient movements or techniques were discarded. As a result, every movement, transition and posture possess a usable martial application and health benefit. Great Grandmaster Wang Shu-Jin enhanced the form with Hsing-I, Ba Gua, and Zhan Zhuang. The Cheng-Ming T’ai Chi form has one hundred movements and is the foundation in training Hsing-I and Ba Gua within the Cheng-Ming martial arts system. “T’ai Chi is the root of all the roots” Great Grandmaster Wang Shu-Jin used to say, “because the T’ai Chi form contains movements and principles of Hsing-I and Ba Gua.”
We teach this form in stages, starting with the 14-step form. Its slow steady pace provides an invigorating workout while calming the mind and reducing stress and develops the calmness and suppleness essential for training in the internal martial arts. The concept of Yin and Yang is fundamental to T’ai Chi, as the body is too much of either Yin or Yang, imbalance is created and can lead to disease of body or mind. Practicing in a slow and steady pace allows the practitioner to express the beauty of the form while providing a low-impact work out to strengthen muscular, skeletal and internal organ system.
T’ai Chi is the most defensive or soft of the three internal martial arts in the Cheng-Ming system. Its techniques are all based on circular motions utilizing various hip/waist movements with an emphasis on deflecting an opponent’s force. When applied in push hands (sensing hands) drills, students begin to see the techniques from the form and understand the martial arts value intrinsic in the form.
Hsing-I Ch’uan (Xing-Yi Quan) 形意拳
Prerequisite: Cheng-Ming T’ai Chi Form
Hsing-I translates as “Form and Mind.” Ch’uan literally means “fist.’ It is a martial art in which the internal intention controls the external form of the movement. The boxing form given shape by thought – the name indicates a great unity of thought and action.
The heart of Hsing-I is training in the “Five Element Fists” derived from the Chinese Medicine of the Five Elements Theory that make up the human body and the universe and their interactions with each other. Movement in Hsing-I is basically linear and uses mostly vertical strength and the fists. The body is totally relaxed yet ready to strike as fast as lightning. It is an effective fighting style which is used as a foundation for training “fa-jing” or expressed force. Excellent for improving coordination, maintaining focus, strengthening, and toning muscles.
The five elements and techniques are:
- Metal Pi Ch’uan Splitting
- Water Zhuan Ch’uan Drilling
- Wood Beng Ch’uan Crushing
- Fire Pao Ch’uan Pounding
- Earth Heng Ch’uan Crossing
Although the Five Elements appears simple compared to the T’ai Chi sequence, students soon realize the complexity in each fist and focus on developing conditioning and coordination. Physically performing the Five Elements has many levels and requires constant training in order to develop all the finer nuances and ultimately have the ability to fa-jing.
Training in Hsing-I continues with forms and then later the Twelve Animal Fist Set. Each animal represents a particular quality of movement. Working on the Twelve Animals trains the student in all types of movement necessary for martial arts.
Students start with the Five Element Fists, Empty Hand Forms, the Twelve Animals and weapons (short stick, sword, staff, spear and saber) training.
Children and adolescents can start with Hsing-I. It helps channel their excess energy while helping them to develop confidence, cultivate calm, and achieve a disciplined mind.
Adults who would like to work on more cardiovascular and weight management can start with Hsing-I.
Ba Gua Zhang (Pa Kua Chang) 八卦掌
Prerequisite: Completion of both T’ai Chi and Hsing-I.
Ba means “eight” and Gua, “direction”, Zhang, “palm of the hand.” It is based on the I-Ching — Book of Changes, and characterized by its “circle walking” combined with palm changes. The complex and beautiful Ba Gua is considered the “crown jewel” of the internal martial arts. Ba Gua has a vast curriculum reserved for advanced students. 
It also requires great strength and stamina which is only built up by regular practice of T’ai Chi and Hsing-I.
The principle in Ba Gua is to attract the opponent into the circle in order to attack him from the side or behind without encountering him/her. Ba Gua’s spiraling and twisting effect on the body can be very dramatic. Due to the constant body twisting or coiling/uncoiling, the meridians coil/uncoil, which results in increased chi flow that is faster and stronger than T’ai Chi or Hsing-I. Therefore, in the Cheng-Ming system, it is reserved for students who trained and built foundation in both T’ai Chi and Hsing-I before allowing students to begin Ba Gua.
Unlike Hsing-I’s straight forward power, Ba Gua has hard and soft, obvious and hidden, sideways/crossing, like a cyclone. It trains students to be evasive, indirect, thoughtful, detail-oriented, and multi-dimensional; both in mind and body.
Students begin by walking 1000 steps in each direction, non-stop. It requires students incredible mental and physical challenge that only comes with the actual practice. It is very strong and powerful to the five major organs and also requires great patience and excellent balance. The energy produced in Ba Gua has a spiraling effect on the body and creates enormous energy. Ba Gua has uplifting effect on the mind, improve balance, concentration, core strength and patience. After students have trained 1000 steps for some time, forms and weapons will be introduced. The quantity and complexity of Ba Gua, coupled with the rigorous training, exercises both the mind and the body extraordinarily.
Zhan Zhuang (Standing Meditation)
Prerequisite: No previous skill is required.
Zhan Zhuang is s a form of Ch’i Kung (Qigong) training which is to encourage the flow of energy throughout the body in accordance with the principles of Chinese Medicine. These sets are fundamental to developing proper posture and conditioning, while promoting healing.
Zhan Zhuang emphasizes the principle of “non-action.” The meaning of “non-action” is doing one thing only without relating to other forces in action in the environment. These exercises contribute to improve concentration and combat.
It looks extremely simple and monotonous, however, students find this challenging in the beginning, as it requires extreme concentration and heightened consciousness coordinated with breath and relaxation.
The first Zhan Zhuang set focuses on the five internal zhang organs: heart, liver, spleen, kidneys, ad lungs. The second set focuses on the Eight Extraordinary Meridians. The 3rd set focuses on the Twelve Major Meridians. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is believed that increasing your internal power can protect the body against both internal and external attack. Zhan Zhuang’s contribution to fighting skills is in the way it helps keep the mind and body relaxed during a confrontation.
Meditation helps open the meridians and increase the circulation of Ch’i (Qi) which will result in increased internal power. Students improve their sensitivity to both external and internal movement. Zhan Zhuang is integrated at every level of training.
Schedule and Locations
Please visit the Cheng-Ming Track schedule page for information about class times and locations.