Yang Shao-hou

This is a Chinese name; the family name is Yang.
楊少侯
Yang Shaohou
Born Yang Zhaoxiong
1862 (1862)
Died 1930 (aged 67–68)
Style Yang-style t'ai chi ch'uan
Yang Shao-hou
Traditional Chinese 楊少侯
Simplified Chinese 杨少侯

Yang Shao-hou or Yang Shaohou (1862-1930) along with Yang Chengfu (楊澄甫; 1883-1936) represent the third generation of Yang family taijiquan (楊氏太極拳).

At birth he was named Yang Zhaoxiong and was later named Mengxiang, and then Shaohou, commonly known as "Mr. Big".

Yang Shaohou studied with his father Yang Jianhou (楊健候; 1839–1917) and also with his uncle Yang Banhou (楊班侯; 1837-1890).

Yang Shaohou was also known to have had a very forceful nature, and both of these masters are considered to have been very demanding teachers; only interested in teaching those that could stand their tough training regimes.

In the early years he taught the 'middle frame' that was developed by his father, but later began developing his own signature style likely developed from the techniques taught to him by his uncle. This form or style was referred to as 'small circle'. This was characterized by high and low postures with small movements done in a sometimes slow and sometimes sudden manner. His fajin was hard and crisp, accompanied by sudden sounds. Master Yang Jun describes him in this way "The spirit from his eyes would shoot out in all directions, flashing like lightning. Combined with a sneer, a sinister laugh, and the sounds of "Heng!" and "Ha!", his imposing manner was quite threatening." During practice with his students, Yang Shaohou was not known for pulling his punches.

T'ai chi ch'uan lineage tree with Yang-style focus

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