Curriculum
Sun Tai Chi Long Form
Qigong Wellness
This class is taught in the style of the Eight Active Ingredients of Tai Chi, from the Tree of Life Tai Chi Center. Essential concepts, theories, and principles are discussed in depth. Students begin to explore their body, breath, mind, and energy.
Single postures from Sun and Yang style tai chi start "putting everything together." The distinctive footwork between these two styles provides rich contrast in rooting and mobility.
Students will learn the traditional Long Form of Sun style tai chi, the only form that Sun Lutang created. The class is separated into smaller groups or individuals, and each student will be taught at his or her own pace. Once the entire form is memorized, then begins the lifelong process of refinement and deeper internal energy.
Yang Tai Chi Short Form
This is a short 16-movement form created by Stanwood that holds the spirit and key characteristics of the Cheng Man-Ching 37-Movement Short Form (an offshoot of Yang style). The essence of tai chi in an accessible, easy-to-learn format!
Sun Tai Chi
Sun style tai chi is one of the five major styles of tai chi — the other four being Chen, Yang, Wu, and Wu (Hao) — and is the youngest of the five. It was developed by grandmaster Sun Lutang (1861-1932), who incorporated the other two Chinese internal arts of baguazhang and xingyiquan into his tai chi. Sun style, Wu style, and Wu (Hao) style are considered to be "small frame" tai chi — that is, the arm movements are small, the steps are short, and the stances are upright. This is in contrast to Chen style and Yang style, which contain big arm movements, long steps, and deep stances.
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Sun style tai chi is unique in that it has no traditional bow stance (front foot weighted 60-70%, rear foot weighted 30-40%). Instead, it has a follow-through step which brings the rear foot close to the front foot, toes touching the floor with no weight. One benefit of this is that transitions between postures place very little strain on the knees compared to other styles of tai chi. Because of this, and because of Sun style's aforementioned small frame characteristics, it is considered to be a very ideal style for the elderly and the physically impaired. Another unique characteristic is its signature Open/Close Hands (Kai/He Shou) posture, which appears 13 times in the form. In fact, Sun style is sometimes nicknamed "Kai He Tai Chi."
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Sun style tai chi is comprised of a single Long Form and a single Straight Sword Form. However, it is also part of the larger Sun Lutang system, which includes the other two Chinese internal arts of baguazhang and xingyiquan.