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Short Biography of Yang Zhenduo |  |
Master Yang Zhenduo is the fourth Generation of the Yang Family and internationally recognized bearer of its rich heritage. He was born in Beijing in 1926 and is the great grandson of Yang LuChan, the creator of Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan. His grandfather is Yang Jianhou, second generation of the Yang Family. His father is Yang Chengfu, the third generation of the Yang Family and one of the most famous martial artists of this century. The postures set forth by Yang Chengfu in his latter years are the standard that Master Yang Zhenduo emulates in his teaching and strives to achieve in his own practice.
He started studying with his father when very young and continued studying with his elder brother after his father passed away. Not only did he practice hard, but also he enjoyed researching and advancing his technique. He worked hard at understanding and advancing the theory of tai chi chuan.Being very approachable and caring, he has continuously treated those around him with kindness and respect. His patience is a reflection of his father's character. He possesses a great desire to pass on his ancestors' consummate skill and spends his time unselfishly sharing the benefits of tai chi chuan.
In 1960 Master Yang Zhenduo moved to Taiyuan, Shanxi Province. Since then, Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan has gradually spread within Taiyuan and to other cities, provinces, and countries. Now, his students number in the tens of thousands in his home province and are spreading throughout the world at an ever-increasing rate. He has traveled to 8 different countries to share his charisma and his art.
Since 1980 he has served as Vice-President of the Shanxi Wushu Association. In 1982 Yang Zhenduo founded the Shanxi Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Association, and has served as President since. The Association has now grown to over 30,000 members throughout the Province and is the largest martial arts organization of its kind in China. In October 1998 Yang Zhenduo founded the International Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Association, serving as Chairman of the Board. Under his leadership, in just one year the International Association has grown to 18 centers in 9 countries, with over 350 members. The Chinese Wushu Academy recognized Master Yang Zhenduo in 1996 as one of the top 100 Wushu Masters in China. He has also been honored by proclamations from the Mayors of San Antonio, Texas and Troy, Michigan. Master Yang Zhenduo has appeared on the covers of Tai Chi and other martial arts magazines at home and abroad. He has written 5 books on the study of Tai Chi and countless articles. He has produced 3 complete sets of videos instructing in the Yang Style system of Tai Chi.
Short Biography of Yang Jun
Born in 1968 in Taiyuan, Master Yang Jun is the sixth Generation descendent of the creator of Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan. Son of Yang Dao Fang and grandson of Master Yang Zhenduo, Yang Jun is the future bearer of the Yang Family heritage.
Master Yang Jun began his training with Master Yang Zhenduo when he was only 5 years old. He is proficient in Tai Chi Chuan, Sword, Saber, Push Hands, and many other forms of Tai Chi. Beginning in 1982 when they went to Singapore, Master Yang Zhenduo has taken Yang Jun with him whenever he traveled abroad to teach. Now, after nearly 20 years and dozens of seminars around the world, Yang Jun has become a teacher in his own right. His skill is unquestioned. His forms seamlessly combine softness with hardness, finesse with flair, and restraint with expression.
Since 1995, Yang Jun has served as the Vice President of Operations and Training of the Shanxi Province Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Association with over 30,000 members in his hometown province of Shanxi. In October 1998 Yang Jun crated the International Association and has served as President since. In August of 1999 Yang Jun moved to Seattle with his wife, Fang Hang, to formally begin working for the International Association and to establish a school in Seattle. Yang Jun represents the first member of the Yang Family to live outside of China.
Master Yang Jun graduated from Shanxi University in 1989 with a degree in physical education. In 1995 the Chinese Wushu Academy recognized him as a famous Wushu master in Shanxi Province. In 1996 he was certified as the highest level national judge and served as the head judge at the 1998 National Tai Chi Chuan Competition in China.