SYLLABUS

Real Tai Chi Chuan is not simply about learning the forms. It is not merely an exercise in collecting series upon series of movements. Unfortunately many mistakenly see this hoarding behaviour, as progression and achievement. There is breadth but certainly little depth. Instead, to invest in one form is more than a lifetime's learning. True progression entails using a form as the vehicle to learn, understand and integrate Tai Chi principles and concepts. The core to having a good appreciation of Tai Chi Chuan is to have insight and understanding of the principles and concepts within a form, develop their subtleties and then translate those ideals into situations outside form practice. Conversely ultimate Tai Chi Chuan has no need for a form - it is simply applied concepts.

Therefore, although there is a structured syllabus, it can never be more than a guide. The skills you pick up and the amount of time it takes to do so will quite naturally be affected by where you are starting your Tai Chi journey from and what your individual goals are.

The syllabus is as follows:

Course
Contents

Beginners

8 – 12 months


- Chi Kung: John Ding Yeung San Hey Kung I
- JDIATCC Core Exercises
- Kuen (Form):
John Ding Yang Style Form
Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Form (Crane Aspects)
Posture testing and general body alignment should also be included.
- Settling Breathing Exercises

Intermediate 1

12 – 18 months

- Chi Kung:
John Ding Yeung San Hey Kung I - Deeper understanding of its emphasis – body alignment, centring and corrections
- JDIATCC Core Exercises: Deeper understanding of their emphasis
- Kuen: Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Form (Crane)- Form corrections.
- Understanding Yang Cheng Fu’s 10 Essential Points of Tai Chi Chuan
- Tui Sau (pushing hands):
1.1.Gentle shoulders push.
1.2. Kua pushing
1.3. Understanding Teng Geng or listening energy
1.4. Gently pushing from the abdomen region using the Yi

2. Single Push Hands
3. Double Push Hands

Intermediate 2

12 – 18 months

- Chi Kung: John Ding Yeung San Hey Kung II - standing on one leg and corrections.
- Kuen: Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan (Crane) – Yin Yang Concept
- Correction of Yin Yang Concept
- Tui Sau:
1.1. Double Push Hands and Sensitivity – with forward and backward steps.
1.2. Wud Bu (Live steps) –single and double
1.3. Dynamic Tui Sau (optional)

Intermediate 3

12 – 18 month

- Chi Kung: John Ding Yeung San Hey Kung I - Lower position.
- Kuen: Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan (Crane) – Spiral Concept
- Spiral concept corrections
- Wud Bu – Dynamic wave actions
- Small Circle Push Hands
- Ta Lu –2 & 3 steps and Ta Lu Form
- Dynamic Tui Sau (Optional)

Advanced 1

Ongoing

- Form: Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan (Tiger) –corrections
- Gim I (Sword):Yang Style Gim
- Treading Pearls Sequence
- Self-defence Applications of the postures in the form
- Push Hands Applications (Single and Double) – Peng, Lui, Jai and Aun
- Dynamic Tui Sau

Advanced 2

Ongoing


- Chi Kung: Advanced Level
- Kuen: Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan (Tiger) Corrections
- Doe (Broadsword): Yang Style Doe and Applications
- Kua Training – Tai Chi circles
- Gim Applications
- Advanced Self-defence Applications
- Ta Lu applications – choy, lik, jau and cau
- Dynamic Tui Sau

Advanced 3

Ongoing


- Kuen: Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan (Tiger)- Centre Movements
- San Sau
- Advanced Tai Chi Concepts and Principles I
- Body and sensitivity training – Level 1
- Footwork system Level 1
- Dynamic Tui Sau

Advanced 4

Ongoing


- Kuen: Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan (Tiger)
- Advanced Tai Chi Principles and Concepts II
- Tai Chi Staff and applications
- Body and sensitivity training – Level 2-3
- Footwork system Level 2-3
- Yang’s Chuen Kuen or Fast Form
- Self-defence applications (through the use of Chi energy)
- Advance Chi cultivation and applications
- Dynamic Tui Sau (Optional)

Senior

Ongoing

Ongoing and much deeper training in the following Traditional Yang Style system -
Basic to Advanced Taoist Meditation System
Advanced Chi Kung System through varies levels of accomplishment.

Advanced I: Ten Postures
Advanced II: Ten Postures
Advanced III : Four Postures
Advanced IV: Thirteen Postures
Other High Levels of Chi Kung System - only when students are individually considered ready by Sifu Ding

Kuen (Form)
Classical Yang Family Form - Tiger
Classical Yang Family Form - Snake
Classical Chuen Kuen Form –Tiger (Master Ip)
Classical Chuen Kuen Form – Snake System (Master Ip)

Internal Body and sensitivity training – Level 4-5

Footwork system Level 4-5

Push Hands
Advanced Push hands and sensitivity training
Advanced Dynamic Push hands

Advanced Tai Chi Chuan Principles and Concepts
Jing
Chi
Threading Nine Pearls System
Substantial and Insubstantial
Other concepts

Weapons:
Classical Yang Family Broadsword
Classical Yang Family Sword
Classical Yang Family 13 Spear Techniques
Advanced weapons applications

Tai Chi Special Techniques
Jit – Grabbing and joint holds
Na – Holds and pressure points
Jiao – Tai Chi Dragon Claws
Pai – Disruption of Chi flow

Advanced Self-Defence and Combat skills training