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The Yeung
family’s tai chi chuan style is unique to the Yeung family. It was
started by Mr. Yeung Lo Sim, who was born over two hundred years ago, and
has been passed down to family members, generation after generation to the
present day. The lineage under discussion is that of Mr. Yeung Sau Chung,
the eldest son of Mr. Yeung Ching Po. Mr. Yeung Sau Chung moved to Hong
Kong with his family in 1949, and continued to dedicate his life to
practicing and teaching his family’s tai chi chuan style until his death
in 1985. Since that time, his family also has been devoted to practicing
and teaching this tai chi chuan style. Mr. Yeung taught for over fifty
years, and his daughter Ms. Yeung Ma Lee has been teaching for over twenty
years. Over these seventy years, they both have taught many students.
Their method of teaching is personal and individualized. Through this
methodology, they have employed various approaches that take into
consideration the individual’s learning level capabilities and physique.
The Yeung family has classified the different
levels of learning into three categories:
Category one is family.
Yeung family members are taught the complete body of knowledge.
In the family, the methods and formulas are observed most strictly, and
the teaching methods employed are quite severe. While all family members
learn, not all like teaching and not all take deciples.
Category two
is disciple. Generally, a disciple is required to spend a specific
amount of time studying with the teacher before being considered for
discipleship. Once accepted, disciples would acquire from the Master
skills that lead to a level of comprehension that far exceeds that of
students, so that they can help the master to spread the martial art. A
disciple is allowed to use the Yeung’s family name when teaching.
Disciples can also choose to take their own disciples. All disciples are
listed in the “School of Yeung’s style of Tai Chi Chuan,” but not
in the Yeung’s family lineage, despite the fact that some people
shamefully promote themselves this way.
Category three is
student. The level of training students receive is less profound
than that of disciples, and whether a student is qualified to teach is up
to the judgment of the master.
The Yeung family itself has published books about
tai chi chuan. One must understand that books only serve as a guide. You
can only learn the art well with instructions from the Yeung family.
Recently a movie of Mr. Yeung Sau Chung surfaced
on the internet (without family permission). The same principle applies.
It may be the best form one has ever seen, but without the underlying
formula, it is impossible to learn from it.
There are a lot of claims by some people
saying that they are practicing the “real” Yeung’s style, or that they
possess the “forgotten secrets,” etc. It is absolutely important that the
followers should exercise utmost caution to discern the authenticity
of these claims and whether the martial art is appropriate for their
physique. Otherwise, not only is it a waste of time and money, it might
also cause serious injury. The Yeung’s style Tai Chi Chuan is both
an extraordinary defensive art as well as an unparalleled health
maintenance exercise. However, the principles and applications are only
as valuable and effective as the source from which they spring.
Know your source.
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