I’m the Jade Turtle, a dedicated Sun family style practitioner. This blog is a way for me to share a journey into the peaceful and powerful practice of Sun family style Tai chi. It is a space for articulating the trials of practising in solitude, and forging our own path in the absence of guidance from a local or online instructor. The Lone Goose Collective takes it’s name from the Sun style Tai chi sword movements of ‘Lone Goose leads the Flock,’ and ‘Lone Goose emerges from the Flock.’ Sun Family style Tai chi is a profound method of self-cultivation and self-care developed by one of the most phenomenal beings of the Chinese — or any other culture — Sun LuTang. Wading into the arts he reformed and created provides a singularly effective means of earning wisdom.
After more than 12 years immersed in various Yang styles, my practice has now evolved into daily Sun Family style. This beautiful and unique form, which blends quiet strength and fluidity, is a constant source of peace, resilience and presence for me.
Why Sun Family Style
Sun Family style is known for its fluid movements, upright postures and unique stepping, setting it apart from other Tai chi styles. For me, Sun Family style isn’t just another form, it’s a deeply personal journey. The distinctive flowing movements and the emphasis on powerful, integrated steps has bought a new dimension to my practice. A dimension that is now energising and grounding.
While I love the depth and tradition of Yang styles – and the peerless instruction of Yang Jun – Sun Family style has enabled me to explore a softer more meditative approach to Tai chi. In a way it’s a blend of everything I need to keep practising with my distinct physical impediments – energy, tranquillity, and a mindful connection between each movement and the cosmos.
My Journey So Far
For me, the shift from Yang Styles to Sun Family style has been transformative, inviting an appreciation of the depth in the simplicity and mindfulness of daily practice. The absence of external guidance has, despite being an actual impediment, is also a gift in disguise. My physical capabilities are limited, sometimes in the extreme. So going at my own pace makes it possible to practice everyday, which in turn allows me to learn from the practice itself – observing the nuances and insight that emerge naturally within time and practice.
Which is not to say it has been easy or even very successful. But daily Tai chi is so rewarding. In the absence of regular feedback and correction, I’ve relied on being able to ponder the parts of the set that don’t seem to be working or are creating actual problems for me, to improve and deepen my understanding of Sun family style. The resources at my disposal include various books and the video lessons I first learned from.
I practice daily and after a longer period of time than would ever have occurred to me, have this year started to work my way into each movement, refining and exploring the intricacies of the form. Cultivating the internal stillness that is a mark of true Tai chi, and a daily sense of connection that makes it all worthwhile.
A Zen Approach to Tai chi
You’ll notice the posts often explore Zen philosophy alongside Tai chi. I’m 45 years into some not insignificant spinal challenges and the spirit of Zen enables me to approach my Tai chi journey with a beginners mind. Zen helps me let go of attachments to results and embrace the present moment. Finding stillness in movement and approaching Tai chi as not just a way to perfect the forms but to cultivate peace within the practice is a very Zen way of going about things that appeals greatly to me. Zen helps me to appreciate the small moments – the feel of my feet connecting with the ground, the way each movement flows seamlessly into the next, and the stillness that follows.
Sun Family style has taught me to go with the flow of life’s impermanence, that each day and every set within a day is it’s own thing. This often inspires me to study some of the Zen poets and their philosophy. As I journey through Sun Family style, I’ve found it closely aligns with the cultivation of the Zen principles of mindfulness, simplicity, presence and a deeply felt sense of connection to nature and the Cosmos. I’ll explore how these ideas can enrich practice, even when we practice alone.
If you’re a fellow Sun Family style enthusiast practising alone, welcome. I know the journey can feel long and lonely but one thing I have learnt from Yang Family style and Cheng Man Ching’s form is that at some point the community of Tai chi practitioners is just there for us. Even if we are not together in space, we are together in time. So, together let’s find meaning in the small moments, patience in the challenges, and inspiration in our shared commitment to this beautiful and enchanting art.
The Jade Turtle