Sun-style tai chi

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Template:ChineseText The Sun family style (孫氏) T'ai Chi Ch'üan was developed by Sun Lu-t'ang (孫祿堂, 1861-1932), who was considered expert in two other internal martial arts styles: Hsing-i Ch'uan (Xingyiquan) and Pa Kua Chang (Baguazhang) before he came to study T'ai Chi. Today, Sun style ranks fourth in popularity and fifth in terms of seniority among the five family styles of T'ai Chi. He was also considered an accomplished Neo-Confucian and Taoist scholar, especially in the I Ching. Sun learned Wu/Hao style T'ai Chi Ch'üan from Hao Wei-chen (郝為真), who was Li I-yü's (李亦畬) chief disciple. In creating Sun style, Sun Lu-t'ang was said to have used Bagua's stepping method, Xingyi's hand and waist methods, and Tai Chi's continuity of movement.

Besides his earlier Hsing-i and Pa Kua training, Sun's experiences with Hao Wei-chen, Yang Shao-hou, Yang Ch'eng-fu and Wu Chien-ch'üan influenced the development of what is today recognized as the Sun style of T'ai Chi. Sun's son Sun Cunzhou (孫存周, 1893-1963) and daughter, Sun Jianyun (孫劍雲, 1914-2003) were T'ai Chi Ch'üan teachers, as well as Sun Cunzhou's daughter Sun Shurong (孫淑容, b. 1918-2005) who taught in Beijing until her death.

Sun tai chi is well known for its smooth, flowing movements which omit the more physically vigorous crouching, leaping and Fa jing of some other styles. The footwork of Sun style is deceptively simple looking, and sometimes called the "free-stepping method of taijiquan"; for when one foot advances or retreats the other follows. It also uses an open palm throughout the entirety of its main form, and exhibits small circular movements with the hand. Its gentle postures and high stances make it very suitable for geriatric exercise and martial arts therapy. Sun style tai chi formed the basis for a 32-movement set created by Australian teacher Dr. Paul Lam for the U.S. Arthritis Foundation subsequently called "Tai Chi for Arthritis".

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