“Poetry in Motion”

For Health, Stress Relief and Longevity

Introduction and Source of This Form

 This form may look very different than the modern Yang Family 108 Movement form that is widely taught around the world today. Although all the standard frames or movements are in this form, the extended transitions as well as the obvious Silk Reeling clearly show the original martial application of Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan. This “Yang Lu Chan Old Style Tai Chi Form” is considered an advanced version of what is commonly known as “The Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan” taught all over the world today.

Master Yang Cheng Fu developed his very popular form in 1928. However, the forms practiced before that date are considered “Old Style” Yang Tai Chi and are extremely rare to find being taught anywhere in the world. The Old-style differs from all the other Yang Tai Chi forms as it contains many explosive strikes, and kicks, and quick movements in addition to the soft flowing actions of the Yang Cheng Fu form.  It is considerably longer taking about 30 minutes to perform. 

In addition to the classic Tai Chi movements, you will also see many elements of Hsing I and Bagua in the form as well as some Chen style Tai Chi.  There is a very good reason that this might be the case as the founder of this Old-Style Form of Yang Tai Chi was Yang Lu Chan. He was good friends with Kuo Yun Shen of Hsing I and Tung Hai Chan of Bagua.  It is known that they use to train together and like all friends in the martial arts taught techniques to each other.

 The differences between what I have learnt and the Yang Family Long From popularly taught is that in the old Yang style, there are many energy release (Fa-jing) movements. These are omitted from the modern version. There are many more lower movements in the Old Yang style such as the Twisting Body, and Holding the Tai Chi Squatting and Punish the Leg movements. The Old Yang style is much more athletic in nature with a Martial Arts focus. Also, there are many more postures in the Old Yang style than in the modern version, and the transitions are much more involved in the Old Yang Style form. The Old Yang style shows from the beginning, the ‘opening and closing’ movements, also the yin and yang of the hands and feet. Most importantly the Silk Reeling (Chan Si Gin) and martial applications are preserved.

Classes

In these classes you will be learning the traditional Yang Style Long Form at your own pace. Classes include the 128 movement form, philosophy, breathing and meditation, along with push-hands and martial application of the movements. Each student receives individual instruction on movement as well as group instruction on general principles and techniques. All classes will be taught by Sifu Leon Drucker with over 45 years experience practicing Tai Chi.

Schedule

Class will be held every Saturday afternoon at 11:30 am.

*Tuesday evening classes now forming*

**Weekday morning class now forming**

***Private class’s available upon request***

Cost

Saturday class is $20 per class

Private class is $65 per hour

Here is a teaching video clip from my new book Yang Lu Chan Old Style Tai Chi Chuan

“Poetry In Motion”

Tai Chi Chuan, a style of Chinese Martial Arts, sometimes described as “Poetry in Motion”, with its gentle, slow and non-jarring movements, produces a high degree of relaxation and a balanced unification of body and mind while stretching and toning the body’s muscles and circulating the internal healing energy, (Chi). You are left feeling alert, revitalized, yet relaxed with increased focus, harmony, and strength for your daily life.

Conditioning

            By increasing blood and oxygen circulation throughout the body, Tai Chi improves physical conditioning, decreases fatigue and develops endurance. Practice has also been found to reduce blood pressure. As one progresses through the Tai Chi set, the heart rate increases to aerobic exercise levels while the movements promote deep relaxed breathing.

Reduces Back Pain

Natural correction of posture through the use of Tai Chi is achieved by movement promoting the proper alignment of the spine with the shoulders and pelvis. Flexibility of the joints is also fostered by slow sustained stretches. The practice of Tai Chi additionally involves use of all major skeletal muscle groups. Alternating slow stretching with full muscle contraction relieves muscle tension and improves tone. Strengthening the muscles of the lower back and abdomen is especially good for people with low back pain.

Increased Circulation

One of the major ways that Tai Chi helps the individual is its capacity to increase the local circulation of Chi, especially in the extremities. When an individual does Tai Chi sequence in a relaxed manner, the muscles around the veins, arteries, and nerves will be relaxed, allowing the Chi to distribute itself more evenly and to flow more easily in those particular areas. By improving the local circulation of Chi, less stress is put on the internal organs.

Superior Form Of Exercise

In addition to achieving local circulation, the internal organs of an individual will be exercised because of the deep breathing which the slow motion in Tai Chi sequence requires. During deep breathing, the muscles controlling the inhalation and exhalation process are required to move very low in the abdomen. This low movement exercises the internal organs in the entire abdominal region. Without deep breathing, stimulation of the organs is not possible. This is why Tai Chi is superior to many other forms of exercise which only, in most cases, violently exercises the external muscles.

Help Alleviate Disorders

Through the combined effects of local circulation and deep breathing, Tai Chi practitioners have found that the slow motion barehanded sequence can cure or help alleviate a variety of disorders. Generally, any disorder which involves the internal organs can be cured.

Arthritis and Headache Relief

Such dysfunction’s as ulcers, hernias, high blood pressure, lung disorders, heart trouble, and tuberculosis are remedied through the practice of Tai Chi. In addition, tai Chi has been found helpful in alleviating arthritis, and chronic headaches.

Studies on Aging

According to an Emery University School of Medicine study, tai Chi can help senior citizens improve their balance, strengthen their muscles, and reduce the risk of falls. After fifteen weeks of training and practicing at home, a group of older volunteers reported that Tai Chi increased their confidence and their ability to do the things they wanted to do. It also enabled them to reduce their number of falls by 47.5%. The study was part of the National Institute on Aging’s five year old project aimed at reducing injuries in older people. (Journal of the American Geriatrics Society)

Meditation

In these days of high stress living,        Tai Chi offers both a physical and mental outlet. The relaxed awareness, with which Tai Chi is performed, produces effects similar to Meditation.