When and how Taijiquan began is a topic of much speculation. 
 
The word “taiji” has been traced back to the I Ching (Book of Changes), Taoist philosophy written during the Zhou Dynasty, 1100-221 B.C.  “Taiji,” as with many Chinese words, is difficult to translate literally into English, but it carries the meanings of absoluteness, completeness, supremeness, and the unity of opposites.

In its simplest form, the concept proposes that opposing forces in nature cannot exist without each other. For example, without night how can we understand day? Furthermore, not only does one force give the other meaning, there is also constant cyclical movement from one to the other. This concept gives rise to the Yin-Yang symbol. Yang (stronger, lighter, growing) forces become Yin (weaker, darker, receding) forces, which return to Yang forces.

When Taijiquan actually began and who created it has not yet been discovered. There are many theories about its origins. Many people believe that Zhang Sanfeng created taijiquan during the late Song Dynasty (960-1279 A.D.). Others hold that it was part of the exercise practiced by Taoist monks at Wudang Mountain. Because of written documents of the Chen Family, we know that General Chen Wangting practiced taijiquan during the late years of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

Yang Style Taijiquan, practiced by Mei Zhong students, was developed from Chen Style. Yang Luchan (1799-1872) was, as far as we know, the first non-Chen family member to learn their taijiquan. Again, many myths and legends surround Yang Luchan's relationship with the Chen Family. Nevertheless, he learned taijiquan from Chen Changxing. He became quite famous as a martial artist and because of his skills was known as "Yang the Unbeatable." He eventually moved to Beijing. Because of his skills, he was invited to teach members of the Imperial Family. He did not, however, teach Chen Style Taijiquan. Instead, he developed his own style to share with others.

Keeping with tradition, Yang Luchan taught taijiquan to his sons, who taught it to their sons (lineage). In 1909, Master Cui Yishi began learning taijiquan from Yang Chengfu. He remained a devoted indoor disciple, assistant, and friend to Master Yang until Master Yang died in 1936. After Master Yang's death, many of his disciples continued to carry on the Yang Style lineage. Two of his disciples became very well known throughout China: in the South, Master Fu Zhongwen, and in the North, Master Cui Yishi. Today, the Cui branch of the lineage is continued through Master Cui Zhongsan, the little boy pictured above in the 1956 group photo.

The history of Mei Zhong Yang Style Taijiquan Association, U.S.A. begins in 1995, when Master Cui Yishi's disciple and grandson, Master Cui Zhongsan taught at the World Taijiquan Conference in Beijing. Mei Zhong founder, Miriam Holland, attended Master Cui's classes at the conference. She was astonished by the depth and breadth of Master Cui's knowledge and his ability and willingness to share it. She arranged to return to Beijing in October, 1996, to study again with Master Cui. At the conclusion of three weeks of intensive training, Master Cui asked her to return to America and teach. On January 12, 1997, she offered the first Mei Zhong class.