Yang-style T'ai Chi Ch'uan
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Yang-style tai chi ( zh, s=楊氏太极拳, p=Yángshì tàijíquán) is one of the five primary families of
tai chi is a Chinese martial art. Initially developed for combat and self-defense, for most practitioners it has evolved into a sport and form of exercise. As an exercise, tai chi is performed as gentle, low-impact movement in which practitioners ...
. Including its variations, it is the most popular and widely practised style of tai chi in the world today. It is second in terms of seniority, after
Chen-style tai chi The Chen-style tai chi ( zh, s=陳氏太极拳, p=Chén shì tàijíquán) is a Northern Wushu (sport), Chinese martial art and the original form of tai chi. Chen (surname), Chen-style is characterized by silk reeling, alternating fast and slow m ...
.


History

The Yang family first became involved in the study of tai chi in the early 19th century. The founder of the Yang-style was
Yang Luchan Yang Luchan ( zh, c=杨露禅, w=Yang Lu-ch'an, p=Yáng Lùchán), also known as Yang Fukui (1799–1872), was an influential Chinese practitioner and teacher of the internal style tai chi martial art. He is known as the founder of Yang-styl ...
, who studied under
Chen Changxing Chen Changxing ( zh, c=陳長興, w=Ch'en Chang-hsing; 1771–1853) was a tai chi master belonging to the 6th generation of Chen-style tai chi. He is most famous as the teacher of Yang Luchan Yang Luchan ( zh, c=杨露禅, w=Yang Lu-ch' ...
starting in 1820. Yang became a teacher in his own right, and his subsequent expression of tai chi became known as the Yang-style, and directly led to the development of three other major styles of tai chi (see below). Yang Luchan (and some would say the art of tai chi, in general) came to prominence as a result of his being hired by the Chinese Imperial family to teach tai chi to the elite Palace Battalion of the Imperial Guards in 1850, a position he held until his death. Yang Luchan passed on his art to: * his second son, the oldest son to live to maturity, Yang Banhou, who was also retained as a martial arts instructor by the Chinese Imperial family. Yang Banhou's first student was Wu Quanyou, a
Manchu The Manchus (; ) are a Tungusic peoples, Tungusic East Asian people, East Asian ethnic group native to Manchuria in Northeast Asia. They are an officially recognized Ethnic minorities in China, ethnic minority in China and the people from wh ...
Banner A banner can be a flag or another piece of cloth bearing a symbol, logo, slogan or another message. A flag whose design is the same as the shield in a coat of arms (but usually in a square or rectangular shape) is called a banner of arms. Also, ...
officer. Wu had previously trained under Yang Luchan, but Yang Banhou became his formal teacher. Wu and his son,
Wu Jianquan Wu Jianquan ( zh, c=吴鉴泉, w=Wu Chien-ch‘üan, p=Wú Jiànquán; 1870–1942) was a famous teacher and founder of the ''neijia'' martial art of Wu-style tai chi in late Imperial and early Republican China. Biography Wu Jianquan was ta ...
, would go on to co-found Wu-style tai chi. * his third son Yang Jianhou, who passed it to his sons,
Yang Shaohou Yang Shaohou (; 1862–1930) was a Chinese martial arts master who, along with Yang Chengfu (楊澄甫; 1883–1936), represents the third generation of Yang-style tai chi. Grandmaster of his generation and known for his compact "small-frame" ...
and
Yang Chengfu Yang Chengfu (1883–1936) was one of the best known teachers of Yang-style tai chi Chinese martial art. He helped develop the art into its modern form. His students would go on to found successful martial arts schools of their own and helped s ...
and Niu Chunming (1881–1961). *
Wu Yuxiang Wu Yuxiang (Wu Yu-hsiang, 1812?–1880?) was a Chinese martial artist, teacher and the founder of Wu (Hao)-style tai chi. Wu was a scholar from a wealthy and influential family who became a senior student of Yang Luchan, the founder of Yang- ...
, who went on to develop Wu (Hao)-style. Wu (Hao)-style, in turn, would become the ancestor of
Sun-style tai chi The Sun-style tai chi ( zh, s=孙氏太极拳, p=Sūn shì tàijíquán) is one of the five primary styles of tai chi. It is well known for its smooth, flowing movements which omit the more physically vigorous crouching, leaping and ''fa jin'' ...
. Yang Jianhou passed on the middle frame long form, sometimes called the 2nd generation Yang form or the Yang Jianhou form, to his disciples who still practice this more martial form. It is seen as more reminiscent of Chen style for which it is closer to in time as well as form than the Yang Chengfu form or 3rd generation styles. Yang Chengfu removed the vigorous ''
fa jin ''Fa jin'', or ''fa chin'' (, ), is a term used in some Chinese martial arts, particularly the ''neijia'' (internal) martial arts, such as tai chi, ''xingyiquan'', ''baguazhang'', '' liuhebafa'', '' ziranmen'', '' bak mei'', and '' bajiquan''. ...
'' ("release of power") from the Hand (solo) Form, as well as the energetic jumping, stamping, and other abrupt movements in order to emphasise the ''Da jia'' (大架 ''large frame style''), but retained them in the Weapons (sword, saber, staff, and spear) forms. The Hand Form has slow, steady, expansive and soft movements suitable for general practitioners. Thus, Yang Chengfu is largely responsible for standardizing and popularizing the Yang-style tai chi widely practised today.


Modern short forms

Yang Chengfu developed his own shortened "large frame" version of the Yang long Form, in order to make it easier to teach to modern students who are busy with modern life. Now the most popular long tai chi form in the world, the classic Yang Chengfu form retains the health and self-defense benefits of the original 300-movement sequence in only 150 movements, most commonly divided by teachers today into 85, 88, 103, or 108 "postures" or stopping points.Yang, Chengfu (1934); Swaim, Louis, translator (2004), ''The Essence and Applications of Taijiquan'' (太極拳體用全書), Blue Snake Books, The Cheng Man-ch'ing and Chinese Sports Commission short forms are said to be derived from Yang family forms, but neither is recognized as Yang family tai chi by current standard-bearing Yang family teachers. The Chen, Yang and Wu families are now promoting their own shortened demonstration forms for competitive purposes. As the 21st century began, the Chinese government also commissioned short ''10 Forms'' and ''16 Forms'' from each of the five major tai chi lineages. (The ''10 forms'' are also known as ''8 forms''.) After these forms had been taught for several years, they were all presented as a set to attendees of the First International Tai Chi Chuan Symposium in Nashville, TN in July 2009.


Tai chi lineage tree with Yang-style focus


Some notable descendants of Yang Luchan


Yang Shouzhong

Yang Yang Shouzhong is from the fourth generation of the Yang family. He was the oldest son of
Yang Chengfu Yang Chengfu (1883–1936) was one of the best known teachers of Yang-style tai chi Chinese martial art. He helped develop the art into its modern form. His students would go on to found successful martial arts schools of their own and helped s ...
by his first marriage, and started learning his family-style when he was eight years old under the strict supervision of his father. In 1949, he moved to
Hong Kong Hong Kong)., Legally Hong Kong, China in international treaties and organizations. is a special administrative region of China. With 7.5 million residents in a territory, Hong Kong is the fourth most densely populated region in the wor ...
. There he taught many students privately at his home until his death in 1985. He had three daughters—Tai Yee, Ma Lee, and Yee Li—and all continue to teach in Hong Kong. Over the years he had taught many people, but he accepted only three people as his disciples. These Yang family tai chi practitioners are: *Master Ip Tai Tak (Yip Tai Tak, 1929–2004) in Hong Kong. *Master Chu Gin Soon, in
Boston Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and Financial centre, financial center of New England, a region of the Northeas ...
. *Master Chu King Hung (朱景雄, pinyin: zhū jǐng xióng, born 1945) in the United Kingdom. Master Chu is head of the International Tai Chi Chuan Association (ITCCA).


Yang Zhenduo

Grandmaster Yang Zhenduo (1926 – 2020) is from the fourth generation of the Yang family and is officially the ''Fourth Lineage Holder'' of the Traditional Yang-style tai chi. He was born in
Beijing Beijing, Chinese postal romanization, previously romanized as Peking, is the capital city of China. With more than 22 million residents, it is the world's List of national capitals by population, most populous national capital city as well as ...
in 1926 and is the third son of
Yang Chengfu Yang Chengfu (1883–1936) was one of the best known teachers of Yang-style tai chi Chinese martial art. He helped develop the art into its modern form. His students would go on to found successful martial arts schools of their own and helped s ...
. He started studying with his father when very young and continued studying with his older brothers and Zhao Bin after his father died. In 1960, Yang Zhenduo moved to
Taiyuan Taiyuan; Mandarin pronunciation: (Jin Chinese, Taiyuan Jin: /tʰai˦˥ ye˩˩/) is the capital of Shanxi, China. Taiyuan is the political, economic, cultural and international exchange center of Shanxi Province. It is an industrial base foc ...
,
Shanxi Shanxi; Chinese postal romanization, formerly romanised as Shansi is a Provinces of China, province in North China. Its capital and largest city of the province is Taiyuan, while its next most populated prefecture-level cities are Changzhi a ...
Province. Since then, Yang-style tai chi has gradually spread within Taiyuan and to other cities, provinces, and countries. Since 1980, he has served as vice-president of the Shanxi Wushu Association. In 1982 Yang Zhenduo founded the Shanxi Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Association, and has served as president since. The association has now grown to over 30,000 members throughout the Province and is the largest martial arts organization of its kind in China. In October 1998, Yang Zhenduo founded the International Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Association, serving as chairman of the board. Under his leadership, the International Association has grown to 28 centers in 12 countries with over 2,000 members. The Chinese Wushu Academy recognized Master Yang Zhenduo in 1996 as one of the top 100 Wushu Masters in China. He has also been honored by proclamations from the mayors of
San Antonio, Texas San Antonio ( ; Spanish for "Anthony of Padua, Saint Anthony") is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the most populous city in Greater San Antonio. San Antonio is the List of Texas metropolitan areas, third-largest metropolitan area in Texa ...
and
Troy, Michigan Troy is a city in Oakland County, Michigan, Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. A northern suburb of Metro Detroit, Detroit, Troy is located about north of downtown Detroit. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 87,294, ...
. In July 2009, at the First International Tai Chi Chuan Symposium, held at
Vanderbilt University Vanderbilt University (informally Vandy or VU) is a private university, private research university in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, it was named in honor of shipping and railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provide ...
, in
Nashville Nashville, often known as Music City, is the capital and List of municipalities in Tennessee, most populous city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the county seat, seat of Davidson County, Tennessee, Davidson County in Middle Tennessee, locat ...
, TN, Grandmaster Yang Zhenduo officially named his grandson Yang Jun as the ''Fifth Lineage Holder'' of traditional Yang-style tai chi. Zhao YouBin is also direct 5 generation family member of Yang Family and the senior lineage holder in the family. Zhao Bin (1906 – 1999) his father was the teacher of Yang Zhenduo and was the oldest of the 4th generation Yang children his grand father was Yang Chengfu's older brother Yang Zhaoyuan. Yang Zhenduo's second wife's children were adopted by the later, therefore not direct blood linage. Fu Zhongwen (1903–1994) was married to Zhao Bins sister therefore his brother in law also 4th generation family inheritor. His son Fu Sheng Yuan (1931 – 2017) 5th generation lineage holder has one son James Fu. Zhao YouBin has one son Zhao Liang and a grandson all actively practicing Yang Family Taiji in China.


See also

* 103-form Yang family tai chi * 24-(Simplified Form) tai chi * 42-(Competition Form) tai chi * Yangjia Michuan tai chi


Notes


References


Further reading

*Wile, Douglas ''Lost T'ai-chi Classics from the late Ch'ing Dynasty'' State University of New York Press, Albany, 1996. *Traditional Chinese Cultural Academy, International Governing Board for Traditional Yang Tai Chi Chuan
''Death of the Sifu'', An Investigation of Rank and Lineage Claims
American Health Source Publications (2008).


External links


Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Association

Yang Style Fu Zhongwen family tai chi

Chu King-hung's International Tai Chi Chuan Association

Tai Chi Philosophy

Fu sheng yuan tai chi academy - India Chapter

UK-based association offering information and instruction in Yang tai chi

Gin Soon Tai Chi Chuan Federation, USA: Gin-Soon Chu, 2nd Disciple of Yang Shou-chung

H. Won Tai Chi Institute: H. Won Gim, 2nd Disciple of Gin-Soon Chu

Link to the website of Ip Tai Tak's (1st Disciple of Yang Shou-chung) disciple, Bob Boyd

Ding Teah Chean (also known as John Ding), 1st Disciple of Ip Tai Tak

Disciple of Grand master Zhu Chang Hai

New Life Kung Fu, Teaching Professor Cheng Man-Ching, Grandmaster Huang Sheng Shyan Lineage
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