Taoist Tai Chi

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Taoist Tai Chi is a form of Tai Chi developed by Moy Lin-shin that he started teaching in Toronto, Canada after he moved there in 1970. For this Moy modified the orthodox Yang style Tai Chi Chuan form, integrating it with his knowledge of other internal arts, such as Lok Hup Ba Fa. One of Moy's main teachers was Leung Jee-peng (Liang Tzu-peng) (1900-1974), an instructor in Lok Hup Ba Fa and other arts from the Ching Wu Martial Arts Academy in Shanghai.

Moy completely de-emphasized his new form's connection to martial art training. He removed from his new form all elements that he felt were reminiscent of the competitive nature he believed to be found in some martial art training. In the way the form is transmitted it is also never shown how the moves may be applied in fighting situations, as is done in some other martial art forms to clarify a certain sequence of moves. The reasoning for this may be found in the ways of traditional schools ⁽¹⁾: "to provide a level playing field for all students by instilling respect and care for one's seniors, peers and juniors, so that everyone, not just the physically gifted, has an opportunity to benefit from the training provided in a martial art school."

Moy's form is taught mainly by non-paid volunteer instructors (exempting senior instructors). In order to become a volunteer instructor one has to express the desire to do so, and be able to show the elements of the form to new students. One is also required to attend a number of workshops every year. A teacher of Taoist Tai Chi should conform to and live by, what Moy called, "Eight Heavenly Virtues": Sense of Shame, Honor, Sacrifice, Propriety, Trustworthiness, Dedication, Sibling Harmony, and Filial Piety. A teacher should also thus be an example to his students.