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aka Large Frame Yang Style
Developed by Yang Lu Chan (1799-1872), who evolved Yang style Taijiquan from Chen Style Taijiquan.
The most widely practised, to the extent that many people have the mistaken impression that it is the only form of taijiquan. Yang style is practised all over the world and its most practised form are the 24, 48 and long form in addition to alot of weapons.
Yangluchan came to the Chen family after studying Shaolin gongfu. Here, too, there are conflicting stories concerning how Yang came to be a student of the Chen style taijiquan. The most popular story states that when he first arrived and expressed his desire to learn Chen style, because he was not a blood relation, he was refused. However, he stayed on with the family as a farm hand, still hoping to find a way to learn the family’s taijiquan. Eventually his patience was rewarded. He was awakened one night by the sounds of practicing. Sneaking down to a courtyard and peeping through a fence, there he saw Chenchangxin teaching his students. He continued to watch nightly, practicing everything he saw before going back to sleep. As time went on, Yang proved his talent, even reaching the point where he could occasionally beat some of Chen’s advanced students in sparring. Realizing Yang’s potential, Chen finally relented and taught him Chen taijiquan. It was only after he developed a near unequaled level of mastery and understanding of the Chen Forms that Yang eventually developed his own style and form, which later came to be known as Yang Long Form. This form refines the principles found in the Chen style, bringing it to the next level of development. The most striking characteristic of the Yang Long Form is its focus on the yin aspect, which is why it is also referred to as “100% soft.” The form also has subtler expressions of energy, with more of the form being internalized.
Also known as Large Frame Yang Style, for it’s fully extended movements. This form has 108 movements or approximately 86 when repetitions are not counted. This is without doubt the most practiced style in the world today. Since the time of Yang Cheng Fu, this style is distinct from Chen Family Style, as Yang Cheng-Fu committed his form to wholly soft and slow execution.
Wu Jian Quan’s Style Taijiquan is a variation on Yang Style Taijiquan.
Yang Style Taijiquan Resources ∞
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International Taijiquan & Shaolin Wushu Association
- Yang Style Taijiquan, Seven Star Praying Mantis, Foshan Wing Chun
- White Crane School — Yang Shi Taijiquan
- Mission School of Traditional Yang Style Taijiquan
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The Evolution of the Yang School of Taijiquan, by Gu Liuxin
- http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Philosophy/Taichi/ Yang Style Tai Chi
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old.taichitoronto.ca (not archived) [ 1 ] was http://www.risingsunschool.com
- https://web.archive.org/web/20050406013444/http://www.risingsunschool.com:80/AAAT2.htm – has a lot of interesting advice, explanations etc.
- An anonymous contributor added: The tangible link is that the head of the Rising Sun School (Sifu Paul McCaughey studied in Montreal with Lee Shiu Pak in the mid- and late-70s. Lee Shiu Pak was a student of Chen Wei Ming. Several other students of Mr. Lee’s (as he was known affectionately) have started schools in other parts of Canada. A detailed biography of Mr. Lee is available here: http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Philosophy/Taichi/shiu-pak.html
Footnotes
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