Tai Chi Chuan Course

Lesson 1 • Relaxation and Song Gong

Develops conscious muscular release through song gong exercises. Relaxation without collapse is the prerequisite skill for all Tai Chi postures.

Lesson 2 • Core Philosophical Principles

Introduces yin-yang theory, wu wei, and qi as conceptual pillars. These principles guide every movement decision made in later chapters.

Lesson 3 • History and Origins of Tai Chi

Traces Tai Chi from Chen Village origins through major family styles. Provides cultural context that informs movement principles throughout the course.

Lesson 4 • Breathing Fundamentals

Teaches diaphragmatic breathing and its coordination with movement. Proper breath control is the physiological foundation for qi cultivation.

Lesson 1 • Primary Tai Chi Stances

Introduces bow stance, horse stance, empty stance, and single-leg stance. Each stance trains specific weight distribution and structural alignment skills.

Lesson 2 • Basic Stepping Patterns

Covers heel-toe stepping, toe-heel stepping, and side stepping sequences. Correct stepping prevents knee strain and enables smooth form transitions.

Lesson 3 • Weight Shifting Mechanics

Trains smooth transfer of weight between legs without bobbing or collapsing. Controlled shifting is the engine of all Tai Chi locomotion.

Lesson 4 • Rooting and Ground Connection

Cultivates the sensation of rooting through visualization and pressure drills. Rooting underpins stability when applying push hands and form techniques.

Lesson 1 • Core Hand Positions

Teaches the open palm, fist, hook hand, and crane's beak positions. Correct hand forms express internal energy and define technique identity.

Lesson 2 • Waist-Driven Upper Body Motion

Trains the waist as the initiator of all arm and hand movements. Waist-driven motion creates whole-body integration rather than isolated arm action.

Lesson 3 • Eye Focus and Gaze Direction

Establishes correct gaze direction and peripheral awareness during practice. Proper eye focus enhances balance, intention, and martial awareness.

Lesson 4 • Basic Push and Ward-Off Shapes

Introduces peng, lu, ji, and an as the four primary energies. Understanding these shapes prepares students for form sequences and push hands.

Lesson 1 • Dan Tian Activation and Awareness

Focuses attention on the lower dan tian as the center of qi storage and movement initiation. Dan tian awareness deepens form quality and internal power.

Lesson 2 • Understanding Qi in Tai Chi

Defines qi functionally as bio-electric sensation, warmth, and tingling. Demystifies the concept so students can observe and work with it practically.

Lesson 3 • Zhan Zhuang Standing Practice

Introduces standing post meditation to build internal strength and qi awareness. Regular zhan zhuang accelerates progress in all other Tai Chi skills.

Lesson 4 • Applying Internal Energy to Form

Integrates qi awareness into the short form learned in Chapter 4. Students practice moving from internal sensation rather than external shape alone.

Lesson 1 • Transitions and Flow Between Postures

Focuses on the connecting movements between named postures. Smooth transitions are where form quality is most visibly expressed.

Lesson 2 • Opening Sequence and Preparation

Teaches the opening posture, weight settling, and initial arm raise. The opening sets the mental and physical tone for the entire form.

Lesson 3 • Closing Sequence and Cool-Down

Teaches the closing posture, return to wuji, and post-form standing meditation. Proper closing consolidates qi and completes the practice session.

Lesson 4 • Core Postures of the Short Form

Covers Grasp the Bird's Tail, Single Whip, Wave Hands, and Brush Knee. Each posture is broken into components before being linked into sequence.

Lesson 1 • Listening and Neutralizing Skills

Develops ting jin through sensitivity drills and slow-motion partner exercises. Listening skill is the foundation of all advanced push hands and application.

Lesson 2 • Single-Hand Fixed-Step Push Hands

Teaches the basic single-hand ward-off and push cycle with stationary feet. Fixed-step practice isolates upper-body sensitivity before adding footwork.

Lesson 3 • Principles of Push Hands Training

Establishes the purpose, etiquette, and safety rules of push hands practice. Clear principles prevent injury and create a productive training environment.

Lesson 4 • Double-Hand Fixed-Step Push Hands

Expands to both hands using the peng-lu-ji-an cycle. Double-hand practice develops bilateral coordination and fuller energy expression.

Lesson 1 • Rhythm, Tempo, and Expression

Develops the dynamic contrast between fast and slow, light and heavy within the form. Expressive rhythm distinguishes competent performance from mechanical repetition.

Lesson 2 • Self-Correction and Video Review

Uses video recording and checklist-based self-assessment to identify errors. Systematic self-correction accelerates improvement between instructor sessions.

Lesson 3 • Directional Changes and Orientation

Trains the multiple directional changes embedded in the long form. Spatial orientation prevents disorientation and maintains form integrity.

Lesson 4 • Structure of the Long Form

Maps the long form into three sections with distinct character and pacing. Understanding structure enables strategic practice and efficient memorization.

Lesson 1 • Reading Martial Intent in Postures

Analyzes each major posture for its primary and secondary martial applications. Understanding intent transforms form practice from exercise into purposeful movement.

Lesson 2 • Distance, Timing, and Positioning

Trains awareness of optimal range, entry timing, and body positioning. These tactical elements determine whether a technique succeeds or fails.

Lesson 3 • Fa Jin and Explosive Power

Introduces fa jin as the release of stored internal energy in a short burst. Fa jin training develops whole-body coordination and power generation.

Lesson 4 • Strikes, Locks, and Throws

Covers palm strikes, joint locks, and off-balancing throws derived from form postures. Each technique is practiced slowly with a cooperative partner.