TAI CHI CHUAN
World Champion Barry Phelan performing Yang style single whip
There are many Tai Chi classes in Canterbury please email for details
There are five major styles of t'ai chi ch'uan, each named after the Chinese family from which it originated:
Chen-style (陳氏) of Chen Wangting (1580–1660)
Yang-style (楊氏) of Yang Lu-ch'an (1799–1872)
Wu- or Wu (Hao)-style (武氏) of Wu Yu-hsiang (1812–1880)Wu-style (吳氏) of Wu Ch'uan-yu (1834–1902) and his son Wu Chien-ch'uan (1870–1942)
Sun-style (孫氏) of Sun Lu-t'ang (1861–1932)
The order of verifiable age is as listed above. The order of popularity (in terms of number of practitioners) is Yang, Wu, Chen, Sun, and Wu/Hao.[6] The major family styles share much underlying theory, but differ in their approaches to training.
There are now dozens of new styles, hybrid styles, and offshoots of the main styles, but the five family schools are the groups recognized by the international community as being the orthodox styles.
Other important styles are Zhaobao t'ai chi ch'uan, a close cousin of Chen-style, which has been newly recognized by Western practitioners as a distinct style, and the Fu style, created by Fu Chen Sung, which evolved from Chen, Sun and Yang styles, and also incorporates movements from Baguazhang (Pa Kua Chang).
The differences between the different styles range from varying speeds to the very way in which the movements are performed. For example, the form "Parting the wild horse's mane" in Yang-style does not at all resemble the very same movement in Sun-style. Also, the Sun 73 forms take as long to perform as the Yang 24 forms
Benefits include -
Improved Circulation
Relaxation Concentration
De-stressing Physical Equilibrium
Peace of Mind
Promotes Improved Breathing
Self Defence
Strength
Health
Syllabus -
We follow the Longfei Tai Chi syllibus - http://www.longfei-taiji.co.uk
LEVEL I - ELEMENTARY
Standardised Hand and Weapon Routines:
8 Forms Simplified Taijiquan Routine
16 Forms Simplified Taijiquan Routine
16 Forms Taijijian Routine (Double edge sword)
LEVEL II - INTERMEDIATE
Standardised Hand and Weapons Routines:
24 Forms Simplified Taijiquan Routine
32 Forms Taijijian Routine (Double edge sword)
LEVEL III - ADVANCED
Traditional Hand and Weapon Routines:
88 Forms Yang style
97 Forms Sun StyleYang style
Double edge sword
Yang style Broadsword
LEVEL IV - ADVANCED
International and National Competition Standardised Hand Routines:
42 Forms Combined Taijiquan Routine (International Competition Routine)
56 Forms Taijiquan Routine (Chen Style Competition Routine)
73 Forms Taijiquan Routine (Sun Style Competition Routine)
We also teach Daoyin - http://www.dyysg.co.uk
