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Postures of Taijiquan Program

 

The Postures of Taijiquan Program includes:

  • Instructions for all 64 postures in the Taijiquan form arranged by Stuart that follow the patterns of the 64 hexagrams of the I Ching (Book of Changes).
    • Learn the gestures (the rising, sinking, turning, shifting, and stepping movements of the Five Activities) that comprise each posture.
    • Stuart also demonstrates Master Liang’s teaching method of the beats and half beats of each posture, what Master Liang called Bung Da, which teaches the precision of movement through the postures, is the method for acquiring complete relaxation when performing Taijiquan (Song energy), and is critical for correct application of the postures. 
  • For the first time ever, Stuart shows the complete applications that correlate to each beat or sequence of beats in every posture.
    • This is something that the online teaching makes possible and why it’s proving to be such a great option for Stuart to present these foundational courses for mastering the art of Taijiquan.
  • Practice methods for individual postures, certain posture sequences, each section (the 64-posture form comprises eight sections of eight postures each), and for the entire 64-posture form.
    • As we refine the course, we will be providing downloadable PDFs on each posture, from the Tai Chi Changes book (written by Stuart and Patrick), and the audio files we created for the practices.
  • Live monthly online talks to further delve into the teachings for learning and mastering Taijiquan.

By learning the postures of Taijiquan through this course (and in conjunction with the other two foundational courses—the Principles of Taijiquan and Intrinsic Energies), you will have access to a lifetime’s worth of teachings and a reference guide that will only get deeper and more useful with time. We believe these courses are the most effective way to present Stuart’s vast knowledge and experience of Taijiquan. 




Once a month for a year, Stuart will be giving a series of talks  (see outline below) to further expand on the core essentials for mastering Taijiquan and to provide a forum for students to ask questions directly to him.

Because of the changes and additions to this year-long course, the price when we launch it will be $2400 ($200/month). So, registering now for early access will save you $1400.

We are only offering this early access price of $1000 to students who’ve registered for Stuart’s courses on The Twenty-Two Principles of Taijiquan or The Intrinsic Energies of Taijiquan. This course is an extension of those courses, with all three forming the foundation of his Master’s Program for Taijiquan.

Note that The Postures of Taijiquan course will run through our new website https://www.ioiamn.com/ (currently under construction). If you have any questions about the new site, please email us.

Once you register for the program at the Institute of Internal Arts (see link at bottom of this email), you will have immediate access to the first three sections of the 64-Posture form, with more postures and sections being added as soon as possible.

 

Each monthly talk will run approximately 90 minutes each, maybe longer depending on the Q&A time needed. Here is a brief overview of the entire course:

Monthly Talk #1

Four Ways of Performing the Taijiquan Solo Form

  1. Swimming in Air (method for developing Qi through imagining the resistance of water).
  2. Playful Imagination of Posture Applications (method for developing Jin through presuming an opponent).
  3. Floating in Air (method for developing Shen through accentuating lightness and nimbleness of the body).
  4. Abiding by the Dan Tian (method for Mobilizing the Qi and Expression of Mind-Intent).

Monthly Talk #2

The Bung Da Approach for Acquiring Precision and Development of Song Energy

  • Applying music and Bung Da to the solo form movements—beats and half beats. A means for both developing precision of the solo form movements, and for developing Song energy [鬆筋, Song Jin, means “relaxed intrinsic awareness,” such as that of a cat].
  • The secrets of Opening and Closing [Waist], Rising and Sinking [Legs], and Rooting and Lightness [Feet].

Monthly Talk #3

Applying the Four Breathing Methods to the Taijiquan Form

  1. Embryonic Breathing (Before Heaven Breathing—accumulation of Qi).
  2. Natural Breathing (After Heaven Breathing—stimulation of Qi).
  3. Heng Ha Breathing (two stages of internal breathing).
  4. Bi Qi (Holding the Breath, the secrets of Tortoise Breath).

Monthly Talk #4

Master T.T. Liang’s Lineages and Learnings

  • The history and stories of Master Liang’s learning from 15 great teachers. Will discuss each of his 15 teachers and the main teachings he learned from them. Explanations of how Master Liang came to incorporate music, beats, mental accomplishment, meditation states, and the creation of his 150-Posture form.
  • Commentary on Master Liang’s 10 Daily Theorems.
  • Master Liang’s daily practice regimes, diet, and herbal intake for health and longevity.

Monthly Talk #5

The Correlation of the Eight Subtle Meridians, the Eight Postures of Taijiquan, and the Eight Sections of the 64-Posture Taijiquan Form.

Monthly Talk #6

The Eight Variant Ways of Application for each of the Eight Postures.

  • A detailed explanation of each of the Eight Operations (Eight Postures) and Five Activities (Elemental Gestures)—the essential functions of all Taijiquan movements, and normally misinterpreted as the “Thirteen Postures.”
    • Eight Operations
      1] Warding-Off, 2} Rolling-Back, 3] Pressing, 4] Pushing, 5] Pulling, 6] Splitting, 7] Elbowing, and 8] Shouldering.
    • Five Activities
      1] Advance, 2} Withdraw, 3] Look-Left, 4] Gaze-Right, and 5] Central Equilibrium.

Monthly Talks #7–#9

Master Liang was adamant about Taijiquan practitioners basing their practice on the classics of Taijiquan, stating that the true principles and philosophy lay within these texts. For the next three months, Stuart will discuss one of the three major classics of Taijiquan. Each participant will receive a translated copy of the text before each class. 

  • Talk #7, The Taijiquan Discourse
    [太 極 拳 論, Taijiquan Lun] by Zhang Sanfeng [張 三 豐]
  • Talk #8—The Taijiquan Classic
    [太 極 全 經, Taijiquan Jing] by Zhang Sanfeng [張 三 豐]
  • Talk #9—The Mental Elucidation of the Thirteen Kinetic Postures
    [十 三 勢 行 功 心 解, Shi San Shi Xing Gong Xin Jie] by Wang Zongyue [王 宗 岳].

Monthly Talks #10–#12

The 64 Posture Applications of Taijiquan

  • Stuart will discuss and demonstrate each of the eight self-defense methods for each of the Eight Postures. These talks will incorporate filmed and live demonstrations, taking place over the last three months of the program.