Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan — Complete Course of Study

Level 1 — Beginners

Learning objectives

• Perform the complete 108-movement Wu style hand form with correct frame, weight transfer and coordinated breathing.
• Apply the basic principles — relaxation, upright posture, dantian-led movement, empty/solid distinction — throughout the form.
• Execute the five warm-up exercises correctly and independently before every session.
• Walk forward and backward in the Tai Chi manner without breaking the frame.

Official syllabus (International Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan Federation)

• Wu's T'ai Chi Chuan — the full set of 108 forms
• Tai Chi Chuan Basic Principles
• 5 Warm-up Exercises
• Basic Tai Chi Walking (forward & backward)

Module 1.1 — Basic principles

Everything else in the course depends on this module. Teach the principles before the form, and keep re-testing them inside the form.

TaichiNOW resource	Why it belongs in this module
What Is Taichi, Really? — The 3 Golden Rules	Start here on day one: what the art is, and the three rules that make every later technique make sense.
Song (Sung) — Nine Points of Relaxation	The single most important beginners' skill. Nine checkpoints to release tension without collapsing.
Central Equilibrium (Trung Nghi)	How to stay centred while moving — the base of the whole Wu style frame.
The Dantian (Dan Dien)	Where movement actually starts. Without this, the 108 form becomes choreography.
Dan Tian Breathing	Breathing mechanics paired with the form; also the bridge to the Wu style warm-up set.
Xu & Shi — Empty and Solid	Weight distinction, the root of both Tai Chi walking and every later push-hands skill.
Breath & Energy Channels	The internal pathway your warm-ups and standing practice are training.
The Ground Path	Full-circle force transmission to the floor — taught early so it is never re-learned later.
Six Harmonies (Luc Hop)	The six-way integration that turns isolated movements into one body.
Wu Style Tai Chi Gah Gee (frame & postures)	The Wu style frame and basic postures — the closest thing in this library to the Federation's 'basic principles' module.
Wu Style Tai Chi Gah Gee (frame & postures)	The same Wu style frame material in English — the baseline reference for the hand form.
Wu-Style Taijiquan — Xu Zhiyi (full translation)	The complete classic Wu style text in English — the reference manual for the whole course.
Wu-Style Taijiquan — Xu Zhiyi	Complete English translation of the same Wu style manual.
Wu Style Taijiquan — overview & 37 postures	Wang Peisheng's 37-posture Wu style course — ideal revision material.
Taijiquan: Wu Style (Wang Peisheng, Zeng Weiqi)	A second Wu style lineage text for cross-checking the hand form.
Complete Tai Chi Practice Guide for the Beginner	A 30-day structured entry path — use it as the pre-Level-1 on-ramp.

Module 1.2 — Tai Chi walking (forward & backward)

Walking is the Wu style's distinguishing skill: the frame never changes height while the weight moves completely from one leg to the other.

TaichiNOW resource	Why it belongs in this module
Emerging Step (Khai Buoc)	The expanding stance mechanics behind Tai Chi walking.
Counter-Step (Nghich Buoc)	Adhere, stick, yield — walking with a partner.
Flowing Steps (Hoa Buoc)	Neutral, not passive: how the feet keep the frame intact.
Suspended & Heavy (Chanh)	Coordinating lightness and weight in transition.

Module 1.3 — The 108-movement hand form

Learn the form in blocks, not all at once. The Federation's own sequence is reproduced in full in Appendix A.

TaichiNOW resource	Why it belongs in this module
What Is Taichi, Really? — The 3 Golden Rules	Start here on day one: what the art is, and the three rules that make every later technique make sense.
Song (Sung) — Nine Points of Relaxation	The single most important beginners' skill. Nine checkpoints to release tension without collapsing.
Central Equilibrium (Trung Nghi)	How to stay centred while moving — the base of the whole Wu style frame.
The Dantian (Dan Dien)	Where movement actually starts. Without this, the 108 form becomes choreography.
Dan Tian Breathing	Breathing mechanics paired with the form; also the bridge to the Wu style warm-up set.
Xu & Shi — Empty and Solid	Weight distinction, the root of both Tai Chi walking and every later push-hands skill.
Breath & Energy Channels	The internal pathway your warm-ups and standing practice are training.
The Ground Path	Full-circle force transmission to the floor — taught early so it is never re-learned later.
Six Harmonies (Luc Hop)	The six-way integration that turns isolated movements into one body.
Wu Style Tai Chi Gah Gee (frame & postures)	The Wu style frame and basic postures — the closest thing in this library to the Federation's 'basic principles' module.
Wu Style Tai Chi Gah Gee (frame & postures)	The same Wu style frame material in English — the baseline reference for the hand form.
Wu-Style Taijiquan — Xu Zhiyi (full translation)	The complete classic Wu style text in English — the reference manual for the whole course.
Wu-Style Taijiquan — Xu Zhiyi	Complete English translation of the same Wu style manual.
Wu Style Taijiquan — overview & 37 postures	Wang Peisheng's 37-posture Wu style course — ideal revision material.
Taijiquan: Wu Style (Wang Peisheng, Zeng Weiqi)	A second Wu style lineage text for cross-checking the hand form.
Complete Tai Chi Practice Guide for the Beginner	A 30-day structured entry path — use it as the pre-Level-1 on-ramp.

2

Assessment

• Demonstrate the five warm-up exercises unaided.
• Walk forward and backward across the room maintaining frame and empty/solid distinction.
• Perform the 108 form from memory, with the instructor permitted two prompts only.
• State and demonstrate the basic principles in response to questions.

Level 2 — Intermediate

Learning objectives

• Perform basic push hands with adherence, listening energy and the four primary energies.
• Execute the 9-Palace and circular 9-Palace stepping patterns with a partner.
• Fall safely — break-fall technique without bracing.
• Generate power (fa jing) with loose fist, elbow and An.
• Demonstrate the named applications against a cooperative partner.
• Refine the form: remove residual tension, smooth transitions, deepen the frame.

Official syllabus

• Basic Push Hands
• 9-Palace, Circular 9-Palace
• Break-fall training
• Power Generation (Fa jing): Loose Fist, Elbow, An
• Application: Grasp Bird's Tail; Needle at Season Bottom; White Crane Spread Wing; Cloud Hand; Single Lotus; Double Lotus
• Form Refinement

Module 2.1 — Basic push hands and the four energies

TaichiNOW resource	Why it belongs in this module
The Four Primary Energies — Peng, Lu, Ji, An	The four ward-off skills as one unified ability. This is the Level-2 push-hands syllabus in a single page.
Peng (Ward Off)	The first and most mis-learned of the four energies.
Lu (Roll Back / Lead)	Redirecting rather than resisting.
Ji (Press)	Forward press mechanics with correct structure.
An (Push)	The push — the one everybody wants on day one.
Listening Energy (Ting Jin)	Feeling before moving. Without Ting Jin, push hands is arm wrestling.
Hua Jin — Transforming Power	Neutralising incoming force instead of blocking it.
Merging Energy (Hoa Nhap)	Becoming one with the push rather than meeting it.
San Shou — Free-Hand Push Hands	Contact without armour; the Advanced free-style module.

Module 2.2 — 9-Palace and circular 9-Palace stepping

The 9-Palace patterns are fixed stepping drills — the partner version of the Level-1 walking module. Master the empty-hand version before adding contact.

TaichiNOW resource	Why it belongs in this module
Emerging Step (Khai Buoc)	The expanding stance mechanics behind Tai Chi walking.
Counter-Step (Nghich Buoc)	Adhere, stick, yield — walking with a partner.
Flowing Steps (Hoa Buoc)	Neutral, not passive: how the feet keep the frame intact.
Suspended & Heavy (Chanh)	Coordinating lightness and weight in transition.

2

Module 2.3 — Break-fall training

Break-falling is taught so that push hands and applications can be practiced with commitment rather than caution.

TaichiNOW resource	Why it belongs in this module
Collapse (Sup) — Surrender Into Structure	How to fall without bracing — the theoretical half of break-fall training.
Central Equilibrium under stress	Keeping the centre when the frame is disturbed.
Empty & Solid applied to recovery	Weight transfer as the basis of safe landing.

Module 2.4 — Power generation (fa jing): loose fist, elbow, An

TaichiNOW resource	Why it belongs in this module
Fa Jin — Explosive Power Without Muscle	The core reference for the whole Power Generation block (loose fist, elbow, An).
Silk Reeling Energy (Chan Si Jin)	The spiral of integrated power — the Wu style signature.
Silk Reeling Drills	Repeatable drills for the spiral.
Developing Jin — Silk Reeling Power	A full book-length treatment of internal power development.
Tai Chi Theory and Martial Power	Theory behind the eight elements of power generation.
Tai Chi Chuan: Martial Power (Advanced Yang)	Cross-style power training manual.
Martial Power — Yang Jwing-Ming	English edition of the same power-generation training material.
Bruce Frantzis — Power in the Internal Martial Arts	Internal power methods with a strong qi-development component.

Module 2.5 — Named applications

Each application is taught as a three-step chain: the form movement, the martial meaning, and the condition under which it is selected.

TaichiNOW resource	Why it belongs in this module
Tai Chi Chuan: Martial Applications (Advanced Yang)	Step-by-step application method — the model for teaching Grasp Bird's Tail, Cloud Hands and the rest.
Martial Applications — Yang Jwing-Ming	English edition of the practical combat-application method.
Tai Chi Chuan: The Martial Side	Why the applications work, not just what they are.
Dan Docherty — The Martial Side	English introduction that starts from the combat postures.

Module 2.6 — Form refinement

TaichiNOW resource	Why it belongs in this module
The 3-Anchor Check, 3-Question Diagnostic, One-Word Cues	Self-correction tools for form refinement — the practical half of 'Form Refinement' at every level.
Unified Techniques Framework 3.0 to 4.0	How all the pieces fit together; use it to plan the advanced curriculum.
Letting Go of Energy (Thiu)	Unwinding residual force between movements.
Yin-Yang and the Dance of Opposites	The principle behind every refinement cue.
Yin-Yang Integration	The neutral zone — what a refined form actually looks like.

Assessment

• Basic push hands for three minutes without arm-wrestling, maintaining adherence and Ting Jin.
• Demonstrate both 9-Palace patterns with a partner.
• Break-fall from a standing push in both directions.
• Four fa jing releases (loose fist, elbow, An, plus one of the student's choice) at full intent without loss of structure.
• All six named applications demonstrated and explained.

Level 3 — Advanced

Learning objectives

• Free-style push hands with multiple partners and escalating resistance.
• Roll-elbow, circular and Ta-Lu push hands — the four advanced push-hands formats.
• The eight elements of power generation, integrated rather than isolated.
• The four methods of application, applied under time pressure.
• Advanced applications: combining, chaining and selecting techniques.

Official syllabus

• Free-style Push Hands
• Roll-Elbow Push Hands
• Circular Push Hands
• Ta-Lu Push Hands
• Eight Elements of Power Generation
• Four Methods of Application
• Advanced applications
• Form Refinement

Module 3.1 — The four advanced push-hands formats

TaichiNOW resource	Why it belongs in this module
The Four Primary Energies — Peng, Lu, Ji, An	The four ward-off skills as one unified ability. This is the Level-2 push-hands syllabus in a single page.
Peng (Ward Off)	The first and most mis-learned of the four energies.
Lu (Roll Back / Lead)	Redirecting rather than resisting.
Ji (Press)	Forward press mechanics with correct structure.
An (Push)	The push — the one everybody wants on day one.
Listening Energy (Ting Jin)	Feeling before moving. Without Ting Jin, push hands is arm wrestling.
Hua Jin — Transforming Power	Neutralising incoming force instead of blocking it.
Merging Energy (Hoa Nhap)	Becoming one with the push rather than meeting it.
San Shou — Free-Hand Push Hands	Contact without armour; the Advanced free-style module.

2

Module 3.2 — Eight elements of power generation

TaichiNOW resource	Why it belongs in this module
Fa Jin — Explosive Power Without Muscle	The core reference for the whole Power Generation block (loose fist, elbow, An).
Silk Reeling Energy (Chan Si Jin)	The spiral of integrated power — the Wu style signature.
Silk Reeling Drills	Repeatable drills for the spiral.
Developing Jin — Silk Reeling Power	A full book-length treatment of internal power development.
Tai Chi Theory and Martial Power	Theory behind the eight elements of power generation.
Tai Chi Chuan: Martial Power (Advanced Yang)	Cross-style power training manual.
Martial Power — Yang Jwing-Ming	English edition of the same power-generation training material.
Bruce Frantzis — Power in the Internal Martial Arts	Internal power methods with a strong qi-development component.

2

Module 3.3 — Four methods of application and advanced applications

TaichiNOW resource	Why it belongs in this module
Tai Chi Chuan: Martial Applications (Advanced Yang)	Step-by-step application method — the model for teaching Grasp Bird's Tail, Cloud Hands and the rest.
Martial Applications — Yang Jwing-Ming	English edition of the practical combat-application method.
Tai Chi Chuan: The Martial Side	Why the applications work, not just what they are.
Dan Docherty — The Martial Side	English introduction that starts from the combat postures.

2

Module 3.4 — Form refinement at depth

TaichiNOW resource	Why it belongs in this module
The 3-Anchor Check, 3-Question Diagnostic, One-Word Cues	Self-correction tools for form refinement — the practical half of 'Form Refinement' at every level.
Unified Techniques Framework 3.0 to 4.0	How all the pieces fit together; use it to plan the advanced curriculum.
Letting Go of Energy (Thiu)	Unwinding residual force between movements.
Yin-Yang and the Dance of Opposites	The principle behind every refinement cue.
Yin-Yang Integration	The neutral zone — what a refined form actually looks like.

2

Assessment

• Free-style push hands, rotating partners, five minutes each, with honest resistance.
• Demonstrate all four advanced push-hands formats.
• Explain and demonstrate each of the eight elements of power generation.
• Apply the four methods of application in live, unscripted conditions.
• Teach a Level-1 module to a junior student (entry to the Instructor track).

Weapons Class

Official syllabus

• Tai Chi Broad Sword (dao)
• Tai Chi Sword (jian)
• Tai Chi Spear (qiang)

All three weapons extend the hand form: the weapon is a longer lever on the same silk-reeling body. Take them in the order listed — broad sword first, because it is closest to the empty-hand mechanics, then sword, then spear.

Study resources

TaichiNOW resource	Why it belongs in this module
Tai Chi Sword: Classical Yang Style	Jian fundamentals — grip, basic strokes, and the transition from hand form.
Yang Jwing-Ming — Tai Chi Sword	English sword instruction taught from the very beginning.
The Art of Chinese Swordsmanship — A Manual of Taiji Jian	The deeper manual on Taiji jian technique and body method.
The Art of Chinese Swordsmanship	English edition of the same sword manual.
Silk Reeling Energy applied to the weapon	The Wu style weapon is silk-reeling with a blade — the same spiral, longer lever.
Fa Jin applied to the weapon	Weapon power generation follows the same rules as the empty hand.

Reference — weapon forms in the Wu family repertoire

The Federation publishes the full movement lists for the broad sword and sword forms: Appendix C (Tai Chi Sabre, 108 movements) and Appendix D (Tai Chi Sword, 108 movements). The spear is taught by direct instruction from a certified instructor.

Instructor Training Class

The Instructor Training Class is the Federation's teaching qualification track. It is graded on the ability to deliver the earlier levels — not on personal skill alone. The TaichiNOW resources below are the ones that most directly support teaching work.

Study resources

TaichiNOW resource	Why it belongs in this module
The 3-Anchor Check, 3-Question Diagnostic, One-Word Cues	The instructor's diagnostic toolkit — cueing without overwhelming the student.
Tai Chi Practice Cheat Sheet	Hand-out material for classes.
Practice Vault	Ready-made practice blocks to assign.
Deep Dives	Advanced seminars for senior students.
Taichi NOW Podcast	Discussion material for study groups.
Coach Video Library	Video reference for demonstrating movement.
Video Vault (82 curated videos)	The video library to draw teaching examples from.

Assessment

• Deliver a full Level-1 module to a group, observed and critiqued.
• Diagnose and correct three named faults using the anchor/diagnostic framework.
• Produce a written lesson plan for one Level-2 module.
• Demonstrate safe partnering for break-fall and push-hands work.