Taijiquan (T'ai Chi Ch'uan) is a Chinese Gung Fu system and an effective method to develop self defense skills that do not rely on size or brute strength. I offer ongoing structured classes. My goal is to share and teach the art of Yang shi Taijiquan which not only encompasses self defense skills but also has tremendous health benefits which include improved balance, strength, coordination, overall body control and awareness, flexibility, self confidence, overall fitness, mindfulness, increased energy and focus, and countless other overall physical and mental health benefits. Classes are challenging and fun both physically and mentally in a safe environment where students learn at their own pace. *Ages 18 and older only unless accompanied by an adult* Class schedule: Thursdays - 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Fridays - 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
The curriculum includes : - Yang style long form. - Arrow Fist form. Yang long form with power expression (Fajin). - Many solo and partner developmental drills. - Tuishou (push hands) - Through the practice of Tuishou, the postures/techniques in the form are brought to life with a training partner. Tuishou helps to develop all of the principles of Taiji including structure, position, distance, timing, power, control, balance, body unity, target, neutralizing, etc. - Straight sword (gim) form. - Saber (dao) form.
Yang Taijiquan Long Form - 108 Technique (Posture) Names and Sequence
First section 1. Yu Bei - Preparatory Position 2. Qi Shi - Beginning of Taiji 3. Zou Peng – Ward off Left (4 – 7) Lan Que Wei - Grasp Sparrow’s Tail 4. You Peng – Ward off Right 5. Lu – Roll-Back 6. Ji – Press 7. An - Push 8. Dan Bien - Single Whip 9. T’i Shou Shang Shi (Kao) – Raise Hands and Step Forward (Shoulder Strike) 10. Bai He Liang Ch’i - White Crane Spreads Wings 11. Zuo Lou xi Ao Bu - Brush Left Knee and Push 12. Shou Hui P’i P’a - Play Guitar (Lute) 13. Zuo Lou xi Ao Bu - Brush Left Knee and Push 14. You Lou Xi Ao Bu - Brush Right Knee and Push 15. Zuo Lou xi Ao Bu - Brush Left Knee and Push 16. Shou Hui P’i P’a - Play Guitar (Lute) 17. Zuo Lou xi Ao Bu - Brush Left Knee and Push 18. Jin Bu ban lan chui - Step Forward, Parry/Intercept, and Punch 19. Ru Feng Shi Bi - Withdraw and Seal 20. Shi Zi Shou - Cross Hands
Second Section 21. Bao Hu Gui Shan - Carry Tiger And Return To Mountain 22. Lan Que Wei - Grasp Sparrow’s Tail 23. Xie Dan Bian - Diagonal Single Whip 24. Zhou Di K’an Ch’ui - Fist Under Elbow 25. Zuo Dao Nian Hou - Step Back and Repulse Monkey, Left 26. Yuo Dao Nian Hou - Step Back and Repulse Monkey, Right 27. Zuo Dao Nian Hou - Step Back and Repulse Monkey, Left 28. Xie Fei Shi - Slanted Flying (Diagonal) 29. T’i Shou Shang Shi (Kao) – Raise Hands and Step Forward (Shoulder strike) 30. Bai He Liang Ch’i - White Crane Spreads Wings 31. Zuo Lou Xi Ao Bu - Brush Left Knee and Push 32. Hai Di Zhen - Needle At Sea Bottom 33. Shan T’ong Bei – Fan Through the Back 34. Zhuan Shen P’ie Shen Ch’ui – Turn Around and Chop 35. Jin Bu ban lan chui - Step Forward, Parry/Intercept and Punch 36. Shang Bu Lan Que Wei – Step forward and Grasp Sparrow’s Tail 37. Dan Bian - Single Whip 38. Yun Shou - Cloud Hands (3 or 5) 39. Dan Bian - Single Whip 40. Gao T’an Ma - High Pat On Horse 41. You Fen Jiao - Right Instep Kick 42. Zou Fen Jiao - Left Instep Kick 43. Zhuan Shen Zou Deng Jiao - Turn Around And Left Heel Kick 44. Zuo Lou Xi Ao Bu - Brush Left Knee and Push 45. You Lou Xi Ao Bu - Brush Right Knee and Push 46. Jin Bu Zai Ch’ui - Step Forward and Punch Low 47. Zhuan Shen P’ie Shen Ch’ui – Turn Around and Chop 48. Jin Bu Ban Lan Ch’ui - Step Forward, Parry/Intercept and Punch 49. Yu Deng Jiao - Right Heel Kick 50. Zuo Da Hu Shi - Strike Tiger at Left 51. You Da Hu Shi - Strike Tiger at Right 52. Hui Shen Yu Teng Chio – Right Heel Kick 53. Shuang Feng Guan Er – Double Fists Strike Opponents Ears 54. Zou Deng Jiao - Left Heel (side) Kick 55. Zhuan Shen You Deng Jiao - Turn Around and Right Heel (side) Kick 56. Jin Bu Ban Lan Ch’ui - Step Forward, Parry/Intercept and Punch 57. Ru Feng Shi Bi - Withdraw and Seal 58. Shi Zi Shou - Cross Hands
Third Section 59. Bao Hu Gui Shan - Carry Tiger and Return To Mountain 60. Lan Que Wei - Grasp Sparrow’s Tail 61. You Ye Ma Fen Zong – Parting Wild Horses Mane, Right 62. Zuo Ye Ma Fen Zong – Parting Wild Horses Mane, Left 63. You Ye Ma Fen Zong – Parting Wild Horses Mane, Right 64. Zou Peng – Ward off Left 65. Lan Que Wei - Grasp Sparrow’s Tail 66. Dan Bian - Single Whip 67 – 70. Yü Nü Ch’uan Suo - Fair Lady Works The Shuttles (4 corners) 71. Zou Peng – Ward off Left 72. Lan Que Wei - Grasp Sparrow’s Tail 73. Dan Bian - Single Whip 74. Yun Shou - Cloud Hands (3 or 5) 75. Tan Pien - Single Whip 76. Xia Shi – Snake Creeps Down 77. Zuo jin ji Du Li - Golden Rooster Stands On One Leg, Left 78. You jin ji Du Li - Golden Rooster Stands On One Leg, Right 79. Zuo Dao Nian Hou - Step Back and Repulse Monkey, Left (3 or 5) 80. You Dao Nian Hou - Step Back and Repulse Monkey, Right 81. Zuo Dao Nian Hou - Step Back and Repulse Monkey, Left 82. Xie Fei Shi – Diagonal (slanted) Flying 83. T’i Shou Shang Shi – Raise Hands and Step Forward 84. Bai He Liang Ch’i - White Crane Spreads Wings 85. Zuo Lou xi Ao Bu - Brush Left Knee and Push 86. Hai Di Zhen - Needle At Sea Bottom 87. Shan T’ong Bei – Fan through the Back 88. Zhuan Shen Bai She T’u Xin - White Snake Turns Body and Strikes with Tongue 89. Jin Bu Ban Lan Ch’ui - Step Forward, Parry/Intercept, and Punch 90. Lan Que Wei - Grasp Sparrow’s Tail 91. Dan Bian - Single Whip 92. Yun Shou - Cloud Hands (3 or 5) 93. Dan Bian - Single Whip 94. Gao T’an Ma Chuan Zhang - High Pat On Horse 95. Tai Ch’uan Chang - Thrust Out Palm (crossing Palm) 96. Chuan Shen Shi Zi T’ui - Turn Around and Kick with Heel (side) 97. Jin Pu Zhi Dang Ch’ui - Step Forward and Punch Groin 98. Shang Bu Lan Que Wei - Grasp Sparrow’s Tail (With Step) 99. Dan Bian - Single Whip 100. Xia Shi – Snake Creeps Down 101. Shang Bu Qi Xing Ch’ui - Step Forward and Seven Stars Punch 102. T’ui Bu K’ua Hu - Step Back to Ride Tiger 103. Zhuan Shen Bai Lian - Turn Around and Sweep Lotus Kick 104. Wan Gong She Hu - Pull Bow and Shoot Tiger 105. Jin Bu Ban Lan Ch’ui - Step Forward, Parry/Intercept, and Punch 106. Ru Feng Shi Bi - Withdraw and Seal 107. Shi Zi Shou - Cross Hands 108. Shou Shi - Closing Movement
Focus of Training Taijiquan (one translation - Supreme Ultimate Fist) is a very effective martial art and method of self defense. These days however, the Taiji (Tai Chi) most commonly seen are modified versions of it's original intent as a “martial” art. Most people today who do not know that Taiji is a gung fu system, think of it as either (1) an exercise that “older” folks do to improve their balance and coordination or (2) as an exercise for relaxation and meditation, or (3) as Wushu competition forms. The modified versions of Taiji have many benefits for people who choose these variations, but I feel it should be understood that the martial aspect of the art of Taiji has been removed from these modified versions. Many people are not interested in learning the martial aspect of Taiji and that is their choice, but I believe that the original intent of the art of Taiji is at risk of being lost if people do not understand the difference between the modified versions and the original martial art of Taijiquan. They all have their place and their purpose and should be respected for what they are. All of the various styles of Taiji; Chen, Yang, Sun, and Wu, etc. have suffered these same issues. My focus in my practice and teaching of Taiji is the original intent of Taijiquan as a martial art and method of self defense. This is what I practice and what I teach.
Please see my "Articles" page to read overviews of the Taijiquan Principles that my study and teaching is based on. Carina Cirrincione
“Learning self-defense applications is indispensable in T’ai-chi ch’uan. Students who are primarily interested in exercise must also study applications. If they don’t, it becomes very dull and the majority will quit. In fact, ignoring the applications is also an obstacle to making progress in strengthening the body.” ~ Yang Cheng-fu - From “Self Defense Applications of T’ai-chi ch’uan” (first edition 1931) cited in “Tai-chi Touchstones”