Experience Taiji

The cultivation of Shen, Yi, and Qi is not limited to one single curriculum or lineage and is and will always be the most important part of Taijiquan for me. Having said that Just as in Wing Chun, my journey in Taijiquan has always been one of deep research, practice, and respect for multiple traditions.

After studying the Huang Sheng Shyan Taijiquan& Fujian White Crane hybrid system, I delved deeply into the Tian Zhaolin lineage in Shanghai. I eventually received the certificate of completion of the entire unarmed Tian Zhaolin lineage directly from Tian Zhaolin’s grandson, Tian Bing Yuan.

My next goal was to go deeper into the teachings connected to Yang Shao Hou, and especially Yang Ban Hou, since the Yang Jian Hou material was already extensively preserved within the Tian family curriculum.

This path let me to a 10 years study with Sifu Tam Maan Yin and eventually led me to Guiyang, where I began studying the Gu Lisheng lineage. Even after the passing of Sifu Qi Qisheng, I continue these studies in a lighter way online with some of his senior students.

Decades ago, one of my Taijiquan colleagues in Amsterdam, Sifu Henny Eleonora, once told me:

“Wu style is Old Style Yang.”

Those words stayed with me.

After researching the Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai Wu lineages, it became very clear to me which path I needed to follow.

Now over the last years organizing several events at the Eternal Spring Institute with Sifu Zhou Zhong Fu and after receiving private lessons to deeply explore the Wu curriculum in Shanghai, Istanbul, and Madeira, it has become clear to me that none of this was coincidence. Everything happened exactly as it was supposed to.

The systematic Wu Taijiquan curriculum of Ma Yueh Liang preserves an incredible amount of Old Yang Style material in a profoundly complete way. Had I not studied the Tian Zhaolin curriculum so deeply beforehand, I would never have fully appreciated what was preserved within it.

Even the ancient 7 stepping methods used in 13 unique Tui Shou cycles are preserved in Such a detailed Indepth way. Two of those stepping methods I had learned before but were missing some important detailed regarding close body kicks and sweeps.

九宮步 (Jiǔ Gōng Bù) — “Nine Palace Step,” based on the traditional nine-grid directional pattern.

七星步 (Qī Xīng Bù) — “Seven Star Step,” a compact guarding stepping method connected to seven-point alignment.
It’s wonderful that because of the detailed transmission it’s all still so well preserved within the Shanghai branch of the Ma Yueh Liang Wu Taijiquan curriculum.

All of the unique stepping patterns of old Yang Taijiquan remain preserved there in their entirety and I will do my utmost best to help preserve the complete curriculum through the efforts of the Eternal Spring institute.

Combined with the correct internal development, makes the Shanghai branch of Ma Yueh Liang Wu Taijiquan the Taijiquan curriculum of choice for the Eternal Spring Institute.

The deeper I go into the curriculum of these arts, the more I understand that true knowledge comes from keeping an open mind, respecting the past, and never limiting oneself to a single perspective.

Courage, peace, and love to all.

Sifu Sergio Pascal Iadarola
Founder of the IWKA and its Schools of Kung Fu department
CEO of the Eternal Spring Institute.
Co Founder of the Weng Chun& Fujian White Crane association Hong Kong.

Day 3 of the intensive Wu Taijiquan Instructors Course with Sifu Zhou at the is a wrap and the feeling among the students is unanimous: total information overload in the best possible way.

The depth of the Shanghai Wu Lineage passed down through Ma Yuehliang is extraordinary. Every session reveals another layer of refinement: structure, sensitivity, timing, internal mechanics, partner work, and the subtle details that transform movement into true Taijiquan.

What becomes increasingly clear is how rich and complete this curriculum really is. Behind every posture lies decades of preserved knowledge and methodical transmission.

Grateful to experience such authentic teaching and to continue exploring the internal principles of the Wu family system.

Ma Yueh Liang Shanghai Wu Style

Enjoy the latest video on the “Sifu Sergio’s Kung fu world channel” click here when on Facebook 👉🏼 https://youtu.be/XZcLzjAuPpc?is=1g48VSGN2kVdzJW2 or go the channel if on Instagram. Enjoy!

Tai Chi Forms Without Substance? Here's What's Missing Tai Chi Forms Without Substance? Here's What's MissingLearn online with Sifu Sergio:https://experiencetaiji.comFollow Sifu Sergio on: page: http://w...

Two hours of Wu and Yang Taijiquan under the December sun here in the mountains of Madeira Island ☀️⛰️🌳
Cultivation of the inner qualities through the forms today, feeling each subtle detail of each posture while going deeper and deeper

There’s something unique about training outdoors on this magical island.
The warmth on the skin of the December Sun, and the stunning nature… it all really blends very well with my internal work.
In these moments, Taijiquan becomes more than just practice it really becomes a living dialogue between body, mind, energy and environment.

Grateful for another day of growth and refinement 🙏🏼

Wu Jianquan (1870–1942) was the Taijiquan innovator behind what we now call Wu-style Taiji – one of the five major family styles practiced worldwide.

His speciality?
Refining Taiji into a small-frame, subtle, highly efficient art –
• compact, relaxed movements
• refined neutralisation and yielding
• precise structure for Striking, grappling, throws and joint locks, hidden inside “soft” training.

He helped move Taijiquan from the Imperial Guard circles into public life, teaching in Beijing and Shanghai so that ordinary people could train for both health and martial skill.

Every time we practise Wu-style – slow, calm, and precise – we’re touching Wu Jianquan’s legacy:
soft overcoming hard, small defeating big, stillness guiding movement.

🙏 敬仰吳鑑泉宗師– may we keep his spirit alive in every form, every push hands exchange, and every mindful breath.