Five Major Schools of Tai Chi Chuan - Sun Style

Five Major Schools of Tai Chi Chuan - Sun Style

The Sun style (孫氏) tai chi chuan was developed by Sun Lutang (孫祿堂, 1861-1932), who was considered expert in two other internal martial arts styles: xingyiquan and baguazhang before he came to study tai chi chuan. Today, Sun style ranks fourth in popularity and fifth in terms of seniority among the five family styles of tai chi chuan. He was also considered an accomplished Neo-Confucian and Taoist scholar, especially in the Yi Jing and the Tai chi classics. Sun learned Wu/Hao style tai chi chuan from Hao Weizhen (郝為真), who was Li Yiyu's (李亦畬) chief disciple.

Besides his earlier xingyi and bagua training, Sun's experiences with Hao Weizhen, Yang Shaohou, Yang Chengfu and Wu Jianquan influenced the development of what is today recognized as the Sun style of tai chi chuan. Sun's son Sun Cunzhou (孫存周, 1893-1963) and daughter, Sun Jianyun (孫劍雲, 1914-2003) were tai chi chuan teachers, as well as Sun Cunzhou's daughter Sun Shurong (孫淑容, b. 1918-2005) who taught in Beijing until her death.

Sun style tai chi chuan is well known for its smooth, flowing movements which omit the more physically vigorous crouching, leaping and fa jin of some other styles. The footwork of Sun style is unique, when one foot advances or retreats the other follows. It also uses an open palm throughout the entirety of its main form, and exhibits small circular movements with the hand. Its gentle postures and high stances make it very suitable for geriatric exercise and martial arts therapy.

Sun Style Taijiquan Sequence

1. wu ji (wuji)
2. tai ji (taiji)
3. lan fu zha yi (lazily tie the coat)
4. kai shou (open hands)
5. he shou (close hands)
6. dan bian (single whip)
7. ti shou shang shi (raise hands)
8. bai he liang chi (white crane spreads its wings)
9. kai shou (open hands)
10. he shou (close hands)
11. lou xi ao bu (brush the knee and step)
12. shou hui pi pa shi (strum the lute)
13. jin bu ban lan chui (advance with deflect, parry and punch)
14. ru feng si bi (close)
15. bao hu tui shan (embrace the tiger and push the mountain)
16. kai shou (open hands)
17. he shou (close hands)
18. lou xi ao bu (brush the knee and step)
19. shou hui pi pa (strum the lute)
20. lan zha yi (lazily tie the coat)
21. kai shou (open hands)
22. he shou (close hands)
23. dan bian (single whip)
24. zhou xia kan chui (fist under the elbow)
25. dao nian hou zuo shi (repulse the monkey, left)
26. dao nian hou you shi (repulse the monkey, right)
27. shou hui pi pa shi (strumming the lute)
28. bai he liang chi (white crane spreads its wings)
29. kai shou (open hands)
30. he shou (close hands)
31. lou ao (brush the knee and step)
32. shou hui pi pa shi (strum the lute)
33. san tong bei (three connections through the back)
34. kai shou (open hands)
35. he shou (close hands)
36. dan bian (single whip)
37. yun shou (cloud hands)
38. gao tan ma (pat the horse)
39. you qi jiao (raise the leg, right)
40. zuo qi jiao (raise the leg, left)
41. zhuan shen ti jiao (turn the body and kick)
42. qian bu da chui (advance and hammer down)
43. fan shen er qi (reverse the body and double rising attack)
44. pi shen fu hu (attack the tiger)
45. zuo ti jiao (left kick)
46. you ti jiao (right kick)
47. shang bu ban lan chui (advance with deflect, parry and punch)
48. ru feng si bi (close)
49. bao hu tui shan (embrace the tiger and push the mountain)
50. you zhuan kai shou (open hands)
51. you zhuan he shou (close hands)
52. lou xi ao bu (brush the knee and step)
53. shou hui pi pa (strum the lute)
54. lan zha yi (lazily tie the coat)
55. kai shou (open hands)
56. he shou (close hands)
57. xie dan bian (diagonal single whip)
58. ye ma fen zong (part the wild horse's mane)
59. kai shou (open hands)
60. he shou (close hands)
61. dan bian (single whip)
62. you bei zhang (right palm stance)
63. yu nu chuan suo (fair lady shuttles)
64. shou hui pi pa shi (strum the lute)
65. lan zha yi (lazily tie the coat)
66. kai shou (open hands)
67. he shou (close hands)
68. dan bian (single whip)
69. yun shou (cloud hands)
70. yun shou xia shi (cloud hands follow-up)
71. geng ji du li (chicken stands on one leg)
72. dao nian hou (repulse the monkey)
73. shou hui pi pa (strum the lute)
74. bai he liang chi (white crane spreads its wings)
75. kai shou (open hands)
76. he shou (close hands)
77. lou xi ao bu (brush the knee and step)
78. shou hui pi pa shi (strum the lute)
79. san tong bei (three connections through the back)
80. kai shou (open hands)
81. he shou (close hands)
82. dan bian (single whip)
83. yun shou (cloud hands)
84. gao tan ma (pat the horse)
85. shi zi bai lian (crossed lotus kick)
86. jin bu zhi dang chui (advance and punch)
87. tui bu lan zha yi (retreat and lazily tie the coat)
88. kai shou (open hands)
89. he shou (close hands)
90. dan bian (single whip)
91. dan bian xia shi (single whip follow-up)
92. shang bu qi xing (advance and seven stars stance)
93. xia bu kua hu (step back and ride the tiger)
94. zhuan jiao bai lian (spinning lotus kick)
95. wan gong she hu (pull the bow and shoot the tiger)
96. shuang chui (double punch)
97. yin yang hun yi (merge the yin and yang)
98. wu ji huan yuan (return to wuji)

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