In the Shaolin Do internal system, students begin at White Sash, then progress to Yellow, Blue, Green, Brown, and then Black. There are three degrees of Brown, going from third up to first, and ten degrees of Black, going from first up to tenth.
In the Shaolin Do internal curriculum, White Sash to first degree Black Sash students focus mostly on Tai Chi and Pa Kua. It is not until later levels that a student will also learn Hsing I, the complete set of Hua Tuo's Five Animal Play, and Liu Hsing.
White Sash to Yellow Sash |
Style/System |
| Tai Chi 24 | Yang Tai Chi Chuan |
| First section of Classical Pa Kua | Pa Kua Chang |
Yellow Sash to Blue Sash |
|
| Tai Chi Straight Sword | Yang Tai Chi Chuan |
| Second section of Classical Pa Kua | Pa Kua Chang |
Blue Sash to Green Sash |
|
| First half of Tai Chi 64 | Yang Tai Chi Chuan |
| Third and fourth sections of Classical Pa Kua | Pa Kua Chang |
Green Sash to Third Brown Sash |
|
| Second half of Tai Chi 64 | Yang Tai Chi Chuan |
| Fifth and sixth sections of Classical Pa Kua | Pa Kua Chang |
Third Brown Sash to Second Brown Sash |
|
| Fist of Ultimate Mercy | Buddha Fist |
| Chen Iron Fan | Chen Tai Chi Chuan |
| Seventh and eighth sections of Classical Pa Kua | Pa Kua Chang |
Second Brown Sash to First Brown Sash |
|
| First half of Chen 83 | Chen Tai Chi Chuan |
| Yin Dagger | White Eyebrow |
First Brown Sash to First Black Sash |
|
| Second half of Chen 83 | Chen Tai Chi Chuan |
| Yang Dagger | White Eyebrow |
| Yang Tai Chi
is the most well-known style of Tai Chi and is characterized by gentle, flowing movements. It was developed from Chen Tai Chi in the 19th century by Yang Lu Chan. Chen Tai Chi is the oldest commonly known style of Tai Chi, dating back to the 17th century. It combines slow, relaxed movements with sudden bursts of power. Classical Pa Kua was developed by Dong Hai Chuan some time in the 19th century. Its distinguishing characteristics are circular movements and evasive footwork. |