吴英华自传
我生于1907年,北京人,满族。祖父全佑、父吴鉴泉均为我国著名太极拳宗师,在清末创立了吴式太极拳流派,传播海内外,为我国太极拳最为著名的流派之一。
I was born in Beijing in 1907, the Manchu people. My grandfather Wu Quanyou and father Wu Jianquan were all famous Chinese Tai Chi Masters, they established Wu Style Taichiquan as a school at the end of the Qing dynasty, and spread it at home and abroad, it is now one of the most famous schools of Chinese taichiquan.

祖父全佑先生(1834~ 1902)是吴式太极拳创始人。他曾从杨露禅(1799~1872)学太极拳。奉杨露禅宗师之命,拜于他次子杨班侯门下。全佑先生长于太极拳柔化,他创始的吴式太极拳,继承了太极拳轻灵贯串的理论,保持刚柔相济的趟路。当时许多满汉大臣均从其学习太极拳。
Grandfather Quan You (1834~ 1902) was the founder of Wu Style Taichiquan. He worked with Yang Luchan (1799~1872) learning Tai Chi. Under the order of Master Yang Luchan, Quan You submitted himself as TuDi to Yang’s second son Yang Banhou. Grandfather Quan You was good at soften the Tai Chi, he founded the Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan and inherited the Taichiquan theory of lightness and continuation, maintaining the balance of rigidity-flexibility. At that time, many Han (Chinese) as well as Manchu ministers learned Taichiquan from him.父吴鉴泉(1870~1942),原任职清廷禁文军护军营。辛亥革命后,由参谋总长荫昌荐于大总统黎元洪,任总统府卫队师第十一师武术教官。当时政要如张一麟、段芝贵等皆随其学技。
Father Wu Jianquan (1870~1942) originally worked as the Qing Dynasty court guard barracks office. After the Xin Hai revolution, recommended by the chief staff Yinchang to President Li Yuanhong, Wu Jianquan was appointed as martial arts instructor of the palace guards eleventh division. At that time some important officials, such as Zhang Yilin, Duan Zhigui and other dignitaries learned Taichiquan skills from him.

1916年与当时武术名家杨少侯、杨澄浦、许禹生等成立北京体育讲习所,招取北京各大中学体育教师六十余人。吴式第三代传人吴公仪、吴公藻既为该所首届毕业生。学员成绩斐然,深得北大校长蔡元培嘉许,提请教育部扩大为北京体育学院。北伐成功后,吴鉴泉任南京中央国术馆评判委员。1926年上海市政府、精武体育会、中法大学及当时社会闻人黄金荣、杜月笙、王晓籁等聘请南下传授太极拳,受业者至众。当时要人熊式辉、彭养光、袁良、谷正伦、陈布雷、章乃器等均先后受教。
In 1916, Wu Jianquan, teamed up with famous martial arts masters Yang Shaohou, Yang Chengpu, Xu Yusheng etc., established the Beijing Sports Institute, and recruited more than 60 physical education teachers from Beijing universities and middle schools. The 3rd generation of Wu family members Wu Gongyi and Wu Gongzao were among the first graduates from that Institute. The students made great achievements, and they were highly praised by the president of Beijing University Mr Cai Yuanpei. Nominated to the Ministry of education, this Institute expanded as the Beijing Sports College. After the success of the northern expedition, Wu Jianquan served in the Nanjing central martial arts evaluation committee. In 1926, invited by the Shanghai municipal government, Jingwu Sports Association, Sino French university and celebrities Huang Jinrong, Du Yuesheng, Wang Xiaolai etc., Wu Jianquan came to Shanghai to teach Taichiquan, this benefitted lot of people. At that time, he had taught Xiong Shihui, Peng Yangguang, Yuan Liang to, Gu Zhenglun, Chen Bulei, Zhang Naiqi.

长兄吴公仪家学渊博,造诣颇深。1924年应黄埔军校校长蒋介石电邀,赴广东担任军校教官,同时担任中山大学体育讲师。当时从其学者有谭延闿、朱培德、熊式辉、陈嘉佐、吴思预等。并在广东、香港成立鉴泉太极拳社。1954年在澳门新花园为慈善事业筹款举办“吴陈比武”,为当年轰动世界之赛事,甫交手对方既以鼻中拳而落败,吴式太极拳术声名大震。
My elder brother Wu Gongyi was very knowledgeable with good attainments. In 1924, he was requested by President Chiang Kai-shek, of Huangpu Military Academy, to work as military trainer in Guangdong, and also the lecturer in sport at Sun Yat-sen University. At that time, Tan Yankai, Zhu Peide, Xiong Shihui, Chen Jiazuo, Wu Siyu etc. all learned from him. He established Jianquan Taichiquan Association in Guangdong and Hong Kong. For charity, he held in 1954 “Wu Chen contest” at new garden of Macau, which was the sensational sporting even in the world. He swiftly punched opponent’s in nose and defeated the opponent, thus made Wu style Tai Chi Chuan very famous.

次兄吴公藻对太极拳理论颇有研究。1933年从北京随吴稚晖、李书城等赴长沙观光,在欢迎会上表演太极拳得到何健器重,聘为湖南国术训练所教官及省党部首席教官。1934年任南京中央国术馆举办的第二届全国武术考试湖南省总领队。1939年在香港成立鉴泉太极拳社。在吴氏昆仲的传播下,太极拳风行于香港、澳门、马来西亚、新加坡等地区,并远播国外。
My second elder brother Wu Gongzao studied taichiquan theory in depth. In 1933 from Beijing city he followed Wu Zhi-Hui and Li Shucheng to visit Changsha, he performed Taichiquan during the welcoming reception. Highly recognized by He Jian, he was appointed as the chief instructor of the Hunan martial arts training institute of provincial party committee. In 1934, he was appointed as the team leader of the Human team to Nanjing second National Wushu contest. In 1939, he established HongKong Jianquan Taichiquan Association. Under the leadership of Wu Gongyi and Wu Gongzao, Taichiquan was promoted and getting popular in Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, and Singapore and other regions, also spread to overseas.

我9岁开始从父学习太极拳。在父亲严格的教导下,进步很快。当地随父在家学艺者,不下20人,由于我天赋甚高,许多师兄弟都不及我,当时我父即说“巾帼不让须眉”,此后便更加严格督促我学习太极拳。记得那时无论寒暑,清晨5时必须起床投入训练。北方寒冷,在滴水成冰的日子里,父亲督练得更加严格,这就是武术界称为“夏练三伏,冬练三九”。当时练武术是非常苦的,我小的时候就在直立的方砖上练拳,方砖还不能倒,否则重新练起。经过10年的勤学苦练,我在刀、剑、枪等器械上均有较深的造诣。
I started learning Taichiquan with my father Wu Jianquan from 9 years old. I made rapid progress under his strict guidance. There were at that time more than 20 local people learning Taichiquan from my father at my home. I was very talented and many fellow learners were not as good as me, so my father said: “women are excelling in”. From then on, he was even much strict to my training of Taichiquan. I remembered that no matter it was in coldest winter or hottest summer; I must get up at 5am to train. It was very cold in Northern China; my father was even tougher on my training. At that time, practising martial arts was very hard task. I practised on upright brick when I was very young, I had to repeat if brick felled. After 10 years hard work, I made significant progress on sabre, sword, spear and other weaponry.

我17岁开始,先后在北京武术馆等处担任教练,并在京城诸多名门任教,诸如同仁堂药行等。在同仁堂,除乐府全家均从学外,其店堂高级职员也踊跃参加学习。我在教学中以严谨、认真著称。
From 17 years old, I had coached at the Beijing Wushu Club, taught many celebrities such as at Tongrentang Drugstores, where I taught the owner Yue family, as well as their senior staff. My teaching was known for rigorous and serious.

1921年经同仁堂乐静雨先生介绍,我南下到当时西门子洋行任教,住在总经理管子卿家里。并在中南银行、金城银行吴蕴齐先生等处任教。我是最早将吴式太极拳传播到上海的人。在上海不久,吴式太极拳这一流派,引起上海武术界的广泛注意。
In 1921, introduced by Mr Le Jingyu of Tongrentang Drugstores, I headed south to the Siemens Company to teach, I lived at General Manager Mr Guan Ziqing’s home. I also taught at the South Sea Bank, Kincheng Bank, Mr Wu Yun-Qi’s home and other places. I was the first who spread Wu Style Taichiquan to Shanghai. Not long in Shanghai, Wu Style Taichiquan as a school attracted wide attention to the Shanghai martial arts society.

1926年我父吴鉴泉应上海各界邀请,来沪任教,我担任助教。
In 1926, my father Wu Jianquan, by the invitation from all walks of life in Shanghai, came to Shanghai to teach, I was his teaching assistant.

1930年我与马岳梁结成夫妻。1933年上海鉴泉太极拳社成立,父亲担任社长,我和马岳梁任副社长,社址设立在上海八仙桥青年会十楼,成为当时上海武术界一大盛事。
Ma Yueliang and I got married in 1930. Shanghai Jianquan Taichiquan Association was founded in 1933, my father was the chairman, Ma Yueliang and I were the vice chairman. The location of the Association was at the 10th floor of YMCA in Shanghai Baxianqiao. It was the major event in the Shanghai martial arts society.

1942年父吴鉴泉逝世,上海鉴泉太极拳社先后由马岳梁、吴公仪担任社长,我仍担任副社长,直到1954年鉴泉太极拳社结束为止。1956年我应上海市体育宫邀请,担任体育宫教练,为期十年。
My father Wu Jianquan died in 1942; Ma Yueliang and Wu Gongyi were the chairman for some years respectively for Shanghai Jianquan Taichiquan Association, I was always the vice chairman until 1954 when the Association ceased to operate. In 1956, I was invited by the Shanghai Sports Palace as their coach for the period of 10 years.

我虽然担任过许多年太极拳教练,但在家里仍是一名主妇。我又五子三女,他们目前都在自己的工作岗位上为国家、人民作贡献。为人宽厚、待人以诚是我的格言,即使是对子女,我也从不重言。我相信人间是有爱的,我爱人人,人们也会爱我。所以我对学生从无厉言,总是耐心启发他们,鼓励他们克服困难。我的另一个信念是,学习必须刻苦,要深入去揣摩老师所教的所有东西。武术界有句行话:“师傅领进门,修行在个人”。其中悟性很重要。我之所以在太极拳上有所成就,主要就是靠这两点。我曾被父亲称赞为姿势最准确,但我觉得自己还不够。几十年我始终孜孜不倦地追求者,因为学无止境。我虽然继承了吴式太极拳的家学,以工架稳重、姿势准确著称,也得到过许多盛誉,但每逢大事,如大型表演会、全国武术会等,我仍在家里研究自己的动作,我家客堂有一面大镜子,就是专为此而购置的。
Although I worked for many years as Taichiquan coach, I am always the housewife at home. I have five sons and three daughters, who are currently in their jobs to serve to contribute to our country and people. My motto is to tolerate and treat people with sincerity; even to my own children I treat them without tautology. I believe that there is love in the world, I love people and people love me too. Therefore, I never have harsh words to my students, give them inspiration patiently, and encourage them to overcome their problems. My another belief is that we have to learn very hard, trying to figure out whatever teacher taught us. There is a jargon in the martial arts world: “master took you into the door, the practice depends on yourself”. Perception is very important. The reason that I have had achievements in taichiquan, rely on these two main points. I was praised by my father to pose with the most accuracy, but I feel it is not enough. I have tirelessly pursued for decades, because learning is life-long. Although I inherited the family tradition of Wu Style Taichiquan, known as having position stable, posture accurate, also got a lot of reputation, when facing big events, such as big performance, Chinese National Wushu conference etc., I still practise my movements at home, in my home living room there is a big mirror purchased for this purpose.

我在长达60多年的教学生涯中,积累了丰富的教学经验,得到了学员的爱戴,同时也得到上海市体委、体育宫领导的表扬
In my teaching career over 60 years, I have accumulated rich experience in teaching, have been beloved by my students, and have been praised by leaders of Shanghai Municipal Sports Commission and Sports Palace.

在文革时期,我仅能以一名家庭主妇操持全家的生活。这对我来说也不陌生。因为我从20岁就兼担全家的主妇工作,那时我家人口众多,每天还有许多远道而来的不速之客。从北京到上海,每天均有近20人在家里吃饭。其中包括我的几位表兄弟,如赵寿村、吴耀宗、于臻等人。在十几年中,我始终教导和鼓励自己的子女,听党的话,跟共产党走。因为在解放后接触不少领导,他们对我都十分关心。和解放前相比,虽然那时我也接触过许多高官显贵,尽管当时他们对我也很尊重,但不能和解放后的领导相比。
During the Cultural Revolution, I can only manage housework for the family as a housewife. This is not unfamiliar to me. Because since I was 20 years old I had been the housekeeper for the whole family, at that time we had a large population at home, and there were also many unexpected guests coming from afar. From Beijing to Shanghai, nearly 20 people were eating at my home each day. That included my several cousins, such as Zhao Shoucun, Wu Yaozong, Yu Zhen etc. In a dozen years, I always taught and encouraged my children to follow with our communist Party. Because of contacts with many leaders after liberation, they are very concerned about me. To compare before the liberation, although at that time I had come across many dignitary, though they respected me, this cannot be compared with the leadership after the liberation.

党的十一届三中全会后,对我家来说,真是万分恩泽,党不仅给予我很大荣誉,还对我的丈夫进行了复查鉴定。1979年我又到体育宫任教。1982年我被选为上海市武术代表团代表,出席国务院召开的全国武术会议,光荣地受到党中央领导的接见。1984年在武汉举行的中日太极拳比赛大会担任组织委员。1988年上海中日表演大会担任组织委员。1980年上海鉴泉太极拳社复社,我担任社长至今。
After CCP’s eleven party 3rd plenary meeting, to my family, this is a great grace, the Party not only gave me a great honour, but also reviewed and identified my husband Ma Yueliang. In 1979, I returned to teach at Sports Palace. In 1982, I was chosen to represent the Shanghai Wushu delegation, attended the national martial arts meeting held by the State Council, proudly interviewed by the leaders of the CPC Central Committee. In 1984, I was a member of the organizing committee of the Sino-Japan Taichiquan Competition held in Wuhan city. I was the organizing committee member of the Sino-Japan Performing Assembly in 1988. In 1980, the Shanghai Jianquan Taichiquan Association resumed, I have been the chairman up to today.

我在长期担任教练期间,先后传授学员数千名。并培养出马江豹、施梅林等优秀运动员。如施梅林是于1980年跟我学习的,她过去是练少林拳的,曾和李连杰等著名运动员同在中国武术队,后来才跟我学习太极拳。对她的学习我倾注了全部心血。因为她已经是一位著名运动员,但要使她掌握太极拳的真谛,必须将过去的很多东西全部抛弃,一切要从新开始,而难就难在太极拳讲的是轻灵贯穿,而少林拳则以凌厉的拳势在频率很快的动作中进行的。但她具有良好的基本功,我于是以诱导的方式,使她在短时期内取得了很大的成就。多次在全国比赛中获得太极拳、剑冠军。
During my long career of coaching, I have taught thousands of students. I have trained excellent sporting athletes Ma Jiangbao, Shi Meiling etc. Shi Meiling started learning with me in 1980; she used to practice Shaolin boxing, once in the same Chinese Wushu Team with Jet Li, she later on learned Taichi from me. I have devoted all efforts to her. Because she was already a well-known athlete, to induce her to grasp the essence of Tai Chi, she had to abandon her past, everything should start fresh. The difficulty was Taichiquan emphasizing brisk run through, while Shaolin boxing with aggressive boxing potential in frequency in a quick motion. But she had a sound foundation; I therefore induced her the way so that she has made great achievements in a short period. She has won several championships in the national competitions of Taichiquan and sword.

我的三子马江豹是医学院学生,后因病辍学。从我学拳后,健康恢复迅速。他长于长拳、太极刀、剑及枪等,是我几个子女中最有成绩的太极拳传人。我对他的要求很高,凡姿势不准确,则必须改到准确为止。1985年到联邦德国表演,即留在联邦德国,目前住在荷兰、并在瑞士、瑞典、丹麦、联邦德国等国家教拳。在西欧各国已小有名气。
My third son Ma Jiangbao was a medical student, he dropped out due to illness. Since he started learning Taichiquan with me, he quickly recovered. He is good at long form, Taichi sabre, sword and spear, among my children he is the most achieved Taichiquan descendant. I set him very high standard, wherever his position is not accurate, he must get it right. In 1985, we took him to Federal Germany to perform Taichiquan, then he remained there. Currently he lives in Netherlands, teaching Taichi in Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, and Federal Germany. He is a celebrity in Western European countries.

1980年以后,我倾注全心和马岳梁一起著书。我们著有《吴式太极拳详解》《吴式精简太极拳》《吴式太极快拳》等,在编写这些著作时,我们花了大量时间。尤其是编著《吴式太极拳详解》时,是应我的学生罗茜小姐之邀,他自海外归来探亲时,向我谈及海外学习吴式太极拳的人日益增多,建议将太极拳要领、精髓写成书在香港出版,目的是使海外众多的吴式太极拳学习者有所借鉴,以免谬误流传。我们闭门谢客一年时间,朝夕写作,终于1985年在香港出版。
After 1980, I devoted to my book writing with Ma Yueliang. We have written 《Detailed Explanation of Wu Style Taichiquan》, 《Wu Style Short Form Taichiquan》, 《Wu Style Taichi Fast Form》etc. We spent a lot of time in writing up these books, Especially while writing up Detailed Explanation of Wu Style Taichiquan》, this was requested by my student Miss Rosie when she returned from overseas to visit relatives, she told us that more and more people are learning Wu Style Taichiquan overseas, she suggested that book includes the essence of Tai Chi essentials and publish it in Hong Kong, aiming to provide reference to overseas Wu Style Taichiquan practitioners, and to avoid misleading or error. We spent a year for the writing and finally published in Hong Kong in 1985.

1982年在北京召开的全国武术工作会议,党和国家号召老年武术家挖掘整理武术遗产。我积极响应号召,和马岳梁一起将以前没有外传的《吴式太极快拳》毫无保留地贡献出来。这套快拳式太极拳技击部分。我的学生施梅林在1983年全国传统武术观摩大会表演获得优秀奖,得到全国武术界好评。
The National Martial Arts Conference was held in Beijing in 1982, called by the Party and State to senior martial artists to dig out and edit the martial arts heritage. I responded positively to this call, together with Ma Yueliang, we contribute the book 《Wu Style Taichi Fast Form》without reservation. This is the techniques of Taichi fast form. My student Shi Meiling performed this fast form in the National Conventional Martial Arts General Assembly in 1983, she got performance excellence award, highly appraised by the national martial arts circles.

我还根据1982年全国武术工作会议“为了便于在群众中普及武术活动,将一些主要拳种编成简化套路”的精神,从传统太极拳套路中,吸取各种主要姿势,编成三十六式的《吴式精简太极拳》,由上海书局出版。
According to the spirit from the meeting of national martial arts in 1982 that “in order to facilitate the popularization of Wushu activities among the masses, some major styles should be modified into simplified form”, I drew on all major positions into 35 of the “Wu Style Shor Form Taichiquan”, published by the Shanghai Bookstore.

1984年11月我与马岳梁两人同时被聘为上海市文史研究馆馆员,后又被中国武术学会授予中国武术协会荣誉委员。获此荣誉的上海仅有三人,可见吴式太极拳受到了中国武术协会的高度重视。
In November 1984, Ma Yueliang and I were both appointed as librarian of literature and history studies of Shanghai, and later awarded by the Chinese martial arts society as the honorary member of the Chinese Wushu Association. There were only three people in Shanghai to receive this honour, it is seen that Wu style Taichiquan received high attention from the Chinese Wushu Association.

在改革开放的春风吹拂下,我又焕发了青春。先后到过澳大利亚、新西兰、香港等国家和地区进行表演,担任了新西兰武术协会荣誉会员。并到全国十几个省市进行了表演,在武汉、山西、河南、丹东、广州等处受到了热烈的欢迎。在上海市文史馆的照顾下,我过着幸福的晚年,我将不惜年老体弱,在有生之年,继续耕耘在中国武术这片瑰丽的土地上。
Under the breeze of reform and opening up, and I glow my youth. I have been to Australia, and New Zealand, Hong Kong and other countries and regions to perform, I held the honorary member of the New Zealand Association of martial arts. I also toured in a dozen provinces of China to perform; I was warmly welcomed in Wuhan, Guangzhou, Shanxi, Henan, and Dandong. Under the care of Shanghai Municipal Halls I live a happy life. Regardless my age I will continue to work on this magnificent land of martial arts in China.