PE 147, Tai Chi Chuan
Spring 2009
January 25, 2009
Bryan Smith
1 Introduction
The primary purpose of this course is for you to learn the 24
Posture pattern of Tai Chi. This is the pattern almost all of the
people are doing when you see them in TV commercials or movies that
include scenes of the parks in China. I will not assume that you
have any previous experience with Tai Chi but, for those of you who
do, note that the majority of this pattern is based on the Yang
style.
Please wear loose and comfortable clothes to class.
1.1 Styles
The history of Tai Chi is as complex as you would expect of
something that has developed over a thousand years. There are not
only competing stories about its genesis but there have also been
numerous fragmentations as students decide to change what they
have learned from their masters. At this time there are at least
five major "styles" of Tai Chi: Chen, Yang, Wuu, Sun, and Wu.
Other important styles are Tsao Bao, Li, Heh, and Wudang.
Even though it is unclear how and when the martial precursor to
Tai Chi originated, it is agreed that the origins of Tai Chi lie
in the fundamental conceptualization of Yin and Yang made by the
ancient Chinese and passed along to us through Taoism. As for
historical documentation, Chen Style Tai Chi Chuan was the first
to be recorded in formal documents in the mid 1600's. Fourteen
generations later, Yang Lu Chan developed Yang Style Tai Chi
Chuan from Chen Style. The pattern we are learning is mostly Yang
style and was commissioned by the Chinese government in the
1950's. Although based on the Yang style, it is called
"Standardized Tai Chi" because the postures of this pattern are
common to all the major styles.
1.2 Lineage of Traditional Yang Family Style
- Yang Lu Chan founded the Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan
- Yang Jian Hou was Yang Lu Chan's son and the 2nd generation master
- Yang Chen Fu was Yang Lu Chan's grandson and the 3rd generation master
- Li Ya Xuan was the fourth generation master
- Lin Mo Gen is the fifth generation master
- Qin Li Li (Lily) studied under Lin Mo Gen
- I have been studying with Qin Li Li since 1998 and have studied
with Master Lin Mo Gen during visits to China.
1.3 Recommended Textbook
Tai Chi Chuan, 24 & 48 Postures with Martial Applications,
Liang and Wu, YMAA Publications, © 1996.
1.4 Basic Information
You can find information pertinent to all of my classes
(office hours, office location, etc.) at the link below and,
once there, information specific to this class by clicking on
the PE 147 link.
http://math.ups.edu/~bryans/
Professor Bryan Smith | Thompson Hall 390D | 879-3562 | bryans[at]ups.edu |
|
Office Hours | | Tue | 3:00 - 3:50 P.M |
| | Wed | 3:00 - 4:30 P.M. |
| | Thu | 1:00 - 1:50 P.M. |
|
1.5 Grading
In order to pass the course you must, by the end of the
semester, be able to perform the entire 24 Posture pattern
(which takes 5-10 minutes) from memory. This should occur for
most of you about 1/2 to 2/3 of the way through the
semester and will be evident to me from my observations during
class. Anyone who misses more than three class periods or who
does not seem to know the entire pattern will need to meet
with me during Finals week to demonstrate their knowledge of
the pattern.
1.6 First Assignment
Please send an email to me at bryans(at)ups.edu with the following information.
- Have PE147 or Tai Chi in the Subject: line and your name as the first line of the email.
- Please tell me why you are taking this class and what you hope to gain from it.
2 books
- Tai Chi Chuan, 24 & 48 Postures with Martial Applications,
Liang and Wu, YMAA Publications, © 1996.
One of the best books I've found for the 24 Posture pattern.
There is an associated DVD as well. The book is under $15.00 at
Amazon.
- T'ai Chi Classics, Waysun Liao, Shambhala Classics, © 1990
If you are interested in this sort of thing, Waysun
Liao has other books worth reading. This book is also under
$15.00.
- The Dao of Taijiquan, Way to Rejuvenation, Jou,
Tai Chi Foundation, © 1998.
This one is also under
$15.00 at Amazon.
- Tao Te Ching, various translations
This book is not about Tai Chi so much as it is the foundational book of
the philosophical underpinnings of Taoism from which Tai Chi developed.
File translated from
TEX
by
TTH,
version 3.72.
On 26 Jan 2009, 13:10.