Tai Chi Syllabus
Our Tai Chi syllabus is structured across four progressive levels – Foundation, Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced – integrating the complete systems of Chen Tai Chi, White Crane soft-style forms, and a comprehensive Qigong curriculum.
There are no formal tests at the end of each level. Instead, students progress once the material can be remembered and performed to a good standard, ensuring understanding, continuity, and confidence before moving on. WCA instructors, however, are required to grade on individual Tai Chi forms before teaching them.
Students are free to learn as much or as little as they wish. Many focus on one or two forms to support health and wellbeing, while others choose to explore the full syllabus in depth, with guidance and support at every stage.
There is no fixed timeframe for progression. Each student’s practice is individual, and at WCA we follow the principle that depth is more valuable than breadth – better to truly understand one or two forms than to collect many with only a shallow understanding.
This syllabus has been developed over more than 20 years of training in both the UK and China, bringing together two complete Tai Chi systems alongside a rich and varied Qigong tradition.
Foundation Level
Tai Chi
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White Crane 4 Form
Qigong
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Eight Pieces of Brocade Qigong
Additional Training
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Standing Meditation
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Silk Reeling Exercises
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Tai Chi Footwork Training
Beginner Level
Tai Chi
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White Crane 17 Form
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Chen Style 18 Form
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Yang Style 24 Form
Qigong
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Shibashi Qigong – Set 1
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Five Animal Qigong
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Shibashi Qigong – Set 2
Introductory Weapons
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Chen Fan 24
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Chen Broadsword 23
Completion of at least one of these weapon forms marks the end of the beginner stage.
Intermediate Level
Tai Chi Forms
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Frost & Sun White Crane Gentle Art (66 Movements)
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Chen Style Lao Jia Yi Lu (74)
Qigong
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Yi Jin Jing
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Shibashi Qigong – Set 3
Additional Tai Chi Study
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Lao Jia Er Lu (Cannon Fist – 42)
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Chen 56 Competition Form
Completion of one of the Er Lu or the Chen 56 form is required.
Weapon Forms
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Chen Straight Sword 49
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White Crane Straight Sword 66
Completion of at least one sword form is required.
Advanced Level
At the advanced stage training becomes more individualised. Students may deepen their study of particular forms/styles or broaden their practice across the whole curriculum.
Chen Tai Chi Forms
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Xinjia Yi Lu (New Frame First Form – 83)
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Xinjia Er Lu (New Frame Second Form – 60)
Chen Style Weapons
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Guandao 30
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Double Broadswords 35
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Pear Blossom Spear & White Ape Staff 71
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Double Straight Swords 39
White Crane Weapons
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White Crane Fan 66
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White Crane Double Fan 66
Push Hands Training
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Single-Hand Flower Circling
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Double-Hand Flower Circling
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Fixed-Step Push Hands
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One Advance, One Retreat
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Large Rollback
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Moving-Step Push Hands
Additional Qigong Systems
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Six Healing Sounds
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Dao Yin Twelve Method
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Da Wu Qigong
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Ma Wang Dui Dao Yin
Kung Fu Syllabus
Our Kung Fu syllabus is structured across three progressive levels—Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced—guiding students through a traditional path of development in strength, coordination, discipline, and martial skill.
Each level introduces a series of forms that build upon one another, developing strong foundations in stance work, body mechanics, and power generation, before progressing to more complex combinations, applications, and internal connection.
Progression through the syllabus is based on successful grading, ensuring that each student demonstrates a clear standard of movement, structure, and understanding before advancing to the next level.
Students may also choose to study traditional Kung Fu weapons alongside their empty-hand training. While weapons training is optional, those who undertake it are expected to grade to the same standard. A black sash is awarded only upon completion of both open-hand and weapons forms, reflecting a well-rounded and complete level of training.
This syllabus preserves the depth and structure of traditional Kung Fu training while supporting steady, long-term progression and personal development.
Beginner
1. San Zhan – Three Wars
2. Wu Bu Quan – 5 Stance Form
3. San Zhan Li Ma – Three Wars Strong Stance
4. Bai He Liu Bu Quan – White Crane 6 Stance Form
Intermediate
5. Si Xiao Men – 4 Small Doors
6. San Zhan San – Third San Zhan
7. Shi Zhi – The Cross
8. Lao Hu He Quan – Tiger-Crane Fist
Advanced
9. Shi San Tai Bao – 13 Wonders
10. Si Men Dao Di – 4 Doors, 5 Elements
11. Tian Di Liang Zhan – Between Heaven + Earth
12. Hu Die Shuang Fei – Twin Butterflies in Flight
Kung Fu Weapons
At beginner level you have the option to learn the staff.
Intermediate level weapon is the spear
Advanced level is the trident and da dao.
Kung Fu weapons training is not compulsory. However, if you choose to learn the Kung Fu weapons, you are expected to grade on them. Only upon completion of both open hand and weapons forms will a black sash be awarded.
For the children’s Kung Fu syllabus, please visit our Downloads page, where parents can print out what is required at each level.