Choosing a Tai Chi Style

Different Styles of Tai Chi

Tai chi/Taijiⁱ has five major styles--Yang, Wu, Chen, Hao and combination styles. For the first four tai chi styles, the names derive from the founder's surname, such as the tai chi of the Yang family.

Watch a video clip of Chen style tai chi.

Wu Style Tai Chi

Wu style tai chi/taiji is the second most popular, having been derived from the Yang style and emphasizing small, compact movements. Bruce primarily teaches a 16-movement Short Form and occasionally a 108-movement Long Form. He is a lineage holder in both the Wu and Yang styles.

Wu Style Tai Chi Short Form

The 16-move Short Form can be practiced in just four minutes and gives you the majority of the health and spiritual benefits of the Long Form. Bruce developed this Short Form with the encouragement of his main teacher, Liu Hung Chieh, who lived and studied with Wu Jien Chuan, the co-founder of Wu style tai chi/yaiji.

Watch a video clip of Wu style tai chi.

Yang Style Tai Chi

Yang style tai chi/taiji is the most popular and widely practiced with many variations. It is known for its wide, open stances. Although Bruce is a lineage master in the Old Yang Tai Chi style, he rarely teaches it.

Watch a video clip of Yang style tai chi.

Westernized and Non-traditional Tai Chi

Numerous Westernized and non-traditional tai chi forms have been developed. Many of these tai chi/taiji forms are extremely simplified and pay little attention to the precise body alignments and energy mechanics that are a crucial part of traditional tai chi/taiji.

Studies have shown that even Westernized tai chi/taiji can provide benefits. However, when tai chi/taiji incorporates correct body alignments and chi techniques the benefits are vastly amplified and considerably more profound.

Watch a video clip of combination style tai chi.