Yang Chengfu (1883-1936) modified and opened to the Chinese public the formerly held secret Yang Family Style Taijiquan (tai chi). His descendants, as well as his students and their students have made Yang Style Taijiquan the most popular and practiced taijiquan in the world today.
Yang Chengfu (also named Yang Zhao Qing) was the grandson of the founder of Yang Family Taijiquan, Yang Lu Chan (1799-1872), and the son of 2nd generation Yang Tai Chi master, Yang Chien Hou (1839-1917). His father taught him some of the basics of Yang combat training, but as a young man he cared more about drinking and womanizing. After his father's death in 1917 he became more interested in the martial arts and began serious studies with his older brother Shao Hou and other members of the Yang family.
He publically taught taijiquan at the Beijing Physical Culture Research Institute from 1914 until 1928. He moved to Shanghai in 1928 and continued his teaching.
Personality: He was described as being openhearted, friendly, and modest. He was very popular as a teacher, and avoided hurting his students and challengers. He was a large man – weighing over 230 pounds. One story has it that, During his stay in Wuhan, he reluctantly accepted a challenge from a belligerent local kung fu master versed in swordsmanship. Wielding a mere makeshift sword of bamboo; Yang easily defeated his well-armed opponent and then apologized profusely for having unintentionally hurt the opponent's wrist during the fight. http://goldeneaglemac.com
Chengfu style: Yang Chengfu developed a system of taijiquan that differed from that of this father, uncles and grandfather. He reduced or eliminated many of the difficult high kicks, leaps and stomps, replacing them with wider more comfortable stances with smoother flowing, light, agile, rooted movements; thereby making taijiquan more accessible to the general public. Nevertheless his style was strict and demanding—some say he even created a more effective martial art. He called his style Yang Big [or Large] Frame (Yang Da Jia).