Wèi Shù Rén 魏树人

**Wèi Shù Rén 魏树人**

Wei Shuren (1924-2013) started training in the Chen- and Wu-styles of taiji at the age of 29. In 1980, after nearly stopping training in taiji as an unprofitable pursuit, he met the master of the Yang-style taiji, Wang Yongquang, who started to train Wei in the true deep skill of taiji. Wei was known for his ability to use his inner strength hidden in extreme softness. This skill is shown in his tuishou pair training, which he preferred to call roushou (“kneading the hands”, cf. kneading dough).

Wei Shuren first met Lü at a taiji festival organized in 1986. Ten years later Wei sought out Lü in order to pass on his knowledge of taiji to him. In 1996 Lü started learning the Yang-style of taiji as a trainee in the inner circle of Wei.

## Lineage

### 1st Generation

Also known as Yang Fukui or Yang Fu-k’ui, Yang Lu Chan is teh Creator and Founder of Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan.

In his early years, he traveled from his birth place of Guangping to Chen Village to seek out his own teacher, Ch’en Chang-hsing, the 14th generation of the Chen Family. From this teacher he learned the Chen Village style of boxing.

Upon mastering this martial art, Yang Luchan was given permission by his teacher to go to Beijing and teach his own students. These students included Wu Yu-hsiang and his brothers, who were officials in the Imperial Qing dynasty bureaucracy. Yang was subsequently hired by the Imperial Family in 1850 to teach Taijiquan to them and several others from their elite Manchu Imperial Guards Brigade in Beijing’s Forbidden City.

### 2nd Generation

Son of Yang Lu Chan the Founder and father of Yang Cheng Fu

Known for his unique skill for issuing internal power, he practiced and taught “The Old Six Roads” Middle Frame Form, which was also recognized as “the secret transmission of Yang Jianhou.”

### 3rd Generation

Son of Yang Lu Chan the Founder and father of Yang Cheng Fu

Known for his unique skill for issuing internal power, ahe practiced and taught “The Old Six Roads” Middle Frame Form, which was also recognized as “the secret transmission of Yang Jianhou.”

### 4th Generation

Disciple of both Yang Jian Hou and Yang Cheng Fu

Known for his “soft” Taiji skills, the Great Grand Master issued a special power (“faijin”) so that, for example, should a student be about to fall during practice, he would catch their wrist, lest they be injured by the fall.

### 5th Generation

Disciple of Wong Yongquan

His disciples respected the honorable Grand Master for qualities beyond his renowned knowledge and skills — especially for his sincerity and willingness to teach all that he knew, holding back nothing.

### 6th Generation

Daughter and Disciple of Grand Master Wei Shuren

From her father, Grand Master We Shuren, she received the complete transmission passed down from Yang Lu Chan through all the previous generations. Possessing great skill, knowledge, and internal power, Master Wei Xilan freely shares with others as her father did before her. Her disciples love, respect, and honor her.

### 7th Generation

Disciple of Wei Xilan Imperial Yang Family Tai Chi

Since 1982, Sifu Michael Paler has studied the Chinese Martial Arts. He has studied Yang Tai Chi since 1992. Michael’s personal passion, including the passion he inherited from his Master and Grand Master, is to share and spread everywhere the unique art of Imperial Yang Family Tai Chi.

## Master Wei Shuren Passes Away

Master Wei Shuren (1924 – 2013) passed away last night, June 11, 2013. He was the last disciple of Yang Tai Chi master Wang Yongquan (1903 – 1987). Wei Shuren taught the Yang Family style of Tai Chi Chuan that was passed to Wang Yongquan from 2nd generation Yang family master Yang Jianhou.