The Spread of Tai Chi Worldwide
In the early 20th century, numerous Chinese tai chi masters and practitioners decided to leave China, taking their martial art with them and introducing it to the rest of the world. One of the pioneers in bringing tai chi to the United States was Choy Hok Pang, who started teaching the practice in 1939. Following in his father’s footsteps, Choy Hok Pang’s son migrated from Hong Kong to San Francisco in 1945 and began teaching tai chi there as well.
After the conclusion of the Chinese Civil War in 1949, the Chinese government established a sports committee. This committee focused on the Yang style of tai chi and aimed to develop a simplified version of the martial art for competitive purposes. Over time, they refined and incorporated other styles, ultimately creating a style of tai chi that adheres to competition regulations.
Styles
The Chen family art is one of the five orthodox styles of tai chi. Alongside the Chen style, there are four other prominent styles, namely the Yang style, Wu Hao style, Wu style, and Sun style. Over time, numerous new, hybrid, and derivative styles of tai chi have emerged. However, it is important to note that the majority of these styles are derived from the Chen style. These variations often emphasize specific aspects or aim to enhance the original styles in various ways. In recent times, the modern styles that have gained popularity are primarily used for competitions or to highlight the health advantages of practicing tai chi.