Tai Chi Styles

Five major styles of tai chi, each named after the family from which they began:

• Chen Style (1580-1660)

• Yang Style (1799 – 1872)

• Wu (Hao) Style (1812 – 1880)

• Wu Style (1834 – 1902) and his son (1870 – 1942)

• Sun Style (1861 – 1932)

In years past, the most widely practiced of these forms is Yang, followed by Wu, Chen, Sun and Wu (Hao).  However, there has been a resurgence in Chen with the younger generation enjoying the dynamic nature of this style. The fundamental theory is much the same within each style, but approaches to training differ considerably.

In the 21st Century, there are many new styles and hybrid styles, and the five family schools are now known as the ‘orthodox’ styles. 

Tai Chi Forms

Each style of tai chi has its own specific bare hand and weapons (sword, fan, long stick, spear, sabre, for example) Forms. A Form is a set pattern of movements, much like a dance or kata. Forms can have as few as 5 movements, or as many as 108! The simpler Forms are often symmetrical, while the more advanced Forms have complex movements including jumps, pivots, turns and kicks, depending on the style from which is was developed.

Rising Moon Tai Chi focuses on Yang style, teaching short forms to our beginner students and gradually introducing them to the longer forms, including the 108 and weapons.