Yang Chengfu Tai Chi: The Gentle Giant's Legacy

The art of Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan) is often called "moving meditation," a flowing system of slow, circular movements that connects mind, body, and breath. Yet, within this vast and ancient art, one man stands out as the architect of the style most widely practiced worldwide for health: Yang Chengfu.

Born in 1883, Yang Chengfu was the grandson of the original founder of the Yang family style. The Tai Chi practiced by his ancestors was often vigorous, including rapid movements, deep, low stances, and powerful martial applications. However, Yang Chengfu saw a greater purpose for the art in the rapidly changing world: longevity and well-being for the common person.

The Architect of Accessibility

A man of great physical stature, Yang Chengfu systematically refined and standardized the "Large Frame" (Dajia) of the Yang style. He intentionally removed the quick bursts of power (fa jin), smoothed out the deep, taxing stances, and ensured every movement was performed at a slow, even, and consistent pace.

His central teaching was simplicity itself: "Keep the posture open, the movements smooth, and the energy sinking." This transformation was radical. It shifted Tai Chi from a primarily martial art, accessible only to the strong and dedicated, into a universally accessible health discipline suitable for people of all ages and physical conditions—from the elderly to those recovering from illness. This gentle, flowing, and majestic form is the one we see practiced in parks and gyms across the globe today.

The Health Benefits of the Gentle Flow

The deliberate and non-strenuous nature of the Yang Chengfu style is exquisitely designed to cultivate both physical and mental resilience.

1. Enhanced Balance and Fall Prevention

Perhaps the most documented benefit is the dramatic improvement in balance and stability. The form requires slow, continuous weight shifts, where the body spends significant time balanced on one leg. This trains the proprioceptive system—the body’s sense of its position in space. The constant, mindful shifting strengthens the core, ankles, and legs, making it a powerful preventative measure against accidental falls, especially for older adults.

2. Joint Mobility and Pain Relief

Because the movements are circular, continuous, and performed without sharp stops or high impact, the Yang Chengfu style is incredibly therapeutic for the joints. The continuous, gliding motion helps to lubricate the joints by encouraging the production of synovial fluid. Practicing the form gently stretches the tendons and strengthens the smaller muscles surrounding the joints, which can significantly alleviate the symptoms of chronic conditions like arthritis and fibromyalgia without causing further strain.

3. Cardiopulmonary Conditioning

While the movements look effortless, the practice is a low-impact form of aerobic exercise. When synchronized with the deep, slow, diaphragmatic breathing taught in this style, Tai Chi efficiently oxygenates the blood and calms the nervous system. Regular practice has been shown to gently and effectively lower resting blood pressure and improve overall heart health.

4. Stress Reduction and Mental Clarity

Yang Chengfu’s focus on slowness demands mindfulness. By intensely concentrating on the feeling of the movement, the depth of the breath, and the subtle shifts in balance, the mind is entirely engaged in the present moment. This deliberate focus is the essence of moving meditation, leading to:

• Reduced Cortisol Levels: It actively calms the sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight).

• Enhanced Concentration: The continuous practice of focus improves mental acuity and clarity.

Yang Chengfu’s legacy is a powerful one: the gift of a health system that is both simple and profound, proving that the most powerful forms of exercise don't require impact or intensity, but rather gentleness and persistence.

Yang Style Tai Chi 108 vs 85 forms

In the context of Yang Style Tai Chi, the 108 and 85 forms are actually the same "Long Form" (the traditional sequence established by Yang Chengfu). The different numbers reflect different methods of counting movements rather than different choreographies.

Key Differences in Counting

While you are performing the same sequence of postures from start to finish, the tally changes based on how a school or lineage breaks them down:

• Yang 85 Form: This count is based on Yang Chengfu’s 1936 book. It groups certain repetitive movements together. For example, a series of "Brush Knee and Twist Step" movements might be counted as a single entry in the list, even if you perform it multiple times.

• Yang 108 Form: This is the most common count in many Western and "International" schools. It typically counts every individual repetition as a separate move. If you do "Cloud Hands" three times, it is counted three times. This results in the "magical" number 108, which holds spiritual significance in Buddhist and Taoist traditions (similar to the 108 beads on a mala).

Our U3A  Tai Chi Class.

In our U3A Tai Chi Class, we practice and teach Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan. Our goal is to stay true to the original teachings of Master Yang Chengfu. While studying his Form, I realised that some teachers have wittingly or unwittingly changed the form over time.
We feel it is important to restore and preserve the "authentic" art for our students and those who follow in our footsteps.

Because Master Yang lived before the era of modern video, we rely on historical photographs of his poses. For movement reference, we often study Master Fu Zhongwen, a dedicated student of Yang Chengfu for over 20 years. Even in older, grainy footage, we recognise his mastery and commitment to the original form.

Learning Resources: Because clarity is vital for learning, we have selected videos of Master Youbin for our classes and this website. These offer a clear view of the traditional movements.

Use the buttons below to explore our training materials:

• Master Youbin Videos: Clear demonstrations of the YCF style.

• Tai Chi Naming Guide: A quick-reference tool for individual moves and sequences.

• Other: Other information on the Yang style Tai Chi.

19 min. Zhao Youbin video + Voice                                                                                    23 min.Zhao Youbin video + Voice