This was
usually called “San Shou” when I learnt it as a small boy. This name is odd, as the term “San Shou” refers to
miscellaneous techniques that are not the norm,
but are extras or additions,
or are techniques taken out from
the normal curriculum. A proper term
for a 2 person sparring set would be “Dui Da Chuan”, and therefore, this set should be called “Yang Chia Tai Chi
Dui Ta Chuan” (Yang Jia Tai Ji Dui Da
Quan).
This is a 2
person sparring routine propagated in the Yang tradition. The exact origins is obscure, but there are 2 diversed points of view:-
1) It was in existence during the time
of Yang Lu Chan’s sons.
2) A student of Yang Cheng Fu created it
from the teaching of Yang Cheng Fu.
This set is
actually a pre-arranged drill in which the 2 practitioners engage in a mock
sparring. The sequence of techniques are
fixed. The whole drill comprises 88
moves, and therefore is each
practitioners execute 44 moves.
This drill
is based on the movements of Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan and therefore based on
Pushing Hands. The footworkwork is based
on Da Lu. Therefore, students should be proficient in the basic
exercise form, Pushing Hands and Da Lu before attempting this drill set.
Students
should also learn this drill set from a qualified teacher who is proficient in
traditional Tai Chi Chuan.
I learnt
this drill set in my mid teens but I have only taught the beginning sections to
certain Tai Chi instructors in
To see a
very short videoclip of the first move of Yang Tai Chi San Shou performed by
Master Lau, click here.
Written by John
Chow, a TCM practitioner, masseur,
healer, martial arts and spiritual teacher.
@2000 copyright