Traditional Chinese Internal Martial Arts taught With Traditional Values
What is Tai Chi?
Tai Chi (or Taijiquan ) is an ancient Chinese martial art with proven benefits for mental and physical health, through its relaxed and harmonious movements combined with breathing and mental concentration . It is often recommended for various diseases and injuries.
It is based on concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the ancient Taoist philosophy of China, for example: the circulation of Qi (chi), the acupuncture meridians, the theory of Yin and Yang, the law of the five elements, the eight trigrams etc.
Tai Chi is an internal martial art associated with Mount Wudang and its ancient Taoist traditions, as opposed to external martial arts whose greatest exponent is the Shaolin Temple . When trained properly it is also an excellent self defense system.
It also contains elements of Taoist spiritual cultivation ( " xiu lian " ) in the meditative character of its movements, as well as other advanced features of Taoism.
Tai Chi Chuan's origins in brief
Wudang Zhao Bao
The origins of Tai Chi are steeped in myth and legend. Some ascribe its founding to scholar Xu Xuanping of the Tang Dynasty ( A.D. 618-907 ). Other's cite a famous Song Dynasty ( 960-1279 ) Taoist, Zhang Sanfeng from Wudang mountain in Hubei Province. His art being later transmited via unknown Taoists to Wang Zong Yue a native of Shanxi, thence to Jiang Fa ( 1574-1655 ) a native of Zhao Bao Zhen, just a few killometers from Chenjiagou home of Chen style Tai Chi. Jiang Fa studied with Wang Zong Yue for seven years after which time he returned to Zhao Bao Zhen. On his return he chose to teach only one disciple Xin Xihuai ( 1595-1667 ), thus starting the line of succession in Zhao Bao Tai Chi.
Wudang Zhao Bao Hulei ( Sudden Thunder Tai Chi )
This style of Tai Chi was created by Li Jing Yan ( 1825-1898 ) a student of Chen Qingping ( 1795-1868 ) a 7th generation transmitter of Zhao Bao Tai Chi. Li Jing Yan had worked as bodyguard so martial arts techniques were a part of his daily life. Through his profession he accumulated practical experience in fighting which lead him in later life to condense and refine his technique to a high degree. The style is known under other names some people mistakenly referring to it as a branch of Chen style, i.e.Chen Shi Xin Jia , or Chen Shi Hulei Jia,
Chen style Another claimant for Tai Chi's creation.
In modern times most people think of Chen Wangting ( 1600-1680 ) of Chenjiagou village Wenxian County as the founding father of Tai Chi Chuan. Chen Wangting served the Ming Dynasty in its war with the Qing Dynasty. In the 1930's Tang Hao ( 1897-1959 ) a martial arts master and Historian after researching the subject came to the conclusion that Chen Wangting was the creator of Tai Chi Chuan, based on the Chen family genealogy and poems composed by Chen Wangting. The routines and push hands passed to the family were practiced for five generations later to be inherited by Chen Chanxing ( 1771-1853 ) the teacher of Yang Luchan ( 1799-1872 ) founder of Yang style Tai Chi Chuan.
Yang style Tai Chi
Yang Luchan ( 1799-1872 ) also known as Yang Fukui was a native of Yongnian County Hebei Province. Due to poverty Yang left His Home at the age of ten for Chenjiagou where he was to serve the Chen Family. In Chenjiagou He learned Lao Jia ( old frame Tai Chi ) and push hands ( Tui Shou ) from Chen Chanxing. After thirty years he returned to Yongnian, here he resided at the Tai He Tang Drugstore a business run by the Chen's. The premises were owned by the Wu's who admired Yangs martial arts skills. The three brothers Wu Chengqing,Wu Heqing and Wu Ruqing became students of Yang Luchan.
Wu Ruqiing later recomended Master Yang teach Tai Chi in Beijing where many nobles studied his Tai Chi including Prince Duan of the royal family. Yang Luchan had three sons Yang Banhou ( 1837-1892 ), Yang Jianhou ( 1839-1917 ) and Yang Fenghou who died young. Both Yang Banhou and Yang Jianhou were famous Tai Chi masters
Yang Banhou's Tai Chi
Yang Banhou's Tai Chi was characterised as Xiao Jia Tai Chi ( small frame ).
Yang Jianhou's Tai Chi
Yang Jianhou's Tai Chi differed from his brothers form and became known as the Zhong Jia Tai Chi ( medium frame ).
Yang Chengfu's Tai Chi
Yang Chengfu ( 1883-1936 ) the grandson of Yang Luchan, third son of Yang Jianhou revised his fathers Zhong jia Tai Chi form developing the present day Da Jia Tai Chi ( big frame ) with its extended natural postures and slow pace. Before the exposure of Chen Tai Chi to the West this was possibly the most popular Tai Chi style in the world.
Wu Yuxiang's Tai Chi
The founder of Wu style Tai Chi Chuan Wu Yuxiang (1812-1880), was a student of Yang Luchan and native of the of Yong Nian, He belonged to a cultured family. Wu, while travelling to visit his brother a government official, decided to call on Chen Chanxing the teacher of Yang Luchan. His intention was to learn the Lao Jia Yi Lu and Pao Chui Tai Chi forms from him. On the way he heard of a great master in Zhao Bao village called Chen Qingping so breaking his journey he stayed in Zhao Bao and gained tuition from Chen Qingping.
Wu Quanyu's Tai Chi
Master Wu Quanyu ( 1834-1902 ) founder of Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan was an hereditary officer of the Manchurian Imperial Guard in Beijing. He was a student of both Yang Lu Chan, founder of Yang Style Tai Chi, and his son, Yang Ban Hao.
Sun style Tai Chi
Sun lutang ( 1861-1932 ) also known as Sun Fu Quan was a martial arts podigy. Starting from humble beginings he became one of the foremost master's of his time. Sun started studying Shaolin Hung Quan as a boy and later went on to master the internal martial arts of Ba Gua Zhang and Xing Yi. He received his Tai Chi tuition from Hao Wei Zhen a practitioner of Wu Yuxiang's Tai Chi at the age of 50. Combining his knowledge of Ba Gua and Xing Yi he created the unique Sun style Tai Chi Form the youngest of the Traditional forms.
What is Tai Chi?
Tai Chi (or Taijiquan ) is an ancient Chinese martial art with proven benefits for mental and physical health, through its relaxed and harmonious movements combined with breathing and mental concentration . It is often recommended for various diseases and injuries.
It is based on concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the ancient Taoist philosophy of China, for example: the circulation of Qi (chi), the acupuncture meridians, the theory of Yin and Yang, the law of the five elements, the eight trigrams etc.
Tai Chi is an internal martial art associated with Mount Wudang and its ancient Taoist traditions, as opposed to external martial arts whose greatest exponent is the Shaolin Temple . When trained properly it is also an excellent self defense system.
It also contains elements of Taoist spiritual cultivation ( " xiu lian " ) in the meditative character of its movements, as well as other advanced features of Taoism.
Tai Chi Chuan's origins in brief
Wudang Zhao Bao
The origins of Tai Chi are steeped in myth and legend. Some ascribe its founding to scholar Xu Xuanping of the Tang Dynasty ( A.D. 618-907 ). Other's cite a famous Song Dynasty ( 960-1279 ) Taoist, Zhang Sanfeng from Wudang mountain in Hubei Province. His art being later transmited via unknown Taoists to Wang Zong Yue a native of Shanxi, thence to Jiang Fa ( 1574-1655 ) a native of Zhao Bao Zhen, just a few killometers from Chenjiagou home of Chen style Tai Chi. Jiang Fa studied with Wang Zong Yue for seven years after which time he returned to Zhao Bao Zhen. On his return he chose to teach only one disciple Xin Xihuai ( 1595-1667 ), thus starting the line of succession in Zhao Bao Tai Chi.
Wudang Zhao Bao Hulei ( Sudden Thunder Tai Chi )
This style of Tai Chi was created by Li Jing Yan ( 1825-1898 ) a student of Chen Qingping ( 1795-1868 ) a 7th generation transmitter of Zhao Bao Tai Chi. Li Jing Yan had worked as bodyguard so martial arts techniques were a part of his daily life. Through his profession he accumulated practical experience in fighting which lead him in later life to condense and refine his technique to a high degree. The style is known under other names some people mistakenly referring to it as a branch of Chen style, i.e.Chen Shi Xin Jia , or Chen Shi Hulei Jia,
Chen style Another claimant for Tai Chi's creation.
In modern times most people think of Chen Wangting ( 1600-1680 ) of Chenjiagou village Wenxian County as the founding father of Tai Chi Chuan. Chen Wangting served the Ming Dynasty in its war with the Qing Dynasty. In the 1930's Tang Hao ( 1897-1959 ) a martial arts master and Historian after researching the subject came to the conclusion that Chen Wangting was the creator of Tai Chi Chuan, based on the Chen family genealogy and poems composed by Chen Wangting. The routines and push hands passed to the family were practiced for five generations later to be inherited by Chen Chanxing ( 1771-1853 ) the teacher of Yang Luchan ( 1799-1872 ) founder of Yang style Tai Chi Chuan.
Yang style Tai Chi
Yang Luchan ( 1799-1872 ) also known as Yang Fukui was a native of Yongnian County Hebei Province. Due to poverty Yang left His Home at the age of ten for Chenjiagou where he was to serve the Chen Family. In Chenjiagou He learned Lao Jia ( old frame Tai Chi ) and push hands ( Tui Shou ) from Chen Chanxing. After thirty years he returned to Yongnian, here he resided at the Tai He Tang Drugstore a business run by the Chen's. The premises were owned by the Wu's who admired Yangs martial arts skills. The three brothers Wu Chengqing,Wu Heqing and Wu Ruqing became students of Yang Luchan.
Wu Ruqiing later recomended Master Yang teach Tai Chi in Beijing where many nobles studied his Tai Chi including Prince Duan of the royal family. Yang Luchan had three sons Yang Banhou ( 1837-1892 ), Yang Jianhou ( 1839-1917 ) and Yang Fenghou who died young. Both Yang Banhou and Yang Jianhou were famous Tai Chi masters
Yang Banhou's Tai Chi
Yang Banhou's Tai Chi was characterised as Xiao Jia Tai Chi ( small frame ).
Yang Jianhou's Tai Chi
Yang Jianhou's Tai Chi differed from his brothers form and became known as the Zhong Jia Tai Chi ( medium frame ).
Yang Chengfu's Tai Chi
Yang Chengfu ( 1883-1936 ) the grandson of Yang Luchan, third son of Yang Jianhou revised his fathers Zhong jia Tai Chi form developing the present day Da Jia Tai Chi ( big frame ) with its extended natural postures and slow pace. Before the exposure of Chen Tai Chi to the West this was possibly the most popular Tai Chi style in the world.
Wu Yuxiang's Tai Chi
The founder of Wu style Tai Chi Chuan Wu Yuxiang (1812-1880), was a student of Yang Luchan and native of the of Yong Nian, He belonged to a cultured family. Wu, while travelling to visit his brother a government official, decided to call on Chen Chanxing the teacher of Yang Luchan. His intention was to learn the Lao Jia Yi Lu and Pao Chui Tai Chi forms from him. On the way he heard of a great master in Zhao Bao village called Chen Qingping so breaking his journey he stayed in Zhao Bao and gained tuition from Chen Qingping.
Wu Quanyu's Tai Chi
Master Wu Quanyu ( 1834-1902 ) founder of Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan was an hereditary officer of the Manchurian Imperial Guard in Beijing. He was a student of both Yang Lu Chan, founder of Yang Style Tai Chi, and his son, Yang Ban Hao.
Sun style Tai Chi
Sun lutang ( 1861-1932 ) also known as Sun Fu Quan was a martial arts podigy. Starting from humble beginings he became one of the foremost master's of his time. Sun started studying Shaolin Hung Quan as a boy and later went on to master the internal martial arts of Ba Gua Zhang and Xing Yi. He received his Tai Chi tuition from Hao Wei Zhen a practitioner of Wu Yuxiang's Tai Chi at the age of 50. Combining his knowledge of Ba Gua and Xing Yi he created the unique Sun style Tai Chi Form the youngest of the Traditional forms.
Tai Chi Mindfulness in motion.
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