Ba'z Tai Chi Curriculum
The monthly studio tuition allows students to learn Modules 1-7 of the Core Curriculum. However, only Modules 1-4 will be available to General Interest students. Modules 5-7 will be taught only to students in the Traditional Interest track. Modules 8-10 constitute a separate program for black belt aspirants.
Core Curriculum
| Module | Forms | Belt Rank |
| 1 | Liu Yun-qiao's YANG form (Right side) | WHITE |
| 2 | TAN-TUI (Long Fist) Exercise 1-6 | YELLOW |
| 3 |
HUI LONG-TU (Dragon Returns) & TAN-TUI (Long Fist) Exercise 7-12 |
GREEN |
| 4 |
Long CHEN Form (70 postures) & YANG form (Left side) |
BLUE |
| 5 |
ZHONG-YI Chuan (Open-hand form) & ZHONG-YI GUN (Long Staff) |
RED |
| 6 | Short CHEN form | BROWN |
| 7 | YIN-YANG ZHANG (Fast Tai Chi) | BLACK |
Completing the Core Curriculum and attaining the initial BLACK belt is analogous to earning a high school diploma. There are several more levels of refinement after that, similar to college and graduate school, which are embodied in the BLACK BELT Program.
Black Belt Program
Attaining a BLACK belt does not mean that the student has attained the pinnacle of knowledge in the WU-TAN System. Rather, it qualifies the student to enter a deeper exploration of martial arts. Laoshi John Chen is able to offer training to the rank of 1st Degree.
Subsequent BLACK belt rankings proceed up to the 6th degree, with intermediate levels within each degree.
Advancement beyond the 5th degree is based on international recognition and competition which is currently not available through the New York or Philadelphia schools.
Modules 8-10 will be taught on an individual basis until enough students have developed to form a separate section of Black Belt classes at the Studio. Students who have attained this level should consult individually with Laoshi John Chen to work out a suitable training schedule.
As an advanced program, the tuition for these modules will be more expensive than for the Core Curriculum. The Black Belt fees and payment schedule will be reviewed with each student as well.
| Module | Forms | Belt Rank |
| 8. | PAO CHUI "Cannon Fist" | BLACK Level 1 |
| 9. | DA BAJI | BLACK Level 2 |
| 10. | PI-GUA | BLACK Level 3 |
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Completion of all 3 levels earns BLACK, 1st Degree (Instructor). |
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Seminars and Workshops
These will be made available periodically. The activities will be optional and held at times outside of the normal studio classes. Consequently, they will be subject to a separate fee. Workshops can be attended without being a regular monthly student. Some workshops may stipulate prerequisites for participation, such as completion of Modules 1 and 2 for Push-Hands.
Weapons Training
May be pursued by either General Interest or Traditional Interest track after completion of Module 4. Weapons proficiency is required to advance beyond Black Belt, First Degree.
Other than ZHONG-YI GUN in Module 5, all weapons instruction is outside the core curriculum and is not covered by the monthly studio fee. Students must purchase their own weapons (and protective gear, as desired). Interested students should express their interest in this subject with Laoshi John Chen.