Little Nine Heaven Wu Tao
Little Nine Heaven Wu Tao
Thought to be one of the oldest known Taoist systems of cultivation still in practice today. The basis of Little Nine Heaven Wu Tao has been recorded in Chinese historical books as originating from the Nine Chamber scriptures written by the Yellow Emperor, Huang-Ti (2698BC-2598BC).
The legendary Chiao Chang Hung, 33rd generation Grand Master was the first to teach this unique system to the outside world. For generations it was passed only to Taoists within the temple sect. Master McNeil (34th generation) was Grand Master Chiao’s only initiated western student to be taught the full complexities of this system. Students of this system seek entry to Tao by way of skills.
On New Year’s Eve 1999, Grand Master Chiao Chang-Hung, in line with Little Nine Heaven tradition, officially passed on to his student James McNeil the title of ‘Gate Keeper of the Little Nine Heaven Wu Tao System’. This honour established him as the next (34th Generation) lineage holder of the ‘Xiao Jiu Tian Wu Tao’, otherwise known as Little Nine Heaven Wu Tao.
To date no student of Master McNeil’s has received the full teachings of this Taoist system and for this reason Master McNeil alone selects and teaches the methods unique to this rare art.
It was the lifelong wish of Grand Master Chiao to spread the knowledge of the Little Nine Heaven Wu Tao system across the world and in fulfilment of this wish his student, Master James McNeil, has sought to make this wish a reality. Alongside teaching many students around the world this rare and ancient Taoist system, Master James McNeil achieved his own personal goal of returning the system back to its home in China where its knowledge was thought to have been lost for many decades.
In April 2016, the Chinese government was actively searching the world, looking to locate the next generation master of this system. It was then that Master McNeil was flown to China at the government’s request where he was introduced to government officials and on providing legitimate documentation as proof of his lineage, was then officially recognised as sole descendant and next generation lineage holder of the Little Nine Heaven Wu Tao, the oldest Taoist system known today. He was taken to the original Little Nine Heaven Temple site, where his teacher and grand teacher both lived and where his name has been officially recorded to the historical lineage of the system. He also visited the original family home of his teacher Grand Master Chiao, the first student to do this since Grand Master Chiao’s migration to Taiwan.
In October of the same year, Master McNeil retuned to QuingDao, China, where he was further recognised by the Chinese government as the next generation lineage holder of Little Nine Heaven Shih Shui and Taoist lovemaking system and was both a guest of honour and speaker at the first Chinese Sexual Health Conference held in over sixty-five years.
In recognition of my teachers efforts to spread the knowledge of this rare Taoist system it has long been my ambition to set up a true Little Nine Heaven temple branch here in the UK, to help share the knowledge and keep this genuine treasure alive. With the kind permission of my teacher, 34th generation Grand Master James McNeil, and the help of my senior students at the Little Nine Heaven UK School, I feel together we now have what it takes to make this dream a reality.
Andrew Jackson May 2011
In 2009 our school proudly hosted the first Little Nine Heaven Wu Tao training course and official initiation ceremony in the UK, which was conducted personally by Master McNeil. Ten students were inducted and started their study of this rare system of Taoist cultivation. Initial basic training is conducted over two years to achieve a solid foundation and understanding from which the student can then progress.
This level of training requires a huge commitment from Master McNeil to teach this rare material and also from the students to uphold the teachings and commit to sincere lifelong practise. It requires great thought and dedication from both parties. It is for this reason students can request training but ultimately must be selected before their training can be started.
Only Grand Master McNeil can authorise and accept students officially to train this system of practice here in the UK. As a senior student of Grand Master McNeil in the UK, Sifu Andrew Jackson, has been given permission to train under guidance new students and hold regular private training sessions relating to this system, providing an environment for the Little Nine Heaven Wu Tao UK students to develop their training and discuss their practice together.
At the School Little Nine Heaven Wu Tao students seek to instil the following six core values in accordance with the teachings passed down from Grand Master Chiao Chang-Hung through to the current Grand Master James McNeil:
1. To indulge in martial arts lifelong.
2. To set great store by martial qualities.
3. To promote our school.
4. To cultivate the Tao and method of the heart.
5. To honour our sovereign, Huang Ti.
6. To be loyal and respectful to our school’s ancestors, teachers, and each other.
The Little Nine Heaven Wu Tao System contains many levels of practice which are only taught as students progress individually. Progression requires total commitment and there is no time for students to indulge in other methods of cultivation. The training has both the characteristics of strengthening the body actively and passively in a manner for self-defence. In skill, it is based on the Tao's practise of the balancing between Yin and Yang to relax the tendons and bones and to perform marrow washing. Even though it’s name translates to fist, it is actually an exclusive literature and a rich inheritance passed down through the centuries by word of mouth.
Basic training consists of the following three skills:
Ju-Kung (Nine Chamber Fist)
This martial practise includes empty hand boxing routines (3 Exercises, 5 Styles, 12 Animals and 18 Ground Manoeuvres), which are based on the structures, positions, forms and functions of the tendons and bones, and the mutual relationships between chi pathways and blood vessels.
The system is further supported by specialised Chi-Kung exercises and meditation practices (5 Animal Chi-Kung exercises, 6 Healing Sounds Chi-Kung, 8 Section Brocade, Little Nine Heaven circulation method, Eight Psychic Meridians circulation method and further methods of meditation only disclosed as a practitioner develops), which helps chi follow the paths which prevent ageing. When practised correctly this training will strengthen the organs, improve the quality and flow of chi and blood, control the breath, calm the mind and strengthen the spirit. When practised to high level, the combination of both external and internal practise helps balance yin and yang in the body with that of the universe, helping it to reconnect to the source from which it originated.
Chian-Kuan Jen (Sword)
The Little Nine Heaven sword is fabricated after the twelve earthly branches. It has five reclined saw-teeth in the mid-section and seven reclined saw-teeth in the rear section. This combines and represents the five elements and seven stars. Grand Master McNeil was one of only ten students of the late Grand Master Chiao to receive a genuine Little Nine Heaven sword.
The sword forms practised include; Yin/Yang, Crane, Snake, Monkey (Ape) and Dragon. The design of the Little Nine Heaven sword allows for a unique strategy and application of method different to other martial arts systems. The sword exercises are simple and without complex patterns, but are highly effective against an attack. A student's goal is to attain a high proficiency and flexibility in using the sword without having to rigidly adhere to formalities.
Shih Suih-Kung (Bone Marrow Washing)
A student of Shih Shui strives to unite his physical and chi or spiritual bodies as one. The system of Shih Shui consists of three levels; transfer of the Ching (Jing, sperm) to the Chi; transfer of the Chi to the Shen (spirit); and cultivate the Shen to return to the stage of Shu (emptiness). By cultivating chi into a higher form, one will be in harmony with nature and the universe.
This specific method of exercise strengthens the body both internally and externally. The beating down exercise vibrates and stimulates the bone marrow, strengthens the bones, strengthens Ching and promotes the smooth flow of chi through the meridian network. Swinging genital weights helps to stimulate the endocrine system, producing powerful sexual hormones that can benefit the body’s health when circulated correctly.
When all these skills are trained competently, the Little Nine Heaven Wu Tao system becomes a complete method of achieving a natural balance of Yin and Yang in the body. Realisation of this system can only be achieved through hard, consistent practise and, most importantly, the constant guidance of a knowledgeable teacher that has walked the path ahead of you!
If you are interested in knowing more about Little Nine Heaven Wu Tao training, please contact Andrew Jackson in the UK or contact Grand Master McNeil directly at
www.littlenineheaven.com
All private lessons and Intensive courses are taught at the fully equipped Little Nine Heaven UK School by qualified and insured instructors. Private instruction at other venues may incur travel and accommodation costs. Intensive courses do not include food or lodgings.
For training costs of Intensive training courses, see Timetable and Prices page. Feel free to contact for any further information.
Little Nine Heaven Wu Tao Masters Lineage
Grand Master Liu Miao-Yuan
Lushan Daoren
32nd Generation
Grand Master Chiao Chang-Hung was born to a family living at the foot of the ‘Yi Wu Lu’ Mountain in the North Eastern region of China.
He was naturally gifted in the Chinese martial arts and in his teenage years, he had learned several traditional martial arts from the family's security guards who were skilled in Kung Fu.
He was taught Hsing-I and Tai Chi Chuan from his father’s friend, General Liu Chi-Yuan, and later he learned Dragon style Pa-Kua from Yang Ju-Lin who was the top apprentice of the Pa-Kua Master, Ma Wei-Chi.
When he was 16, a young Chiao visited ‘San Ching Temple’ near to his home and when he entered, he saw a Taoist devotee sitting in deep meditation seemingly oblivious to this intrusion. After a while, the Taoist opened his eyes and spoke to Chiao. The Taoist, known as ‘Lushan Daoren’, told Chiao, "It is fate that we meet. Your family has made many contributions to this temple in the past and they are greatly appreciated. If your father agrees, you may come and practise with me."
Honourable Grand Master Chiao Chang-Hung
33rd Generation
Subsequently Chiao spent two intensive years of learning in seclusion in San Ching Temple. He was taught the ancient art of Kung Fu called ‘Hsiao Chiu Tien’ or ‘Little Nine Heaven’. Grand Master Chiao became the 33rd generation disciple and was the first non-devotee to be taught the complete arts of the system.
During the 1950’s,Grand Master Chiao migrated with General Chiang Kai-Chek's government to Taiwan. During that time, he helped to promote the art of Kung Fu. Through various introductions and personal associations, he taught the art of Shih Shui to other kung fu masters as well as senators, generals and numerous students in Taiwan.
He achieved the following positions and awards:
- One of only four people to hold the title of "Grand Master", which was awarded by the government of Taiwan.
- One of the founders of the Tai Chi Chuan Club, now called the Tai Chi Chuan Association of Taiwan.
- Appointed Chief Instructor of the National Taiwan Kung Fu Team.
- Appointed Head Referee for International Kung Fu Tournaments.
Master James McNeil
& Grand Master Chiao
- Advisor to the Chinese Kung Fu Reasearch Institute in Paris.
- The first Grand Master to teach the art of Shih Shui to the interested public.
- The first and only Grand Master to write and publish a book about the art of ‘Shih Shui’.
In the late ‘70s, Grand Master Chiao decided to open up the teachings of the Chinese intellectual arts to the public. He only accepted students who showed sufficient spirit and commitment to learn the art. This dedication continues with his senior disciples who were chosen to spread the art.
Master Tan Ching-Yun, Master Carl Kao of Taiwan and Master James McNeil, of the United States, were chosen to teach others, as well as spread the name of Shih Shui. The reason for his unique gift of knowledge was to pay homage to the loyal and generous body of people that represented the new found land of Chinese Renaissance - Taiwan.
Grand Master Chiao realised mastery in Hsing-I, Pa-Kua, Tai Chi and Little Nine Heaven Wu Tao. He was James McNeil’s teacher in Hsing I, Pa Kua and Little Nine Heaven Wu Tao until he passed away in August 2001 at the age of 89.
Grand Master James McNeil
34th Generation
The late honourable Grand Master Chiao was known as a living legend in martial arts for his remarkable skills and abilities and his foresight. James McNeil was selected and trained in the oldest Taoist system known today, named Little Nine Heaven Wu Tao, along with Pa-Kua and advanced Taoist energy circulation for health, longevity and mediation.