Lineage

I am extremely grateful to have had a traditional education under my Sifu, Tai Chi Master Michael Paler. Michael is the only Sifu I have ever had, and I’ve studied under him for 10 years.

Everything I teach comes from him. It’s my endeavor to pass on his teachings unchanged, just as he passed on the teachings of his teachers, some of whom you can read about below.

Michael Paler is a seventh generation lineage holder in Imperial Yang Family Tai Chi.

in 2014 he traveled to Beijing and Ba shi-ed to (became the official disciple of) Wei Xilan. He is only a handful of people to ever have been granted this honor.

Receiving traditional instruction from my sifu

The Seven Generations of Imperial Yang Family Tai Chi

  • Yang Luchan - Founder

    Yang Luchan created the martial art that became known as Tai Chi. Luchan was also called Yang Wudi which roughly means “Yang The Invisible.”

    In 1850, Yang was hired by the Imperial family to teach Taijiquan to the Imperial Guard in Beijing’s Forbidden City

  • Yang Jianhou - Second Generation

    Yang Luchan’s youngest son. Jianhou taught at the imperial palace with his father. He was especially talented at issuing internal power.

     He practiced and taught “The Old Six Roads” Middle Frame Form, which later became known as “The Secret Transmission of Yang Jianhou.”

  • Yang Chengfu - Third Generation

    Yang Jianhou’s youngest son. Chengfu is best known for created the well-known Yang Family Large Frame 108 movement form. 

    Yang Cheng Fu was among the first teachers to offer Taiji to the general public

  • Wang Yongquan - Fourth Generation

    Yongquan was one of the foremost disciplse of both Jianhou and Chengu.

    He was known for his soft Tai Chi skills.  When he would issue power “fajin,” if the person were going to fall, he would catch their wrist to avoid injury.

  • Wei Shuren - Fifth Generation

    Wei Shuren was one of the foremost disciples of Yongquan.

    One of the qualities his disciples respected him for, apart from his knowledge and skill level, was his sincerity and willingness to teach everything he knew, holding nothing back.  He will always be remembered as an honorable teacher.

  • Wei Xilan - Sixth Generation

    Wei Xilan received the complete transmission of Imperial Yang Family Tai Chi from her father, Grand Master Wei Shuren.

    Master Wei Xilan possesses excellent knowledge and incredible internal power and skill, sharing freely with others as her father did before her.  Master Wei Xilan is greatly loved and respected by her disciples.

  • Michael Paler - Seventh Generation

    Michael became an official disciple of Wei Xilan in 2014.

    Michael has studied Chinese martial arts since 1982 and Yang Tai Chi since 1992. He has inherited his Master’s and Grand Master’s passion for sharing and spreading Imperial Yang Family Tai Chi everywhere.