Syllabus

Health, fitness, relaxation and self-defence skills all result from the practice of the Chinese martial art of Tai Chi Chuan. Under the directorship of chief instructor Sifu Gary Wragg, the London Academy offers a full syllabus covering:

Hand form - 108 standard movements
12 form
54 round form
108 fast round form
Chi Kung and Nei Kung (internal strength)
Pushing hands
Self-defence
Meditation
Sparring training
Weapons forms (Sabre, Spear, Sword)
Tournament training
Tai Chi Chuan theory, philosophy and its history
Instructors training course

Beginners

As a beginner, you learn the basics of Wu's Style Tai Chi Ch'uan and the full 108 movements of the long hand form at your own pace, with a focus on the concept of 'mechanical order.' You will develop a solid grounding in:

Five main stances and basic excersises.
Stepping with balanced weight separation
Good body alignment, relaxation, co-ordination, looseness and improved concentration
Meditation for relaxation, release of stress and tension, and to promote a state of tranquility and serenity
The Wu style long hand form
Basic push hands to learn control of an opponent's movements
Self-defence applications against various attacks, eg. punches, kicks, grabs
Basic theory and philosophy of Tai Chi Ch'uan

Gradings

Gradings take place regularly to ensure you are developing well. These are not brutal examinations but friendly, relaxed assessments which help you to progress properly.

Beginners have two gradings; one after completing half the form, which is the called the half grading and another one once the form is completed. Once the second grading, the full grading, is completed the student moves up to the intermediate level.

Similarly the intermediate level has two gradings after which the student moves up to Advanced level.

Intermediate

The main emphasis at Intermediate is on continuity of movement. The Intermediate syllabus also includes refinement of each form, additional exercises, applications, pushing hands and chi kung.

Advanced/Senior

At Advanced levels, attention moves more to the mind aspect. Sabre (dao), sword (jian) and spear (chiang) forms are learned. Classes open out into many deeper aspects of Tai Chi Chuan, along with 24 Forms Chi Kung, advanced pushing hands and power generation.

Instructor Training

There are five levels of Tai Chi Ch'uan attainment:

Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced & Senior
Senior / Assistant Instructor
Instructor

All instructors attend a special ongoing instructor training course, which is available from intermediate level onwards.

All teaching at the Academy is geared towards the highest possible standards of practice. As well as Sifu Gary Wragg, all senior assistant instructors at the Academy are registered with the Tai Chi Union of Great Britain.