长  青  中  文  学  校
Media-Swarthmore Chinese School
Home  | About  |   Contact   |   Directions  |  Campus

Tai Ji Quan (太极拳) Class

Instructor: Bangbo Hu                Email: Bangbo.hu@villanova.edu

I. Objectives
Tai Ji Quan is one of the major internal styles contained in martial arts (Wushu). Its hundreds of years’ history has shown that practicing Tai Ji Quan can improve ones health and reduce tension. It is also proved to be effective as life prolonging, healing, and rejuvenating exercises.  The specific objectives of the class include:

[1] Happy and healthy. 
[2] Enjoy Tai Ji Quan, friendship, and life.
[3] Understand basic principles of Tai Ji Quan and be able to practice Tai Ji Quan not only in class but also in daily life for its health benefits. 

II.  Who may take the course 
Anyone.

III. Number of classes
Fifteen classes.  Two hours each class (One hour lesson and one hour instructor’s assistant practice).

IV. Course outline
Forty-eight Posture Tai Ji Quan (四十八式太极拳) is one of the most popularly practiced forms in the world.  Its soft, slow, and circular movements make it ideal for energetic cultivation, for health and spirituality.  It is based on the Yang style Tai Ji Quan, but also includes moves and components from the other major styles (Chen, Wu, and Sun styles) as well as techniques from Push Hands practice.

The first twenty-eight postures of Forty-eight Posture Tai Ji Quan (四十八式太极拳) will be taught in fall semester and can be practiced independently.  The rest of twenty postures are planned to be taught in spring semester, 2010 with review of the first twenty-eight postures.

The List of the Twenty-eight Postures for Fall Semester, 2009

Commencing (起势)

Section 1

  1. The White Crane Flashes Its Wings (白鹤亮翅)
  2. Brush Knee and Twist Step on Left (左搂膝拗步)
  3. Single Whip -- Left Style (左单鞭)
  4. Hand Strums the Lute -- Left Style (左琵琶)
  5. Stroke and Push (3) (捋挤势, 三)
  6. Turn to Strike, Parry and Punch -- Left Style (左搬拦捶) 
  7. Fend Off, Stroke, Push and Press -- Left Style (左棚捋挤按) 

Section 2

  1. Lean Obliquely (斜身靠)               
  2. Punch Under Elbow (肘底捶)
  3. Step Back and Whirl Arms on Both Sides (4) (倒卷肱, 四)
  4. Turn in Push Palms (4) (转身推掌, 四)
  5. Hand Strums the Lute -- Right Style (右琵琶势) 
  6. Brush Knee and Punch Downward (搂膝栽捶)

Section 3

  1. The White Snake Puts Out Its Tongue (2) (白蛇吐信,二)
  2. Pat Foot to Subdue the Tiger (2) (拍脚伏虎, 二)
  3. Turn to Left to Strike (左撇身捶)
  4. Thread Palm on Crouch Step (穿拳下势)
  5. Fend Off on One Leg (2) (独立撑掌, 二)
  6. Single Whip -- Right Style (右单鞭)

Section 4

  1. Wave Hands Like Clouds -- Right Style (3) (右云手, 三）
  2. Part the Wild Horse's Mane on Both Sides (右左分鬃) 
  3. High Pat on Horse (高探马)            
  4. Kick with Right Heel (右蹬脚)              
  5. Strike Opponent's Ears with Both Fists (双峰贯耳) 
  6. Kick with Left Heel (左蹬脚)            
  7. Strike with Hidden Fist (掩手撩拳)            
  8. Needle at Sea Bottom (海底针) 
Flash the Arm (闪通背)