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TAI CHI CURICULLUM
Taijiquan, commonly referred to as Tai Chi, means "Supreme Ultimate Fist." There are four major styles of Taijiquan: Chen, Yang, Wu, and Sun. Historians believe the Yang, Wu, and Sun developed from the Chen style. Chen Wangting of the Chen family (9th generation) founded the Chen style. Yang Lu-Chan (1799-1872) was the first person outside the Chen family to learn the art. Yang Lu-Chan then developed the Yang style during the second half of the 19th century. Yang Lu-Chan passed his knowledge to his son Yang Cheng-Fu (1883-1936). Around 1930 Cheng Man-Ch'ing began studying with Yang Cheng-Fu and later abbreviated the Yang Style Long Form to create the Cheng Man-Ch'ing Form (also called the Short Form 37). In 1964 Cheng Man-Ch'ing moved to New York and taught at the New York Tai Chi Association located at 211 Canal Street, Manhattan, New York. One of Cheng Man-Ch'ing's students, T.T. Liang, taught Lawrence Galante, Ph.D. Sifu Daniel Rodriguez (Sifu Dan) studied with Master Galante and three other instructors.
I want to address the different types of students I've encountered. Some students with previous Taijiquan experience may not believe they can learn anything new from others. Some students might struggle with remembering posture names, sequences, or how to perform them correctly; however, they train diligently. Other students quickly catch on and seem natural however they do not practice regularly. The student who practices, struggles, and is willing to be taught will become a well-rounded practitioner. Remember this is a journey and not a race. Which student are you?
REMEMBER
Taijiquan can seem very confusing at first. You need to learn the names and correct way to perform a posture, but one must also remember the sequence of movements. Additionally, one must be cognizant of which direction you should be facing: North (12 o'clock), South (6 o'clock), West (9 o'clock), or East (3 o'clock).
Do not rush through your practices but rather slowly learn each movement correctly, consistency is the key. As you train you will soon recognize some immediate effects such as better balance, posture, stronger legs, stress relief, and a general sense of greater health.
CHENG MAN-CH'ING FORM
SECTION ONE:
1. Preparation
2. Opening
3. Grasp Sparrow's Tail
4. Single Whip
5. Play the Guitar
6. Shoulder Press (Lift hands/Raise Hands)
7. Crane Spreads its Wings
8. Brush Knee and Push - left
9. Play the Guitar
10. Brush Knee and Push - left
11. Deflect Downward, Parry, Punch
12. Withdraw, Push
13. Cross Hands
SECTION TWO:
14. Carry Tiger to Mountain
15. Diagonal Single Whip
16. Fist Under Elbow
17. Step Back and Repulse Monkey (right, left, right)
18. Diagonal Flying
19. Wave Hands Like Clouds
20. Single Whip
21. Snake Creeps Down
22. Golden Pheasant Stands on One Leg
23. Block Right, Separate Right Foot
24. Block Left, Separate Left Foot
25. Turn Around, Strike with Heel
26. Brush Knee and Push (left, right)
27. Punch Downward
28. Grasp Sparrow's Tail
29. Single Whip
SECTION THREE:
30. Four Corners (1-4)
31. Grasp Sparrow's Tail
32. Single Whip
33. Snake Creeps Down
34. Step Forward to Seven Stars
35. Step Back to Ride the Tiger
36. Turn Body to Sweep Lotus, Horizontal Kick,
Brush Knee
37. Bend the Bow and Shoot the Tiger, Parry,
Punch, Withdraw, Push, Cross Hands
YANG STYLE LONG FORM
SECTION ONE:
1. Preparation
2. Opening
3. Grasp Sparrow's Tail
4. Single Whip
5. Play the Guitar
6. Shoulder Press (Lean Forward)
7. Crane Spreads its Wings
8. Brush Knee and Push - left
9. Play the Guitar
10. Brush Knee and Push - left
11. Brush Knee and Push - right
12. Brush Knee and Push - left
13. Play the Guitar
14. Brush Knee and Push - left
15. Deflect Downward, Parry, Punch
16. Withdraw, Push
17. Cross Hands
SECTION TWO:
18. Carry Tiger to Mountain
19. Grasp Sparrow's Tail
20. Diagonal Single Whip
21. Fist Under Elbow
22. Step Back and Repulse Monkey- right
23. Step Back and Repulse Monkey- left
24. Step Back and Repulse Monkey- right
25. Diagonal Flying
26. Play the Guitar
27. Shoulder Press
28. Crane Spreads its Wings
29. Brush Knee and Push - left
30. Needle at the Bottom of the Sea
31. Fan Through the Back
32. Turn and Chop with Fist
33. Deflect Downward, Step Forward, and Punch
34. Grasp Sparrow's Tail
35. Single Whip
36. Wave Hands Like Clouds (4x)
37. Single Whip
38. High Pat on Horse
39. Block Right
40. Separate Right Foot
41. Block Left
42. Separate Left Foot
43. Turn and Kick with Left Sole
44. Brush Knee and Push - left
45. Brush Knee and Push - right
46. Punch Downward, Turn
47. White Snake Darts Tongue
48. Deflect Downward, Parry and Punch
49. Kick with Right Sole
50. Hit the Tiger - left
51. Hit the Tiger - right
52. Kick with the Right Sole
53. Double Wind to the Ears
54. Kick with the Left Sole
55. Turn and Kick with Right Sole
56. Step Down and Punch
57. Withdraw, Push
58. Cross Hands
SECTION THREE:
59. Carry Tiger to Mountain
60. Grasp Sparrow's Tail
61. Diagonal Single Whip
62. Parting Wild Horses Mane- right
63. Parting Wild Horses Mane- left
64. Parting Wild Horses Mane- right
65. Grasp Sparrow's Tail
66. Single Whip
67. Four Corners 1
68. Four Corners 2
69. Four Corners 3
70. Four Corners 4
71. Grasp Sparrow's Tail
72. Single Whip
73. Wave Hands Like Clouds (4x)
74. Single Whip
75. Snake Creeps Down
76. Golden Pheasant Stands on One Leg - left
77. Golden Pheasant Stands on One Leg - right
78. Step Back and Repulse Monkey- right
79. Step Back and Repulse Monkey- left
80. Step back and Repulse Monkey- right
81. Diagonal Flying
82. Play the Guitar
83. Shoulder Press
84. Crane Spreads its Wings
85. Brush Knee and Push - left
86. Needle at the Bottom of the Sea
87. Fan Through the Back
88. Turn and Chop with Fist
89. Deflect Downward, Parry and Punch
90. Grasp Sparrow's Tail
91. Single Whip
92. Wave Hands Like Clouds (4x)
93. Single Whip
94. High Pat on Horse
95. White Snake Spits Tongue
96. Turn and Cross Kick
97. Step Down and Punch Downward
98. Grasp Sparrow's Tail
99. Single Whip
100. Snake Creeps Down
101. Step Forward to Seven Stars
102. Step Back to Ride the Tiger
103. Turn Body to Sweep the Lotus
104. Horizontal Kick and Brush Knee
105. Bend the Bow and Shoot the Tiger
106. Parry and Punch
107. Withdraw and Push
108. Cross Hands