if you can read chinese, i suggset you read the book taiji ruler qigong written by Guan Yongnian,the diciple of grandmaster Zhao Zhongdao. if have opportunity, you can learn taiji ruler from Guan Yongnian Sifu in Beijing.

Guan yongnian Sifu is 69 years old, he practice taiji ruler about 50 years, and he has not catch cold for 35 years.

My ex wife used to claim that she never had a cold until she moved to this country. My father and others have stated that during the two years he lived outdoors during WWII he never had a cold. And you're implying that this person never had a cold for thirty five years because of Tai Chi practice?

I recently watched a documentary on trench warfare in WW1 in which they were quoting from the diary of field surgeon.

He talked about how the men were in better health when they were living in the open trenches, even though they were cold and wet a lot of the time.

It was only when they build underground shelters and the men were constantly alternating between being dry and warm and wet and cold that the sickness rates sky-rocketed.

If you know the air pollution in Beijing, you may understand that not catching cold for 35 years is not an ordinary thing. who's channels and collaterals has no absacle ,who will prevent sickness.

I am interested in Tai Chi Ruler for its health benefits and longevity. However, I don't read Chinese, and I am unable to visit Beijing to study Tai Chi Ruler there. Are there any translations of the book you recommended? There are hundreds of books in English about Tai Chi and Chi Gong -- I can't believe the only stuff in English on Tai Chi Ruler is by Terry Dunn. Isn't there anything else?

there is not desirable taiji ruler book in English version now, I Suggest you can find the English book on taiji ruler from Hongkong Taiji Ruler Society, their system is lerned from Zhao zhongdao, though is not completly. I wish I can translate Guan yongnian' book on taiji ruler into English soon.

Yaron Seidman has a good video on the Taiji Ruler as taught by Feng Zhiqiang.

Feng Zhiqiang's Taiji Ruler system is invented by himself, is not inherited from Zhao Zhongdao's system.

Re: Yu Chiming ,,, which means, in practical terms, that it might be as good or better or worse than the other system mentioned.

The only way to find out is to do it long enough to see if you benefit from the training in some way(s) which implies that you must develop enough skill to judge for yourself.

Whoops, that becomes a conundrum along the lines of "which came first, the chicken or the egg?" when you are trying to decide which teachers are bad, adequate or excellent. Not an easy process, particularly for beginners.

Of course, this "confusion" is also an essential part of the learning curve if you are serious about your training.

I aggree your idea, but I believe a practice system with longer history maybe more reliable.

Longer history may make a system more durable and adaptable. It is just as likely to make it a museum piece only suitable ster game".

A good teacher is the product of too many factov
eding5{ almost always guarantees that the future generations fall far short of whoever starts the dynasty.

http://forum.kungfumagazine.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-4908.html

Here is another discussion and some exercises.

Dr. William C.C. Hu introduced the ruler for us at a summercamp. The "secret" is to use the shoulder and shoulderblades, and not the arms. It can be quit strenous and rather hurtful, because you will learn how to use muscles that you normally do not use. The ruler was made to teach the principles of "He" or "hu" = "stability". However, I donīt have a ruler, so I am looking to order one, but havenīt found anything I like yet. Does anyone know some place to order a good one?

Well, this is interesting. Ten years ago when I first began my ruler practice,there seemed to be scant information explaining or supporting authentic tools or techniques for the practice. Remember that bang and ruler have been guarded secrets until zhou zhongdao began teaching publicly in the 1950's. Now public awareness and interest is aroused and I find more and more discussion on this topic,sometimes comical. There is a lot of information (and misinformation) available, and many makers , myself included. Bottom line in my humble opinion, if you are intent on purity of any system to its origin you will meet with disapointment by nature. If you choose to study and practice Zhou Zhongdao's method and /or Grand master Feng Zhiqiang's hun yuan system, you can benefit greatly but only if you actually practice. Lastly my point being, the ruler and bang are valuable tools not to be construed as magic wands. Only through cultivation of long term and consistant practice will you develop an understanding of your gains, and therfore, few will. If you are interested in my take on teachers and books or rulers and bangs you can contact me.
Tim Winecoff

To add:
ruler or bang, other than health they help with strengthening qi'na practice qith applying the mechanics and decreasing wrist/hand arthritis.

to David Borg :
if you have not ruler, you may use same lengh taiji bang (stick) instead of ruler.

"if you have not ruler, you may use same lengh taiji bang (stick) instead of ruler."

Yeah, thats true. But a good ruler has a center of gravity/focus point in the middle, together with two "stabilizers" to be able to control the movement even better. And also, the grip is important, I think. If you are gonna practice the movements, why don't do it right from to start?

B. RGDS - David

I have an idea, you can let latheman to make a ruler according to the draft of taiji ruler.
YU Chiming

For those still interested in obtaining a Taiji Ruler, please contact me via this board or email. I had several made while in Vietnam this past May. They are cut to specs and beautifully made. I will glady send you pictures of these upon request.

Hey Yu!
I was wondering does air polution cause colds, I always thought it was the result of one of the 150 or so rhinoviruses? and washing your hands and not touching your face were pretty good ways of preventing the aquisition of a cold, is this just all junk?
Any way Terrence Dunn has a book in English on Tai Chi Ruler and it is more than good enough for me.
I warn all against the fake Tai Chi Chih by Justin Stone the great phoney of Tai Chi arts.
Thanks