Sifu Johnny Yut-Fon Jang (甄一峰師傅) is a Grandmaster of martial arts with extensive experience, and he is directly connected to the Yang style Tai Chi lineage.
Martial Arts Background and Experience:
- Sifu Johnny Jang began training in Kung Fu at age 6 and Chi Gung (Qigong) at age 9.
- He has over 60 years of martial arts and Chi Gung training and experience. Other sources state “over 40+ years” of study and training.
- He has studied under top masters in China, the U.S., Japan, and Korea.
- He is a master of multiple Chinese internal martial art systems, including Tai Chi, Xing Yi, Ba Qua, and Liu He Ba Fa, as well as other styles like Hung Gar, Wing Chun, Hapkido (3rd dan), and Aikibudo (5th dan).
Connection to Yang Style Tai Chi:
- Sifu Johnny Jang’s academy offers instruction in Yang style Tai Chi, including the 10 movements Yang style Tai Chi and the 24 movements Yang style Tai Chi. The 24-movement Yang style was developed in 1956 by the Chinese government to promote the art of Tai Chi to the masses.
- His curriculum for advanced students also includes the Traditional Yang style Tai Chi 108 form and the Yang style compulsory Tai Chi 40 form for international competition.
- He teaches various Yang style weapon forms, such as the Yang style Tai Chi sword 32 movements, the Traditional Yang style Tai Chi sword 55, the Traditional Yang style Tai Chi 13 broadsword, and the Yang style Tai Chi Fan.
- Lineage: Sifu Johnny Jang is explicitly connected to the Yang style lineage. He is listed as a student of Lum Kwong Wing, whose teachers included Yim Shan Mo and Choy Bak. These teachers, in turn, were students of Yang Dun Fu (Yang Chengfu) and others. Yang Dun Fu (Yang Chengfu) was the grandson of Yang Lu Zen (Yang Luchan), the founder of the Yang school of Tai Chi. The Yang style is recognized as the most widely practiced Tai Chi style globally.
Other Tai Chi Styles and Forms Taught:
Beyond Yang style, Sifu Johnny Jang teaches a wide range of forms from other major Tai Chi styles:
- Chen Style Tai Chi: This includes Chen style Tai Chi 28 movements, Chen style Tai Chi 38 movements, Chen style Tai Chi form one (87 movements), Chen style Tai Chi form two (Cannon Fist 70 movements), and the Chen style compulsory Tai Chi 56 form. He also teaches several Chen style weapon forms, including the Chen style Tai Chi sword 36 movements (a form he designed for competition), Chen style Tai Chi broadsword 24, Chen style Tai Chi 38 broadsword, Chen style Tai Chi 13 pole, Chen Tai Chi spear 25, Chen style Tai Chi double broadswords, and a Chen style Tai Chi Hat Fist form which he developed.
- Wu Style Tai Chi: His curriculum includes the Wu style Tai Chi 30 movements, Traditional Wu style Tai Chi 84, Wu style compulsory Tai Chi 45, and various Wu style weapons such as the Traditional Wu style Tai Chi sword 88, Wu style Tai Chi 13 broadsword, Wu style Tai Chi spear 24, and Wu style Tai Chi Yuen Yuen broadsword. He is part of the Wu style lineage through Wu Garm Chuen, son of Wu Chuen Yo, the founder of Wu style.
- Sun Style Tai Chi: He teaches the Traditional Sun style Tai Chi 95 movements and the Sun style compulsory Tai Chi 73 form. He is also connected to the Sun style lineage through Sun Lu Tong, its founder.
- Fu Style Tai Chi: The Traditional Fu style Tai Chi 108 movements are also part of his curriculum.
Achievements and Contributions:
- Sifu Johnny Jang was a U.S. national champion in Tai Chi, Xing Yi, and Ba Qua from 1987 to 1991.
- He was a former member of the S.F. Wushu Team in the 1980s.
- He has served as a judge for the U.S. Kuo Shu and Wu Shu Federation in both external and internal martial arts since 1991, and as the head judge for the annual U.C. Berkeley Chinese martial arts tournament in the internal and traditional divisions.
- He was also a former coach and advisor for the U.C. Berkeley and the U.S. national Tai Chi teams.
- He is a contributor to the Kung Fu – Tai Chi magazine.
Academy and Instruction:
- Sifu Johnny Jang operates the Johnny Jang Martial Arts Academy, with instruction held at the Jang San Francisco Kung Fu school..
- Instruction is provided by appointment only.
- His services also include online private tuition and distance learning.
- Saturday morning, 8:30 am PST, Yang style classes are held at the Oakland Asian Community Center (Donations to the OACC are encouraged and appreciated)
Sifu Johnny Jang’s diverse mastery across various Tai Chi styles and his deep lineage connections make him a highly experienced and knowledgeable figure in the martial arts community.