Origins

The Yang Family Tai Chi originated over 200 years ago with Yang Lu Chan (1799-1872). His grandson, Yang Cheng Fu (1883-1936), was considered the greatest Tai Chi master of the 20th Century. It was Yang Cheng Fu who simplified the Tai Chi form and started teaching it to people outside the Yang family circles. Because of Yang Cheng Fu’s skill and reputation, many people wanted to learn his method. His openness in teaching led the Yang family style of Tai Chi to become the most popular of the five main Tai Chi styles (Yang, Chen, Wu, Sun, and Wu). Yang Cheng Fu had many outstanding students, several of whom were well known, including Wu Huichuan, Chu Guiting, Chen Weiming, Dong Yingjie, and Zheng Manjing (Cheng Man-Ch’ing).

Another student of Yang Cheng Fu was Chu Chu Fang (朱楚方 Pinyin: Zhū Chǔ Fāng) (1912-1988), who began studying Tai Chi with Chen Wei Ming at the Chih Jou Boxing School of Shanghai, where he studied for five years. After that, he studied the higher levels and techniques with Master Chen’s teacher, Yang Cheng Fu, for another five years. Master Chu also studied with Xiong Yang Ho (Hsiung Yang Hou [1886-1984]), who was a student of Yang Shao Hou (Yang Cheng Fu’s brother).

In 1971, Master Chu came to California and started teaching Tai Chi Chuan. One of Master Chu’s students, Paul Pitchford, studied Tai Chi with him in the San Francisco area for several years learning the Single Movements, San Shou, and Push Hands. Paul later moved to Idaho and started teaching Tai Chi. Michel Czehatowski started learning Tai Chi in one of the first Tai Chi classes that he offered in Moscow, Idaho in 1975.

Paul emphasized softness through “listening” and “receptivity” – the Heaven (Tian) level of Tai Chi.

Michel continues the lineage emphasizing those same qualities of softness, listening, and receptivity. He is proficient in the Single and Double movement forms
(two person partner forms) of Tai Chi and enjoys sharing his knowledge of Tai Chi, health, and Chinese culture with others.

What students are saying:

“Michel is an excellent teacher. He is very patient and gentle in his approach. He is obviously dedicated to both his own practice and to sharing his knowledge and skill with others. This creates a serious atmosphere in class that is still very friendly and non-competitive.” -Ethel F.

“Redding Tai Chi is a welcoming, nonjudgmental community open to people of all abilities and ages. From our incredibly dedicated instructor Michel Czehatowski, we learn the single movements of the Yang Family style of Tai Chi.” -Vicki G.

“I have been learning tai chi from Michel for a couple of years. As a person who has practiced martial arts, and other internal martial arts, for 20 years, I can say with experience that Michel is a gift to Redding and the tai chi world. His classes are a true respite from the busy world and I would recommend Michel’s instruction of tai chi to anyone, young or old.” -John R.