Different Styles of Tai Chi
After its foundation, there have evolved a variety of styles or schools of Tai Chi Chuan. These reflect both a growth and development of the form in general, as well as differences of style and emphasis between different teachers. Elements of other martial arts forms have made themselves felt in Tai Chi, and this has changed its character as well.
Most of the different schools or styles of Tai Chi have been given the surnames of their founders. The principal schools of Tai Chi that are in existence today are Chen Style, Hao (or Wu Shi) Style, Hu Lei Style, Sun Style, Wu Style, Yang Style and Zhao Bao Style. Each style may have different forms such as the long Tai Chi form, the Tai Chi sword form, the eight-diagram palm, the spear form and the Tai Chi saber form.