Years ago, I studied aikido, specifically Yoshinkan Aikido. Yoshinkan was developed from the way O'Sensei taught his "aiki budo" back in the 30's.

As aikido developed, there became clear stylistic differences between the Yoshinkan branch, and later branches based on O'Sensei's later teachings, such as Mr. Tohei's Ki-Aikido.

What I'm trying to say is that what is known as "aikido" is practiced over a wide spectrum.

My questions with regards to Gao style are these:

There are three main lineages of Gao style: Zhang Jun Feng from Taiwan, Ho Ho Choy in Hong Kong, and Wu Meng Xia in Tianjin. Has Gao style stayed pretty cohesive, or has the practice diverged among them?

How about within Zhang Jun Feng's lineage itself?

Best Regards,

Rick Matz

There are great variations in both forms and applications between the various branches of the Gao style. Although everyone sticks to the Pre-heaven circle and Post-heaven 64 straight line form format, the forms are taught quite differently in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Tianjin. Within Zhang Jun Feng's lineage, there are also variations in form and technique, apparently depending on when the student studied with Zhang.

Based upon my observation(s), variation is the general rule of thumb -- or "norm" -- in martial systems (due to individualism and each individual's "evolutionary" process).
I've re-visited some instructors after having last visited them about a year or two earlier & have found their instructions have changed -- "evolved". Such instructors are often on a quest to become more efficient & they share their latest theories (sometimes using a class to experiment with -- that is, to test out their latest theories). There are pros & cons to such an approach. Regardless if one period of instruction is considered better than another, it definitely makes the students of one period quite different from those of other periods.
Bottom line: one man's diffusion may be another man's pure art form.

Mike,

You always have something to say...amazing!

Meynard,
You like to point this out a lot...not as amazing.

Mike and Meynard,
I got a laugh out of this.... amazingly funny!

Bob

Let me throw a bit in here...studying with Dr. Brad Priddy, who trained (and will train now that he's back home in Atlanta), the 64 from the Hung Yi Mien/Zhan Zhao Feng lineage teaches the first 8 linear, then the first Circular form, next 8 linear, next circular form etc...as most folks know, the linear have a short name to them and each circular form mimics the "intent" of an animal...this has been pretty well explained in the old Pa Kua Journal...from what Allen told me on the phone, Hung Yi Mien didn't learn any of the weapons forms from Zhang...at least that he demonstrated to Allen...maybe Tim has more on this but from that "lineage variation", any weapons for Gao style may not have been passed down by Zhang?

As far as I know, the only weapon Zhang Jun Feng taught in Taiwan was the Zhou Tong Bang, a staff form. The schools in Tianjin taught all the classical weapons of the Gao style.