Sun style T'ai Chi Ch'uan
Encyclopedia
The Sun style t'ai chi ch'uan 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 t'ai chi ch'uan. Today, Sun style ranks fourth in popularity and fifth in terms of seniority among the five family styles of t'ai chi ch'uan. 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 t'ai chi ch'uan 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 t'ai chi ch'uan. Sun's son Sun Cunzhou (孫存周, 1893-1963) and daughter, Sun Jianyun (孫劍雲, 1914-2003) were t'ai chi ch'uan 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 t'ai chi ch'uan 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 Lu-t'ang
Sun Lu-t'ang was a renowned master of Chinese Neijia martial arts and was the progenitor of the syncretic art of Sun-style tai chi chuan...
(孫祿堂, 1861-1932), who was considered expert in two other internal martial arts
Neijia
Nèijiā is a term in Chinese martial arts, grouping those styles that practice nèijìng , usually translated as internal martial arts, occupied with spiritual, mental or qi-related aspects, as opposed to an "external" approach focused on physiological aspects...
styles: xingyiquan
Xingyiquan
Xingyiquan is one of the major "internal" or Wudang styles of Chinese martial arts. The word translates approximately to "Form/Intention Boxing", or "Shape/Will Boxing", and is characterized by aggressive, seemingly linear movements and explosive power...
and baguazhang
Baguazhang
Bāguàzhǎng is one of the three main Chinese martial arts of the Wudang school, the other two being Taijiquan and Xingyiquan. It is more broadly grouped as an internal practice...
before he came to study t'ai chi ch'uan. Today, Sun style ranks fourth in popularity and fifth in terms of seniority among the five family styles of t'ai chi ch'uan. He was also considered an accomplished Neo-Confucian and Taoist scholar, especially in the Yi Jing
I Ching
The I Ching or "Yì Jīng" , also known as the Classic of Changes, Book of Changes and Zhouyi, is one of the oldest of the Chinese classic texts...
and the Tai chi classics
Tai chi classics
The Tai Chi Classics are classical texts used as guides for the practice of the Chinese martial art of t'ai chi ch'uan. These texts, which vary from school to school, are usually written in classical Chinese and are used by modern schools that trace their lineage from the Chen family or from them...
. Sun learned Wu/Hao style t'ai chi ch'uan from Hao Weizhen
Hao Wei-chen
Hao Wei-chen or was a Chinese t'ai chi ch'uan teacher. Hao became a well known and influential teacher of Wu Yu-hsiang style t'ai chi ch'uan, his teacher Li I-yu was Wu Yu-hsiang's nephew. Hao passed the art to his son and grandson, who became respected teachers in their turn, so that the style...
(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 Shao-hou
Yang Shaohou along with Yang Chengfu 楊澄甫 represent the third generation of Yang family taijiquan 楊氏太極拳.At birth he was named Yang Zhaoxiong and was later named Mengxiang, and then Shaohou, commonly known as "Mr...
, Yang Chengfu
Yang Chengfu
Yang Chengfu or Yang Ch'eng-fu is historically considered the best known teacher of the soft style martial art of Yang-style t'ai chi ch'uan .-Biography:...
and Wu Jianquan
Wu Chien-ch'uan
Wu Chien-ch'uan , was a famous teacher of the neijia martial art of t'ai chi ch'uan in late Imperial and early Republican China....
influenced the development of what is today recognized as the Sun style of t'ai chi ch'uan. Sun's son Sun Cunzhou (孫存周, 1893-1963) and daughter, Sun Jianyun (孫劍雲, 1914-2003) were t'ai chi ch'uan 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 t'ai chi ch'uan 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
Martial Arts Therapy
Martial arts Therapy refers to the usage of martial arts as an alternative or complementary therapy for a medical disorder. This can include disorders of the body or of the mind...
.