Tai Chi Chuan
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History of T'ai Chi Ch'uan (Taijiquan)
Health Benefits
Mythology Chang San-feng Wang Tsung-yueh
Major Styles (Only Major students are listed, modified Wade-Giles spelling)
Ch'en
Ch'en Wang-ting
.......
Ch'en Chang-hsing
.....
Ch'en Fa-ke
Feng Zhiqiang
Chen Xiaowang
Yang
Yang Lu-chan
Wu Yu-hsiang (old Wu style)
Li I-yu (Li Style)
Hao Wei-chen (Hao Style)
Sun Lu-tang (Sun Style)
Yang Pan-hou
Wu Chuan-yu
Wu Jian-chuan (Wu Jianquan) Wu Style
Wong Jiao-yu
Kuo Lien Ying (Kuang P'ing aka Guang Ping Style)
T.R. Chung Kuo Lien Ying
Jeff Stubbins
Y.C. Chiang
Henry Look
Simone Kuo
Tom Brayne
Cecile Cutler
Harvey Kurland
Yang Chien-hou (Old Yang Style)
Tian Shao-lin
Shi Tiao-mei
Tchoung Ta-tchen
Carey Brooks
Andrew Dale Seattle
Peter Dickson
Tim Glasheen
Dave Harris
Harvey Kurland
Laurens Lee [1]
Don Scott
Yang Shou Hou
Hsiung Yang-ho (San Shou) Hsiung Yang-ho
Tchoung Ta-tchen
Carey BrooksTchoung students
Andrew Dale
Peter Dickson
Dave Harris
Harvey Kurland
Laurens Lee
Don Scott
Liang Tsung-tsai
Jonathan Russell
Stuart Olson
Yang Ch'eng-fu
Tung Ying-ch'ieh
Tung Fue-ling
Tung Kai-ying
Fu Zhongwen
Fu Sheng Yuan
Chen Wei-ming
Cheng Man-ch'ing
Liang Tsung-tsai
Jonathan Russell
Don Miller
Stuart Olson
Liu Se-heng
Bob Engel
Abraham Liu
William Chen
Ben lo
Fu Zhen-song
Yang Shau-chung
Raymond Chung
Yang Zhendo
Modern Forms
Exercise Forms Competition "Wushu" Forms
History of T'ai Chi Ch'uan
History of T'ai-chi ch'uan
© Harvey Kurland MSc., CSCS, 2006 Adapted From H Kurland's, "The Web of Tai Chi Chuan" parts 1 & 2 Karate/Kung fu Illustrated, July & August 1998.
Benefits
Health Benefits of T'ai-chi ch'uan
T'ai chi ch'uan (Taijiquan) was originally taught as a traditional Chinese martial art. It later changed roles to being a health promotion exercise. Currently it is taught as 1) a traditional martial art, 2) a health promotion exercise, and 3) competition art.
In the early 20th century the health benefits were discovered and it took on a new persona as a preventive medicine or wellness exercise. It was later promoted by the Chinese Government to keep the citizens healthy. The martial art aspects then took a back stage to it being a health exercise in China. Recent research has shown it can help to lower high blood pressure in some patients, improve balance, and help patients with arthritis and fibromyalgia. Cardiac Rehab
In 2000 Consumer Reports (CR, Feb 2000, p 45) called t'ai-chi the "Ultimate low-impact exercise", because it is an exercise that can be done by any one who can walk. The only caveat being that people with knee problems may have problems performing some of the exercises. CR claims t'ai-chi can improve cardiovascular endurance as well as improve posture, strength and balance. CR sited a 1992 Australian study that found that t'ai-chi had the same effect as brisk walking on heart rate, blood pressure and stress hormones. Scientific studies have found that it can lower blood pressure, improve balance, improve circulation and make seniors feel empowered.
CR quoted Dr Robert Whipple, a gait and balance expert, "T'ai-chi has come up with the best possible biomechanical scenarios for keeping a person stable - to maximize your standing base by widening your stance, and to keep your head and torso as vertical as possible." (CR, Feb 2000) This is the position held in Yang style, Ch'en style and Kuang P'ing style t'ai-chi ch'uan. The methods showing the best results for improved balance keep the feet in a wide stance position, with the back and head held straight. The t'ai-chi classics say that the head is held, "As if suspended from above." There should be no leaning over, forward, back or to the side.
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History of T'ai Chi Ch'uan ==
T'ai-chi ch'uan (also spelled taijiquan and taiji chuan) is an ancient Chinese martial art that comes in so many variations that it's often confusing to the layman. Some styles can trace their lineage back to the founding of the art, while others date back to the early part of the 20th century. Some stress competition, while others emphasize health or self-defense. Obviously, without the proper information, choosing the one that is best for you can be a daunting task. This article will present an overview of the major styles of tai chi, and after reading it you'll be able to understand how one style begot another. And you'll be able to more easily choose one that is right for you. In reality all legitimate styles will have benefits. The main differences are in the applications of techniques and aesthetics.
Before examining the many styles and sub-styles of the art, however, it's wise to heed the advice of t'ai chi ch'uan Grandmaster Tchoung Ta-tchen. He insists that all are valid and beneficial to the student as long as the basic t'ai chi concepts are adhered to - even though many teachers proclaim that theirs is the only correct method.
Methods of t'ai-chi ch'uan are based on the study of "forms" also called routines. Forms are choreographed sequences of techniques. The individual techniques and choreography are specific to the various styles. Open hand forms, weapons forms, and partner application (san shou) forms are taught in a complete system. Exercises of pushing hands and ta lu are also taught by t'ai-chi ch'uan schools. The heart of the art is the solo form. The san shou form, pushing hands drills and ta lu teach the student how to use the form.
First, the Art
T'ai-chi ch'uan is usually literally translated as "grand ultimate boxing". I see this as meaning, instead of being an immodest title, the "Grand ultimate" portion of the name refers to the Chinese concept of the origin of the universe. That is the principle of yin and yang. In fact, the common yin-yang symbol is properly called the t'ai-chi tu, i.e. the t'ai chi diagram. My definition of the art of t'ai-chi ch'uan as being the art of the harmony of yin and yang, in tangible form.
The history of t'ai chi is foggy at best. There are many conflicting stories from the past, and the confusion continues right up to the present. To make matters worse, there are many revisionist versions of t'ai chi's history which are expounded by those out to promote their own style as the best, or the most authentic. So it is difficult to get the full story. The history of most Chinese martial arts is based more on folk tales than true historical documentation.
Mythology
Chang San-feng The foundation concepts of t'ai chi ch'uan, which come from Taoism and Confucianism, go back to the beginning of written history in China. They come from Lao Tzu's monumental text, Tao Te Ching, from the I Ching and from various other health-promoting and breathing exercise treatises. The actual art can be traced back only 300 to 700 years, however. The founder is said to be Chang San-feng (Zhang Sanfeng), who is thought to have lived from 1279 to 1368, but no one knows if he actually existed. Some experts claim him as just being a myth, while others argue he did exist and there are monuments to Chang in China.
Many teachers claim that Chang San-feng was a Shaolin monk who decided to leave the monastery to become a Taoist hermit in the Wu Tang Shan area. Wu Tang was a Taoist stronghold. On Wu Tang (Wudang) mountain, he gave up the hard fighting style he had learned at Shaolin and formulated a new art based on softness and yielding. One story tells how he had a vision between a snake and a crane (although some say it was a magpie, an eagle or a hawk). In theory, the crane should have had an easy time killing the snake, but in Chang's vision, the crane would try to attack the snake's head, and the snake would evade and hit the crane with it's tail. When the crane would try for the snake's tail, the snake would bite the crane. This resulted in the discovery of the basic t'ai chi concepts of evading, yielding and attacking.
Chang assembled a martial art that used softness and internal power to overcome brute force. He is believed to have written: "In every movement, every part of the body must be light and agile and strung together. The postures should be without breaks. Motion should be rooted in the feet, released through the legs, directed by the waist and expressed by the fingers…. Substantial and insubstantial movements must be clearly differentiated."
This marked the beginning of t'ai-chi ch'uan, but at that time it was called chang chuan, or long boxing. Long boxing referred to the endless flow of the Changjiang (Yangtse) River. Later, Chang formulated the 13 postures of t'ai chi. While no one knows what his art looked like then, it is thought that the movements were practiced as individual techniques and/or concepts.
Wang Tsung-yueh
The next major historical figure was Wang Tsung-yueh (Wang Zongyue), who is said to haave written the second t'ai chi classic which first referred to the art as t'ai-chi chuan. He also coined the statement, "a force of 4 ounces deflects 1,000 pounds." He is thought to have expanded the original 13 postures into a linked choreographed form. Some historians believe Wang actually founded the art, while others dispute his existence as well.
Ch'en (Chen) Style
Another candidate for the role of t'ai chi founder is Ch'en Wang-ting. Some believe Ch'en created the art based on his military experiences, his study of local boxing methods and his gleaning of classical texts like Ch'uan Ching (Boxing Classics). Ch'uan Ching (Quan Jing), which was written by Chi Che-kwong (Qi Jiguang) (1528-1587) as a compellation of known fighting methods. It is thought Ch'en devised the t'ai-chi art based on his study of existing martial arts.
Ch'en (Chen) developed several forms, and his family passed them along only to its family members. At the 14th generation, around the late 1700s and early 1800s, Ch'en's style spilt into what were called the "old-frame" and the "new-frame" versions. The New frame was taught by Ch'en Yu-pen, and the Old frame by Ch'en Chang-hsing. It was at this time that an outsider learned the art and started opening it up to the rest of the world.
In modern times, students can learn several versions of the Ch'en style - including the old frame, new frame and modern forms- as well as offshoots which developed in towns located near the Ch'en family village. There are many variations of Ch'en style.
During the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) the martial arts were outlawed as being part of the old. At that time many of the temples were destroyed. Monks were attacked and religious artifacts were destroyed. Martial arts including Ch'en style were forgotten. After 1976, Feng Zhiqiang visited the Ch'en village to help teach the villagers how to practice the Ch'en form again. Later the forms were re-established and widely promoted as a traditional art form. What is practiced today comes from the post Cultural Revolution training and may have some differences from the original methods.
The Ch'en form requires the body to be straight and upright. The basic stance is wide and a variation on the so called Horse Stance (Ma bu). Variations of this stance are used. In one popular version, which was taught by Feng Zhiqiang, the basic stance has the toes pointing outward slightly. Other forms use a parallel-foot horse stance. In all reputable versions, the knees are positioned directly above the toes. This causes a stronger base and less damage to the knees. Most movements are executed with a sideways orientation, as if one's opponents are standing to the side. The two of the most famous and highest level teachers today are Chen Xiaowang and Feng Zhiqiang who teach different versions of Ch'en style.
A novel part of the Ch'en style is the multitude of explosive movements: jumps, strikes and kicks. There is an emphasis on "silk-reeling energy", or the spiraling energy that flows from the feet to the hands. Even thought the art is performed quickly, the practitioner should remain loose and relaxed. Any tension or disjointed movements mean it is being done incorrectly. It is difficult to practice the Ch'en style correctly because of the ease with which excessive force and muscle tension can creep into its movements. Perhaps this is why some hard stylists can do impressive imitations of this style - but without using the correct concepts. It may also be the reason the Ch'en style appeals to martial arts students who need a tangible sense of speed and force.
Yang Style
Until the 1800's t'ai-chi ch'uan was a closed system. It was not taught to non-family members. Then Yang Lu-chan (1799 - 1872) learned the old-frame style from Ch'en Chang-hsing. Many stories tell how this took place. A popular story claims that Yang wanted to learn the art, but the Ch'en family would not teach outsiders. So Yang took a job as a servant for the Ch'en's and learned t'ai-chi by watching through a crack in the wall. Afterward, he would practice what he learned when he alone in his room. One day he was discovered and asked to spar with the other students. He easily defeated all of them and was taken under the wing of Ch'en Chang-hsing, who then taught Yang the old-frame style. Yang is said to have spent the next six years studying under Chen. (Some historians say he studied for 13 years and others 18 years)
Yang eventually returned to his hometown of Kuang P'ing (also spelled Guang Ping) and taught the old-frame Ch'en style. He later traveled to Beijing and became a military martial arts teacher for the Manchurian (Ch'ing, Qing) government. After he altered the sequence of the movements in his form, it later became known as the Yang style. Kuo
Some modern practitioners claim that Yang watered down the art he taught to the Manchus and reserved a different version of it for his townspeople and family. But this may be just a selling point for those who insist they teach the only "authentic" form. Animosity to the Manchurians became fodder for many stories and popular modern "Kung fu" movies.
It is important to remember that Yang played a pivotal role in opening the once-closed art to the outside world. Two facts are significant: He learned the old-frame Ch'en style, and he was never beaten in combat. Even as a beginner, he defeated all of Ch'en village students. For those who claim he didn't learn all the secrets of the Ch'en family, this action speaks louder than any speculation. Because of his victories in challenge matches, he acquired the nickname "Yang the Invincible". Nevertheless, he always avoided hurting his opponent in a match. Two of his sons carried on his art and family tradition: Yang Pan-hou (a.k.a. Yang Yu) and Yang Chien-hou (a.k.a. Yang Jian).
Yang Lu-chan taught Wu Yu-hsiang who later started his own version of t'ai-chi ch'uan. Yang was friends with Tung Hai-chuan, who was the founder of pa kua chang (bagua zhang) another major "Internal Style" of kung-fu. It would be easy to speculate there was some influence of pa-kua chang on Yang's t'ai-chi ch'uan and Yang's t'ai-chi ch'uan on Tung's pa-kua chang.
Old Wu Style of Wu Yu-hsiang
Wu Yu-hsiang (Wu Yuxiang) (1812-1880) studied under Yang Lu-chan for an extended time. He then traveled to the Ch'en family village, and for three months he studied the new-frame style, with Chen Ching-ping. After that, Wu founded his own version of t'ai chi, which is now called the Wu style, the old Wu style or the "Orthodox Wu style". This is a different family name and style than the Wu who studied with Yang Pan-hou and formed the "New Wu" form (described later). Some people call this version of the Wu form Hao Style after Hao Wei-chen as he later popularized his version of the form.
Wu is responsible for the classic text titled Expositions of Insights Into the Practice of the 13 Postures. Three major offshoots stemmed from Wu Yu-hsiang: the Li, the Hao and the Sun styles.
Li Style
Li I-yu was Wu Yu-hsiang's main disciple. He wrote several t'ai chi classics, including The Five Character Secret and Essentials of the Practice of Form and Push Hands. That text was based upon a secret manuscript, allegedly written by Wang Tsung-yueh, which the Wu family claimed to find. Li style is considered a small frame form.
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Hao Style ==
Li I-yu taught Hao Wei-chen (Hao Weizhen) (1849-1920), who then founded the Hao style of t'ai chi. This is another small-frame form, which means it uses tight small-circle movements and shorter stances. This is called small frame (Xiao Jia) and the Hao style name is often used for Old Wu style, called the Wu/Hao form.
In 1914 Hao embarked on a trip to visit a friend named Yang Chien-hou, who was Yang Lu-chan's son and a major figure in Yang style. Hao ended up contracting an illness before he could find Yang. A well-known hsing-i ch'uan (Xingyi quan) master named Sun Lu-tang came to his aid. Hao repaid him by teaching him his fighting style. Sun was already renowned for his hsing-i ch'uan and pa kua chang skills. He decided to combine the Hao style of t'ai chi with the other two arts to form a new system. That style was called the Sun style, after Sun Lu-tang.
Sun Style
Like the Hao style, the Sun style is considered small frame. It employs many "step-ups" into its techniques, and this fact makes it somewhat similar to hsing-I ch'uan. The Sun style also used short stances and straight leg kicks, but jumps have been taken out of its repertoire. It is said that the art melded pa kua chang's steps, hsing-I ch'uan's leg and waist methods, and t'ai chi's softness. This is often called the "lively paced" form (Huobu Jia). The Sun style was carried on by Sun's daughter, Sun Jian-yun who teaches in China.
Sun Lu-tang (1861-1932) is also well-known because he was highly literate and a prolific writer. This made him a rarity among martial artists of that time. He authored several books and in the late 1800's popularized the term nei chia chuan, which translates as "Internal Family Arts" or "Internal Martial Arts." The term Internal Martial Arts caught on and had a conceptual influence on other arts. The concept of Internal Arts referred to Arts developed within China such as t'ai chi ch'uan, hsing-i ch'uan, and pa-kua chang. External arts are those based on Shaolin ch'uan which came from India. This idea often confuses people because they think I the title of Internal arts means having to do with "Internal power".
New Wu Style of Wu Jian-chuan
Yang Lu-chan's two sons carried on his brand of t'ai chi ch'uan. He and his son Yang Pan-hou taught the Manchurian guardsmen and Imperial family martial arts. Yang Pan-hou also taught a small-frame style. Some teachers claimed that he taught a watered-down form to the Imperial family and still another form to his towns-people.
Several versions of t'ai chi are now attributed to Yang Pan-hou. The most famous is called the Wu style or "Medium Frame" form of Wu Jian-chuan (Wu Jianquan) (1870 - 1942) and another is Kuang P'ing style (described later). Yang taught Wu Chuan-yu, who taught his son, Wu Jian-chuan. This style is called the "New Wu style" by some, and is distinct from the Wu style of Wu Yu-hsiang. This method became popular in Hong Kong and Shanghai. Some teachers call one version of this form the "Hong Kong Wu Style".
There are several version of this Wu style. Some Wu stylists advocate using a pronounced lean in many of the techniques to help the student gain leverage and power. Other Wu practitioners remain upright as in the Ch'en style and older versions of Yang style. The original Wu form had between 108 to 121 movements, such as the 107 movement Wu form taught by ST Ying in Oakland, and the 121 movment form taught by Tinn Chan Lee in Hawaii, but several modern short and modified versions of Wu style are now taught.
Kuang P'ing Style
Another t'ai chi ch'uan offshoot from Yang Pan-hou is the so-called Kuang P'ing (also spelled Guang Ping) style, which Yang allegedly taught at one point in his life. It's interesting to note that there are very few similarities between the Kuang P'ing style and the Wu style. The Kung P'ing from is more open and linear, and it uses a more sideways-oriented stance. It also has very extended arm movements and sometimes appears to be a bridge between the Ch'en style and the Yang style. As in the older Yang forms, the very straight, body held upright method of standing is used.
The Kuang P'ing forms use an upright stance and straight-leg heel kicks and jumping kicks. It is usually done at a faster pace, at least faster than most of the later Yang forms. The form also includes some fast step-up movements which are similar to those found in hsing-i ch'uan. Most of the techniques in the Kuang P'ing form are different from those of the Ch'en, Yang, or Wu forms. Some people, such as Andrew Dale, a t'ai chi & pa-kua master in Seattle, claims there is a large pa-kua chang emphasis in the form. Several versions of the style are taught today, mostly in California. Some other instructors teach the art but call it the Ch'en style.
Yang Pan-hou taught the Kuang Ping form to Wong Jiao-yu. His followers claimed it was a secret of the Yang family's that was never taught to the hated Manchus. Wong supposedly taught Kuo Lien-ying, who was already a master of northern Shaolin kung fu. Kuo was also a famous master of pa-kua chang. When Mao Tse-tung seized power in China, Kuo fled to Taiwan where he taught. Then moved to San Francisco's Chinatown, where he taught the art to thousands of students. Kuo shortened the form and taught his 94 movement condensed version. Kuo
Kuo has many students who also teach versions of the Kuang Ping style; some of these teach a very different form from what he taught. They include his wife Simone Kuo, T.R. Chung, Henry Look, Y.C. Chiang, Tom Brayne, and Harvey Kurland.
Kuo wrote two books, one of which was translated into English as Tai Chi Chuan in Theory and Practice, and was translated by his Taiwan student T.R. Chung. That book had pictures of Kuo doing his form. Later, versions of this book were reprinted by his wife. Kuo also had a book that was only in Chinese. Translations of his Chinese book were also published. T.R. Chung wrote his own book that compared Kuo's form to the more common Yang Cheng-fu style and Wu Jian-chuan style.
[Old Yang Style of Yang Chien-hou]
Yang Chien-hou (1842-1917) taught large, medium, and small-frame styles of tai chi. He was easier to get along with than his brother Pan-hou, and had more students. One story told how he once held a sparrow in his hand and used his sensitivity to prevent the bird from taking off by neutralizing its push. In another story, armed only with a brush Yang is said to have defeated a martial artist who was wielding a sword. His sons, Yang Shao-hou and Yang Cheng-fu, carried on his art. Tian Shao-lin was one of Yang Chien-hou's most famous non-related students. Tian fought in open matches representing the Yang Family.
Stories of Yang Shao-hou described him as being brutal and often injuring or killing his students. Consequently, he did not have many followers, but the ones he did have were good martial artists. The well-known ones include his son Yang Chen-seng, Tian Shao-lin, and Hsiung Young-hou, who carried on his unique small-frame method.
After Yang Shao-hou died, his students became followers of his brother, Yang Cheng-fu. Some tai chi historians claim that many of the senior students of Yang Shao-hou, believing their skill was higher than Yang Cheng-fu's, went off on their own after Shao-hou died. Thus, they were written out of the official Yang Family lineage, and some practitioners do not consider their versions of the art authentic. Some of Yang Cheng-fu's students originally trained under his brother, Yang Shao-hou. Consequently, they inherited the energy of that form
Some experts claim that Tian Shao-lin and Hsiung Young-hou were also students of Yang Pan-hou. Tian taught Shi Tiao-mei, who taught Tchoung Ta-tchen. Tian's form became the foundation for Tchoung's symmetrical Yang style form.
Hsiung Young-ho also taught Tchoung Ta-tchen - as well as Liang Tung-tsai and several others - the t'ai-chi san shou form. San shou is the Yang style fighting form. Andrew Dale refers to the San Shou form as another "secret" Yang style, which Yang Shau-chung claimed was derived from the Chen Ar Lu style (pao chui, or cannon fist), as taught by Yang Lu-chan.
Yang Cheng-fu Style
Yang Cheng-fu (1883-1936) was one of the most important historical figures in modern t'ai chi ch'uan. He taught a "Large Frame" t'ai chi form that used slow, smooth, expansive movements. It was often said that he felt like a steel bar wrapped in cotton. Legend claims that he was never defeated in combat. Chang Ching-ling an advanced student of Yang Shao-hou also practiced with him and may have helped develop Yang Cheng-fu's skill.
Yang taught at the Central Kuo Shu Institute in 1926. When he moved south to Shanghai, he modified the Yang form, taking out the fast kicks and the more strenuous movements. He is also credited with emphasizing the health benefits of the art and popularizing it among the educated class. Yang deserved much of the credit for the current popularity t'ai-chi ch'uan and especially of the Yang style. His form is referred to as "Yang Family Style", as the "Family" designation is only appropriate for familial relations. The family designation is not used for non-family members who would instead call what they do "Yang Style".
Tchoung Version Old Yang Style
Tchoung Ta-tchen taught the "Dual form" of the Old form of the Yang style form. His is a symmetrical form in that all movements are done on the right and left sides, which is different than most standard forms which are one sided. This symmetrical movement is thought to promote greater benefits for the nervous system and for coordination. Though it is more difficult to learn at first. There is also an emphasis on the "Silk Reeling Energy" which is omitted from many other Yang versions. This form also emphasizes pull-down, shoulder and elbow techniques as well as some fast kicks, which the more modern Yang Forms have removed. At over 220 movements, this form is much longer than the standard versions. Tchoung's "Annotated form" is composed of 120 movements.
Tchoung's method can be traced back to Yang Chien-hou, Yang Pan-hou and Yang Shao-hou, depending on which historian is believed. His students also teach his short form, pushing hands, applications, san shou, walking stick form, t'ai-chi chien, t'ai-chi tao and several other sword forms.
Tchoung also trained with Hsiung Young-ho (1886-1984), who was a student of Yang Shao-hou. From Hsiung he learned the san shou fighting form and other form methods. Tchoung trained in push hands with his friend Cheng Man-ching. Tchoung was a friend and practice partner of Kuo Lien-ying, Wang Shu-chin, Yuan Tao and Wang Yen-nien. He included homage movements in his form of those masters.
Tchoung studied ch'i kung at China's O'mei Shan (Emei Shan) monastery in 1942. Tchoung also studied the "Nature School of Boxing" with Hsiung Chien-yuan of Hangchow. He was a renowned swordsman and studied many systems of sword. Teaching several methods to his followers.
Like his friend Kuo, Tchoung traveled around and tried out other martial artists. If he heard that master was supposed to be good at push hands, Tchoung would visit him. According to Laurens Lee: "He was famous in t'ai-chi ch'uan push hands in Taiwan. During that period of time, there was a statement in Taiwan's martial arts field: 'Big Tchoung cannot be moved, and Little Tchoung cannot be pushed off balance.' Big Tchoung referred to eagle-claw master Tchoung Fu-sheng, and Little Tchoung referred to Tchoung Ta-tchen." There are many students and teachers of the Tchoung system in Canada and the USA. At one time Tchoung had 5000 students in Canada. Tchoung Certified Teachers
Fu Style of Fu Zhen-song
Yang Cheng-fu taught several well-known instructors, including his son Yang Shau-chung, Tung Ying-chieh, Chen Wei-ming and Cheng Man-ching. Each went off to teach his own version of the Yang style. Fu Zhen-song studied with Yang Cheng-fu and Sun Lu-tang, then formed his own style, which he called the Fu style. It combines t'ai-chi, hsing-i and pa kua chang.
Fu developed the form called liang-i, as well as his own version of pa kua. Fu's forms contain a lot spinning, twisting, body ripping, and backward and forward leaning. It is a very active and energetic form, which is a popular competition form. Well-known teachers include Bow Sim Mark in Boston, Massachusetts; and Victor Fu in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Tung (Dong) Style
This is a variation of Yang Cheng-fu's form that is popular in Hawaii and Los Angeles. Tung Ying-chieh (1888-1961) is a famous teacher of the Yang style and was Yang Cheng-fu's assistant. He also helped edit Yang's book and wrote his own. Tung later developed his own form, which he taught his students after they learned the standard form. His son, Tung Fue-ling, taught the style in Hong Kong, Hawaii and Los Angeles.
The Tung version of the Yang style became popular in Los Angeles and Hawaii. Huang Wen-shin, a student of Tung Ying-chieh, is usually credited with popularizing t'ai-chi ch'uan in Southern California through his students and his book, Fundamentals of Tai Chi Chuan.
The Tung style is similar but not exactly the same as the Yang Cheng-fu form. The Tung family added fast forms it developed and other forms. The style is characterized by higher elbow positions, angularity, a greater amount of hand tension and reduced usage of the waist than the Chang Ching-ling or softer derivatives. Some observers have remarked that the Tung form seems to place more emphasis on peng (ward-off energy) and less on yielding. It is a very straight forward form of t'ai-chi ch'uan. Tung Fue-ling's son Tung Kai-ying, teaches in Los Angeles.
Chen Man-ching Style
Cheng Man-ch'ing was a well-known student of Yang Cheng-fu who wrote several books, including his famous Cheng's 13 Chapters on T'ai-Chi Ch'uan. He was a famous tai chi instructor in Taiwan. He was well known for his pushing hands and had many students in Taiwan. Some historians have suggested that Cheng also trained with Chang Ching-ling and other students of Yang Shao-hou. But Cheng officially only recognized Yang Cheng-fu as his teacher.
Cheng at first taught the standard form but later shortened it to 37 movements. Cheng, who was well-known for his push hands and softness, also had very good kicking skills. He later moved to New York and started teaching there which lead to popularity of his form.
There are stories which tell how Cheng was knocked unconscious twice while engaging in push hands with Yang Cheng-fu. He is also reported to not have gotten along with Kuo Lien-ying or Hsiung Yang-hou, who did not like his style. Cheng was friends with Tchoung Ta-tchen who practice pushing hands with him. His friend Tchoung Ta-tchen moved to Canada and Cheng moved to New York City.
Cheng had several very famous students including Liang Tsung-tsai, Liu Se-heng, Ben lo, Abraham Liu, and William Chen. Each teacher of Cheng form went their own way and there are now many versions and modifications of the Cheng Man-ch'ing form.
Liang Tsung-tsai
Liang Tsung-tsai was Cheng Man-ch'ing's teaching assistant in Taiwan and moved to Boston where he taught his own long form version of Yang style. He also studied with several other masters including Hsiung Yang-ho. Hsiung Liang wrote books on the art including, T'ai Chi Ch'uan for Health and Self-Defense. Several of Liang's students have published books on their version of the art. Liang taught a long form of 150 movements, long tasseled sword, pushing hands, and san shou.
Differences are inconsequential!
Many versions of Yang style are taught today. Some are called the "standard" or "authentic" versions and claim to be based on Yang Cheng-fu's 1930s form. In reality, t'ai-chi practitioners often shared information, sparred and worked out with practitioners of other styles, and this probably influenced everyone's technique. This was apparent before the "Cultural revolution" in China and afterwards in Taiwan. No two masters seem to be doing the exact same form. According to Tchoung Ta-tchen this is to be expected, as no two person's energy is the same. According to Tchoung as long as the concepts are correct the small artistic differences are inconsequential.
Stagnant or Evolving?
There are many examples of possible sharing of ideas. For example, Yang Lu-chan was a friend of Tung Hai-chuan who was the founder of pa kua. Do you think they did not work out together and discuss concepts? Hao Wei-chen was a friend of Yang Chien-hou and taught Sun Lu-tang. Chen Wei-ming, a well-known student of Yang Cheng-fu, was friends with Sun Lu-tang and studied pa kua chang and hsing-i chuan with him. As mentioned above, there is speculation that Cheng Man-ch'ing also worked with Chang Ching-ling and Yang Shao-hou's students. Yang Shao-hou was a friend of pa-kua chang legend Cheng Ting-hua. And Tchoung Ta-tchen was friends and training partners of Kuo lien Ying, Cheng Man-ch'ing, and Wang Shu-chin among others. I believe their associates influenced their arts. One would be foolhardy to not think these men learned to adapt and allow their forms to evolve. According to Tchoung. "T'ai-chi ch'uan should adapt and evolve with current technology and knowledge," he claims it is a living, evolving art form. Otherwise it is just stagnant and against the Tao (Dao).
Yang Family Discussions
Currently there is a power struggle between the two factions of the Yang family: the Fu Zhong-wen side and the Yang Zhen-dou side. Fu began studying with his uncle, Yang Cheng-fu when he was 9. Fu became a disciple of Cheng, and his followers even say he was Yang Cheng-fu's favorite family disciple. Fu recently died, and his son, Fu Sheng-yu, carries on his art.
Yang Zhen-dou is the son of Yang Cheng-fu and is considered by many to be the fourth-generation inheritor of the Yang style, even though simple math shows that he was only 10 when his father died. But Yang and Fu had plenty of expert family members from who to learn so is very skilled. There seems to be some controversy as to whether Fu or Yang carried on the true from of Yang Cheng-fu. Basically Yang (surname) family members say only those related to the family with the Yang family name, can really claim they teach "Yang Family" t'ai chi. The say others teach "Yang Style" t'ai chi, Not "Yang Family Style", a distinction they want to make very clear.
Outwardly the patterns are the same, but there are significant differences in the way the two Yang forms are done. In the Yang Zhen-dou version, many of the movements - such as the one called "brush knee" - have a slight lean. Interestingly, this is similar to how it's done in some versions of the "new Wu style." But in the Fu version, the body is held upright, as is done in the Ch'en and Kuang P'ing versions. In reality it matters little, as to small differences in styles as long as one does the exercise, the benefits will follow. Similar arguments are found in Chen style and other forms as well.
Modern Forms
Modern forms were formed to help students learn quickly as an exercise method. And forms were developed for competition. The "24 from " was developed in 1956 by Committee for exercise purposes and is used for competition. The 24 Simplified form uses Yang style techniques. Other forms such as the 48 and 66 Forms combine several different styles methods into one form. Simplified sword forms have also been developed for exercise and competition. Many of the "Styles" have been modified into simplified forms with as few as 6 movements.
Several of these new forms are designed as competition forms which lack the essence of the more traditional forms. Competition forms are more concerned about how they look. Traditional forms are interested in the art itself and its application, not appearance. T'ai-chi ch'uan should be done for self cultivation, not as a performance art to impress others. The slow forms are likely to put the audience to sleep. Only those who truly appreciate the subtle benefits will understand the art.
Many schools teach the 24 Form as an introductory form to the art, while others only teach that form. Many instructors of traditional methods have questioned the "Energy" of the 24 form, as it does not seem to have the same benefit as does the other more standard Yang forms. This may be due to an incorrect order of the techniques. Or due to other factors. In my opinion, the equivalent to studying the 24 form would be practicing the first section of the Traditional Yang, Tchoung or the Cheng form. I feel that practicing the traditional methods would give the student much better energetic result.
Conclusion
The study of most any style will ultimately benefit the student. Therefore, the student should choose the style that most appeals to him. It is hoped that the historical and developmental information provided in this article will enable martial artists to better decide which style of t'ai-chi ch'uan best fits their need. Because numerous experts devoted their life to perfecting each version of the art, they all deserve to be respected.
About the Author:
Harvey Kurland is certified Instructor of T'ai chi ch'uan by the Chinese T'ai Chi Ch'uan Association. He studied with many notable grandmasters including Kuo Lien Ying, Liang Tsung-tsai, Chen Xiaowang, and Tchoung Ta-tchen, among others. He currently teaches the Old form of Yang style and Kuang P'ing Style for University of California Riverside, Loma Linda University and Riverside Community College. Kurland has conducted several studies into the energy cost of t'ai chi ch'uan. He was a columnist for Inside Kung-fu and Inside Karate magazines for several years.
Reference:
Kurland, Harvey, "The Web of Tai Chi Chuan" parts 1 & 2 Karate/Kung fu Illustrated, July & August 1998.
Raymond Tchoung Student Information
Yang Famil Tree (only family members are included) --Hktaichi 15:14, 15 October 2006 (CDT)
