Classical Tai Chi Small Circle Form Instruction Part I
Forms 1-32, The Preparation Form to Single Whip
This online Tai Chi video course begins your journey learning the small frame, or small circle, Tai Chi 108 long Form. This will be done in two courses. The videos in Part I demonstrate and explain Forms 1 to 32 (The Preparation Form to Single Whip). Part II will complete the rest of the Forms. (Forms 33 to 108).
These Tai Chi videos show every move in detail to assist you with your learning small circle Tai Chi. In some areas multiple views of the same form are shown simultaneously to clearly demonstrate exactly what you need to do.
The online learning path for the small frame, or small circle, Tai Chi Chuan 108 long Form starts with a modified Square Form in which every move has a clear-cut starting point and end point. The move will pause at the end point to allow students to examine the correctness of their posture and prepare the next move carefully. Most importantly, students learn to engage their body to incorporate internal discipline into the internal move using this process. This allows the student to learn the movements from the video much more easily and precisely than from the continuous movement of the round form.
The traditional square form does not include the upper quarter body internal movements, saving these to be taught in the round form. In this the modified Square Form taught in this course these internal moves are included in the teaching by utilizing the a new, simplified teaching method. This method is described in detail in my Internal Exercise for Power and Vitality course. You will find terminology such as “engage the arm to the core”, “upper body turning move”, “right or left half body moves” and “foot works” taught in that course are used extensively in the 108 long Form Tai Chi videos in Classical Tai Chi Small Circle Form Instruction Part I and II.
Once you are familiar with the modified Square Form, converting to the Round Form is almost effortless. You just eliminate the pause between the moves and round the Square Form movements.
The Internal Exercise for Power and Vitality course provides basic internal move training. This should be done as a prerequisite course before starting on the courses Classical Tai Chi Small Circle Form Instruction Part I and II
This course now includes access to the WhatsApp Classical Tai Chi Group when you Enroll. This community will allow you to find others in the course to exchange experience and contact your instructor directly.
Your Instructor
Dr. Stephen Hwa is the 2nd generation disciple of the legendary Tai Chi Master Wu Chien Chuan, founder of Wu Style Tai Chi. Master Hwa was fortunate to be taught the advanced “Small Circle, or Small Frame Tai Chi Form” where every movement originates from the core of the body. Because of the depth and subtlety of learning this art in addition to the early Master’s desire to pass on this art to only a few selected students, few Tai Chi practitioners now know about these exercises. Yet, the ultimate objective of learning Tai Chi is to learn the totally internal Small Frame, while other large frame exercises practiced by most Tai Chi practitioners today are simply preparatory in nature. During his forty years of practicing and teaching this art, Hwa has been able to utilize his advanced scientific training (PhD in Engineering) to deconstruct the art to come up with new teaching methods to break through obstacles in learning, so more people can learn these advanced movements quickly. He has written a book, Uncovering the Treasure: Classical Tai Chi’s Path to Internal Energy & Health, and created several online courses about Classical Tai Chi. For more information please visit classicaltaichi.com
Course Curriculum
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StartTai Chi Walk (12:14)
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StartForm 1, the Beginning Form, to Form 7, Raise Hands and Step Up (13:50)
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StartForm 8, White Crane Spreads Wings, to Form 14, Cross Hands (11:49)
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StartForm 15, Oblique Brush Knee Push Step, to Form 22, Raise Hands and Step Up (10:15)
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StartForm 23, White Crane Spreads Wings, to Form 32, Single Whip (17:48)