The Royal Style - Kwan Ping Tai Chi Chuan

Master Bob Cook informal video from 1993. Taught privately by Grandmaster Kuo Lin Ying, Sifu Cook inspired me to train 10 hours/day for five years. I say "The Royal Style" because it is more grandiose with swinging leg movements and can take up an entire basketball court. The moves are regal and invigorated in a unique manner unlike other Tai Chi Chuan styles.

Sifu trained even harder and learned 3 styles of Tai Chi Chuan which he has practiced daily for a lifetime. He learned what he called "Chen Style Kwan Ping" from Kuo, Yang style from James Wing Woo, and Chen style from Mr. Ying of San Franscisco. He taught me 2 styles of Hsing-I (from T.Y.Pang and Mr. Ying), BaKua from T.Y. Pang. Lau Bun gave Sifu his training belt after years of hard training in the Choy Lee Fut with Jimmy Wu. Years of training to learn the Buk Pai Tong Long (Northern style Preying Mantis) as well as the Hung Gar and 2 systems of Tam Toi (26 lines). Staff, sword, you get the idea! We would train for hours in the rain while he watched from under a small playhouse in the park. Much of what I see of Guang Ping looks nothing like this, this system is "regal". When the Manchurians took over China the Grandmaster of the Kwan Ping was made to teach the royal family. He taught them a BS version. His best friends son was 7 and wanted to learn. The GM gave the boy the task of touching his chin to his toe while standing (within 3 months). This was because if the Manchurians saw him doing something different they would have beheaded the GM. That grew up and taught another child giving him the same test. That was Kuo. Kuo was very fond of Sifu Cook and really wanted him to learn and very few learned directly from Kuo. Some call this the "secret" Guang Ping. I call it the "real" Kwan Ping. Sifu taught me the final part of this form in 1993. When Sifu went to see Bruce Lee, BL looked through his screen door and said 'you train harder than anyone I've ever met". How did he know? Because Sifu trained so hard and long I never really thought me endless hours were anything special but I sure am glad I did it!

Category:

Education

Tags:

• kuo ling ying
• bob cook
• tom chi
• tai chi chuan
• kwan ping
• guan ping
• kung fu
• hsing yi
• pa kua
• ba kua
• bagua
• pushing hands
• sticky hands

[krautbeer1]

I have seen many styles and have learned the Guang Ping long form from Master Marilyn Cooper. I have also trained under Jou Tsung Hwa and honestly never heard of Bob Cook. This form looks almost exactly like the one I learned. What I question is its appearence. You say this is the regal form and can take up to a football field, yet you chose to tape it in the width of a road! Why? Don't they have parking lots or backyards there? My friend I think you got taken -- sorry!

[heartslord]

@krautbeer1

Good point. One of the things highlighted by the vid is the sheer vertical dropoff of the mountain. What I've seen called GP has looked like Yang, all slow, limited and slow kicks etc. I have an old clip shot on a basketball court which I need to convert from VHS. There is a subtle explosive robust energy in GP that is not in the other forms. Anyone who doesn't get the regal styling of Kuos Tai Chi is missing out. Perhaps you have it. Ps I'll see if they can put a prkg lot there.

[krautbeer1]

@heartslord I have studied he form for almost 20 years. I incorporated Master Jou's 'Torso method and also his super slow execution. The form is supposed to last 15 minutes.per side When done super slow it will take 1 hour or so on each side. After my research I found out that the kicks are supposed to be fast as well as the elbow strikes and a 3 punch combo, but it looks much different than this. Just Type in alaan and you get the closest to what I practice.

[heartslord]

@krautbeer1

Very nice. I've done the Yang so long (30 years) and it is so slow and even that I was thrilled to see the differences in how the movements are played as in the sample vid I posted. Sifu Cook spent many weekends in Kuos basement (as I recall) with Kuo learning this style. Many of the students learned from Kuos wife (though I understand that was not the case with your teachers). I began the Kwan Ping 25 years ago and went back for the last of it in 1993. It's a spectacular form and,

[heartslord]

pt 2. And it's a rare gem. I'm glad to hear of your practices. For a while I thought only a few of us knew it. Then I discovered the GP society but was dissapointed that the form was played more like Yang than how I know it. Keep up the great work and thanks for your comments. P.s. I've noted that Sifu Cook played the form somewhat differently (in how he expressed it) over the years). So when I finally get that VHS converted from '81 I'll post it. Til then!

[MrLimestonecowboy]

To Bob: It is good to see you in this video. I hope you are well these days. I am grateful for the short time as friends and many valuable lessons learned from you in Miami. Best to you and Bobby. Thanks to heartslord for posting!

[isthische]

:) kr neki.

[boblevey]

Beautiful Master Cook.. hope you all is good and will see you soon in Basalt

Sincerely

Bob Levey

[lewmer]

It's a beautiful form. Something to strive for.