There are five major styles of tai chi chuan, each named after the Chinese family from which it originated: (Yang style is the most popular)
- Chen-style (陳氏) of Chen Wangting (1580–1660)
- Yang-style (楊氏) of Yang Lu-ch'an (1799–1872)
- Wu- or Wu/Hao-style (武氏) of Wu Yu-hsiang (1812–1880)
- Wu-style (吳氏) of Wu Ch'uan-yu (1834–1902) and his son Wu Chien-ch'uan (1870–1942)
- Sun-style (孫氏) of Sun Lu-t'ang (1861–1932)
Your mind will lead you through your Tai Chi journey and innately your body will follow, so concentration is the key to success. Additionally, complete relaxation of the body with all movements will aid you in the effortless flow of your Chi. Breathing must come from your stomach and not from your chest to allow for proper rejuvenation and revitalization of your body. When moving during Tai Chi, let your feet move first, and allow your heel to contact the ground before the toes because your feet are for balance and feeling. Finally, Tai Chi should be felt from the tips of the fingers through the entire body to the toes.
Tai Chi is a system of slow, flowing and balanced movements or postures which when practiced correctly is able to manipulate one’s own bio-energy of Chi pronounced CHEE or Qi pronounced KEE.
The order of popularity (in terms of the number of practitioners) is Yang, Wu, Chen, Sun, and Wu/Hao. You are learning “Yang style.”
In traditional Chinese culture, Chi is an active principle forming part of any living thing. Chi is frequently translated as "energy flow" or “Life Force”. The Chinese believe that there are two main kinds of Chi:
(1) Original Chi or Pre-Birth Chi received from one's parents and present in the body from before birth. Original Chi is limited in quantity.
(2) Post-Birth Chi obtained in various ways from nature, from the heavens, from the earth, and from our atmosphere. Some of the ways we get this chi are through breathing, drinking water, and through eating food whose chi has not been destroyed by cooking and processing. Aerobic exercise gives us an increase in this type of Chi from the oxygen in our air. Chi circulates throughout the body as does blood.
There are 13 key movements in the art of Tai Chi: (5 footwork) advance – Bow Step, retreat – Empty Step, Shift left and right - T step and Stable Equilibrium - Wuji. There are eight (8) arm movements push, pull back, press, pull down, bend back, split energy, elbow movement and shoulder movement
Your mind will lead you through your Tai Chi journey and innately your body will follow, so concentration is the key to success. Additionally, complete relaxation of the body with all movements will aid you in the effortless flow of your Chi. Breathing must come from your stomach and not from your chest to allow for proper rejuvenation and revitalization of your body. When moving during Tai Chi, let your feet move first, and allow your heal to contact the ground before the toes because your feet are for balance and feeling. Finally, Tai Chi should be felt from the tips of the fingers through the entire body and toes.
Beginner Technique Set (Combination 20)
Opening – Open and Close the Window
Catch Tai Chi / Ward Off (left)
Parting the Wild Horses Mane (right)
Catch Tai Chi / Ward Off (right)
Parting the Wild Horses Mane (left)
Catch Tai Chi / Ward Off (left)
Left Grasping the Swallow’s Tail
Single Whip
Playing the Lute (right)
Step up and Push
White Crane Spreads It’s Wings
Brush Knee and Push
Step up
Playing the Lute (left)
Brush Knee and Push (right)
Brush Knee and Push (left)
Playing the Lute (left)
Step up, Deflect, Parry and Punch
Withdraw and Push
Appear to Close and Cross Hands Closing
Note: Combination 20 exemplifies all the basic physical movements for a Taichi practitioner to become familiar with and comfortable in action. The Combination 20 set provides the base of all Taichi movements for future study.
Intermediate Technique Set (Combination 50)
Opening – Open and Close the Window
Catch Tai Chi / Ward Off (left)
Parting the Wild Horses Mane (right)
Catch Tai Chi / Ward Off (right)
Parting the Wild Horses Mane (left)
Catch Tai Chi / Ward Off (left)
Left Grasping the Swallow’s Tail
Single Whip
Playing the Lute (right)
Left Diagonal Step and Push
White Crane Spreads It’s Wings
Brush Knee and Push
Step up
Playing the Lute (left)
Brush Knee and Push (right)
Brush Knee and Push (left)
Playing the Lute (left)
Step up, Deflect, Parry and Punch
Withdraw and Push
Appear to Close and Cross Hands
Carry Tiger to Mountain
Grasping the Birds Tail
Diagonal Whip
Fist Under Elbow
Repulse Monkey (right)
Repulse Monkey (left)
Repulse Monkey (right)
Repulse Monkey (left)
Slant Flying
Raise Hands
Step up and Push
White Crane Spreads Wings
Brush Knee and Push (right)
Pushing Needle to Sea Bottom
Fan Through Back
Turn and Chop the Opponent with Fist
Step up, Deflect, Parry, and Punch
Ward off and Grasp the Sparrow’s Tail
Wave Hands Like Clouds
Single Whip
Right Heal Kick
Strike the Tiger’s Ears (right)
Turn and Left Heal Kick
Strike the Tigers Ears (left)
Snake Creeps Down
Golden Rooster Stands on one Leg Right and Left
Step up, Deflect, Parry and Punch
Brush Knee and Push (left)
Slant Flying
Cross Hands Closing