Yang Style 楊式太極拳
The most widely practised style worldwide. Large, open, even-paced and gentle frame refined by Yang Chengfu (1883–1936), whose 'big frame' became the standard. Easy for beginners and older adults; the base of the Beijing 24 form.
Lineage
Yang Luchan (learned from Chen Changxing) → Yang Banhou & Yang Jianhou → Yang Shaohou, Yang Chengfu → Yang Shouzhong, Yang Zhenji, Yang Zhenduo; students Cheng Man-ch'ing, Fu Zhongwen, Dong Yingjie, Chen Weiming → today: Yang Jun (6th gen, International Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Association), Fu Shengyuan (Fu family).
For health & mobility
The gentlest and most adaptable family style; most clinical studies on balance and fall prevention used Yang-derived forms.
Forms
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form 楊式太極拳傳統一百零三式
The traditional Yang family long form as taught by the International Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Association. About 20–25 minutes. (Some lineages count the same sequence as 85 or 108.)
Quick facts
| Founder | Yang Luchan (1799–1872) |
|---|---|
| Origin | Yongnian, Hebei; spread from Beijing |
| Era | Mid-1800s |
Where to learn
- Yang Jun – Seattle, Washington, United States
- Yang Family Tai Chi – Taiyuan HQ – Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
- Fu Shengyuan – Perth, Australia
- William C. C. Chen – New York City, United States
- Begin with Breath Tai Chi – Dr Adam Potts, PT – Asheville, North Carolina (online), United States
How Yang Style performs key movements
| Movement | Yang Style version |
|---|---|
| Preparation / Wuji Stance | Feet together, then step left to shoulder width. |
| Commencing Form (Raise Hands) | Even, gentle rise to shoulder height, press down to hip level. |
| Grasp the Bird's Tail | Large, round, with clear weight shifts for each of the four energies; done left (ward-off only) and right (full sequence). |
| Ward Off (Peng) | Left ward-off opens Grasp Bird's Tail. |
| Lazy About Tying Coat | Equivalent ideas appear inside Grasp Bird's Tail. |
| Single Whip | Bow stance, left palm pushes forward-left; most repeated posture of the 103 form. |
| White Crane Spreads Its Wings | Empty stance, right hand above forehead, left hand by hip. |
| Brush Knee and Push (Twist Step) | Large bow stance, repeated left-right-left. |
| Play the Lute (Hand Strums the Pipa) | Heel stance, left hand at nose height. |
| Step Forward, Deflect, Parry and Punch | Loose vertical fist, three steps. |
| Apparent Close Up (Withdraw and Push) | Withdraw and push, 'as if sealing, as if closing'. |
| Cross Hands | Ends each section of the long form. |
| Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain | Starts sections two and three. |
| Fist Under Elbow | Empty stance after a turning step. |
| Step Back and Repulse Monkey | 3 or 5 repetitions stepping straight back. |
| Diagonal Flying (Slant Flying) | Opens upward to the right corner. |
| Raise Hands and Step Up | Mirror image of Play the Lute. |
| Needle at Sea Bottom | Upper body leans with a straight spine. |
| Fan Through the Back | Bow stance facing forward. |
| Turn Body and Chop with Fist | Followed by Deflect, Parry, Punch. |
| Cloud Hands (Wave Hands Like Clouds) | Side steps, waist leads, 3 or 5 repetitions. |
| High Pat on Horse | Empty stance, palm at head height. |
| Separate Foot (Toe Kick) | Slow, controlled kick at waist height. |
| Heel Kick (Kick with Heel) | Turn and kick left / right with heel. |
| Strike Opponent's Ears with Both Fists | Fists about a head-width apart. |
| Step Forward and Punch Down | Bow stance, fist toward knee level. |
| Strike the Tiger | Left and right versions. |
| Part the Wild Horse's Mane | Three repetitions in the long form; opens the 24 form. |
| Fair Lady Works the Shuttles | Four corners in the long form, two in the 24 form. |
| Snake Creeps Down (Single Whip Squat) | Deep crouch; many practitioners use a higher version. |
| Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg | Left and right after Snake Creeps Down. |
| Step Forward to Seven Stars | Crossed fists, empty stance. |
| Retreat to Ride the Tiger | Opens arms like White Crane. |
| Turn Body and Sweep Lotus | Full turn then outside crescent kick. |
| Bend the Bow to Shoot the Tiger | Fists at temple and chest height. |
| Closing Form | Close Tai Ji – return to the starting spot. |
| Hook Hand | Right hand hook in Single Whip. |
| Shoulder Stroke (Kao) | 'Shoulder Stroke' in the old long form. |
| Step Forward and Punch Groin | Old long form. |
Watch 影片
Videos belong to the channels named and are shared for education. Figures In Space is not affiliated with them.