Introduction
Tai Chi Chuan (太极拳） is famed for its long term health benefits and historical tradition. Everyday, millions of people in China, across America, Europe and Asia practise Tai Chi. Needless to say, this include the little island of Singapore. It is taken as a form of exercise that provides relaxation based on the principal of harmonizing the Yin (阴) and Yang (阳) forces/energies. If diligently practised, this exercise will result in a state of balance between our mind and body. Its slow and graceful movement has become a popular form of exercise, capturing the hearts of many adults of all ages. Even the children are able to perform the steps without much difficulties!Brief History Of Tai Chi
Records of the true origins and accuracy of Tai Chi accounts cannot be traced but there are numerous legends and myths circling with much interests.Chang San Feng 张三丰(13th Century)
The most popular figure with more formal historical record linked with the mythology of Tai Chi was the Wudang Taoist - Chang San Feng (张三丰) in the Song Hui Zong era (Song Dynasty). He first received his martial arts training at the Shaolin Temple (少林寺) in Henan Province and then moving further to learn his skills at the taoist temple - Wudang (武当).
One night, he had a strange encountered with a godly emperor in his dream who taught him martial techniques. Thereafter, he created a new concept and approached to martial arts. It is a set of slow and 'soft' movement in his new creation but this forms when apply in mock combat, can be quick and powerful. This new approach to martial arts is the early form of Tai Chi Chuan.
Another legend to his Tai Chi creation derived from watching a battle scene between a snake and a crane. The snake reacted 'softly' in its approached against the hard and brutal attack of its enemy. This 'soft' approach had saved the snake's life in the end and ultimately triggered an inspiration to his new Tai Chi creation. I'll leave the rest of the fighting scenario to your imagination if you still haven't got a chance in a million to encounter.
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| Scene of Wudang Mountain 武当山 |
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| Shaolin Temple 少林寺 |
The Chen Style 陈式
Chen Wang Ting 陈王廷(1600 - 1680)
Evidently recorded. Tai Chi is originated from the Chen family at Chen Jia Gou 陈家沟 in Huai Qing County 怀庆府, Henan Province 河南省 during the seventeenth century. Known as the Father of Tai Chi Chuan, Master Chen Wang Ting was the ninth-generation Chen patriarch credited with creating Tai Chi which became known as the Chen Style Tai Chi Quan (old style/frame). The old style/frame was then carried on by the fourteenth-generation Chen patriarch, Chen Chang Xing 陈长兴(1771 - 1853).
Key features of Chen style : spiral twisting force of the torso, springing, fast and slow, hard and soft.
The Yang Style 杨式
Yang Lu Chan 杨露禅(1799 - 1872)
The founder of the Yang School. Master Yang Lu Chan was born at Yong Nian Xian 永年县，Guang Ping County 广平府, Hebei Province 河北省. He was a student of Master Chen Chang Xing who based his Yang Style from the old frame of the Chen Style. His newly created 'soft' approached in fighting techniques had won him great admiration from the martial art community because he was able to neutralize his opponent's power easily. Because he was so highly skilled in his art and a formidable opponent to defeat, people also called him 'Yang the Invincible' 杨无敌.The Wuu Style 武式
Wuu Yu Rang 武禹讓(1812 - 1880)
The creator of Wuu Style and founder of the Wuu School. Master Wuu Yu Rang studied the old style from Yang Lu Chan and later move on to Chen Village to become the student of Chen Qing Ping 陈清萍, picking up the new style. He then created the Wuu Style Tai Chi Chuan.Key features of Wuu Style : precise, compact, few complete movements grouped into one combination,high profile postures.
The Sun Style 孙式
Sun Lu Tang 孙禄堂(1861 - 1932)
Key features of Sun Style : advancing and retreating , agile and light footwork, opening and closing of hands.
The Wu Style 吴式
Wu Jian Quan 吴鉴泉(1870 - 1942)
The Wu School was founded by Master Wu Jian Quan. His father, Wu Quan You吴全佑 was a student of Yang Ban Hou 杨班侯(second son of Yang Lu Chan) who learned the Yang Style from his master. He later created the Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan and taught this new style to Wu Jian Quan.
Key features of Wu Style : leaning postures, horse stance or pile stance, uniformly slow movements.
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The Yang Style was the most popular around the world today among the five families. Credit should be given to Master Cheng with helping Tai Chi to become popular in Taiwan, North America, Europe and across Asia today if not for him. He was a very talented master who received his Professor of Painting in 1932. Later, he began to learn Tai Chi under the guidance of Yang Chen Fu and practised Chinese medicine at the same time. By 1946, he had simplified the long sequence of the Yang Style 108 Form into a shorter 37 Form 郑子37式太极拳. In 1949, he shifted to Taiwan to teach the new form of Tai Chi, as well as literature and calligraphy. In1964, he moved to New York. Thereafter, he inspired a massive group of martial artists across North America and Europe with the shorter Yang Form as it is easily understood and easy for the western students to learn.
Professor Cheng Man Ching 郑曼青(1901 - 1975)
The Yang Style was the most popular around the world today among the five families. Credit should be given to Master Cheng with helping Tai Chi to become popular in Taiwan, North America, Europe and across Asia today if not for him. He was a very talented master who received his Professor of Painting in 1932. Later, he began to learn Tai Chi under the guidance of Yang Chen Fu and practised Chinese medicine at the same time. By 1946, he had simplified the long sequence of the Yang Style 108 Form into a shorter 37 Form 郑子37式太极拳. In 1949, he shifted to Taiwan to teach the new form of Tai Chi, as well as literature and calligraphy. In1964, he moved to New York. Thereafter, he inspired a massive group of martial artists across North America and Europe with the shorter Yang Form as it is easily understood and easy for the western students to learn.
