Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan)

Tai Chi Chuan (Tai Chi) is celebrated for its numerous health benefits and has been a staple of Chinese wellness practices for centuries. Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan, developed by the Yang family in China over a century ago, is a profound embodiment of this tradition. This style consists of a series of movements, combining postures and transitions, meticulously designed to form the Hand and Weapons Forms of Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan.

Tai Chi movements are not just physical exercises but also mental practices. Learning them one at a time allows practitioners to develop posture, alignment, strength, flexibility, and grace, culminating in a martial art form known for its precision and effectiveness. This flowing internal form of Chinese Kung Fu is accessible to individuals of all ages, promoting lifelong health and martial skills.

The Philosophy Behind Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan

At the core of Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan is the principle of 'softness in strength,' focusing on the balance between yin and yang. This philosophy is mirrored in the movements, which are gentle yet powerful, demonstrating how relaxed power can overcome brute force.

Health Benefits of Practicing Tai Chi Chuan

Regular practice of Tai Chi Chuan offers extensive health benefits, including improved balance, enhanced flexibility, increased strength, and reduced stress levels. Its meditative movements also contribute to mental clarity and emotional stability.

Key Components of Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan

• Hand Forms: A sequence of movements that form the core of Yang Style practice.
• Weapons Forms: Includes the traditional Tai Chi sword, saber, and spear forms, extending the principles of the Hand Forms to weapons training.
• Push Hands: A two-person exercise that emphasizes the martial aspects of Tai Chi, focusing on sensitivity and responsiveness.

Learning and Practicing Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan

Learning Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan involves not only mastering the physical movements but also understanding the philosophy and principles that underpin the art. It is a journey of continuous improvement and personal growth, suitable for all ages and fitness levels.

---

Disclaimer: This website contains affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through our links. This comes at no extra cost to you and helps support the content on this site. We are not responsible for third-party merchants' websites, content, information, advice, products, or services. Thank you for your support!

A Comprehensive Tai Chi Chuan History

Tai Chi (Taijiquan) has a rich history that has evolved over centuries, leading to various branches and styles we see today. Here is a chronological overview of the major developments and branches of Tai Chi:

Origins (17th Century):

• Chen Style: Considered the oldest form of Tai Chi, originating from the Chen village in Henan province, China. Created by Chen Wangting in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties (around the 17th century). It features fast and slow movements, with sudden changes in tempo and power.

Yang Style (Early 19th Century):

• Yang Lu Chan (1799–1872): Known as "Yang the Invincible," he learned Tai Chi from the Chen family and later modified it to create the Yang style, which emphasizes slow, steady, expansive, and soft movements. This style became the most popular and widely practiced worldwide.
• His sons, Yang Jian Hou and Yang Ban Hou, and later his grandson Yang Cheng Fu (1883–1936), further popularized and standardized the Yang style, leading to what is often called "Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan" or "Yang Family Tai Chi."

Wu (Hao) Style (19th Century):

• Wu Yu-hsiang (1812–1880), a scholar from a wealthy family, learned from the Yang family and later from Chen Qingping, a practitioner of the small frame Chen style. He created the Wu (Hao) style, characterized by smaller, more controlled movements, focusing on internal strength.

Wu Style (Late 19th Century):

• Wu Quanyou (1834–1902), a senior student of Yang Ban Hou, and his son Wu Jianquan (1870–1942) developed the Wu style of Tai Chi, known for its smooth, round, and gentle movements, with a strong emphasis on the "push hands" practice.

Sun Style (Early 20th Century):

• Sun Lutang (1861–1932), an expert in Xing Yi Quan and Bagua Zhang, learned Wu (Hao) style Tai Chi and integrated elements of the three internal arts to create Sun style Tai Chi. It is known for its lively steps, following a step with every movement, and for its emphasis on Qigong.

Modern Developments (20th Century Onwards):

• The spread of Tai Chi in the 20th century, especially after the Chinese Civil War and Cultural Revolution, brought Tai Chi to the global stage. Various masters emigrated to Taiwan, the United States, and other parts of the world, teaching Tai Chi and creating schools and offshoots.
• In recent decades, Tai Chi has been studied for its health benefits, leading to the development of simplified forms like the 24-posture Beijing form, designed to make Tai Chi more accessible to the general public.

Contemporary Tai Chi:

• Today, Tai Chi continues to evolve, with traditional styles being preserved and taught alongside new forms and applications, including Tai Chi for health, therapy, meditation, and martial arts. The practice has become a global phenomenon, with a strong following both in China and internationally.

This timeline illustrates the evolution of Tai Chi from its origins in the Chen village to the diverse and widespread practice it has become today, encompassing a rich variety of styles and interpretations.

Chen Style History

The history of Chen style Tai Chi, the oldest known form, is shrouded in legend and sparse historical documentation. However, here's what is commonly understood and accepted about its origins before it became officially recognized as Tai Chi (Taijiquan):

1. Martial Arts in Chen Village: The Chen family, residing in Chenjiagou (Chen Village) in Henan Province, China, were known to practice a form of martial arts as early as the 16th century. This martial art was likely influenced by various external and internal styles prevalent during that time, including Shaolin martial arts and Daoist breathing and meditation techniques.
2. Chen Wangting (1580–1660): Often credited as the founder of Chen style Tai Chi, Chen Wangting was a retired military officer in the Ming dynasty. After the fall of the Ming dynasty, he returned to Chen Village and is said to have integrated his martial arts knowledge with Daoist and Chinese medical theories to create several Tai Chi routines, including forms that are predecessors to the modern Chen style routines.
3. Qinna and Silk Reeling: The martial art developed in Chen Village incorporated Qinna (joint-locking techniques) and Silk Reeling Energy (Chan Si Jin), which involves spiral movements and internal energy flow, fundamental to Tai Chi's practice.
4. Secret Transmission: The practice of these martial arts forms and theories was initially kept secret within the Chen family and taught only to family members and select students, which led to the slow external dissemination of their style.
5. Influence of Other Martial Arts: There are suggestions that the development of Chen style was also influenced by other martial arts forms that existed in China at the time, possibly including ancient boxing techniques and the principles of internal energy control found in other Daoist and Buddhist practices.
6. Evolution to Tai Chi: Over generations, the martial arts practiced in Chen Village evolved. It wasn't until the 19th century that Chen style Tai Chi was explicitly identified as Taijiquan. This was after Yang Lu Chan, a student from Chen Village, learned the art and later modified it, leading to the establishment of Yang Style Tai Chi and the wider recognition of Taijiquan as a distinct martial art form.

The transition from a family martial art to the recognized system of Tai Chi involved a combination of historical evolution, personal innovation, and the blending of various martial arts and philosophical concepts, which has led to the rich tradition of Tai Chi that we see today.

From Chen Style of Old to Current Chen and Yang Styles

Chen Changxing (陈长兴), who lived during the late 18th and early 19th centuries (1771–1853), is a significant figure in the history of Chen style Tai Chi, as he is often credited with synthesizing earlier Chen family martial arts forms into the framework that closely resembles modern Chen style Tai Chi Chuan. Here's how he fits into the lineage and development of Chen style Tai Chi:

1. Post Chen Wangting: While Chen Wangting is considered the founder of the Chen style, the art evolved over generations within the Chen family. Each generation contributed to its development, refining and adapting the forms and techniques.
2. Role of Chen Changxing: Chen Changxing is believed to be the 14th generation descendant of the Chen family. He played a crucial role in consolidating the Chen style Tai Chi forms, streamlining various routines into two primary sets, which are often referred to as the "Old Frame" (Laojia) routines. These are Laojia Yi Lu (Old Frame First Routine) and Laojia Er Lu (Old Frame Second Routine, also known as the Cannon Fist).
3. Teaching Yang Luchan: One of the most pivotal contributions of Chen Changxing to the Tai Chi world was teaching Yang Luchan, who later founded Yang style Tai Chi Chuan. Yang Luchan went to Chen Village to learn the art and spent many years mastering it under Chen Changxing’s tutelage.
4. Transmission and Legacy: Through his teaching and structuring of the Chen style forms, Chen Changxing significantly influenced the transmission of Chen style Tai Chi to non-family members and its subsequent spread outside Chenjiagou. His methods and forms became the foundation upon which later generations of the Chen family, including Chen Fake (陈发科), would further develop and promote Chen style Tai Chi.

In summary, while Chen Wangting is credited with founding Chen style Tai Chi, it was Chen Changxing who played a key role in refining the style and setting the stage for its broader dissemination, including influencing the creation of Yang style Tai Chi through his student Yang Luchan.

If you would like to setup a Zoom Call with Laoshi West to discuss classes or other Tai Chi topics, please contact us and we'll schedule it.