Yang Family Taiji Quan Classes offered at GRTC

Form Instruction

Beginners' classes emphasize learning the form, understanding body mechanics, and improving balance, concentration, flexibility, and leg strength.

Intermediate and advanced classes break down study of the form into three areas: polishing (going over the form in minute detail), martial applications (learning to use Taiji Quan for self-defense), and breathing (developing the meditative and internal-energy aspects of Taiji Quan).

Tui Shou ("Push Hands")

Push Hands is the beginning of two person practice in taijiquan. Its' practice develops sensitivity, yielding, neutralizing, and internal strength, using body mechanics developed in the form. Push Hands begins with simple, single hand fixed position exercises and works up to move complex and demanding two hand moving step push hands.

Womens Focus Group

Organized by women students at Great River, this Group concentrates on practical self defense for the type of situations women are most likely to encounter.

Yangjia Michuan Taijiquan

A Yang Family Taiji Quan form that was for generations a closely guarded secret taught only to family members until after the fall of the Qing dynasty.

San Shou ("Free Hands")

San Shou training takes the skills learned in Push Hands a step further. Students train to remain calm and yielding while facing all types of strikes,kicks and throws. This class focuses on developing practical martial skills in realistic full contact situations.

Weapons Forms

Jian (sword) and Chiang (spear) forms are more difficult than hand sets. As such they are reserved as advanced training for experienced students. Training with weapons further strengthens the body and helps develop fa jing (internal energy). Jian training involves the study and practice of basic cuts, solo forms, two person drills and free sword play. The Taiji Chiang is the last and most physically demanding part of any system of taijiquan. Great River is actively involved in reviving Chinese Swordsmanship.

Swordsmanship

Center director, Scott M. Rodell, is an internationally recognized expert of Chinese Historical swordsmanship & the author of "Chinese Swordsmanship, The Yang Family Taiji Jian Tradition." While many contemporary schools of Chinese martial arts practice various sword forms, few practice swordsmanship. At GRTC we strive to achieve the complete sword art, moving beyond simple form practice to free swordplay in a manner that is both effective, adheres to the principles of taijiquan & is historically accurate.

Neigong

Traditional Taoist NeiGong (internal work) Meditation in the Jin Shan Pai (Gold Mountain Tradition) for students who have demonstrated sufficient skill and disciple.