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Yangjia Michuan Taijiquan Curriculum and Essential Teaching Points By Wang Yen-nien Translated by Julia Fairchild
The Basic Exercises: The basic exercises have both warm-up and build-up functions. They primarily enable beginning taijiquan students to practice the correct stance and proper way to shift their weight while strengthening the resiliency of the waist and legs. Practicing the Yangjia Michuan Taijiquan set of seven basic exercises will loosen the tendons and joints in the body. Complete muscle relaxation plus closely coordinated breathing and movement is the beginning of gongfu.
The Thirteen Postures: An introduction to the eight directions, the five basic feet steps and the eight basic hand movements. Taught in 24 lessons of two hours each.
Yangjia Michuan Taijiquan, Sections 1-3: Yangjia Michuan Taijiquan (Sections 1 through 3) takes approximately 1 1/2 to 2 years to learn at the Yen-nien Daoguan, attending classes twice a week for two hours each class. Taijiquan synchronizes mind, movement and breath. Yangjia Michuan Taijiquan emphasizes concentrating the mind, quieting the qi and then using the Daoist art of breathing (tu na dao yin) to coordinate our practice of the movments of the form. You will perspire, but you should not breathe hard. After a period of time, qi will naturally accumulate in your lower abdomen. Later, it will circulate through your whole body. This skill grows imperceptibly and you unwittingly become healthier.
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