Tim ,could you explain the theory and benefits of Tai chi ruler exercises?

The invention of the Tai Ji Ruler is traditionally attributed to Chen Xi Yi, a famous Daoist that lived on Hua Mountain. Some traditions say the art was ivented in the Song Dynasty and was taught to Chen in the Tenth Century. Chen is a character very much like Zhang San Feng, and is credited with the creation of several arts (including Liu He Ba Fa), so the exact roots of the art are unknown. This type of Qi Gong has no connection to Tai Ji Quan the martial art, other than using the same name. Actually, the original name of the system is "Xian Tian Qi Gong Tai Ji Chi" (Pre-Heaven Qi Training Tai Ji Ruler).

Most modern versions of the Tai Ji ruler practice go back to Zhao Zhong Dao, who was born in 1844 and who reportedly lived to be 118 years old. His family taught the Tai Ji Ruler set and related practices. The crux or the training involves holding a "ruler" between the palms as you move the arms through various circular patterns. The ruler (also called the 'Stabilizing the Heart Needle') is made of willow or other light wood and is about ten and a half inches in length. The ruler is round in shape, and flares out into curved knobs at each end. Most of the exercises involve variations of rocking the body forward and backward while circling the ruler either vertically or horizontally in front of the body. There is also a long Ruler that two people practice circling together.

The purpose of the training is to stimulate the 'Pre-Heaven' qi circulation by setting up gentle, circular ryhthms in the body. The practitioners believe that holding the ruler between the palms aids in coordinating the movements of the hands and body, and helps to connect the energy flow. The training is said to cultivate the Three Interal Treasures (essence, qi and spirit), while externally training the connective tissue/bones, muscles and skin. The hands, eyes, body and steps are also trained. All the movements are slow and gentle, with conservation of energy as an underlying principle of training.

"and is about ten and a half inches in length"

You got a small ruler, kid.

"Remember, there's only one Betty, Big Balled Betty"

I practice the Ruler. My lineage is from Chao Yuh Fen. Chao/Zhao Jug Dao was his great uncle. Both are desended from the Song Emperor Chao Kuang Yin who learned the Ruler from Chen Po mentioned above

We actually have combat useing the Ruler, but is does not seem connected with the Chi Kung training. My guess is it was added to the practice by the Chao/Zhao family.

The attacks are mostly circluar applications of a hammer fist holding the ruler as well as Chi Na applications.

Http://www.royaldragonusa.net

Thanks Tim and Royal Dragon:
I was wondering about the Tai Chi Ruler.

Personally, I feel the use of the Ruler is just to teach the mehcanics of the exercise. Once you've got it you really don't need the Ruler to do it and it becomes like any other Chi Kung system.

I have been doing the Taiji Ruler as a warm up to practicing the Chao family Taiji Quan (Kind of a cross between the internal Tai Tzu Chang Chuan set seen in Liu Yun Chiao's lineage, and Yang style Taiji, kind'a sort of)

It is an EXCELLNT Chi Kung, and I highly recommend it.

If you are interested in learning it, I can set you up with my Sifu. He may be willing to send you some video of our version of the exercise.

I also know of several comercial versions that are avaliable.

I know Rich Mooney sells video on his version of Taiji ruler. His lineage also descends from Jao Jung Dao, so I currently have a few tapes on order just to see what his system is like compared to ours.

Greetings to the Chao Family descendents in Tai Ji ruler. I descend from Chao Jung Wa, a cousin of your Grand Sifu, Chao Jung Dao, cited on these pages. My Sifu tells of the two cousins learning the ruler from their grandmother. She taught them as an alternative to the cousins joining a local Kung Fu club. She invited the cousins' Kung Fu teacher to dinner, and defeated him in open combat using her Qi, which had been cultivated by training with the ruler. This convinced the boys to abandon membership in the local club, for private training with Grandmother Chao. My Sifu, Share K. Lew, learned three of the Tai Ji ruler training sets between 1946 and 1948 in southern China. He was shown one set of 8 exercises with the ruler held between his palms, a second set of 8 exercises done empty handed: Tai Ji Shen Gong; a third set is done with a two-person ruler 42 inches long. Sifu Lew tells me that he saw additional training in Chao Jung Wa's school, done with wooden balls rolled around the rim of a bowl.

I found this site through a Google search. I've been doing Yang Short Form Tai Chi and a little qigong for ten years. I'm interested in learning Tai Chi Ruler, but I want to learn the real thing, not the New Age junk you see on some Web sites. Does anybody know a good book or video with an authentic Tai Chi Ruler set?

John McDonnell

I have an excellent book on the subject of Tai Chi Ruler, but I do not have it here with me at work today. I will write down the author's name, and the ISBN, if it will help.

I do not, however, know where I may find a ruler. If you have any suggestions, that would be greatly appreciated. When I come back Monday, I'll have this info for you.

There's a ruler in the top-rigt drawer, it's under the rubber bands, staples and Sharpies.

hello there,
you can get a Tai Chi Ruler at the website of fong ha, in berkeley. www.fongha.com

Any form of exercise can have benefits, including taiji ruler, when taught well.

The only problem lies in the tendency of some teachers to imply or say that their method is not only ancient and "secret" but that it replaces all other health activities and provides martial training without the bruises and sweat.

Jon Clarke, you left a message about a book you had about Tai Chi Ruler. Did you find the title?

Tai Chi Ruler: Chinese Yoga for Health and Longevity -- by Terry Dunn

Type that into Amazon.com

I was taught the Tai Chi Ruler from Ken Cohen on several occasions. It is my understanding that this exercise is for cultivating healing energy, and is not a "combat" drill.

Taiji Ruler is most often taught as a form of qigong for health but I have heard of several Chen-style teachers who teach it also as a means of practising twisting skills and strengthening the fingers and wrists for grappling purposes.

The histry and development of Taiji Ruler
The invention of the Tai Ji Ruler is traditionally attributed to Chen Xi Yi, a famous Daoist that lived on Hua Mountain. Grand master of Tai Ji Ruler has said like this.He also said he learned taiji practice from Wang Yong Fu in Beijing Xicheng District. Most modern versions of the Tai Ji ruler practice go back to Zhao Zhong Dao, who was born in 1844 and who had lived to be 118 years old. His family taught the Tai Ji Ruler set and related practices.
There are two major branches of taiji ruler practices today in china. The first branch is taught by Guan Yongnian who is the student and inheritor of Zhao Zhong Dao. Zhao Zhong Dao had lived in Guan'house from 1945 to 1947. Zhao Zhong Dao found 'The Gentle Art of the Taiji Ruler Society' in Beijing in 1954.Mr. Guan become a disciple of Zhao Zhong Dao this year .Mr. Guan learns the taiji ruler technique completly from mr. zhao and made many innovations. Mr. Guan is also a grand master of xinyiquan and Sun style taijiquan,he teachs taijiquan and taiji ruler in Beijing.Mr. Guan has written a number of works and papers about taiji ruler,such as Qigong of Taiji Bang, Qigong of Taiji Bang(Chi),two of them are Chinese version and one is Japanese version. The second branch is taught by Hu Guangfa in Hongkong. Mr. Hu is the student of Chen Dacai and Chen Dacai is a student of Zhao Zhong Dao teaching by correspondence.This branch do not acquire the taiji ruler technique completly. This branch have some English version works. The practice of taiji ruler in Western country maybe come from this branch.

Guan yongnian is 69 years old. welcome to Beijng. It is my pleasure to introduce the teaching of taiji ruler in Beijing to the friends who are interested in taiji ruler.

Biography of grand master of Taiji ruler Zhao Zhongdao
by Guan Yongnian
My Sifu Zhao Zhongdao's name is Zongfan, byname is Zhongdao,also named Xianzhang.His family lived in Xinmin county Northeast Reagion of China.He was born in 1843£¬and died in 1962£¬die at the age of 119 years old.He died without illness in No. 5 yard Tudimiao Xicheng District in Beijing and buried in Beijing Babaoshan Cemetery.
Zhao Zhongdao's family is a martial art family. teacher Zhao safeguarded local security in 1901. He immigrated to Beijing about 1912. He leared Taiji practice from Wang Yongfu in Beijing Xicheng District. He published a Note book on The Gentle Art of the Taiji in 1929(This book is conserved by Guan Yongnian). He published the Simple introducton of the Gentle Art of the Taiji in 1942 and formed a systemtic teaching of Taiji ruler.
Teacher Zhao found 'The Gentle Art of the Taiji Ruler Society' in Beijing in 1954 to teach Taiji Ruler and contibuted the health care of Beijing people. About ten sousand peoples have learned from him.
Teacher Zhao said that the aim of Gentle Art of the Taiji Ruler is not to fight as a martial art, it is a metho for longevity, it is method of health protection. People who practice frequently should enjoy the longevity.

The history lesson is very informative, but has anyone practiced "the ruler" consistently and if so, what benefits have you experienced in relation to health or MA?

I'd also like to know if anyone has practiced Taiji Ruler consistently, and what benefits you've realized? I asked awhile ago if anyone knew of a book or video describing Taiji Ruler, and someone suggested Terry Dunn's video. I have nothing against Terry Dunn, but he's a young guy, and I have one of his Yang Form videos, but I don't find him very helpful. I'd like something more authentic. Does anyone know where I could find a book or video on Taiji Ruler?