History of Tai Chi Movements

Based on philosophical concepts from both Buddhist and Taoist systems, Tai Chi Chuan shares kung fu's origin and evolution. With roots that reach back to the battlefields of ancient India, the modern fighting system and health practice we know as Tai Chi results from centuries of complex contributions. What students practice today is the legacy of farmers and coal miners as well as soldiers and physicians.

  1. Ancient Origins

    • Although a hermit named Hsu Suan Ping (618 to 905) practiced a martial style similar in principle to Tai Chi Chuan, Chang Sang Peng (born in 1247) created this martial system. A student of immortality practices, Chang Sang Peng may have been inspired by a fight between a magpie and a snake, symbolic of the soft and hard movements of Tai Chi.

    Chen School

    • Tai Chi's oldest system, Chen style, bases movements on spiral motion. Hard techniques of striking are balanced with soft movements that redirect or even reflect attacking force.

    Yang School

    • Yang Chen Fu (1883 to 1935) developed his own version of Tai Chi and created the Yang form most commonly practiced today. Yang movements are based upon circular motion but use the same principles as Chen movements.

    American Heritage

    • Best known of the first Tai Chi masters to teach openly in America, Cheng Man Ching (1901 to 1975) learned directly from Master Yang Chen Fu and taught the traditional 107 movement martial art. In mainland China in 1962 other teachers including Wen Shan Huang founded the National Tai Chi Chuan Institute and developed short competition forms later exported to the western world.

    Evolutions

    • Several schools including Chen, Yang, Wu and Sun now exist as branches of the original system. The newest form, Sun, was developed by Sun Lu Tang (1861 to 1932) and combines circular movements of Tai Chi with explosive methods of Hsing Yi Chuan or Mind Fist Boxing.

    Techniques

    • Tai Chi movements remain true to principles of the original form but applications are taken from many martial arts systems. Techniques from Shaolin Chuan, Chin Na and many other fighting styles may find expression in the movements of Tai Chi Chuan.