I’ve read there are three kinds (“families?” of Tai Chi:
Yang, Chen and … I forget. I assume these are the three most popular ones?
Anyway, even if I have that wrong (feel free to correct), what are the main differences?
As far as I know, there are five major styles: Chen, Yang, Wu, Wu, and Sun. The two different Wu styles use different Chinese character names which both get represented as Wu in English. Yet another style is Cheng Man Ching’s modification of the standard Yang forms, which are slightly different and may be considered a separate, modern divergent style.
The typical dances-with-old-people Tai Chi you see in the park is the simplified 24 and 48 posture Yang style. The Chen demonstrations I’ve seen have used similar postures but are performed much more energetically, though this is a minor difference because Tai Chi martial artists (as opposed to non-martial artist practitioners) will vary the speed and energy in their forms to focus on different elements. I only saw Sun demo’d once and didn’t get to compare and constrast the postures, but they weren’t anything drastically different. I’ve never seen either Wu style.
All the Tai Chi variations I’ve seen are quite similar in their fundamental elements, using basic martial arts techniques you’ll find in many Kung Fu styles. The arrangements of the forms is different, so if you know one of the Yang styles, picking up a Chen form is starting from scratch just as if you knew one karate kata and set out to learn a second in the same style. The forms (choreography if you will) are different even if individual moves are similar or minor variations on a theme.
If you want to practice Tai Chi and are deciding between styles, you need to decide what you want to accomplish. If you want to dance with the crowd in the park, you want to learn Yang. If you want martial arts skills, then you need to find a Sifu who teaches martial application, regardless of the style. Most Tai Chi instructors don’t know or care about real applications.
Most American Tai Chi instructors don’t know or care about real applications. In China Tai Chi practitioners compete in san shou and win. Tai chi is usually taught in conjunction w/ xingi and pakua. Not necessarily at the same time, but by the same instructor. If your instructor doesn’t teach these arts as well, his knowledge may not go very deeply into the combative applications of tai chi.
The way that I heard it from a Wu style instructor is that Chen style is too “hard” in some people’s opinion so they developed Yang style. Some people who thought that Chen was too “hard” thought that Yang was too “soft” and from here, Wu was developed.
I studied one of the “external” families of Mi Tsung, (My Jhong). As I understand it, the fa jing, (generation of force), of the Mi Tsung I studied is supposed to be similar to that of Chen style tai chi. As such, I’ve looked for a Chen style instructor in my area everytime I’ved moved. I’ve yet to find one though. I’ve found lots of Yang style teachers. Some though, have a certfifcate to teach that comes froma few seminars and maybe a six month class. I live near Sifu Elaine Emry (sp?) who won a world championship push hands title in China. She practices Yang style. Her instructor is William CC Chen. I’ve not had the pleasure of learning from her or any of her students yet though.
I hear CC Chen is very good.
I guess that explains why I was told that there’s a family type called Wa Lu, perhaps like Wu, that is between Chen and Yang.
No tellin’. If the sifu is someone you like and trust, I’d say give it a shot. I’ve never heard of it, but that don’t mean much. Ther’re apparently many styles available.
Ask the instructor about the lineage of his art. This should give you some clues about the art. Odds are that it didn’t spring up immaculately. Prob’ly, someone who knew a more common style founded the style.
I’ve not heard anything about Master Chen himself. I think that Sifu Emry (sp?) may have changed her name, (married?).
I’m calling her student in just a minute. I’ve decided that now is as good of a time as any to get started. I’ve studied Wu style for just a minute. I’ve no acces to a Wu style teacher here. I think that I’ll visit the instructor I do have access to.
If you go to try a class, take a present for the instructor. Even if he says that it’s unecessary, give it to him. It doesn’t have to be much but it should be something- a coke, some tea, you know, just a little physical token as a sign of your genuine appreciation. Don’t debate the cost of instruction. Either pay it or don’t.
If you decide to take classes, please email me. I’ll send you some stuff about general martial etiquette if you like.
Absolutely. My blanket statement may have been too strong and may not apply to China (though plenty of people in China do Tai Chi with no martial application). However, it doesn’t exclusively apply to America. I know of Tai Chi instructors from Europe and elsewhere who would not consider themselves martial artists.
Note also that I don’t mean to criticize these people. The benefits of Tai Chi are not limited to its martial applications, and many people study it solely for health and wellness. That’s as valid a reason as any and while I consider it somewhat short-sighted, that’s an opinion based on my perspective as a martial artist. I only brought it up because it can be important for a student seeking an instructor. It’s rare in other martial arts to find an instructor who doesn’t teach martial application, but it’s rather the norm in Tai Chi (depending on location, as you pointed out).
I have run into many people who hold this opinion of tai chi as an absolute. The bulk of my experience with tc involve practitiioners who were involved in the martial aspects as well. I’m admittedly biased. I have run into numerous people who are associated with tc who have, as you said, no knowledge or desire for knwoledge of the martial applications of tc. Most people who I’d run into when I was in the MA scene seemed to have no idea tha tc even had martial applications. I think that this is a shame.
Thanks to this thread, I went ahead and contacted a sifu in my area tonight. He teaches Yang style. He’s a student of CC Chen. He’s Elaine Emry’s elder classmate. (Apparently Sifu Emry changed her name and marital status. IIRC, she’s now Elaine Waters). I’ll start studying Yang style thurs. So thanks you guys for nudging me off my butt.
Sure. I’m going to take a couple of hours and see on Sunday.
drhess
Good luck. Have fun.
Found this THE HISTORY OF TAI CHI
Thought it might be helpful.
There was a tai dai chi movement in the 60’s and early 70’s, but it faded quickly. 
Great thread guys. I am taking long form Yang now. Even though I am only taking the class for health and wellbeing, our Master (who is Chinese) makes sure to convey the martial aspects of each move so that we can understand them better. He also demonstrates how the moves look in the different styles. He recently hosted Grand Master Chen for a special demonstration, but I couldn’t attend. I understand is was phenomenal!
SimonX, I am emailing you asking for a copy of your “stuff about general martial etiquette.”
I’ll look and see if what i’m gonna send you is still on on my computer. If it is, I’ll send it right away. If not, I’ll have to re-type it off of the paper copies.
I’ll email you, and hopefully, we can establish a way to share our martial experiences for our mutual benefit.