Authentic Yang Style Tai Chi
Yang Style is one of the major traditional styles of Tai Chi and is practised around the world. It is recognised for smooth, continuous movements, upright posture, softness and controlled pace.
At The Taichi Academy, our focus is not simply on reproducing the outward appearance of these movements. We teach the principles within them: Rooting · Weight transfer · Softness · Structure · Continuity · Intention · Yin and Yang.
What does ‘authentic’ mean to us?
Authenticity does not mean that Tai Chi must remain inaccessible or frozen in the past. It means respecting where the teaching came from. For us, authentic Yang Style Tai Chi means:
- Respecting lineage.
- Learning the traditional forms.
- Understanding principles rather than simply copying movements.
- Exploring the martial meaning behind movements.
- Passing on what has been taught by our Sifu without casually reinventing the art.
Modern understanding can help us appreciate Tai Chi. But tradition remains the foundation.
The traditional 85 Form
The 85 form is at the heart of our curriculum. It is a long, continuous sequence through which students repeatedly practise the fundamental principles of Yang Style Tai Chi. Learning the sequence takes months. Understanding it can take years. That is part of the practice.
Repetition turns movement into understanding.
The 28 Form
The 28 form provides a more concise sequence while retaining the character and principles of Yang Style Tai Chi. At the Academy it is introduced at an advanced stage, after students have developed a strong foundation through the traditional curriculum.
Martial art — without aggression
Tai Chi is a martial art. Although most students come for health, balance, mindfulness or lifelong movement, understanding the martial origins of a movement can help explain why it is performed the way it is. Applications are therefore introduced as part of deeper study.
Our emphasis is not fighting. It is understanding.
Flow, not force.
The Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Motto
Four Virtues. One Lifelong Practice.
The traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan philosophy, emphasized by Grandmaster Fu Sheng Yuan, is guided by four essential virtues:
勤Qín — Diligence
Progress comes through dedicated effort. Consistent practice builds skill, understanding, and mastery over time.
恆Héng — Perseverance
Cultivate patience and commitment. True growth comes from practising with purpose, persistence, and an enduring spirit.
禮Lǐ — Respect
Honour your teachers, fellow practitioners, and the traditions of Tai Chi. Respect nurtures humility, harmony, and a sense of community.
誠Chéng — Sincerity
Approach your practice and others with genuine intention, honesty, and an open heart. Sincerity gives meaning to every movement and interaction.
Beyond the Forms
These four virtues remind us that Tai Chi is more than learning movements. It is a lifelong practice of cultivating character, awareness, and inner discipline.
Root in foundational principles. Flow through practice. Rise through discipline.