It is also said, that a strong influence in the development of Tai Chi Chuan comes through the buddhist monks of the Shaolin Monastery. Their contribution was mainly through the breathing exercises, muscle washing exercises and selfdefense techniques related to the ancient yogic traditions of the Himalayas.

In the second half of the 19th century, the founder of the Yang-Family-Style of Tai Chi Chuan, Yang-Lu-Chan, was the first to teach Tai Chi Chuan publicly. This he did in Peking. Among the people he trained where the emperor and members of the royal entourage.