Sun style tai chi chuan

The Sun style (孫氏) tai chi chuan was developed by Sun Lu-t'ang (孫祿堂, 1861-1932), who was considered expert in two other internal martial arts styles: hsing-i ch'uan (Xingyiquan) and pa kua chang (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 I Ching and the tai chi classics. Sun learned Wu/Hao style tai chi chuan from Hao Wei-chen (郝為真), who was Li I-yü's (李亦畬) chief disciple.cite book|last=Wile|first=Douglas|title=Lost T'ai-chi Classics from the Late Ch'ing Dynasty (Chinese Philosophy and Culture)|publisher=State University of New York Press|date=1995|isbn=978-0791426548]

Besides his earlier hsing-i and pa kua training, Sun's experiences with Hao Wei-chen, Yang Shao-hou, Yang Ch'eng-fu and Wu Chien-ch'üan influenced the development of what is today recognized as the Sun style of tai chi chuan. [cite magazine|last=Yip|first=Li (Faye)|title=Principles and Practice of Sun Style T’ai Chi – T’AI CHI The International Magazine of T’ai Chi Ch’uan Vol. 22 No. 2|publisher=Wayfarer Publications|date=April 1998|issn=0730-1049] 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 jing 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.

References

External links

* [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8979140577195962386 Google video of Sun Jianyun performing a Sun style form]
* [http://www.suntaichi.com International Sun Tai Chi Association]
* [http://pages.videotron.com/fourquet/ Sun Dragon Taichi Forum]