PE 147, Tai Chi Chuan
Spring 2012

Bryan Smith

1 Introduction

The primary purpose of this course is for you to learn the 24 Posture (standardized/simplified) 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 Chuan is as complex as you would expect of something that has developed over at least 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 Wudang, Tsao Bao, Li, and Heh.

Even though it is unclear how and when the martial precursor to Tai Chi originated, it is agreed that the origins 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 probably 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 "Simplified Tai Chi" and incorporates aspects of the five major styles. The postures of this pattern are common to all those but are presented in a fashion that is designed to preserve and enhance health as opposed to developing martial skill.

1.2 Lineage

Yang Lu Chan founded the Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan
Yang Jian Hou was Yang Lu Chan's son and the 2nd generation exponent
Yang Chen Fu was Yang Lu Chan's grandson and the 3rd generation exponent
Li Ya Xuan was the fourth generation exponent
Lin Mo Gen is a fifth generation exponent
Qin Li Li (Lily) studied under and was declared a master by Lin Mo Gen
I have been studying with Qin Li Li (Lily) since 1998 and have studied with Grandmaster Lin Mo Gen during visits to China.

1.3 Recommended Textbook

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/

Location FH 228, 3:30-5:10pm Tue

1.4.1 Logistics

Bryan Smith	TH 390D	879-3562	bryans[at]ups.edu

Math 181	TH 383	M, F	11:00-11:50am
	TH 391	T, Th	11:30-11:20am

Office Hours		Mon	12:00-12:50pm
		Tue	10:00-11:20am
		Thu	10:30-11:20am
		Other	By Appointment

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 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 the Final Exam period to demonstrate their knowledge of the pattern.

1.6 First Assignment

Please send an email to me at bryans(at)pugetsound.edu with the following information.

Have PE 147 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.
Mastering Yang Style Taijiquan, translated by Louis Swaim By Fu Zhongwen, Frog, Ltd./Blue Snake Books (2006)
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.

Emergency Response Information

Please review university emergency preparedness and response procedures posted at http://www.pugetsound.edu/emergency/. There is a link on the university home page. Familiarize yourself with hall exit doors and the designated gathering area for your class and laboratory buildings.

If building evacuation becomes necessary (e.g. earthquake), meet your instructor at the designated gathering area so she/he can account for your presence. Then wait for further instructions. Do not return to the building or classroom until advised by a university emergency response representative.

If confronted by an act of violence, be prepared to make quick decisions to protect your safety. Flee the area by running away from the source of danger if you can safely do so. If this is not possible, shelter in place by securing classroom or lab doors and windows, closing blinds, and turning off room lights. Stay low, away from doors and windows, and as close to the interior hallway walls as possible. Wait for further instructions.

File translated from T_EX by T_TH, version 3.85.
On 10 Jan 2012, 18:00.

PE 147, Tai Chi Chuan Spring 2012