“There are many styles of Chinese martial arts. After the Sui (589-618 AD) and the Tang (618-907) dynasties, they were divided into two schools: shaolin and wutang .  Within these schools, there are further divisions.  We speak of shaolin as external style and wutang as internal style .  Others say shaolin is hard style ( wai kung ), and wutang is soft style ( nei kung ).  In any case, because they are arts of combat, Chinese martial arts must contain both soft and hard techniques so that they can encompass both defense and offence.  The only difference between shaolin and wutang os the method of training students…(in) my own experience, younger or stronger people are better suited to practice shaolin … wutang takes longer. … practice … using large circular movements; but combat conditions require small, curved movement.  The more you practice … the smaller your curve of movement should become”

Chen Pang Ling’s Original Tai Chi Chuan Textbook