The History of Yang Taiji
Yang-style Taiji Quan Chuan derives from Yongnian County, Hebei Province, created by Yang Luchan. Yang Luchan who is the prototype of TV series "Taiji Quan Master", is also known as Fu Kui (1799-1872). His family was very poor when he was a child. With life-long commitment to martial arts and the great acheivements, he was known as "unbeatable Yang". When he was ten years old, he went to Chenjiagou in Henan Province to make a living. He learned from the boxer Chen Changxing (1771-1853) to study the old Chen-style Taiji Quan which was very spacious. He had to learn Chen style Taiji Quan by walking more than 5000 meters for three times every day. He insisted on eighteen years,. When he was middle-aged, he returned his hometown to receive disciples and taught them Taiji Quan. Since his technique can avoid hurts from the hard objects, it was referred to as "cotton boxing" or "soft fist”. After his good reforms, he finally created a "Yang-style Taiji". Later on, his disciples took the Yang-style Taiji Quan to Beijing, and then it became popular in the country. His grandson Cheng Fu (1883-1936), developed the Yang style of innovation to further the reform of the old frame, and it finally has become the popular Yang-style Taiji. It contains Taiji Quan, Taiji sword, Taiji knives and Taiji push hands.