CURRICULUM

Traditional Yang Tai Chi

Legend says that Tai Chi began when ancient Chinese monks observed a snake fighting a crane and led them to a system for cultivating and enhancing internal life forces (chi) by practicing and adapting the movements the monks observed.

At Siu Lum Academy, Tai Chi is “played” in sequences of graceful movements originally adapted by the Yang family of China. Repeated practice of such forms mobilizes chi, promotes “meditation in motion”, and builds capacity for self defense. Thus, Tai Chi becomes an aid to better health.

The 108 movement sequence is divided into 3 sections. The student learns the individual movements of the 108 and practices these movements in the individual section until they are comfortable with performing the movement as instructed. Once the student is successful with their performance, the movements are linked together to create a continuous flow of movement which many view as similar to a dance. Over time the student acquires expertise in the movements in all 3 sections and can successfully complete the entire sequence.

In addition, Dr. Sun, the founder of the school, choreographed additional movement sequences, some of which are to be performed within a specific time, to allow the student to experience the movements being performed in different sequences. The timed movements were developed for those who wished to compete in various Tai Chi tournaments.

Zhang San Feng

Yang Lu Chan

Yang Chen Fu

HISTORY OF TAI CHI

Deep in the mists of time, Tai Chi was practiced by the monks of the Taoist Temple at WuDang Mountain. The legend is that the monks originally practiced static stances of the movements and not as continuously linked movements. Zang San Feng, who came from the Shaolin tradition, traveled to the Taoist Temple to learn the healing techniques of the Taoist monks. He was considered a Master of the Shaolin Temple techniques but has found the practices rigorous and debilitating in his advanced years. Once arriving at the Taoist Temple he began learning their practice. But he desired the movement that he had experienced while at the Shaolin Temple and so Zang connected the stances into the continuous flowing movements we recognize today. Part of the legend is that, by practicing these flowing techniques, Zhang San Feng regained his youth and passed many many years after moving to WuDang Mountain.

Traditional Yang Tai Chi is taught at the Siu Lum Academy. The originator of Yang Tai Chi was Yang Lu Chan. The legend is that he learned, as a servant, in the Chen family household by ‘watching through the fence’ when the patriarch and his family members (students) were practicing. Yang Lu Chan would then practice in secret on his own. Because of the level of his skill, which he demonstrated when the village was attacked by bandits, the Chen patriarch agreed to teach him the Chen family art.

In time, Yang left the Chen Village and traveled around China, teaching his version of the what he had learned at the Chen Village. Many times other martial artist would challenge Yang to see which style was the best. Because of his skill and success in these competitions, he became known as Yang the Invincible.

The original Traditional Yang Tai Chi is 208 movements and is called the ‘long’ form. In the 1800’s, Yang Lu Chan’s grandson Yang Chen Fu, shortened the long form to 108 movements and it is now termed the ‘short’ form. This was taught to the members of the Imperial Palace and then, eventually, to the general Chinese populace. These movements are those, with some variation, which we see today.