The development of the internal system of kung fu, known as Taijiquan (a.k.a. Tai Chi Chuan), is attributed to Chen San Feng (a 13th century man who lived during the Sung Dynasty in China). He taught his skills to only a few disciples, who in turn, passed it to a limited number of specially chosen students. By the early 19th century, Taijiquan had evolved into several major styles and many minor forms. Chen Cheng-hsing (18th-19th century) put his personal imprint on the style, which evolved into what is now known as Chen Style Taijiquan. This art was guarded carefully by his family.

Yang Lu-chan (1799-1872) gained admission into the Chen household by posing as a servant. He spied on the Chen clan members as they practiced until he was eventually caught. The old master was impressed by Yang's skill and devotion and decided to teach him formally.

Yang Lu-chan was nicknamed "The unsurpassed Yang" for his unique fighting ability. He brought Taijiquan to Peking and taught it to palace officials and to his two biological sons. The two sons, in return, taught it openly to the public.

Yan Chin-Pu (1883-1936), one of Taijiquan's best known masters, was the grandson of Yang Lu-chan (second son's child). Yang Chin-pu got into trouble while in the city. His father locked him in his room and allowed no visitors for a very long period of time. Yang emerged from his prison as an invincible master. As he got older and gained more experience, he evolved his own style of Taijiquan. This style is what is known today as Yang Style Taijiquan.

Professor Cheng Man-ching (1900-1975) learned Yang Style Taijiquan from Yang Chin-pu. Professor Cheng Man-ching held 5 accomplishments: poetry, painting, calligraphy, traditional Chinese medicine, and Taijiquan. In his late twenties he learned the full version of Yang style (128 postures) from Grandmaster Yang Chin-pu. Professor Cheng Man-ching had the intelligence and foresight to shorten the form down to 37 postures while still giving the same benefits as the longer form. This made it easier for people to learn and required less time to practice. Chen Man-ching's version of Yang Style Taijiquan gained great acceptance all over. Today mostly the short forms are practiced. The People's Republic of China has its own short form of 24 postures which has become recognized as China's national form.

William C.C. Chen learned Yang Style Taijiquan from Professor Cheng Man-Ching. William C.C. Chen went on to create another version of Taijiquan. It consisted of 60 movements (vise postures). The 60 movement form was derived from Professor Cheng Man-ching's 37 posture set. The 60 movement set was created for the purpose of adding missing techniques back into the Yang style form, while removing some of the repetitions. William C.C. Chen eventually wrote a book labeled "Body Mechanichs of Tai Chi" that shows the 60 movement set.

William C.C. Chen taught Antonio Suarez who in return taught Carl Brisson-Lopez. Carl Brisson-Lopez initially learned the 128, 37 posture forms and later, the 60 movement form while at the Studio of Kung Fu. In 1996 Carl Brisson-Lopez learned the 24 Form (Peoples Republic of China national set) from the Chinese Wushu Institute under Master Kam Lee.