yang style tai chi chuan

Tai Chi Chuan    meaning "The supreme Ultimate force" was spread by Yang Cheng-fu (1883-1936) known as"Yang the Invincible" in the east and west. "Supreme Ultimate" is often associated with the Chinese concept of Yin-Yang, which is the notion that one can see a dynamic duality (male/female, active/passive, dark/light, forceful/yielding) in all things. "Force" or "Fist" is the way of achieving yin-yang. In the west Tai Chi is a combination of slow moving exercises or postures and meditation combined, and is practiced in forms or sets which are derived from martial arts or the natural movements of animals and birds. Tai Chi, a soft style is the most advanced level of martial arts. Moving slowly trains the mind to move quickly. Tai Chi is a very precise art, involving highly coordinated movement. All the postures in Tai Chi have martial art application, some being more obvious than others. By learning the Tai Chi forms first, through daily Tai Chi practice, and developing its principles (softness, yielding, pushing, pressing, rooting and neutralizing) to name a few, one can develop very potent martial art skills.

Tai Chi Chuan
 Tai Chi Chuan movement and exercises are associated with Taoism. As early as 122 B.C. there is mention in the Chinese chronicles of  Taoist monks practicing exercises, which were referred to as tai-yin or Taoist Breathing. In the 5th century
A.D. the founder of Tai Chi Chuan, the monk Chang San-feng, was honoured by the Emperor Ying-tsung with the title of Chen-Jen (spiritual man who has attained the Tao and is no longer ruled by what he sees, hears or feels), which indicates that the practice of Tai Chi was associated with  Taoism. Lao Tsu (the father or Taoism) writes: "By "doing nothing" one could "accomplish everything", therefore "Tao abides in non-action yet nothing is left undone". The principles of yielding, softness, slowness, balance, suppleness, being centered and rooted as well as the appreciation of nature are the central elements of Taoist philosophy that Tai Chi Chuan has drawn upon in its movements. Some example of such movements are: "White Crane Spreads Wings", Grasp Sparrow's Tail", Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain", Cloud Hands, Brush Dust Against the Wind and so forth .