"A Brief history"

The slow motion art of Tai Chi is said to have been first developed by Chang San-Feng in the early 1300's. As a young man Chang was scholarly and well traveled. He studied martial arts extensively during his travels and, having spent ten years training at Shaolin, he reputedly mastered all their exercises. In his later years he studied Taoist alchemy.

As regards the exact origin of Tai Chi Chuan, one story says Chang created Tai Chi as the result of a dream he had. Another story had Chang observing a conflict between a bird and a snake, alleging his observations served as a basis for Tai Chi. In either case, Tai Chi certainly exemplifies principles drawn from the Taoist tradition and from the I-Ching. Quite a number of excellent books are available today detailing the origins and philosophy of Tai Chi. The curious reader is referred to those many volumes currently available for further information.

Since Chang's day there have evolved several different styles of Tai Chi Chuan. Aside from those factors that distinguish the different styles it is true, as well, that individual teachers often have their own idiosyncratic approaches. Though the different systems vary in ways that lend each its particular identity there are also denominators common to each. Following is a primer to familiarize the reader with the most common and beneficial aspects of traditional Tai Chi Chuan.

fast hands....with a glare in the eyes

Uechi Ryu is an Okinawan style of karate that derives from a Southern Chinese system of Kung Fu called Pangai Noon Chuan Fa (meaning soft-hard boxing).

In 1897, a young 19 year old Okinawan immigrant named Kanbun Uechi, on the run from Japanese military conscription, arrived in Fuchow City, Fukien Province Southern China. For the next 13 years, he studied Pangai noon chuan fa under the monk/artist Chou Tsu Ho (who was born in 1874 in Nanko-chin Shibata village in the Zhitian area of China). In the last 3 years he also established his own school. He returned to Okinawa in 1910 (in disguise to evade the Japanese authorities) but did not teach again until 1924 when severe economic conditions on Okinawa resulted in many, including Kanbun, having to leave for Japan to find work. There he began teaching a group of his fellow countrymen who were being bullied by unscrupulous locals and other Okinawan immigrants. The style has been taught publicly since 1926. His eldest son Kanei began training in 1930. After his death in 1948, the style was renamed Uechi Ryu Karate by Kanei and other senior students. Between 1948 and his death in 1990 Kanei Uechi headed the Uechi Ryu Karate Association. The current grandmaster is his son Kanei, ranked 9th degree black belt. In North America, much has been done to advance the art by Master George Mattson. Master Mattson trained directly under Master Kanei Uechi in Okinawa and heads the North American Chapter of Uechi Ryu Karate Association and the International Uechi Ryu Karate Federation. He received his 9th degree in 1998.

After studying for 6 years in Boston, Mass. under the tutelage of Master Mattson and Jim Maloney, Al Wharton began teaching Uechi Ryu in Bermuda in 1975. Master Wharton was inducted into the Uechi Ryu Hall of Fame in 1982. He teaches Uechi Ryu and Northern Shaolin Kung Fu at the Bermuda Arts and Fitness Academy on Chapel Rd. in Paget.

Uechi is a close range fighting style that mimics the attacking and defensive movements of the tiger, dragon and crane. As well as a comprehensive system of self-defense, it also encompasses internal energy development and moving meditation through the ancient kata - Sanchin, designed to create harmony between the mind, body and spirit. This kata forms the basis of the system and will develop in the student, a strong stance which is rooted, yet capable of great mobility and which provides a strong platform for both attack and defense. Uechi does not rely on brute strength or great flexibility to perform its hand and foot techniques, but on timing, co-ordination, awareness, balance, flow and overall good form developed through kata training, technique exercises and various 2 person attack/defense drills (kumite and bunkai). Uechi is ideal for young and old, men and women alike.