When I began my journey teaching the snake style of Yang family tai chi, I knew I would draw negative criticism from established tai chi teachers with narrow minds and big egos.
This negativity is based on fear of competition. Now that the snake style is being taught publically, there is a clear choice between the tiger style and the snake style for those who are seeking a deeper system of tai chi chuan. Tiger style teachers are free to criticize each other, but they shouldn’t criticize a system they have never been exposed to, and therefore cannot possibly understand.
Attacking my credibility is irrelevant because the snake style is about a tai chi system and not an individual. It stands on its own merits. Most ISSA (International Snake Style Association) teachers are former tiger style teachers who transitioned to the snake style because it had more to offer them. I welcome a dialogue with anyone who is considering the possibility of this transition for themselves.
The snake style is the original system of the Yang family and it delivers the fulfillment of the promise of tai chi. My mission is to teach snake style and spread it throughout the world. For those who are excited by the challenges and subsequent rewards of practicing the snake style – welcome aboard. To those who are satisfied with their tai chi and their teacher, more power to you. Snake style tai chi is greater than any individual. It is the product of the effort of six generations of the Yang family!