Styles of Tai Chi

There are five traditional Chinese Family Schools of Tai Chi and the Modern School of Tai Chi. The five traditional Chinese Family Schools are:

• Chen Style
• Yang Style
• Wu (Hao) Style
• Wu Style
• Sun Style

The Chen Style is characterized by a lower stance in which slow and gentle circular movements continuously build up energy which is released in quick vigorous jumps, kicks, stomps and punches. Chen Family History states that in the 17th century Chen Wangting founded Chen Style Tai Chi Chuan.

His combination of martial art movements along with deep rhythmic breathing significantly imporved his skills, strength and overall health. His legacy continues today with Chen Style Tai Chi Chuan being taught here at NAU and around the world. The other styles can trace their origins to this style.

The Yang Style is characterized by slow gentle, continuous movements performed at a constant tempo. Great internal force is concealed in the gentleness of this fluid and rounded Form.

The creators of the Wu (Hao) Style had studied both the Yang and Chen Styles. The Wu (Hao) Form is characterized by very relaxed slow well-knit little movements exhibiting great internal power which seems to extend beyond the physical body while the arms seldom extend beyond the legs, wrist over ankle, elbow over knee.

The Wu Style (not directly related to the Wu (Hao) Style) is characterized by nimble short-range movements close to the trunk of the body which tends to be slightly forward leaning. It emphasizes re-directing incoming force through softness.

The creator of Sun Style was accomplished in martial arts when he learned Wu (Hao) taiji. Sun Style is thus influenced by the step-follow-step method of one martial art, the leg and waist movements of another and the body softness of taijiquan. It has a higher stance, with emphasis on qigong breathing through open and close arms.

The Modern Style includes a number of simplified shorter forms based on Yang style, as well as combined competition forms. It is best known for the 24 move Beijing Form which was established in 1956.

Adapted from: http://www.taijiforum2006.ca/