There are 5 basic styles of Tai Chi. These are, in order of development, Chen , Yang , Wu Hao , Wu and Sun styles. Although they seem similar in essence, those who are closely interested in the subject can easily understand which style the Tai Chi study they are watching belongs to when they look at it with a keen eye. Tai Chi Styles may also show subtle differences in the flow of forms from school to school and from teacher to teacher, but when it comes to styles, characteristic differences become apparent in the application of forms.
Tai Chi Styles
Chen Style Tai Chi Movements
Chen Style practice includes both soft and hard movements, jumps, leaps, stomps, and explosive power moves that follow a circular path.
Yang Style Tai Chi Movements
What sets Yang apart from other Tai Chi families and makes it so popular is the circular, grand and graceful movements in the form. There is also a balance in how the Yang style includes movements that go in both directions and how some postures are done equally to the right and left.
Wu Hao Style Tai Chi Movements
The Wu Hao style differs from other Tai Chi families in that the movements are very clean and purposeful. The stances of Wu Hao are much smaller than the wide arms of Yang or the long deep steps of Chen. The hands are never seen extending beyond the feet, and the body rarely bends into larger stances.
All movements are very slow and relaxed, which makes learning easy.
Tai Chi Wu Style Movements
The movements and postures of Wu style Tai Chi are very distinct. Wu reduced the size of the circles formed by the arms and body, leading to the idea of Wu having a "small" form or medium frame. The circles are smaller, sometimes resulting in circles of just the hands. The steps are also shorter, and the feet are usually pointing in the same direction.
Small circles of the hands translate directly into wrist and hand grip techniques. The same goes for stances. Stances and steps lend themselves well to throws.
Sun Style Tai Chi Movements
Among the Tai Chi Styles, the prominent Sun Style Tai Chi movements are clearly influenced by Wu Style Tai Chi and other internal arts. The step of one foot is followed by the other foot and the movements are kept light and fast. The stance is medium to high with several sub-movements where the spine remains upright. The hands circle continuously throughout the form. Although there are fighting movements such as thrusts or punches, these are done without applying force.