T’ai Chi (pronounced tie-gee) is a Mandarin Chinese term meaning, “Supreme Ultimate.” In common English, we might translate this as “Top Notch,” or “Greatest.” The term “Ch’uan” (pronounced ch-wahn) means “fist” or “fighting” is generally added to t’ai chi to specify it. 

When we put these terms together and expand their meaning, you get something like “The Very Best Fighting Form.” This term was applied to early t’ai chi ch’uan fighters (sometimes called “boxers”) because they were considered unbeatable both on the battlefield and in the arena.

Sifu Fred’s T’ai Chi Journey Begins

I began my study of t’ai chi ch’uan more than 40 years ago. I began with the solo form, the slow rhythmic dance performed by millions every day to develop and maintain good health, focus, and calm. After learning the 37 unique postures of the Yang Family Short Solo Form, as articulated by Professor Cheng Man Ch’ing, I went on to the two-person sparring form (“push-hands.”) Then I learned Professor Cheng’s version of the sword form, which is based upon the t’ai chi solo form, but in practice is a very different set of movements. 

With these three forms as the foundation of my study of this ancient martial art, I have spent the last four decades refining and expanding my skills, confident that I had found the ideal set of exercises for body, mind, and spirit. 

The Introduction of the T’ai Chi Ruler

A couple of years into my study of t’ai chi, I read about an exercise device called the “t’ai chi ruler,” a short wooden dowel that promised to increase one’s health and vitality. Fascinated by anything with the name “t’ai chi” in it, I ordered one.

 But the rather terse manual that came with it was not very helpful in teaching me its proper use, and I experienced no noticeable results. Additional books and other references were unavailable at the time, and the ruler sat neglected for more than 30 years until one day, I re-discovered it in a storage bin. After unearthing my long-forgotten treasure, I immediately searched the Internet. I found a modest collection of books and videos on its practice and use that had emerged over the decades. I immediately dove in to see what I had been missing. 

T’ai Chi Ruler and Cultivating Qi

I discovered that the primary ruler movements are a set of qigong (pronounced chee-gung) exercises designed to gather and spread vital internal energy (commonly known as qi). Since I had learned many forms of qigong by then, the exercises performed with the t’ai chi ruler now made perfect sense to me, and I set about mastering the most popular ones and sharing them with my students. 

The ruler qigong exercises were a big hit, but I often wondered if there weren’t any additional ruler exercises that could be used for fighting, not just qi cultivation, which I could incorporate into my t’ai chi classes. 

Further research showed that while a number of martial arts instructors had written books about the t’ai chi ruler, none of what they offered seemed a good fit for my students. So I set about creating my own set of exercises based upon the one I knew best, Professor Cheng’s Yang Family Short Form. 

Creating Ruler Tai Chi

Creating a new martial art form almost from scratch was not easy. For the form to have value and credibility, it not only had to stay true to the original model that inspired it but had to adhere to the critical principles of practice that underlie all t’ai chi ch’uan forms. 

These practice principles included performing it in a slow, relaxed manner to build focus, keeping the body upright at all times without leaning to ensure unhindered qi flow, generating all movements from the waist to exert the maximum power, and paying close attention to the weighting of each foot to maintain balance—all while wielding the ruler in a graceful manner and being ever-faithful to its martial roots. 

After about a year of experimentation and countless revisions, I finally came up with a form that was flowing and elegant. Additionally, it stayed true to the Professor’s long-accepted arrangement and adhered to the time-honored principles listed above. I called my creation, “Ruler Boxing.” 

Ruler Tai Chi Honors Long-Established T’ai Chi Principles

My creation was immediately popular with my students and drew much attention on social media platforms. Many t’ai chi masters were skeptical of the appearance of another weapons form, especially one using a tool that was generally unknown. But some told me that even if not conventional, the concept of a t’ai chi ruler fighting form was worth a second look because I had created one which adhered to long-established t'ai chi practice principles, even if it did not come from a traditional family martial arts lineage. 

The one sticking point in bringing forth my new martial art form turned out to be a marketing issue. I discovered that when one enters “Ruler Boxing” into a search engine the result is a multitude of images and articles featuring either large men wearing oversized gloves on their hands ( i.e. “boxers) or measuring tools for performing carpentry before getting information about anything related to t’ai chi.

So after considering many alternative names, I decided on “Ruler T’ai Chi,” which refers to both the device and the martial art form that inspired it. 

You now can learn about something new and interesting in the martial arts world—a device that fosters good health, and a fighting form that has the advantage of building focus and could theoretically be used for self-defense. 

In-Person Ruler Tai Chi Classes in Greeley

If you are interested in finding out more about Ruler T’ai Chi go to my website and see my teaching schedule. Throughout the year, I offer courses in the use of the T’ai Chi Ruler as both an exercise device and martial art form, as well as weekend workshops that teach both Ruler Qigong and Ruler Boxing. I look forward to seeing you soon!