Courses and Workshops

The Mo Society has regular courses of study and from time to time offers special workshops on particular topics.

Courses of Study

At present, we are giving one continuing course of study:

Traditional Wu Style T'ai Chi Chuan. T'ai Chi Chuan is the foundation for the various internal disciplines. Although concentrating on the T'ai Chi Chuan form, this course also gives students brief introductions to these other disciplines.

Workshops

From time to time the Mo Society offers workshops on various topics. Formats can range from an hour to a continuing series. All workshops require both a knowledge of the entire T'ai Chi Chuan set and permission of Sifu to attend. In the usual case just knowing the movements of the set is not sufficient. As noted below, some workshops have additional prerequisites.

Topics of past workshops have been:

Ch'i Kung. A meditation-like system for strengthening internal energy. There are many different Ch'i Kungs, and typically a workshop will concentrate on a single one.
Short Form of T'ai Chi Chuan. A condensed version of the standard form.
Hsing-I Five Elements. An internal martial art based on the traditional Chinese five elements. Occasionally this workshop is in two stages: one for the Hsing-I exercises and an introduction to the elements, followed by another that reviews the material of the first and then concentrates on the elements themselves.
Hsing-I Linking Form. Linking together the five elements. Additional Prerequisite: Hsing-I Five Elements.
Hsing-I Eight Postures. The postures of Hsing-I. Additional Prerequisite: Hsing-I Linking Form.
Pa Kua Introduction. This internal martial art is based on the eight trigrams of the I Ching. Occasionally this workshop is in two stages. The first introduces the Pa Kua technique of "walking in a circle" and a method of changing directions called the "Single Palm Chang." The second workshop reviews the material of the first and adds a more advanced way of changing directions called "Double Palm Chang."
Pa Kua Eight Animals. The eight forms based on the movement of animals. Additional Prerequisite: Pa Kua Introduction.
Weapons. Weapons include stick, saber, sword and fan. Typically a workshop will concentrate on a single one.
Push Hands. Learning to give and take energy with a partner.
San Sao. Sparring with a partner. Additional Prerequisite: Push Hands.
Self Defense. Applying the moves of the T'ai Chi Chuan set.
Ruler. Using a traditional Chinese ruler in a series of movements to develop and direct energy.