Yang Taiji Quan

Let's face it, everyone has a need to feel special!  A need to feel they are on the right track and have the 'real' art.  Unfortunately it becomes like most religions in that there must only be one way, ours.  For some reason there can't be other legitimate variations or it puts a cloud of doubt upon our own method.  My teachers have always emphasized that the art of Taiji Quan is the expression of the Taiji classics and principles and that the outward form will vary depending upon body type, personality and purpose of study.  If the movements adhere to the classics then the form and art are correct and true.  Prior to Yang Cheng Fu's standardization of the art, each Yang family master had their own 'style' of Yang Taiji Quan, and these 'styles' changed and modified over the years they taught.  This is not to say that the choreography was necessarily different but the way the form was practiced.  There was small frame, medium frame, and large frame in addition to high frame, medium frame and low frame.  Yang Cheng Fu's Taiji changed over his lifetime as he advanced as well as encountering the masses he taught.  If it wasn't for his efforts to standardize and simplify the art to make it accessible and easy to study Taiji may not be world known today.

There are reports of Yang Cheng Fu when he first came to southern China to teach Taiji that his form contained quick, explosive movements in the early 1930's these movements were modified to even-paced movements. (see T'ai Chi June 1982 Vol. 6, No.3)  In an article by his eldest son, Yang Zhenming (Sau Chung), they would practice some of the individual movements repeatedly as fa-jing drills.  And though not popular now the Yang sanshou, partner form, was core practice along with tuishou. 

Yang Family Taiji Quan page

It's impossible to list all of the students of Yang Chengfu since he traveled all over China to spread and teach Yang family Taiji Quan.  The above are considered some of his top disciples.  And, as with Yang Chengfu it's impossible to track the students of his students.  Though Yang Zhenming taught a small, selective group of students, others traveled and spread Taiji world wide.  Major contributors to spreading Yang Taiji world wide are: Zhen  Manqian (Cheng Man Ching), Fu Zong Wei and his son, Yang Zhenduo and his son, Dong Yingjie and his son and grandson, and Choy Hok Peng (accredited with being the first to teach Americans Taiji).  Each generation has become more open to teaching and spreading the art.

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