What Are the Different Styles of Tai Chi? Yang, Chen, Wu, and Sun
Tai Chi

What Are the Different Styles of Tai Chi? Yang, Chen, Wu, and Sun

by Dr. Daniel Hoover

If you’ve started exploring Tai Chi, you’ve probably noticed that it comes in different “styles,” Yang, Chen, Wu, Sun, and more. It’s a common source of confusion for beginners: Are they completely different arts? Which one should I learn? The good news is that all Tai Chi styles share the same core principles and heritage; they simply express them with different flavors. Here’s a clear guide to the major styles and how to choose.

First, What Do All Tai Chi Styles Share?

Before the differences, the common ground. Every style of Tai Chi is a form of Tai Chi Chuan, and all of them share the same foundation: slow, mindful, continuous movement; deep relaxation; rooting and balance; waist-driven motion; coordinated breathing; and roots as an internal martial art. Whichever style you practice, you’re cultivating the same essential qualities and the same benefits described throughout Tai Chi. The differences are largely a matter of tempo, size of movement, posture, and emphasis.

Most authorities recognize five major family styles, each named after the family that developed it.

Chen Style: The Original

Chen is the oldest of the major styles, the source from which the others eventually grew. It’s distinctive because it blends slow, flowing movements with sudden bursts of speed and power, including the explosive releases of energy known as fa jin, as well as lower, more physically demanding stances and spiraling “silk-reeling” movements.

Best suited for: Those drawn to Tai Chi’s martial roots, or who want a more physically vigorous, athletic practice. Its dynamic bursts and low stances make it more challenging for absolute beginners.

Yang is by far the most widely practiced style in the world, and it’s the style we teach at SOHMA. It’s characterized by slow, even, graceful movements performed at a steady tempo, with large, open, expansive postures and no jarring bursts of force in standard practice. This gentle, flowing quality is exactly why Yang style was chosen as the basis for the famous 24 form.

Best suited for: Beginners, older adults, and anyone seeking a calm, health-focused, accessible practice. Research on balance and fall prevention has found Yang style to be especially beneficial for older adults, one of many reasons for its enduring popularity.

Wu Style: Compact and Subtle

Wu style (the most common of two distinct traditions sometimes romanized similarly) is known for its smaller, more compact frame and a characteristic slight forward lean in its postures. It emphasizes subtle, refined movements and is particularly associated with “push hands” and sensitivity training.

Best suited for: Practitioners who enjoy a softer, more compact style with an emphasis on subtlety and internal refinement.

Sun Style: Agile and Gentle

Sun style is the youngest of the five major families and has a unique character. It features higher, more upright stances, agile “follow-step” footwork (the back foot follows the front as you move), and smooth, lively movements woven together with Qi Gong-like qualities. Because its higher stances are gentle on the knees and hips, Sun style is often recommended for people with arthritis or joint concerns, and it forms the basis of several well-known health programs.

Best suited for: Older adults, people with joint issues or arthritis, and anyone who prefers higher, gentler stances and nimble footwork.

Hao Style: The Rare One

Hao (also called Wu/Hao) style is the least commonly practiced of the five. It’s a highly internal style with small, subtle movements where much of the work happens on the inside, with minimal outward expression. Because of its subtlety, it’s generally considered an advanced style and is relatively rare outside of dedicated lineages.

Best suited for: Advanced practitioners specifically drawn to a deeply internal, minimalist approach.

Which Style Should a Beginner Choose?

For most beginners, especially those focused on health, relaxation, balance, and accessibility, Yang style is the ideal starting point, which is a large part of why it’s the most taught style worldwide. Its gentle, flowing, easy-to-follow movements make it welcoming and forgiving, and it offers a lifetime of depth once you’re ready for it.

That said, the “best” style is ultimately the one you’ll enjoy and practice consistently. If you’re drawn to a more martial, athletic feel, Chen may appeal; if you have joint concerns and want the gentlest stances, Sun style is worth exploring. But you truly can’t go wrong beginning with Yang, especially when you start with the basic movements every beginner learns.

Common Questions About Tai Chi Styles

How many styles of Tai Chi are there? There are five major family styles, Chen, Yang, Wu, Sun, and Hao, along with many sub-styles and modern variations. All share the same core Tai Chi principles.

Which style of Tai Chi is best for beginners? Yang style is the most popular and beginner-friendly, thanks to its slow, even, gentle movements. It’s the most widely taught style in the world and an excellent starting point, and pairs perfectly with learning the 24 form step by step.

What’s the difference between Yang and Chen style? Yang style is slow, even, and gentle throughout, while Chen style mixes slow movements with sudden bursts of power and uses lower, more demanding stances. Yang is generally easier for beginners.

Which Tai Chi style is best for arthritis or joint pain? Sun style is often recommended for joint concerns because of its higher, gentler stances, and it forms the basis of several arthritis-focused health programs. Gentle Yang style is also very suitable, especially given its documented flexibility, balance, and agility benefits.

Are the different styles very different to learn? They share the same fundamental principles, so skill in one transfers well to another. The differences lie mainly in tempo, stance height, movement size, and emphasis.

Start with Yang Style Through Tai Chi Mastery

If you’re ready to begin, Yang style is the perfect place to start, and Tai Chi Mastery makes it simple. SOHMA’s online membership guides you step by step through the complete Yang style Tai Chi form, under the instruction of Chief Instructor Dr. Daniel Hoover, with clear, follow-along lessons you can practice at your own pace.

It’s the world’s most popular style, taught the right way, from your very first movement.

Explore the Tai Chi Mastery membership and start with Yang style today.

About Dr. Daniel Hoover

Dr. Daniel Hoover, DC, LAc, MH, CCSP®, integrates a rare fusion of clinical expertise and martial mastery to elevate the health of his patients and students. As a Doctor of Chiropractic, Licensed Acupuncturist, and 5th degree black belt in Shaolin Kempo, Dr. Hoover serves as the Chief Tai Chi Chuan instructor at the School of Healing Martial Arts™. His journey as an Ironman and Master Herbalist informs his unique understanding of how the body thrives under disciplined practice. To expand his impact beyond the local clinic, Dr. Hoover developed online Tai Chi courses, making these traditional healing arts accessible for any wellness journey. If you are ready to begin, we invite you to explore Tai Chi Mastery under the expert guidance of Dr. Daniel Hoover.