TAI CHI CHUAN

Tai Chi Chuan is an ancient Chinese form of classical exercise for health and self-defense. Tai Chi means "grand ultimate" and refers to the yin-yang concept, chuan mean "fist", "boxing" or "style".

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Chang San Feng of the Sung dynasty (13th century A.D.) is generally credited with creating Tai Chi Chuan. Purportedly , basing it on the fighting techniques of the snake and crane combined with the cultivation of internal power. Tai chi is very beneficial to health. Regular practice of Tai Chi Chuan will: increase flexibility, develop muscular strength, coordination, improve circulation, physical posture, promote relacation and overall good health, in addition to being an effective method of self-defense. Tui -shou (push hands) drill are two person exercises of Tai Chi Chuan. These drill develop the marital aspect of Tai Chi Chuan utilizing balance, sensitivity, leverage, and technique to neutralize aggressive attacks as opposed to excessive muscular strength.

 

YANG STYLE TAI CHI CHUAN (CHENG MAN CHING'S FORM)

Until the 19th century Tai Chi Chuan was a closely guarded secret of the Chen family. At the time Yang Lu Chan (1780-1873) a native of Hobei learned Tai Chi Chuan from Grand Master Chen Chang Xin. Yang went to Peking and became famous as a martial artist and passed the system on to his family, who opened this style to the public. A grandson of Yang, Yang Cheng Fu (1883-1935) formed the distinctive characteristics of what is now known as the Yang style of rhythmic movements, but are preformed very sloiwly and gracefully to promote circulation, increase sensitivity and train proper technique.

Cheng Man Ching (1901-1975) was a student of Yang Cheng Fu. Cheng was a painter, calligrapher and poet. An attack of tuberculosis turned Cheng's attention to Tai Chi Chuan and he credited it with restoring his health. Consonant with the aims of his art, Cheng was skilled in traditional Chinese medicine, and at one time was director of the Chinese Medical Association. In 1938 Master Cheng introduced a simplified 37-posture Tai Chi Chuan form, which has become the most widely practiced Tai Chi Chuan in the world. From 1964 to 1973 master Cheng lived and taught in the United States in New York City.

CHINESE TAI CHI CHUAN CLUB

Many famous martial artists were among the refuges and members of the nationalist government that retreated to Taiwan ahead of advancing communist forces in 1949. In order to preserve their martial arts traditions, a martial arts association was formed, a founding member was Grand Master Chiao Chang Hung. Initiated by National assembly member Chen Pan Ling (A famous martial artist who was the chief instructor at the government established Central Martial Arts Institute in Nanking on the mainland.) two of the members of the martial arts association, old friends and Tai chi chuan brothers Grand Master Chiao Chang Hung and Master Wang Yen Nien , decided to form a tai chi club. The club was formally established on March, 27 1960 as the Chinese Tai Chi Chuan Club. Chen Pan Ling himself served as the club’s chief commissioner, Grand Master Chiao Chang Hung as director and Wang Yen Nien as head coach. Regular members included such greats as Cheng Men Ching, Kuo Lien Yin, Hsiung Yang Ho and many others. As the club grew and became more organized, 1n 1963 it became the Tai Chi Chuan Academic Research Committee. In 1966 the committee decided to become independent of the Martial art Federation and on nov. 5^th 1966 it became the Chinese Tai Chi Chuan Academic Research Society. Grand Master Chiao served as a director until 1975 when the society was incorporated into the ROC Sports Association and changed it’s name to the ROC Tai Chi Chuan Association, and later to the ROC Tai Chi Chuan Federation which it remains today as the governing body of  Tai Chi Chuan in the Republic of China. Members of these groups, especially the early incarnations were instrumental in spreading Tai Chi Chuan around the globe and principally in the United States. Grand Master Chiao Chang Hung was one of the giants of that generation and a founding father of Tai Chi Chuan in Taiwan,ROC.