OUR
CURRICULA

Below are my ideas of what skills one should have to consider themselves to be at a certain skill level. Of course Years of Practice, Current dedication to Practice ,Ability to Effect and Understand and Teach Applications will influence this consideration.
The demonstration of one's skills
investment and into a "Tai Ji Lifestyle"
is also an important consideration.

Skill Level Goals

I --- Introductory Level
6 to 12 months

• Completion of the 1st section of the Sun style Set
• Memorization of the 10 Essences
• Sky Drum Qong
• Swimming Dragon Qi Qong
• Tai Ji Qi Qong
• 5 Style Steps

• 12 Standing Postures 5 breaths each
• Cross Hands Meditation 10 Slow Breaths



II ---Beginner Level
9 to 12 months acculumluated study

Completion of the 97 Posture Sun Style Solo Set Perform at a competence level of 6.0
Basic Attach Hands, 5 Style Steps, 10 repetitions
12 Standing Postures 20 breaths each
Cross Hands Meditation 50 Slow Breaths
Be Able to Teach Level I Qi Qong



III --- Novice Level
2 to 3 years accumulated study

Completion of the 103 Movement Yang Style Style Set, Perform Yang Style Solo Set at Level of 6.5
Demonstrate Understanding of Relaxing and Sinking Energy
Demonstrate Energetic or Applications of 2 Movements from each of 3 Sections of Solo Set
Solo Attach Hands with 5 Style Steps 25 Repetitions
Cross Hands Meditation 100 Slow Breaths



IV --- Intermediate Level
3 to 4 years accumulated study

Perform Yang Style Solo Set at Level of 7.0
Be able to teach Yang Style Set at Level II ability.
Perform Yang & Sun Style Set at level of 7.0 or better
Lang Ye 12 Sitting postures ( Blue Dragon) Qi Qong
Demonstrate Understanding of Listening and Ward Off Energy
Demonstrate Understanding of 10 Essences
Demonstrate Energetic or Applications of 3 Movements from each of 3 Sections of Solo Set
Solo Push Hands 10 minutes
Cross Hands Meditation 200 Slow Breaths



V --- Advanced Level
4 to 5 years accumulated study

Perform Yang & Sun Style Solo Set at Level of 7.5
Complete Yang Style Saber Set
Read Tao Te Ching,and Tai Chi Classics. Write Brief Essay on Tai Principles
Perform 5 Sun Style Sets Continuously Right,Right,Left,Right,Right
Know and be able to Teach the Methods & Meditations of 12 Posture Sitting Lang Ye Qi Qong, Salutaton to Sun, Tai Ji Qi Qong,Swimming Dragon, 12 Standing Postures Qi Qong
Demonstrate Ability in Relaxation Lever Concept of Zhang Lu Ping
Solo Push Hands/ San So 20 minutes, 4 Forms Fixed Step
Demonstrate Energetic or 5 Applications from each of 3 Sections of Solo Set
Tai Ji Method Staff Set
Cross Hands Meditation 300 Slow Breaths



VI --- Assistant Instructor Level
5 to 6 years accumulated

Perform Solo set at Level of 8.0
Participate in Push Hands Competition Or Advanced Qi Qong Healing Seminar
Demonstrate ability in Moving Step 4 Forms and Da Lu Push Hands
Perform 5 Yang Style Sets Continuously Right,Right,Left,Right,Right
Tai Ji Spear Set
Perform Yang Style Sword set at Level of 7.5 or Higher
Demonstrate Ability In 5 Energies and 10 Essences
Be able ot teach Yang Style Set at basic beginner level and concepts .
Solo / San So /Push Hands, 30 minutes
12 Standing Postures 50 breaths each
Cross hands Meditation 500 Slow Breaths



VII --- Instructor Level ( Black Sash)
7 to 10 years accumulated study

Perform Tai Ji & Sun Style Sword Sets,Solo Yang Style and Sun Style Tai Ji Sets at an International Level Competition with a Level of 8.0 or higher
Demonstrate Knowledge, understanding and ability of Microcosmic Orbit Qi Qong, 12 Meridian Acupressure/ Massage, 12 Standing Posture Qi Qong,Swimming Dragon Qi Qong, Tai Ji Qi Qong, Salutation to the Sun, Spinal Stretch Series of Kundalini Yoga and 12 Sitting Postures of Lang Ye Qi Qong
Demonstrate Competence in Performance & Teaching of Free Style/ San So Push hands
Teach Solo Yang and Sun Style Sets to ( 3) Students
Attend Seminar or become Certified as a Judge for Competition
Publish Article on Qi Qong or Tai Ji Subject
VIII Master Instructor Level ( Black Sash with Grey Fringe)
15 to 20 years
Have Performed Sun Style Tai Ji Sword & Solo Sets, Yang Style Sword ,Sabre and Solo Sets Competition with a Level of 8.5 or higher
Develop an Instructor Level Black Sash
Develop and Run an eight hours of instrution Seminar on Tai Ji & Qi Qong or one Black Sash Instuctor level student
Be Recognized by One's International Peers as a Forms,Weapons or Push hands Judge
Have studied , taught and practiced Tai Ji Quan over 15 years
Publish a monograph on a Tai Ji or Qi Qong related subject

Grey Tigyr Tai Ji Quan/Qi Qong/ Kung Fu Association

The above are a frame work from which I believe one can gauge their ability and competence in Tai Ji. That ability should include performance, understanding, the ability to teach and ability to apply principles and concepts, as well as to contribute to the greater Martial Arts & Qi Qong community. It is long and life long process, the above is really just the beginning, and Are we not all,in view of what we do understand, all Beginners?

Bill Swann D.O. 8/16/2005

So , if there are any questions,
come to our class to observe and inquire at one of our Sunday sessions

E Mail: swanndo52@yahoo.com

Thank You,
Bill Swann D.O.