STYLE SELECTION

WHAT YOU NEED TO CONSIDER TO SELECT THE MOST SUITABLE TAI CHI STYLE

The best style for you will depend on your personal goals, physical condition, and what feels most enjoyable and beneficial to you.

1. Physical intensity: Different styles vary in their physical demands. Chen style is the most dynamic, combining soft and powerful movements with kicks, punches, and jumps, providing a more intense cardio workout15. Yang style, on the other hand, is gentler with flowing, graceful movements, making it suitable for those seeking a less strenuous practice.

2. Health goals: If you’re primarily interested in health benefits, Yang style is widely practiced for its positive effects on well-being3. Sun style, with its smooth, fluid movements, is particularly good for rehabilitation and overall health.

3.Martial arts focus: Chen style has the strongest martial arts roots35. If you’re interested in the self-defense aspects of tai chi, this might be the style for you.

4. Stance and posture: Wu style emphasizes leaning forward and backward, which is especially beneficial for strengthening the lower back and core1. Sun style uses higher, shorter stances with smaller movements, which may be more accessible for some practitioners.

5. Age and physical condition: Some styles, like Chen, offer different practice levels to accommodate various ages and physical conditions5. Yang style is often recommended for beginners due to its gentler nature.

6.Mental focus: If you’re interested in the meditative aspects, Wu/Hao style puts a strong emphasis on internal qi and focusing internally.

7. Availability: Consider which styles are taught in your area. Some styles, like Sun and Hao, are less common and may be harder to find instructors for.

8. Personal preference: Watch demonstrations of different styles (like the video comparing Chen, Yang, Wu, and Sun styles3) to see which one resonates with you aesthetically and philosophically.

Watch the two videos below for a deeper understanding of Tai Chi styles.

  1. Master Wells Ye of TaiChiAndMeditationDirect.com compares four styles of Tai Chi: Chen, Yang, Wu, and Sun.https://youtu.be/fc3w827kwyA?si=ISg1wR4X3
  2. Master Chenhan discusses the four most popular Tai Chi family styles: Yang, Chen, Sun and Wu Taijiquan 太極拳 (YMAA). Master Chenhan is President of Shou-Yu Liang Wushu. https://youtu.be/u1cGREfq_Os?si=4yHeN5ierigWwU5c