Tai Chi Quan

Yang style of Tai Chi Quan is a variation of the Chen Style, and is the most popular form of Tai Chi practiced today. This internal martial art was passed down from the Yang style founder Yang Lu Chan. Yang Lu Chan was a very proficient fighter in his time, and was named ‘Yang the Invincible’.

Yang style Tai Chi Quan is characterised by open and extended postures, and soft and smooth movements which are even in tempo. The sequence is gentle and flowing, while still maintaining practical martial aspects. The Tai Chi forms help develop all the important principles of Tai Chi, such as balance, centered-ness, empty vs. full (weighted vs . unweighted), rooting, flexibility of the ‘qua’ (waist-hip area), and sinking one’s energy to the dan tien.

Push Hands (Tui Shou) is Tai Chi Quan’s way to help you apply the energies cultivated during the learning of the Tai Chi forms. This is an activity where two persons exchange energy through the ‘listening’ and issuing back of force. Development of Push Hands proficiency takes place over years, and becomes increasingly effortless as your skill improves.

Sifu James is a dual-lineage 6th-Generation Master of Yang Style Tai Chi, and also a multiple winner of Push Hands and Traditional Yang Style Form competitions – taking the Australia Open Tai Chi Championship in 2012 and 2015. He now shares his knowledge by teaching classes in West Ryde, Sydney.

Lineage Tree of Sifu James