Our teaching of Taiji Quan starts with the 8 steps elementary form follows by the standardised form of 24 movements. The 24 movements is also known as the Beijing form and is the most widely taught routine in the world. These 2 routines are a good starting point for anyone learning Taiji Quan for the first time, whilst still remaining a challenge for the more experienced student. The 8 steps and 24 Steps are contemporary routines based on the Yang style.

To view videos of different styles of Taiji Quan and Qi Gong please search youtube.com under Orlando Garcia Wushu

Click in front of the different forms to see them:

• 10 movements form part 1 2 3 4
• 16 movements form part 1 2 3 4 5
• Standardised form of 24 movements part 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Videos:

Our Classes

Our classes typically start with a warm-up routine where we do basic exercises to loosen and relax the body and prepare for the class. This is followed by a number of breathing exercises and practice of Qi Gong. Qi Gong is a Taiji method translated as the Gong practice, exericse, refine and cultivate of Qi energy, vitality, and breath. Our Qi Gong practice is thus a set of movements that are aimed at increasing health, vitality and energy.

At each class we practice the basic foot movements of Taiji Quan which comprise the five directions of jin (advance) , tui (retreat), gu (left), pan (right) and ding (central equilibrium). We also practice the eight methods of peng (ward off), lu (roll back), ji (press), an (push), cai (pull down), lie (split), kao (leaning), zhou (elbow). These are the fundamental building blocks for good Taiji Quan forms practice.

The class continues with a study of the forms (routines). We practice the whole routine(s) as a group and then break the forms down into individual components, concentrating on the movements in which the students require the most coaching.

Learning the application of the movements starts with Taiji Tuishou push hands routines. The student practices the movement with the correct application of peng (ward off), lu (roll back), ji (press) and an (push),for beginners and at the intermmediate level we include the cai (pull down), lie (split), kao (leaning) and zhou (elbow)

During each class, the philosophies of Taiji Quan are discussed in context with each of the elements being taught. Each class is concluded with a set of warm-down exercises.

In conclusion, our students gain a holistic experience of Taiji Quan, being exposed to aspects of exercise, breathing, the spiritual, cultivation of energy and learning an internationally recognised routines.

Fundamentals and Principles of Taiji Quan for all styles, please click here to read about them.

Taiji Quan Yang style classes

The forms taught in the Yang style classes are as follows:

• 8 steps China’s Taiji Quan curriculum
• 10 steps China’s Taiji Quan curriculum
• 16 Steps China’s Taiji Quan curriculum
• Simplified Yang Style 24 steps China’s Taiji Quan curriculum
• Combined 32 Steps Taiji Quan Bare Hands
• Traditional Short Routine Yang Style
• Competition Routine Yang Style 40 steps
• Traditional Long Routine Yang Style old form 85 steps
• Yang Style Long Routine 88 steps China’s Taiji Quan curriculum
• Taiji Sword 32 movements China’s Taiji Jian curriculum
• Ten Principles of Taiji Quan
• Taiji Quan combined styles contemporary routines

Once our students have mastered the movements of the standardised routines, they can progress to the other standardised routines of the combined 42 Steps and the combined 42 Taiji-sword Steps. The 42 steps are a combined routine in that they contain elements of a number of Taiji Quan styles, Yang, Chen, Sun and Wu. The 42 steps are again standardised for use in international competition. Alternatively the student can branch into the Chen style or the traditional Yang style.

Video:

Chen style Taiji Quan is one of the most ancient forms of Wushu. It is the original form of Taiji Quan from which all other forms have developed. As with most other Taiji Quan styles, both traditional and contemporary routines exist in the Chen style.

Our Traditional Chen Style lineage passed on from Masters Chen Fa Ke/ Hong Jun Sheng / Li En Jiu/ Huang Kang Hui to Orlando Garcia M.

Our programme is based on Master Huang Kang Hui’s system complemented by the teaching and training methods developed by Orlando Garcia and includes:

Beginners level:

The silk reeling, small and big circles.
8 Steps and 16 Steps Elementary Routines.
18 Steps ChenJia Gou Style Short Routine. (This particular routine is not part of Master Huang’s programme)
Basic Pushing Hands methods

Intermediate level 1:

36 Chen Style Routine. 32 Chen Style Taiji Jian (sword)
56 Chen Style Competition Routine. 56 Chen Style Taiji Jian (sword)

Intermediate level 2:

Traditional 46 Chen Style Routine. Chen Style Broadsword.

Advanced Level 1:

Old Traditional Routine 1 and 2 (Lao Jia I lu, Er lu-Pao Chui) and applications. Pushing hands free step.

Advanced Level 2:

Long Weapons, spear, long Staff, and scimitar. Double weapons, sword and broadsword. Sanshou ( free sparring)

The Chen style classes take the same format as the classes described above starting with warm-ups, stretching, breathing, Qi Gong, footwork and hand techniques. The different routines are practiced as a group and then broken down into their individual movements, concentrating on the movements in which the students require the most coaching.

The application of the movements is taught through Taiji Tuishou push hands routines. The philosophies of Taiji Quan are discussed in context with each of the elements being taught. Each class is concluded with a set of warm-down exercises.

The list of the names of some of these forms (movements) of the routines can be viewed on the following pages:

• 36 movements competition routine
• 56 movements competition routine
• Series I of the Chen Style

Courses and Seminars Offered:

• China’s National Taiji Quan 5 Styles Competition Forms: Chen, Yang, Sun, Woo and Wu-Hao
• Taiji Quan 42 Bare Hands and Taiji Jian – Sword 42• Pushing Hands – Tuishou
• Traditional Chen Style and Yang Style with Weapons and Applications
• Taiji Quan – Sanda, Free Sparring
• Wudang Taiji Jian – Sword
• Wudang Taiji Quan 18 – Daoist Style Taichi
• Fa Jing – Explosive Internal Power Training

Individual and Group Private Classes available by appointment
021 560 200 or (09)624 6567