The development of Tai Chi is a study in family dynamics. The Chen family, the Wu family, the Yang family and etc all give a martial arts flavor in Chinese Boxing! For this website we will only explore three Yang family forms.
The Cheng Man-ching Modified Form
Cheng Man-ching is considered one of Yang Cheng-fu’s greatest students. He is not a blood family member, but was a great ambassador of Yang family Tai Chi Chuan!
The Yang Family Form
Tai Chi Chuan was originally 13 postures. The most popular legend says a Taoist monk started the art! Chang San-feng (1279-1368), the monk learned the movements in a dream! Whatever the start, Tai Chi Chuan has become an important part of Chinese culture and health. Yang Lu-chan is the first and founder of the Yang style of Tai Chi Chuan. The teachings in the family has been passed down since the 1700s! The number of postures in the classical form has grown over time too.
The Sword Form
No appreciation of a martial art is complete without studying a weapon. The sword has been and still is a very unique weapon. Nearly every country in the world has created one! In many military ceremonies today, the sword still has a place. To be one with the sword as you study different postures create a special awareness of one’s self and energy flow.