# Tai Chi Paul — The Yang Style of Master Choy Kam Man > Preserving the traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan of Master Choy Kam Man of San Francisco. Direct lineage from Yang Cheng-fu through Choy Hok Peng. The 108 Movement Long Form, push hands, sword, and saber. Taught by Paul Walhus. ## Tai Chi Paul — The Yang Style of Master Choy Kam Man URL: https://taichipaul.com/ Tai Chi Paul — The Yang Style of Master Choy Kam Man Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan The Art of Master Choy Kam Man Preserving the traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan as taught by Master Choy Kam Man of San Francisco — 5th generation lineage holder in the Yang family tradition, and son of the man who introduced Tai Chi to America. The Yang Family Lineage The style of Tai Chi taught on this site traces an unbroken lineage from the founder of Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan to a courtyard in San Francisco's Chinatown: 1st Generation Yang Lu-chan (1799–1872) The founder of Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan. Known as "Yang the Invincible," he learned Chen Style Tai Chi in Chenjiagou village and transformed it into the Yang Style that would become the most widely practiced form of tai chi in the world. 2nd Generation Yang Jian-hou (1839–1917) Son of Yang Lu-chan. Refined and softened the Yang Style, making it more accessible while maintaining its martial effectiveness. Known for his extraordinary sensitivity in push hands. 3rd Generation Yang Cheng-fu (1883–1936) The great popularizer of Yang Style. Yang Cheng-fu standardized the form, published influential books, and trained the generation of masters who would spread Tai Chi across China and eventually the world. His large-frame style became the standard for Yang Tai Chi worldwide. 4th Generation Choy Hok Peng (1885–1957) Direct lineage disciple of Yang Cheng-fu. Fellow student alongside the legendary Cheng Man-ch'ing. Also studied under Chen Wei Ming. Emigrated from China to San Francisco in 1939 and established the Taijiquan Academy of the United States — making him the first person to bring Tai Chi to America . Father of Master Choy Kam Man. 5th Generation Choy Kam Man (1919–1994) Son of Choy Hok Peng. Began learning Tai Chi from his father at age 14. Emigrated from Hong Kong to San Francisco in 1949. Taught traditional Yang Style Tai Chi at the San Francisco Chinatown YMCA for decades, from the 1960s through the early 1990s. Also studied Chow Gar (Southern Praying Mantis) Kung Fu under Grandmaster Yip Sui in Hong Kong, becoming a martial artist of superb strength and versatility. 6th Generation Paul Walhus & Fellow Students Paul Walhus studied directly under Master Choy Kam Man in San Francisco. Other notable students include Michael Gilman (Gilman Studio, Port Townsend, WA), Marshall Clymer (senior disciple), Frank Choy (Master Choy's son), and Robyn Silverstein (Silver Tai Chi, Utah — the first non-Chinese student in Chinatown). Master Choy Kam Man (1919–1994) 5th Generation Yang Style • San Francisco Master Choy Kam Man (also known as Johnny Choy) was born in 1919. He began learning Tai Chi from his father, Choy Hok Peng , at the age of 14. His father was a direct disciple of the great Yang Cheng-fu himself — meaning that when you learned from Master Choy, you were only two teachers removed from the man who standardized Yang Style for the world. After his father's death in the late 1950s, Master Choy carried forward the family's mission of teaching authentic Yang Style Tai Chi in America. He taught primarily at the San Francisco Chinatown YMCA (the Chinese YMCA), where his classes became legendary. Students would gather in the courtyard for hours of training, followed by semi-monthly Saturday "Club Meetings" where 30 to 40 students would surround the master for intensive practice. He also taught at the VFW Hall in Chinatown , in Berkeley , at UC Davis , at the Sacramento YMCA , and in San Jose . His teaching spanned roughly three decades — from the early 1960s through the early 1990s — during which he trained generations of students who would go on to establish studios and teaching practices across the country. Master Choy was conservative in demeanor but fierce in his art. He was a martial artist of superb strength who carried the full weight of the Yang family tradition on his shoulders — and he shared it generously with anyone willing to learn. A Complete Martial Artist Beyond his Yang Style Tai Chi mastery, Master Choy also studied Chow Gar (Southern Praying Mantis) Kung Fu under Grandmaster Yip Sui in Hong Kong during the 1950s, becoming Yip Sui's chief disciple. This gave him an unusually deep martial arts foundation — combining the soft, internal power of Yang Tai Chi with the explosive, close-range techniques of Southern Praying Mantis. He was, in every sense, the real deal. Master Choy was also acquainted with Bruce Lee , who shared similar tensions with the traditional martial arts establishment in the Chinese community. Born 1919 (some sources say 1920) Died 1993/1994, San Francisco Father & Teacher Choy Hok Peng — direct disciple of Yang Cheng-fu Also Studied Chow Gar (Southern Praying Mantis) under Grandmaster Yip Sui Primary Venue San Francisco Chinatown YMCA courtyard Teaching Span ~1960s through early 1990s. Three decades of instruction. The 108 Movement Long Form The Complete Yang Style Curriculum Master Choy taught the complete traditional Yang Style curriculum, centered on the 108 Movement Long Form — the "Choy Family Form," his family's interpretation of the sequence passed down from Yang Cheng-fu through Choy Hok Peng. The 108 Long Form is the heart of Yang Style Tai Chi. It takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes to perform and contains every principle, technique, and energetic quality that defines the art. Each movement is a meditation, a martial technique, and a health exercise simultaneously. The Full Curriculum 108 Movement Long Form The complete Yang Style form as transmitted through the Choy family. The foundation of everything. 54 Movement Short Form Created by Master Choy Kam Man — a condensed version of the Long Form for students with limited time. Sword Form (Jian) The traditional Yang Style straight sword form. Develops precision, extension, and refined energy. Saber Form (Dao) The Yang Style broadsword form. Develops power, spirit, and dynamic movement. Push Hands (Tui Shou) Two-person sensitivity training. The laboratory where tai chi principles are tested against a live partner. Chi Kung / Qigong Standing and moving energy cultivation exercises. Master Choy focused increasingly on qigong in his later years. Principles The Choy family style emphasizes the classical Yang principles: Relax (Song) — Release tension from the body and mind. Relaxation is not collapse; it is alert, alive stillness. Root (Gen) — Connect to the ground. Every movement originates from the feet, is directed by the waist, and expressed through the hands. Continuity — Move like a great river — no breaks, no gaps, no stagnation. Distinguish Full and Empty — Know which leg carries weight, which is free. This is the foundation of balance and agility. Use Mind, Not Force — Intention (yi) leads energy (chi), and energy leads the body. Brute force has no place in tai chi. Choy Hok Peng (1885–1957) The Father of Tai Chi in America Choy Hok Peng (also romanized as Choy Hak Pang) holds a singular place in martial arts history: he is credited as the first person to bring Tai Chi to the United States . Born around 1885 in China, Choy Hok Peng was a direct lineage disciple of Yang Cheng-fu — the great master who standardized Yang Style Tai Chi for the modern world. He trained alongside the legendary Cheng Man-ch'ing (who would later become famous in his own right for bringing Tai Chi to New York in the 1960s). He also studied under Chen Wei Ming , another prominent Yang Cheng-fu student. In 1939 , invited by the San Francisco-China Trading Company, Choy Hok Peng emigrated to San Francisco and established the Taijiquan Academy of the United States — the first known Tai Chi school in the Americas. The academy operated from 1939 to 1947. This was two decades before Cheng Man-ch'ing arrived in New York and more than a decade before most Americans had ever heard of Tai Chi. Choy Hok Peng died in the late 1950s, but his legacy lived on through his son, Choy Kam Man , who carried the family's mission forward for another three decades in San Francisco. Before Cheng Man-ch'ing, before the 1960s boom, before Tai Chi became a household word — there was Choy Hok Peng, teaching in San Francisco in 1939. The Choy family brought Tai Chi to America. Born c. 1885, China Died c. 1957 Teacher Yang Cheng-fu (direct disciple) Fellow Student Cheng Man-ch'ing Achievement Founded the Taijiquan Academy of the United States (1939) — first Tai Chi school in America Legacy The "Father of Tai Chi in the Americas" Rare Video: Three Generations of the Choy Family This extraordinary video, filmed in the early 1970s at the San Francisco Chinatown YMCA courtyard, shows three generations of the Choy family performing traditional Yang Style Tai Chi: Choy Hok Peng — demonstrating the 108 Long Form, Sword, and Saber (historic footage from the 1940s-50s) Master Choy Kam Man — demonstrating the 108 form Frank Choy — demonstrating the 54 Short Form A large gathering of Choy Kam Man's students performing forms including the Saber at the YMCA Narrated by Frank Choy, Master Choy's son. This is one of the only known video recordings of all three generations of the Choy family performing together. Notable Students of Master Choy Master Choy's students migrated across the country and established studios and teaching practices that continue to this day: Michael Gilman Studied with Master Choy from 1968, authorized to teach 1973. Founded Gilman Studio in Port Townsend, WA (1981). Author of 108 Insights into Tai Chi Chuan . Marshall Clymer Senior disciple. Taught the Choy Family lineage interpretation in the San Francisco Bay Area. Frank Choy Master Choy's son. 6th generation. Continues teaching the Choy family tradition in the Bay Area. Robyn Silverstein First non-Chinese student in Chinatown. Founded Silver Tai Chi of Utah . Daniel Quincy Teaches traditional Yang Family Style in Davis, California. Paul Walhus Studied directly under Master Choy in San Francisco. Now based in Austin, TX. This website preserves the tradition. About Paul Paul Walhus studied traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan directly under Master Choy Kam Man in San Francisco. Learning from Master Choy meant learning from a man whose father had trained under Yang Cheng-fu himself — a direct, unbroken chain stretching back to the founder of Yang Style. Paul is also the builder of the WholeTech Network — 108 websites spanning AI, tech, real estate, entertainment, and more. The number 108 is no coincidence: it's the same number as the movements in the Yang Style Long Form that Master Choy taught. 108 websites. 108 movements. The symmetry is intentional. This website exists to ensure that Master Choy Kam Man's style of Tai Chi is not overlooked or forgotten. The Choy family brought Tai Chi to America before anyone else. Master Choy taught it with integrity, depth, and generosity for three decades. His students carry it forward. This site is part of that carrying. Teacher Master Choy Kam Man, 5th generation Yang Style Lineage Yang Lu-chan → Yang Jian-hou → Yang Cheng-fu → Choy Hok Peng → Choy Kam Man → Paul Walhus 108 108 movements in the Long Form. 108 websites in the WholeTech Network. The number of completion. Sources & Further Reading Gilman Studio: Master Choy — A Remembrance Gilman Studio: Rare Tai Chi Video (Choy Family) Master Choy Kam Man T'ai Chi Ch'uan Sifu (Blog) Silver Tai Chi: History of the Choy lineage YouTube: Yang Tai Chi Chuan — Choy Family System Wikidata: Choy Kam Man About Michael Gilman (Gilman Studio) Michael Gilman, 108 Insights into Tai Chi Chuan: A String of Pearls (YMAA Publication Center) This website is a precursor to an upcoming biography about Paul Walhus and his journey through Tai Chi, technology, and three decades of building on the web. Also from WholeTech Walhus Family • Frauenthal Legacy • WholeTech Network --- ## About Tai Chi Paul — The Yang Style of Master Choy Kam Man URL: https://taichipaul.com/about/ About Tai Chi Paul — The Yang Style of Master Choy Kam Man ← Back to taichipaul.com About Tai Chi Paul Preserving the traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan of Master Choy Kam Man of San Francisco. Direct lineage from Yang Cheng-fu through Choy Hok Peng. The 108 Movement Long Form, push hands, sword, and saber. Taught by Paul Walhus. What This Site Is taichipaul.com is a focused resource covering the latest in technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, and the future of innovation. Every page is built to be genuinely useful — no clickbait, no pop-ups, no paywalls, no auto-playing videos. Just clear information presented well. The site is part of the WholeTech Network — a collection of 119 websites spanning technology, real estate, entertainment, sustainability, coworking, arts, community, and more. Each site in the network focuses on a specific topic and serves as a free, permanent resource for people interested in that subject. Why This Site Exists In an era of algorithm-driven feeds, paywalled articles, and content farms optimized for ad clicks rather than usefulness, we believe there's still a place for simple, honest websites that exist to help people. taichipaul.com is one of those websites. We don't chase viral traffic. We don't use dark patterns to keep you clicking. We don't sell your data or bury useful information behind email-capture gates. The content is here because someone might need it, and it's free because the web should work that way. The WholeTech Network The WholeTech Network is built and maintained by Paul Walhus from Austin, Texas. Paul has been building websites since 1996, starting with the spring.com BBS — one of Austin's first online communities. Over three decades, he's built and operated over a hundred websites across dozens of topics. In 2026, the entire network was rebuilt with modern design, SSL encryption, structured data, sitemaps, and Google AdSense monetization — all running on a single server. The network now includes 119 active websites across 119 domains, making it one of the largest single-operator web networks on the internet. Other Sites in the Network firth.com — Colin Firth fan site, est. 1998. 474 pages, 2,264 images. austen.com — Jane Austen novels, fan fiction, and Regency era resources, est. 1997. tvreviewer.com — TV awards database covering Emmys, Oscars, Golden Globes, and more. texascoliving.com — Coliving property in Cedar Creek, TX, near the Musk complex. wholetech.com — The hub for the entire network. Contact Questions, corrections, suggestions, or just want to say hello? Reach out: Email: walhus@gmail.com X/Twitter: @springnet Web: wholetech.com --- ## Tai Chi Paul - Daily Update URL: https://taichipaul.com/news/ Tai Chi Paul - Daily Update ```html Tai Chi Today: Tradition, Practice & Living the Form Monday, April 13, 2026 — Taichipaul.com Welcome. This page is a living resource for students and friends of the Yang family tai chi tradition as taught through the Choy Kam Man lineage at the San Francisco Chinatown YMCA. Whether you are stepping into your first warm-up or refining push hands, everything here is offered in the spirit of patient, honest practice. The Lineage: Yang Family to Choy Kam Man The art we practice descends in an unbroken line from Yang Lu-ch'an (楊露禪, 1799–1872), the founder of Yang-style tai chi chuan . Yang Lu-ch'an learned from Chen Chang-xing in Chenjiagou village and later brought the art to Beijing, where it was refined for a wider audience. 1st Generation Yang Lu-ch'an (楊露禪) — founder of Yang style 2nd Generation Yang Pan-hou & Yang Chien-hou — sons who spread the art 3rd Generation Yang Shao-hou & Yang Cheng-fu (楊澄甫, 1883–1936) — Yang Cheng-fu standardised the large, open frame form that most practitioners recognise today 4th Generation Choy Kam Man (蔡金明) — direct student of Yang Cheng-fu; brought the authentic transmission to San Francisco 5th Generation Kenn Chase , Laurence Tan , and fellow students at the San Francisco Chinatown YMCA This lineage is significant because Yang Cheng-fu was the person who crystallised the "long form" of 108 postures that remains the benchmark of classical Yang-style practice worldwide. Master Choy carried that exact transmission across the Pacific, preserving details of timing, weight distribution, and martial intent that are easily lost in transmission. Learn more about Yang-style tai chi chuan on Wikipedia . Master Choy Kam Man (蔡金明) Choy Kam Man was born in Canton (Guangdong Province), China, around 1890. As a young man he studied directly under Yang Cheng-fu , the third-generation patriarch who standardised Yang-style tai chi chuan . This direct studentship placed Master Choy among a small circle of individuals who received the complete, unfiltered transmission from the Yang family itself. Master Choy immigrated to the United States and settled in San Francisco's Chinatown , where he began teaching at the Chinatown YMCA in the 1950s. At a time when Chinese martial arts were rarely shared publicly with non-Chinese students, Master Choy opened his classes generously, welcoming all who came with sincerity and respect. His approach was quiet, precise, and deeply principled — he corrected students not with lengthy lectures but with a gentle repositioning of the hand or a single well-chosen phrase. He taught the full curriculum: the 54-movement Short Form , the classical 108-movement Long Form , Push Hands (Tui Shou) , and the Ta Lu (Da Lu) four-corner exercise. He passed away in San Francisco in 1991 , leaving behind a generation of dedicated practitioners who continue to preserve and transmit his teaching. For historical context on the broader Yang-family tradition, see the Yang-style tai chi chuan article and the overview of tai chi chuan on Wikipedia . Short Form — 54 Movements The Short Form as taught in the Choy Kam Man tradition condenses the essential postures of classical Yang-style tai chi into 54 movements that can be completed in approximately eight to twelve minutes. It is the ideal starting point for new students and a complete daily practice for experienced practitioners. Every movement in the Short Form also appears in the Long Form, so time invested here is never wasted. Preparation (Commencement) — Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, arms float up and press gently down. Establishes calm, rooted intent before movement begins. Ward Off Left (Peng — Left) — Step left, raise the left arm in a rounded ward-off posture. First expression of peng energy — expansive, resilient. Ward Off Right (Peng — Right) — Shift and turn, raise the right arm. Consolidates peng energy on the dominant side. Rollback (Lu) — Yield and draw the opponent's force past you. Core yielding principle; never meet force with force. Press (Ji) — One palm presses the back of the other wrist forward. Compact, focused energy released in a straight line. Push (An) — Both palms push forward and slightly down. Combines root and forward intention simultaneously. Single Whip (Dan Bian) — Wide opening posture; left palm faces out, right hand forms a hook. One of the signature postures of Yang style. Lift Hands (Ti Shou) — Weight shifts back, hands rise in a listening posture. Develops sensitivity and upright alignment. Shoulder Strike (Kao) — Subtle lean forward with shoulder leading. Introduces body-unit striking as opposed to arm-only force. White Crane Spreads Wings (Bai He Liang Chi) — Right hand rises, left drops. Elegant separation of upper and lower gates. Brush Knee and Twist Step — Left — Left hand brushes knee, right palm pushes. Coordinated hip-hand integration across the body's diagonal. Brush Knee and Twist Step — Right — Mirror of the previous movement; develops bilateral coordination. Brush Knee and Twist Step — Left (again) — Third repetition deepens the lesson of continuous stepping without interruption. Play the Pipa (Guitar / Lute) — Hands form a lute-playing gesture; weight shifts back. Listening posture that conceals a strike to ear and throat. Brush Knee — Left (Step Forward) — Resumes forward progress after the pause of Play the Pipa. Step Forward, Deflect Downward, Parry, and Punch — Four-phase sequence: block low, parry, step in, deliver fist. First appearance of closed-fist striking. Withdraw and Push (Apparent Close-Up) — Pull hands back to shoulders, then push forward. Classic neutralise-and-return pattern. Cross Hands — Arms cross at the wrists in front of the chest. Closing of the first section; restores central equilibrium. Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain — Large gathering and turning movement. Transitions into the diagonal plane; introduces the second section's wider spatial range. Fist Under Elbow — Stand on left leg, right fist rests under left elbow. Trains single-leg balance and compact guard position. Step Back and Repulse Monkey — Right — Step back, push forward with opposite hand. Retreating without losing forward presence. Step Back and Repulse Monkey — Left — Mirror; trains equal skill in both directions of retreat. Step Back and Repulse Monkey — Right (again) — Third repetition; the sequence of three is a hallmark of classical Yang-style teaching. Diagonal Flying (Xie Fei Shi) — Wide, sweeping step to the diagonal with a splitting arm motion. Powerful shoulder/arm separation technique. Wave Hands Like Clouds — Left — Circular arm motion with side-stepping. Develops continuous waist rotation and hand sensitivity. Wave Hands Like Clouds — Right — Continues the cloud-hands sequence; stepping now moves laterally. Wave Hands Like Clouds — Left (again) — Three-repetition completion of the cloud-hands series. Single Whip (second occurrence) — Returns to the wide Single Whip posture; marks a structural boundary in the form. Snake Creeps Down (High Pat on Horse transitions here) — High Pat on Horse: right palm presses forward at face height from a high stance. Tests forward intention without excessive lean. High Pat on Horse — Elevated guard; one hand rises like patting a horse's mane. Develops light, nimble upper-body control. Separation of Right Foot (Right Heel Kick) — Both hands open outward as the right leg extends in a controlled kick. Tests rooted balance on the left leg. Separation of Left Foot (Left Heel Kick) — Mirror kick to the left. Bilateral kicking develops equal strength and balance. Turn and Kick with Left Heel — Pivot 180°, then left heel kick. Adds rotational momentum to the kicking sequence. Brush Knee and Twist Step — Left (after kicks) — Grounds the practice after the elevated kicking sequence; returns to forward stepping. Brush Knee and Twist Step — Right — Continues the stepping pattern. Step Forward and Punch Down (Punch to Groin) — Forward step, downward fist. Targets low-line vulnerability; reinforces whole-body fist mechanics. Turn Body, Sweep Lotus Leg, and Punch (Bai Lian Tui) — Sweeping circular kick followed by a punch. One of the most visually dynamic movements. Step Forward, Seven Stars — Both fists rise together at chest height. Dense, compact guard; named for the seven visible stars of the Big Dipper. Step Back, Ride Tiger — Step back, arms open wide. Strategic withdrawal that creates distance and resets the engagement. Turn Body, Sweep Lotus (Bai Lian) — Circular sweeping leg motion. Tests hip flexibility and rotational balance. Bend Bow, Shoot Tiger — Archer's stance, right fist arcs forward, left fist guards. Combines lower-body stability with upper-body power release. Step Forward, Deflect Downward, Parry, and Punch (reprise) — Echo of movement 16; the form is teaching through repetition and return. Withdraw and Push (second reprise) — The classic neutralise-and-return; builds confidence in the pattern through recurrence. Cross Hands (closing) — Arms cross at the wrists. The form is gathering itself toward conclusion. Conclusion (Closing) — Hands lower to the sides, weight settles, breath returns. The form is complete; stand quietly for a moment before moving. ---