YANG STYLE TAI CHI
WHAT IS YANG STYLE TAI CHI?
Yang Style Tai Chi (or Yang Style Taijiquan) was developed in the nineteenth century by Yang Luchan (1799–1872), who studied Chen Style Tai Chi before developing and teaching his own method. The style was further developed by later generations of the Yang family, particularly Yang Chengfu, and became the most widely practised style of Tai Chi in the world.
Yang Style is known for its upright posture, large and open movements, smooth continuous flow and clear transitions between substantial and insubstantial. The body weight shifts gradually from one leg to the other while maintaining stability, coordination and control.
The Yang Style Tai Chi system includes empty-hand forms of different numbers of steps, weapon forms and partner exercises such as pushing hands. Its movements may appear gentle and relaxed, but correct practice requires concentration, precise alignment, coordinated movement and a clear understanding of weight transfer.
Its flowing movements and adaptable stances make Yang Style accessible to students with different levels of experience. As students progress, the practice develops greater precision, balance, body awareness and understanding of the martial principles within each movement.
YANG STYLE TAI CHI FORMS
Yang Style Tai Chi includes several empty-hand forms of different lengths and levels, ranging from short introductory routines to traditional long forms. The numbers used to identify the forms refer to the number of steps in each sequence.
The Yang Style 8 and 10 Forms offer beginners a clear introduction to basic postures, coordination and weight transfer. The Yang Style 16 Form develops these foundations further, while the Yang Style 24 Form, created in China in 1956 and based primarily on Yang Style movements, offers a more complete sequence. It has become the most widely practised Tai Chi form in China and one of the best known worldwide, and remains a familiar sight in parks and public spaces where people gather to practise Tai Chi as part of their daily routine.
Longer routines, such as the Deyin 88 Form and the traditional Yang Style 85 Form (also commonly known as the 108 Form), require greater endurance, concentration, precision and understanding of the connections between movements.
The 42 Form is an international competition routine combining movements from Yang, Chen, Wu and Sun styles. Although it is not exclusively a Yang Style form, it forms part of Patrizia’s advanced empty-hand Tai Chi training.
Below you can watch Patrizia performing the Yang Style 8, 16 and 24 Forms.
Patrizia’s own empty-hand training includes the Yang Style Tai Chi 8, 10, 16, 24 and Deyin 88 Forms, the traditional Yang Style 85 Form (also commonly known as the 108 Form), and the 42 Form combined international competition routine.
PATRIZIA’S YANG STYLE LINEAGE
Patrizia’s Yang Style training comes through the Deyin Taijiquan Institute, whose teaching tradition includes both traditional Yang Style and the standardised forms developed and promoted by Grandmaster Li Tianji and Professor Li Deyin.
This tradition includes many of the forms that Patrizia practises and teaches, such as the Yang Style 24 Form, Deyin 88 Form, the 42 Form combined international competition routine and several Tai Chi weapon forms.
Patrizia is a certified instructor through the Deyin Taijiquan Institute and has continued to develop her practice with Master Faye Li Yip and Master Tary Yip.
DEYIN TAIJIQUAN LINEAGE
Direct Yang and Sun Style lineage of the Deyin Taijiquan Institute. Patrizia is a certified instructor through the Deyin school.
LEARN YANG STYLE TAI CHI WITH PATRIZIA
Patrizia teaches Yang Style Tai Chi according to each student’s experience, goals and pace.
Training may include the Yang Style 8, 10, 16 and 24 Forms, the Deyin 88 Form, the traditional Yang Style 85 Form (also commonly known as the 108 Form), the 42 Form combined international competition routine, as well as individual techniques, stepping methods, coordination, balance and technical improvement.
Yang Style Tai Chi can be learned with Patrizia through group or private classes on the Costa del Sol, live online lessons and video courses.