Master Zhai Shizong in Poland

Master Zhai Shizong was in Poland at the turn of June and July 2025 with the mission of international promotion of traditional Wu 武 style Taijiquan. Until recently this style was not as well known as other Taiji styles, the reason being that the first generations belonged to the well educated and rich families of imperial administration. They didn’t need to teach Taiji for living, developing the style withing family, friends and some people recommended to them. But the fact is that they made paramount contribution to the development of Taijiquan, forming the classical theories of this art. It is said that one of Wu brothers had found a manuscript attributed to Wang Zongyue, which first words were “Taiji is born from Wuji, is mother of Yin and Yang”, which became an inspiration to call the art Taijiquan – Taiji Fist. Presently more and more Taijiquan enthusiasts are becoming aware of those facts, so especially in China there is big growth of interest toward Wu style – number of schools in all provinces if growing very fast.

The style was brought to Poland in 2012, after Andrzej Kalisz at an Yiquan meeting in Handan, Hebei province learned that many Yiquan practitioners from that city also practiced Wu 武 Taijiquan. At first Andrzej Kalisz taught basics of this style to a group of elder people who learned basics of Yiquan, Taijiquan and Qigong for health. A group focusing solely on Wu style Taiji was created within Yiquan Academy in 2015. At that time Taijiquan instructors Radosław Węglarz (Guangfu Tai Chi School) and Krzysztof Operacz (Tai Chi and Qigong in Warsaw) became interested in Wu style and started learning it from Andrzej Kalisz and accompanying him during China training trips, learning from old master Zhai Weichuan, his son Zhai Shizong and their assistants. The pandemics somewhat disturbed the systematic learning in China, but in 2024 we were able to organize quite a big training trip with almost 20 participants.

In 2025 we managed to bring master Zhai Shizong to Poland. Our minimalistic plan for next years is going to China bianually and also biannually bringing master Zhai Shizong to Poland/Europe. This might become more often if there will be more people interested in Poland and other european countries.

Some very special event is planned during our training in Quzhou, Zhejiang province in January 2026. Let it remain a surprise until then.