Zhang Sanfeng

Scholars speculate that a man named Zhang Sanfeng may have existed during the years of 1391 to 1459. According to oral tradition, Zhang Sanfeng was a Taoist hermit on Mt.Wudang who correlated the 8 Trigrams (Ba Gua) and the 5 Element Theory (Wu Xing) with Martial Arts application. This epiphany occured while observing a fight between a snake and a crane, ultimately resulting in the development of Tai Chi (Taijiquan).

Unfortunately, there is no verifable evidence to support that such a man existed. All written material that mention Zhang Sanfeng are mythical and inconsistent. He is most accepted as a legendary folk hero associated with swordsmanship and spirituality.

Recent historians postulate that these claims are more likely to have been made by late 19th century Yang family Taiji stylist in an effort to connect deeper roots to their system. The summation of these studies have concluded that the successive training methods of Taiji such as Push Hands, Forms, Weapons, and Qigong (Chi Kung), were created and systemized by the military leader and Martial Artist named Chen Wangting (1600-1680) of Chenjiagou Village in Henan Province.

Chen Wangting 1600 - 1680

Chen Wangting was a warrior and a scholar. He is credited with systemizing Taiji into 5 sets plus one "Canon Fist" set. The premise of these sets lies within his studies of Yin and Yang, The Book of 12 Fist Motions by Qi Jiguang, and the Huangting Classics.

He associated these principles of combat with the dynamics of the Sabre, Spear, and Sword, subsequently integrating Taiji principles with various tools of war. He also created the "Push Hands" excercises as well as "Sticky Spear".

It was because of these developments that most historians accredit Chen Wangting as the founder of Taiji.

Chen Changxing 1771 - 1853

Chen Changxing is credited as the Taiji Boxer who encapsulated the various forms of taiji into two primary sets of techniques. These 2 sets epitomize "Big Frame" Taiji and are referred to as Yi Lu (First Routine) and Er Lu (Second Routine). These routines are a reflection of Chen Changxing's emphasis of internal awareness and "soft" body mechanics, and was later labled "Old Frame Taiji" (Lao Jia Taiji)

Yang Lu Chan 1799 -1872

Yang Lu Chan was the first person outside of the Chen Family to learn Taiji Quan. Yang began his studies in 1820 and continued for a combined 18 years of training. In 1850, the Imperial family hired Yang Lu Chan to teach Taiji Quan to the Imperial Guard in the Forbidden City. Chen Changxing gave permission to Yang to persue his career with the Imperial Army.

Yang Chengfu 1883 - 1936

Yang Chengfu is the grandson of Yang Lu Chan, and was known for having taught Taiji to the general public with his friends Sun Lutang, Wu Jianquan, and his older brother Yang Shaohou. This elite group of Taiji Boxers were amoungst the first to teach Taiji to the public at the Beijing Physical Culture Research Institute from 1914 - 1928.

Institute of Beijing Physical Education

The Beijing University of Physical Education was established on November 1st, 1953. By 1956, the name was changed to the Institute of Beijing Physical Education, and the 24 Simplified Tai Chi form was created.

The premise behind the 24 Short Form was to provide the general public with a simplified method of gaining the health benefits associated with the practice of Tai Chi. Many of the sophistacted movements were omitted, and the number of repetitive postures were drastically reduced.

This newly created set condensed the Traditional 108 postures of Yang Family Taiji to a simple 24. The shorter simplified set became popular with non-Martial Artist, and was easily taught to people of various ages. The short form was offered at the university's physical education programs, and has become an international phenomena.

The Beijing Short Form can be completed in as little as 4-8 minutes, and still retains basic self-defense applications. The Short Form is an excellent prelude to advancing your studies in Taiji, or as a simple means of health and self-defense.