Appreciation of Sun-style Taiji Quan and Sword Routines

On this clip you can see the form slowed down and there's also a two person Ba Gua Sword practice.

Sun style Tai Chi - 2010

I started learning Sun style Tai Chi in 2005. This is me in 2010. All mistakes are mine.

I absolutely love this style. The form is usually done a bit faster but I tried slowing it down here. My late teacher David Martin studied directly with Sun Jian Yun and eventually became a formal disciple.

At the moment I try and do this form 6 times a day in two sessions of 3 forms.

Evening Routine

 My usual evening routine after work is:

Lu Jong 5 elements

Standing in San Ti Shi

Sun Xingyi 5 element fists

Sun Xingyi - all 3 linking forms

Yang Style Broadsword form x 3

Sun style Taiji Jian form x 3

Sun style Taiji 97 form x 3

What's yours?

I space these out with some breaks so takes roughly 2 hours. As my Sun style teacher was a disciple of Sun Jianyun I practice her form.

Traditional Sun style Taijiquan

This is an old clip of the late Sun Jianyun.

No flashy, overly stylised elaborate movements, no ridiculous kicks.

Sun Style

This is a great little film showcasing tradition Sun style Xingyi, Bagua and Taijiquan with Sun Jian Yun.

My own teacher was her direct student and the Taijiquan form and sword form are my main practises nowadays.

Open Close

A little bit about Open /Close or Kai / He from traditional Sun style Taijiquan.  You find this 13 times in the form. It feels as if it gives you a moment to gather your energy amidst the form. All errors are mine!

Sun style Taiji

I really like this tutorial video of the traditional Sun style Taijiquan form. You have to get past the introduction which seems to go on forever but then you get to Sun Jianyun. Look out for the nimble footwork!

The form is demonstrated by Mr Zhang. Note the complete absence of flourishes and embellishments so common to modern forms of Taiji developed for competition. When stepping there is no bouncing up and down which denotes a lack of power. Look closely at any traditional form of Taiji and you will see there are no flourishes to make it look pretty or satisfy stylistic performance. The real beauty is in the expression of the principles from within.

The weapons forms of the Sun family

I've been studying traditional Sun style Taiji for the last 11years privately under David Martin, indoor student of the late Sun Jian Yun.

It is a fascinating style and the article by Ivan Ang in Singapore about Sun family weapons sheds light on the relationship between weapons and the empty hand forms.

The article can be read here

Weekend Sun Style Course

I have just taught a weekend Sun style tai chi course on behalf of Re-vitalise at the Abbey,Sutton Courtney in Oxfordshire.

It's a great place - see The Abbey with a fantastic Hall and the vegetarian food was superb!

I will be teaching another one in September at Marsh Farm inWiltshire- see Marsh Farm

It was a great group and here are a few photos.

About Sun style Tai Chi

Here is a short blog post by Ivan Ang about Sun style Tai Chi and the common misconception that it is a mixture of Xingyi, Ba Gua and Tai Chi.

Click on the link to read

Talking-about-sun-style-taichi/

Sun Lutang's Taiji

Here is a link to a translation on Paul Brennan's site of Sun Lutang's Taiji manual.

Enjoy.


the-taiji-manual-of-sun-lutang/

Lei Shi Tai

Here is a clip of Mr Lei Shi Tai performing his version of the 97 step Sun taiji form.

I had the pleasure of spending a few hours pushing hands with him a few years ago and he was kind enough to sign my teaching certificate.

The clip is here

Sun Style Taiji by Sun Jian Yun 1957

Here is a link to a wonderful translation from Brennan Translation on Sun style Taiji, which is the style I currently practise and teach.

My teacher David Martin studied with Sun Jian Yun from 1993 - 2003 and became a formal disciple.

Enjoy this translation of a book from 1957.Click on the link here

Keep Things Simple

I used to over intellectualise matters concerning tai chi.

Now I don't.

It doesn't help. It's a façade.

As an example, part of my training in Sun style is to stand in San Ti posture. When I was first introduced to it, I rushed to my books and researched it, looking at the various visualisations and what I could be focusing on. And there is a lot!

I discussed this with my teacher, a disciple of the late Sun Jian Yun.

" Just stand, don't think about anything" was the advice.

So I did. I moved away from my previous practises which involved focusing on different points and connecting them.

Over time I have found a clarity in the Sun style tai chi that I hadn't experienced before. When I practise the simple movements there is a wonderful directness about them. I am energised like never before.

This is of course just my personal experience. But I have found that overthinking doesn't help. Just keep it simple and experience directly. Try it.

It's the little things

Had a great day visiting my Sun style Instructors today.

It is always good to be open to corrections and suggestions, especially as we can end up lapsing into bad habits and sometimes postures we made up.

I've got a small number of things to work on in my taiji form and also drastic revision to some of my Xingyi.

Whilst it's great to have a lot of spirit and energy the "little" technical aspects can make a fundamental difference to your art.

Never be complacent!

Private Lessons

I am offering private lessons for anyone who is interested in learning Sun style Tai Chi.

This form is not widely taught in the West and represents an interesting synthesis of Tai Chi, Xingyi and Ba Gua.

I can be contacted via this blog or my website  www.cbtaiji.co.uk

My teacher is an indoor student of the late Sun Jian Yun, seen in the clip below.

Same Difference 2

Two versions of Single Whip.

One from John Kells' Short Form, the other from Sun style.

Same Difference

Below are the commencing postures of the classical Sun style taught to me by David Martin and the short form I learned from John Kells.

Both start in the Wuji posture, which is a standing meditation. In both styles the arms rise up to meet an incoming attack, seperate the attacker's arms and repel them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Class

I will be starting a new class in at Walkern Sports & Social Club, Walkern, Hertfordshire  on November 27th.

There are 2 seperate sessions.

7-9pm - Tao Gong preparation exercises as taught to me by John Kells and Six Methods Shaolin Qi Gong as taught to me by Wang Su Yin.

8-9pm - Traditional Sun style Taiji as taught to me by David Martin, indoor student of the late Sun Jian Yun, daughter of Sun Lu Tang.

Workshops

I'm thinking of running some workshops for people interested in learning the tradtional Sun style Tai Chi 97 form.

These would be held in Hertford, Hertfordshire on Saturdays.

If you are interested let me know. Below is a clip of the form.