Five Major Family Styles of Tai Chi

While dozens of variations of the martial art Tai Chi exist, you can trace them to five main styles. Most styles of Tai Chi derive their names from their founders' surnames. All styles of Tai Chi focus on increasing the flow of energy through your body and can help improve your health and endurance as well as help you de-stress.

  1. Yang Style

    • The most popular style of Tai Chi, according to the Energy Arts website, is the Yang style, which features 24 movements within a simple form, and 108 movements in the traditional form. This style of Tai Chi features rounded, smooth movements that you typically perform at a constant flowing pace. The Yang style demands a lot of your body because you maintain a wide stance and keep your knees bent for most of the routine. At least 20 main variations of the Yang style exist in the United States, while in China, there are even more.

    Wu Style

    • You typically move through between 24 and 36 movements in the simple Wu style of Tai Chi, and 108 movements in this style’s more traditional form. The Wu style is gentler on the body than the Yang style, as you maintain a higher and narrower stance and don’t bend your knees as deep as you do in Yang style. This style has smooth and continuous movements with some movements having a distinctive body lean. Wu Tai Chi is actually a variation of Yang style.

    Chen Style

    • The Chen style of Tai Chi also originates from the Yang style. The Chen style alternates slow-motion movements with short, fast, explosive ones. Its complex movements include fast releases combined with jumping kicks and stomping actions. This style is more athletic and physically difficult than most other styles of Tai Chi and can strain your lower back and knees. Young people and martial artists often practice this style of Tai Chi, given its range of movements.

    Hao Tai Style

    • The Hao Tai style of Tai Chi is precise, featuring slow movements and strict footwork. It emphasizes footwork over form. For example, when stepping forward, you land first with the tips of your toes and then lower your heel until the sole of your foot is fully resting on the ground. This style of Tai Chi focuses more on internal chi movement than the external movement.

    Sun Style

    • The Sun style of Tai Chi features quick and dexterous movements. The routine is continuous and involves opening and closing the hands with every change in direction. This style can help deepen your understanding of basic Tai Chi principles, such as head, shoulder, elbow, finger, wrist, back and leg positioning. When you practice Sun style, you also focus on directing your Qi, which is energy that flows through your body along pathways called meridians.

    Combination Styles

    • It's also possible to combine Tai Chi styles to create yet another style. Combination Tai Chi styles blend aspects from two or more other styles. When creating a Combination Tai Chi routine, you can also incorporate movements from other internal martial arts styles such as Bagua and Hsing-I, according to the Energy Arts website.