Sun Style 孫式太極拳
Sun Lutang, already a master of Xingyi and Bagua, created this style after learning Wu (Hao) style. High stances, 'follow-step' (gen bu) where the rear foot always follows, open-close hand movements and agile turns.
Lineage
Sun Lutang → Sun Cunzhou, Sun Jianyun (daughter) → Sun Shurong, Sun Yongtian and many teachers worldwide; basis of Dr Paul Lam's Tai Chi for Arthritis.
For health & mobility
High stances and follow-steps make it ideal for arthritis, knees and fall prevention.
Forms
- Sun Style 73 Competition Form 孫式太極拳七十三式
The official 1991 international competition routine. High stances and follow-steps make it kind to knees. Order follows the 1991 standard list; a second teaching outline (sun73taichi.com) has the same sequence but splits 'Carry Tiger / Push Mountain' differently.
Quick facts
| Founder | Sun Lutang (1860–1933) |
|---|---|
| Origin | Hebei; Beijing |
| Era | 1910s |
Where to learn
- Sun Yongtian – Beijing, China
- Tai Chi for Health Institute – Dr Paul Lam – Sydney, Australia
- Golgulsa Temple – Sunmudo – Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang, South Korea
How Sun Style performs key movements
| Movement | Sun Style version |
|---|---|
| Preparation / Wuji Stance | Heels together, toes out at 45°, very upright. |
| Commencing Form (Raise Hands) | Hands rise to chest then push forward and separate in open–close. |
| Grasp the Bird's Tail | Compact, with follow-step; open–close hands precede it. |
| Lazy About Tying Coat | Leisurely Tie Coat – smaller, upright and with follow-step. |
| Single Whip | High stance with follow-step and open–close before it. |
| White Crane Spreads Its Wings | Called White Crane Flashing Wings; hands open and close. |
| Brush Knee and Push (Twist Step) | Follow-step after each push. |
| Play the Lute (Hand Strums the Pipa) | Called Play the Lute, done with follow-step. |
| Step Forward, Deflect, Parry and Punch | Parry and Punch with follow-step. |
| Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain | 'Carry the tiger' then 'Push the mountain' as separate steps. |
| Step Back and Repulse Monkey | Very high stance, follow-step backwards. |
| Raise Hands and Step Up | 'Lifting hands'. |
| Fan Through the Back | 'Fan backs' repeated four times. |
| Cloud Hands (Wave Hands Like Clouds) | 'Wave hands like clouds' with follow-step to the side. |
| High Pat on Horse | 'Higher horse'. |
| Separate Foot (Toe Kick) | 'Toe kick'. |
| Step Forward and Punch Down | 'Step forward firmly and punch downward'. |
| Strike the Tiger | 'Subdue tiger'. |
| Part the Wild Horse's Mane | 'Parting wild horses mane' with follow-step. |
| Fair Lady Works the Shuttles | Four repetitions. |
| Snake Creeps Down (Single Whip Squat) | 'Lowering movement' – high and gentle. |
| Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg | High and brief. |
| Step Forward to Seven Stars | 'Forward step, seven stars'. |
| Retreat to Ride the Tiger | 'Backward step, riding tiger'. |
| Turn Body and Sweep Lotus | 'Turn body, lotus kick'. |
| Bend the Bow to Shoot the Tiger | 'Draw bow to shoot tiger'. |
| Closing Form | 'Yin and yang merging as one', return to Wuji. |
| Open and Close Hands | Links nearly every posture. |
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