History of Tai Chi Chuan

The origin of Tai Chi Chuan is somewhat obscure.  This page will look at the history of Tai Chi Chuan  from two perspectives; Chang Seng Feng and the Chen Village.

Chang Seng Feng:

Chang Seng Feng (pronounced Chang Sang Foong) was a Taoist priest who lived toward the end of the 13th century.  He was highly skilled in the fighting arts as he was a graduate of the well known Shaolin Monastery.  This was the center of learning for Shaolin Kung Fu, Chi Kung and Zen meditation.  After his intense training at the Monastery he then proceeded to live and train deep within the Wudang Mountains in China waiting for Enlightenment.

One morning, early upon arising, he witnessed something that had an amazing impact on him.  He saw just a short distance away from him a snake and a crane in the midst of an intense battle.  Chang noticed however that each time the crane tried to peck or attack the snake, it twisted and yielded to avoid the beak of the crane.  This gave him a notion that was for the most part contrary to his “hard” martial arts training at the Shaolin Monastery.  He pondered the ideas of training the human body to move like water.  As an attack came in, “Why not move and yield with it, instead of trying to block it?”  This helped him develop the softer and “internal” style of Tai Chi Chuan.  He was one of the first masters to discard old training methods such as; striking one’s hands into sandbags or “conditioning” one’s body to take pain by repeatedly hitting it.  Chang Seng Feng emphasized aspects such as the importance of breath control, mental focus, relaxation, and chi control through visualization.  He felt these elements brought about a much more effective fighter without the health risks of hurting one’s self in training.

Chang Seng Feng is considered by many schools to be the founder of internal kungfu which includes; Tai Chi Chuan, Pa Kua, and Hsing-I.

Chen Village:

The origins of Tai Chi Chuan in regards to the Chen villiage begin with a man named Chen Wang Ting.  History books will not agree to exactly where Chen Wang Ting obtained his martial art prowess but do agree that he probably did have a major impact on influencing the philosophy behind Tai Chi.  During this time rumors spread far and wide as to the martial ability of this man and his family.  The Chen family began to develop a very large reputation because they would soundly beat any who came to challenge them.  No matter who came or what style they practiced the challenger would have no chance.  And to whomever that asked to learn the Chen family style the reply would be no.  The secrets were held within the family.            

One day, a man formidable in his own ability came to the Chen villiage to learn the mysterious art.  However, instead of asking to be taught the art he asked if the family needed any servants or butlers and luckily they did.  The man's name was Yang Lu Chan and over time he learned that the family  practiced at midnight in the courtyard so no one from outside could see them.  And everynight thereon, he was hiding in the dark listening to every aspect of their art, then would go back to his room and practiced.

This went on for a few years until one day, he was finally caught!  He was then brought before the head instructor for a descision of what to do with him.  The head instructor was curious to how much someone could learn hiding in the bushes so he brought out his best student and put Yang Lu Chan to the test.  With a few moves of the soft but powerful art Yang Lu Chan had learned the opponent was easily defeated.  The head instructor was dumbfounded.  He saw that Yang Lu Chan had truly remarkable natural ability in the martial arts and thought it would be a disservice to Tai Chi Chuan if he was not taught.  So he broke his rule of only teaching famiy members and formally accepted Yang Lu Chan as his student.  Yang Lu Chan progressed very quickly as to he was a good listener and a diligent student.  Yang Lu Chan then left to spread Tai Chi Chuan throughout the country and his now know as the founder of Yang style Tai Chi Chuan.