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The Chen family style (陈氏 Chen shi taijiquan) is the oldest and parent form of the five main tai chi chuan styles. It is third in terms of world-wide popularity compared to the other main taijiquan styles. Image File history File links Zhongwen. ... Japanese name Kanji: Kana: Korean name Hangul: Hanja: Vietnamese name Quoc Ngu: Hantu: A Chinese character (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; Pinyin: ) is a logogram used in writing Chinese, Japanese, sometimes Korean, and formerly Vietnamese. ... Look up Chen in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Tai chi chuan (Traditional Chinese: ; Simplified Chinese: ; Hanyu Pinyin: tàijíquán; Wade-Giles: tai4 chi2 chüan2) is an internal Chinese martial art often practiced with the aim of promoting health and longevity. ...

Chen style is characterized by its lower stances, more explicit Silk Reeling (Chan Si Jing) and bursts of power (Fa Jing).^[1] Silk reeling (pinyin chánsīgōng, Wade-Giles chan2 ssu1 kung1 纏絲功) refers to a set of qigong exercises frequently used by the Chen style and some other styles of Tai Chi Chuan. ... Fa jing, fa jin, fa ching or fa chin (fā jìn, 發勁) is a term used in some Chinese martial arts, particularly the neijia internal martial arts, such as Xingyi, Tai Chi Chuan and Baguazhang . ...

Many modern tai chi styles and teachers emphasize a particular aspect (health, aesthetics, meditation and/or competitive sport) in their practice of tai chi chuan. The five traditional family styles tend to retain the original martial applicability of tai chi teaching methods. Some argue that Chen style schools succeed in this to a greater degree.^[1] Marcus Valerius Martialis, known in English as Martial, was a Latin poet from Hispania (the Iberian Peninsula) best known for his twelve books of Epigrams, published in Rome between AD 86 and 103, during the reigns of the emperors Domitian, Nerva and Trajan. ...

Chen style practitioners in Single Whip

Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2240x1488, 2520 KB) Summary Description: Martial arts is a popular pasttime in China. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2240x1488, 2520 KB) Summary Description: Martial arts is a popular pasttime in China. ... Yang Chengfu in a single whip posture circa 1918 Single Whip (單鞭 dān biān) is a common posture found in most forms of Tai Chi Chuan. ...

History

Origin Theories

The origin and nature of tai chi is not historically verifiable at all until around the 1600s when the Chen clan of Chenjiagou (Chen Village), Henan province, China appear identified as possessing a unique martial arts system. How the Chen family came to practise their unique style is not clear and irreconcilable views on the matter abound.

Sourced histories center around Chen Wangting (1600-1680), who codified preexisting Chen training practice into a corpus of seven routines. Wangting is said to have incorporated theories from a classic text by General Qi Jiguang 戚继光, Jixiaoxinshu 继效新书 (new book of effective techniques) and Huang Di Nei Jing 黄帝内经 (Yellow Emperor's Canon of Chinese Medicine), which described martial arts from 16 different styles.

Some legends (i.e. unsubstantiated) assert that a disciple of Zhang Sanfeng named Wang Zongyue (王宗岳) taught Chen family the martial art later to be known as taijiquan. No mentioned of taijiquan was found in the book Biography of San Feng (三丰全传). On the other hand some in the Chen family claim that it was Wang Zongyue who learned taijiquan from them^{[citation needed]}. Zhang Sanfeng was a semi-mythical Chinese Taoist priest who is believed by some to have achieved immortality, said variously to date from either the late Song dynasty, Yuan dynasty or Ming dynasty. ...

Less accepted explanations speak of Jiang Fa (蔣發 Jiǎng Fā). Reputedly a monk from Wudang mountain who came to Chen village, he is said to have radically transformed the Chen family art for the better when he taught Chen Changxing (1771-1853) internal fighting practices. However there are significant difficulties with this explanation: it is no longer clear if their relationship was that of teacher/student or even who taught who. Cliffside Temple at Wudangshan The Wudang Mountains (武當山; pinyin: wǔ dāng shān, also known as Wu Tang Shan or simply Wudang), are a small mountain range in the Hubei province of China, just to the south of the manufacturing city of Shiyan. ...

Chen Village (Chenjiagou)

Historically documented from the 1600s, the Chen family were originally from Shanxi, Hong Dong (山西洪洞). First generation, Chen Pu (陈仆), shifted from Shanxi to Wen County, Henan Province (温县河南). Originally known as Chang Yang Cun (常阳村) or Sunshine village, the village grew to include a large number of Chen descendants. Because of the three deep ravines (Gou) beside the village it became to be known as Chen Jia Gou (陈家沟) or Chen Family Village. Chen village has since been a center of tai chi learning. Ninth generation Chen Wangting (陈王廷) is credited as performing the first formal codification of Chen family martial art practice. Many inventions and institutions are created, including Hans Lippershey with the telescope (1608, used by Galileo the next year), the newspaper Avisa Relation oder Zeitung in Augsburg, and Cornelius Drebbel with the thermostat (1609). ... Henan (Chinese: 河南; Hanyu Pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Ho-nan), is a province of the Peoples Republic of China, located in the central part of the country. ...

Perhaps the best known Chen family teacher was 14th generation Chen Changxing (陈长兴 Chén Chángxīng, Ch'en Chang-hsing, 1771-1853). He further synthesized Chen Wangting's open fist training corpus into two routines that came to be known as "old frame" (老架) (lao jia). Chen Changxing, contrary to Chen family tradition, also took the first recorded non-family member as a disciple - the famous Yang Luchan (1820). Yang went on to develop his own family tradition (Yang style tai chi chuan) and was the first person to teach tai chi (Yang Style) publicly. Tai Chi proved very popular and the other three traditional styles of tai chi chuan further sprang from Yang family tradition - some of these styles also borrowing from the Chen family "small frame" tradition (see immediately below). Chen family teaching remained hidden and was not officially "released" to the public until 1928. 1771 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1853 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Yang Lu-chan 楊露禪 Yang Lu-chan or Yang Luchan, 楊露禪, also known as Yang Fu-kui 楊福魁 (1799-1872), born in Kuang-ping (Guangping), was an influential teacher of the soft style martial art known Tai Chi Chuan in China during the second half of the... 1820 was a leap year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Yang Cheng-fu in the Yang styles version of the form known as Single Whip 單鞭 Yang family style (楊氏) Tai Chi Chuan in its many variations is the most popular and widely practised style in the world today and the second in terms of seniority among the... Tai chi chuan (Traditional Chinese: ; Simplified Chinese: ; Hanyu Pinyin: tàijíquán; Wade-Giles: tai4 chi2 chüan2) is an internal Chinese martial art often practiced with the aim of promoting health and longevity. ...

Chen Youben (陈有本), of the 14th Chen generation, is credited with starting a mainstream Chen training tradition that differed from that created by Chen Changxing. It was originally know as xinjia (新架) (New Form) as opposed to Chen Changxing's lao jia. It gradually became to be known as xiao jia (小架) or small form. Small Form eventually lead to the formation of two styles with Chen family influences - Zhaobao jia and hulei jia (thunder) which are not considered a part of the Chen family lineage. Zhaobao Taijiquan(pronouced jao-bao) is a style of Taijiquan that is often considered to be a modern style, but actually has a strong documented lineage that confirms its authenticity as an ancient style of Taijiquan and as a true transmission from Chen Qingping. ... Thunder is the sound made by lightning. ...

Recent History

In recent decades Chen style has come to be recognized as a major style of martial art in China. This is due in no small way to the popularising efforts of Chen Xin 陳鑫 (Ch’en Hsin, 1849-1929) who published the classic book Taijiquan Illustrated 太極拳圖說 at the beginning of the 20th century, as well as Chen Fake 陈发科 (Chén Fākē, Ch'en Fa-k'e 1887-1957), who taught for many years in Beijing. He and his nephew were the first Chen family members to openly teach Chen style - giving public classes in Beijing from the late 1920s. The Tai Chi Classics are various manuscripts and commentaries that are used as standards for the correct study and practice of the art of tai chi chuan. ... Chen Fake or Chén FākÄ“ or Chen Fa-ke 陳發科 (1887 - 1957) was was a famous Chinese Taijiquan teacher. ... 1887 (MDCCCLXXXVII) is a common year starting on Saturday (click on link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. ... Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar). ... Beijing (Chinese: 北京; pinyin: BÄ›ijÄ«ng; Wade-Giles: Peiching or Pei-ching; IPA: ; literally Northern capital;  ), a metropolis in northern China, is the capital of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). ...

Chen Fake taught many students. His known disciples are: Hong Junsheng, Feng Zhiqiang, Li Jingwu, Chen Zhaokui, Gu Liuxin, Lei Muni, Tian Xiuchen, Xu Rusheng, and Li Jianhua. Of the 10th generation, the most known are the "Four Buddha's Warrior Attendants.": Chen Xiao Wang (Chen Fake's direct grandson), Chen Zhenglei, Zhu Tian Cai and Wang Xian. Other 19th generation masters are also active in China and internationally: Chen Yu (grandson of Chen Fake), Li Enjiu, Zhang Xuexin, Zhang Zhijun, Chen Zhonghua, Chen Xiaoxing, Chen Xiang.

Thanks to their international travels and relentless global workshops Chen style schools with links back to Chen Village have developed in Western countries since the 1980s - offering an alternative to Yang family style (effectively the only tai chi known in the West at that time).

Countries with strong links to Chen Village include USA, Canada, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, Japan, Singapore and Malaysia.

Chen forms

Chen Wangting's Corpus of Seven Routines

Chen Wangting (9th generation) is generally credited with codifying less structured practices of his family's art into a corpus of seven training forms/routines. In addition to these "open fist" sets there was also practise of weapon forms and a two person combat "form" called tui shou (Push Hands).

Big frame/small frame split

Around the time of the 14/15th generation Chen Village practice appears to have differentiated into two related but distinct practice traditions which are today known as big frame (sometimes called large frame) and small frame. The various practise routines embodied in big/small frame traditions modified and assimilated Chen Wangting's seven set corpus and the original practise routines are now said to have been lost. (Though recent claims are being made that Chen Wangting's 108 form has been rediscovered from two possible sources: senior Beijing disciples of Chen Zhaokui; Chen relatives back in Shanxi Province)

There are conflicting claims about which of these two traditions came first. Western theories and most of the famous masters from Chen Village (see Chen Zhenglei's English language book) tend to favor the view that big frame tradition came first (noting that "small frame" tradition was originally called "new frame"). There is a minority view from outside of Chen Village that tend to favor the reverse view.

There are also conflicting stories about the reason for the differentiation into these two traditions. Zhu Tian Cai comments that small frame tradition routines tended to be practiced by "retired" Chen villagers (and mimicked by younger children). It seems this was because the more demanding leaping, stomping, low frame, and intensive Fa jing of the advanced big frame tradition routines have been eliminated and the retained movements emphasize the training of the soft internal skills. Keep in mind that this is only a tendency and a master of the principles may use them to add fa jing, leaping, stomping, and low frame back to the small tradition at will. Just as a master of the large frame can perform the set small, large, smoothly, with fa jing in every movement, low, middle, or high. The traditions are only significantly different because the elder practitioners tend to focus on longevity and may develop injuries if they practice in the same manor as the younger practitioners. Fa jing, fa jin, fa ching or fa chin (fā jìn, 發勁) is a term used in some Chinese martial arts, particularly the neijia internal martial arts, such as Xingyi, Tai Chi Chuan and Baguazhang . ...

Other authors, however, say that "big" does not simply mean large exaggerated outer movements and nor does "small" simply mean confined/close outer movements. They argue that in small frame both large and small motions are used - with the smaller motions considered to be more advanced. It is also useful to frame the discussion in terms of human physiology. The large and small frame traditions have similar training methods and are training the same tai chi principles (clear movement of qi, shifting the weight, relaxation, etc.) it is only the external presentation that confuses beginners.

Keep in mind throughout this discussion that no literature of Chen style before 1932 appears to mention anything about New, old, big or small styles ^{[citation needed]}. As with so much of Tai Chi history complete comprehension and certainty is hard to find.

Big frame tradition

Chen family traditions were kept secret from the public until around 1928 when the big frame routines were taught openly for the first time. This was started in Beijing by Chen Fake's nephew and then by the legendary Chen Fake himself.

Big frame encompasses the classic "old frame" (lao jia) routines, one & two, which are very well known today. It also includes the more recent "new frame" (xin jia) routines, one & two, which evolved from the classic Old Way/Frame routines thanks to the work of Chen Fake in Beijing in his later years (1950s).

Xin yi hun yuan tai chi is an offshoot of the new frame (xin jia) tradition and blends in material from Feng Zhiqiang's Xing Yi]] background.

Lao jia – old frame 老架

The Chen lao jia consists of two forms yi lu (1st routine) and er lu (2nd routine) It was taught privately in Chen Village from the time of Chen ChangXing - the 14th generation creator of these routines. These were the very first Chen tai chi routines to be publicly revealed. This happened in Beijing from 1928 onwards - being taught by Chen Fake and his nephew. Chen Fake or Chén Fākē or Chen Fa-ke 陳發科 (1887 - 1957) was was a famous Chinese Taijiquan teacher. ...

Yi lu (the first empty hand form) at the beginner level is mostly done slowly with large motions interrupted by occasional expressions of fast power (Fajing) that comprise less than 20% of the movements, with the overall purpose of teaching the body to move correctly. At the intermediate level it is practiced in very low stances (low frame) with an exploration of clear directional separation in power changes and in speed tempo. The movements become smaller and the changes in directional force become more subtle. At the advanced level the leg strength built at the previous level allows full relaxation and the potential for Fajing in every movement. Fa jing, fa jin, fa ching or fa chin (fā jìn, 發勁) is a term used in some Chinese martial arts, particularly the neijia internal martial arts, such as Xingyi, Tai Chi Chuan and Baguazhang . ...

The second empty hand form, "er lu" or "cannon fist" is done faster and is used to add more advanced martial techniques such as advanced sweeping and more advanced fajing methods. Both forms also teach various martial techniques.

Xin jia – new frame 新架

An older Chen Fake plays the "xin jia" form he introduced to the world

This style was first seen practiced by Chen Fake in his later years (1950s) and many regard him as the author of the style. Credit for actual public teaching/spread of these two new routines probably goes to his senior students (especially his son, Chen Zhaokui). Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Chen Fake or Chén Fākē or Chen Fa-ke 陳發科 (1887 - 1957) was was a famous Chinese Taijiquan teacher. ...

When Chen Zhaokui returned to Chen Village (to assist and then succeed Chen ZhaoPei) to train today's generation of Masters (e.g. the "Four Buddhas") he taught Chen Fake's, unknown adaptation of old frame. Zhu Tian Cai recalls, as a young man at the time, they all started calling it "xin jia" (new frame) because it was adapted from classic old frame.

The main difference from old frame (lao jia) is that the movements are smaller and more obvious torso twisting silk reeling and twining of the arms/wrists is employed. This form tends to emphasise manipulation, seizing and grappling (qinna) rather than striking techniques. Silk reeling (pinyin chánsīgōng, Wade-Giles chan2 ssu1 kung1 纏絲功) refers to a set of qigong exercises frequently used by the Chen style and some other styles of Tai Chi Chuan. ... Chin Na or Qinna (擒拿, pinyin: qín ná, Wade-Giles: chin2 na2) is a Mandarin Chinese term describing joint-manipulation techniques for self defense used in the Chinese martial arts. ...

Zhu Tian Cai has commented that the xinjia (new frame) emphasises the silk reeling movements to help beginners more easily learn the internal principles in form and to make application more obvious in relation to the Old big frame forms.

In Chen Village xin jia is traditionally learned only after lao jia. Like lao jia, xin jia consists of two routines, yi lu and er lu (cannon fist). The new frame cannon fist is generally performed faster than the other empty hand forms, at the standardized speed its 72 movements finish in under 4 minutes. ^{[citation needed]}!

Small frame tradition (xiao jia) 小架

This style was until recently not publicly known outside of Chen Village. DVD material has been made available in more recent times though authentic, public teaching is still hard to find. The reasons for this may be more to do with the nature of small frame tradition itself rather than any particular motivation of secrecy (see below).

Although it recently had the term "small frame" attached to it "xiao jia" was previously known as "xin jia" (new frame). Apparently the name change occurred to differentiate it from the new routines that Chen Fake created (from big frame tradition's "old frame" routines) in the 1950s which then became called "Xin Jia" (by the young men of Chen Village).

Even today some people confuse Chen Fake's altered routines (from big frame tradition's "old frame" routines) with small frame tradition and believe he revealed the secret teaching of small frame tradition as well.

Zhu Tian Cai comments that small frame tradition routines also used to be practiced by "retired" Chen villagers. It seems this was because the more demanding leaping, stomping, low frame, and intensive fa jing of the advanced big frame tradition routines have been eliminated and the retained movements emphasize use of the more subtle internal skills, which is a more appropriate regimen for the bodies of elder practitioners. He also observed that young children used to imitate Small Frame routines by watching older villagers practicing and this was encouraged for health reasons.

Xiao Jia is known mainly for its emphasis on internal movements, this being the main reason that people refer to it as "small frame"; all "silk-reeling" action is within the body, the limbs are the last place the motion occurs.

The current lineage successors (20th generation) are Chen Peishan and Chen Peiju, founders of the International Society of Chen Taijiquan. They continue to travel and teach small frame Chen taijiquan around the world.

Closely Related Chen Forms

Zhaobao Taijiquan has just very recently gained recognition within the Western tai chi community, and as such many misconceptions surround the style. While it claims Chen style influence and is often mistaken for Chen tai chi when demonstrated it is not a facet of Chen family tai chi. It was said to have been created by Small frame practitioner Chen Qingping. Zhaobao Taijiquan is a style of Taijiquan that is often considered to be a modern style, but actually has a strong documented lineage that attempts to confirm its authenticity as an ancient style of Taijiquan and as a true transmission from the Zhang Sanfeng, Wang Zongyue and Jiang Fa lineage. ... Chen Qingping or Chen Ching-ping (陳清苹 1795 - 1868) was a 15th generation descendant and 7th generation master of the famed Chen Family and considered to be an influential martial artist and teacher of Taijiquan. ...

Chen Style xin yi hun yuan tai chi 陳式心意渾元太極 (陈氏心意浑元太极) This style is much like xin jia with an influence from Shanxi Xingyi. It was created by Chen Fake's senior student Feng Zhiqiang 馮志強. Specifically, the style synthesizes a large amount of Xing Yi Qigong and to a lesser degree fighting movements of Xing Yi. When performed the style appears similar to other Chen style set forms. In Feng's own words: "Our style of tai chi is called Chen style hun yuan taiji. It belongs in the big frame family. Why is it called hun yuan? Hun yuan symbolizes the orbital path of the sun, the moon, the constellations, the earth; when everything is moving together, it is hun yuan. For example, bicycles, it spins; automobiles, the wheels spin; ships, steamboats, airplanes, rockets; it’s just that they have different directions of spin. Airplanes with rotary propellers, they spin like this. Bullets from guns they also spin. When everything is spinning, it’s hun yuan. In our own body there is circulation of qi and blood, and they follow particular meridians. For example, up the inner leg and down the outer side. Same thing with the arms, and also around the belt meridian. When everything is circulating and spinning together, this is hun yuan. Nothing can leave this basic foundation. Even when we’re walking, there are also curved lines involved. Curved lines are better. Everything moves in the orbit of curved lines." ^{[citation needed]}. Xingyiquan (Chinese: 形意拳; pinyin: Over the centuries, many different variations of the art have evolved, so significant portions of the following article may not apply to every extant style of Xingyiquan Xingyiquan (or Xingyi) claims to specialize in deceptively soft, linear, low attacks and quick yet solid footwork appropriate for the... A woman performs a Qigong routine outdoors. ... This page is a candidate for speedy deletion. ...

Modern Chen forms

Similar to other family styles of tai chi, Chen style has had its frame adapted by competitors to fit within the framework of wushu competition and to accommodate the contemporary trend towards shortened forms that take less time to learn and perform. Prominent examples of these include Chen Xiaowang's 19 and 38 posture forms (synthesized from both lao and xin jia) and the standard 56 form developed by the Chinese National Wushu Association from lao jia yi lu and er lu. Gun (staff) event at the 10th All China Games Wushu (Chinese: ; pinyin: ; literally martial arts), also known as modern wushu or contemporary wushu, is both an exhibition and a full-contact sport derived from traditional Chinese martial arts. ...

In the last ten years or so respected teachers of traditional styles have also realized that beginners in large cities don't always have the time, space or the concentration needed to immediately start learning old frame (75 movements). This proves all the more true at workshops given by visiting grandmasters. Consequently shortened versions of the traditional forms have been developed even by the "Four Buddhas." Beginners can choose from postures of 19 (1995 Chen Xiao Wang), 18 (Chen Zheng Lei) and 13 (1997 Zhu Tian Cai). There is even a 4 step routine (repeated 4 times in a circular progression - returning to start) useful for confined spaces (Zhu Tian Cai).

A comprehensive list of forms, old and new, can be found here. List of Tai Chi Chuan empty hand forms, postures, movements, or positions in order of number of forms: 8 - Yang Standardized 8 - Chen Standardized 9 - Chen Old Frame (Master Liu Yong) 10 - Yang 12 - Yang 13 - Dong Yue (East Mountain) Combined 13 - Dong Yue (East Mountain) Combined Sword 16 - Yang...

Weapons forms

Chen Tai Chi has several unique weapons forms.

• the 49 posture Straight Sword (Jian) form
• the 13 posture Broadsword (Dao) form
• Spear (Qiang) solo and partner forms
• 3, 8, and 13 posture Gun (staff) forms
• 30 posture Halberd (Da Dao/Kwan Dao) form
• several double weapons forms utilizing the above-mentioned items

For the novel of the same name, see Eric Van Lustbader. ... DAO and Dao may refer to: ... 10th All China Games 10th All China Games Qiang (qīang,槍) is the Chinese term for spear. ... Gun event at the 10th All China Games The Chinese word Gun (Chinese: ; pinyin: gùn) refers to a long Chinese staff weapon used in Chinese martial arts. ... A guan dao (Chinese: 關刀; Mandarin Pinyin: guān dāo; Cantonese IPA: , Jyutping: gwaan1 dou1) is a type of Chinese pole weapon that is currently used in some forms of Chinese Wushu. ...

Additional training

Before teaching the forms, the instructor may have the students do stance training such as zhan zhuang and various qigong routines such as silk reeling exercises. These stance training and qigong exercises are done to condition and strengthen the body to have the correct frame and alignment so as to be able to develop the subtle feeling of silk reeling energy (Chan Si Jing) before moving to the more complicated movements that are in the forms. Zhan zhuang (站椿) or standing like a post is a method of training in many Chinese martial arts in which static postures are used for meditation and to develop patience, leg strength and stamina on the one hand; or to develop whole body strength on the other; specifically among the internal... A woman performs a Qigong routine outdoors. ... Silk reeling (pinyin chánsīgōng, Wade-Giles chan2 ssu1 kung1 纏絲功) refers to a set of qigong exercises frequently used by the Chen style and some other styles of Tai Chi Chuan. ... Silk reeling (pinyin chánsīgōng, Wade-Giles chan2 ssu1 kung1 纏絲功) refers to a set of qigong exercises frequently used by the Chen style and some other styles of Tai Chi Chuan. ...

Other methods of training for Chen style using training aids including pole/spear shaking exercises, which teach a practitioner how to extend their silk reeling and Fa jing skill into a weapon. Silk reeling (pinyin chánsīgōng, Wade-Giles chan2 ssu1 kung1 纏絲功) refers to a set of qigong exercises frequently used by the Chen style and some other styles of Tai Chi Chuan. ... Fa jing, fa jin, fa ching or fa chin (fā jìn, 發勁) is a term used in some Chinese martial arts, particularly the neijia internal martial arts, such as Xingyi, Tai Chi Chuan and Baguazhang . ...

In addition to the solo exercises listed above, there are partner exercises known as pushing hands, designed to help students maintain the correct body structure when faced with resistance. There are five traditional phases of push hands in Chen Village (see External Links) that students may learn before they can move on to a more free-style push hands structure which begins to resemble sparring. For other uses of the term, see Pushing Hands Pushing hands, (推手, Wade-Giles tui1 shou3, pinyin tuī shǒu), is a name for two-person training routines practiced in internal Chinese martial arts such as Pa Kua Chang (Baguazhang), Hsing-i Chuan (Xingyiquan), Tai Chi Chuan...

Martial application

In contrast to some tai chi styles and teachers, the vast majority of Chen stylists believe that tai chi is first and foremost a martial art; that a study of the self-defense aspect of tai chi is the best test of a student's skill and knowledge of the tai chi principles that provide health benefit. In compliance with this principle, all Chen forms retain some degree of overt fa jing expression. Self defense refers to actions taken by a person to defend onself, ones property or ones home. ... Fa jing, fa jin, fa ching or fa chin (fā jìn, 發勁) is a term used in some Chinese martial arts, particularly the neijia internal martial arts, such as Xingyi, Tai Chi Chuan and Baguazhang . ...

In martial application, Chen style tai chi uses a wide variety of techniques applied with all the extremities that revolve around the use of the Eight Gates (Bafa) of tai chi chuan to manifest either kai (expansive power) or he (contracting power) through the physical postures of Chen forms.^[1] The particulars of exterior technique may vary between teachers and forms. In common with all Neijia, Chen style aims to develop internal power for the execution of martial techniques, but focuses especially on cultivating fa jing skill. Chen family member Chen Zhenglei has commented that between the new and old frame traditions there are 105 basic fajin methods and 72 basic Qinna methods present in the forms. For other uses of the term, see Pushing Hands Pushing hands, (推手, Wade-Giles tui1 shou3, pinyin tuÄ« shÇ’u), is a name for two-person training routines practiced in internal Chinese martial arts such as Pa Kua Chang (Baguazhang), Hsing-i Chuan (Xingyiquan), Tai Chi Chuan... Nèijiā (Chinese: 內家; Pinyin: nèi jÄ«a; Wade-Giles: nei4 chia1) denotes the internal or soft styles of Chinese martial arts, as opposed to wàijiā (外家; external family), the external or hard styles, which are associated with Shaolinquan and its many derivatives. ... Nei jin, Wade-Giles: nei chin or Pinyin: nèi jìn, 內勁, is an internal power or coordination said to be acquired through the practise of Chinese martial arts. ... Fa jing, fa jin, fa ching or fa chin (fā jìn, 發勁) is a term used in some Chinese martial arts, particularly the neijia internal martial arts, such as Xingyi, Tai Chi Chuan and Baguazhang . ... Chin Na or Qinna (æ“’æ‹¿, pinyin: qín ná, Wade-Giles: chin2 na2) is a Mandarin Chinese term describing joint-manipulation techniques for self defense used in the Chinese martial arts. ...

Chen style in popular culture

• Ren Guang Yi (a disciple of Chen Xiaowang) created a shortened version of Chen style cannon fist for Hugh Jackman to perform in the Darren Aronofsky film, The Fountain.

• In the video game, Shenmue II, the main character Ryo Hazuki meets a Chen Style Master, Jianmin Tao, in a park in Hong Kong and spars with him throughout the game.

Hugh Michael Jackman (born 12 October 1968) is an Australian film producer, and film, television and stage actor, known for playing Wolverine in X-Men and its sequels, and for his Tony Award-winning performance on Broadway in The Boy from Oz. ... Darren Aronofsky (born February 12, 1969 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American film director, screenwriter and film producer. ... The Fountain is a 2006 science fiction / fantasy film directed by Darren Aronofsky that follows three interwoven narratives that take place in the age of conquistadors, the modern day period, and the far future. ... Shenmue II ) is an Adventure game for the Dreamcast and Xbox game consoles. ...

See also

• Stephan Berwick

Stephan Berwick (born in 1964) is an American author, martial artist, and actor known for his scholarly research on traditional Chinese martial arts - particularly Chen-style Taijiquan, and roles in early Yuen Wo-ping Hong Kong Action films. ...

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Guang Yi, Ren; Stephen Berkwick, Jose Figueroa (2003). Taijiquan: Chen 38 form and applications. 364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon VT: Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 0-8048-3526-8 (pbk). 

• Gaffney, David (2002). Chen Style Taijiquan: The source of Taiji Boxing. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books. ISBN 1-55643-377-8. 

• Chen, Zhenglei (2003). Chen Style Taijiquan, Sword and Broadsword. Zhengzhou, China: Tai Chi Centre. ISBN 7534823218. 

External links

Articles

• "A study of Taijiquan" - Explores the extreme difficulty Westerners face in attempting to explore the "history" of Tai Chi. (Website maintained by Bing YeYoung, a disciple of Chen Zhaokui).
• An interview with Ma Hong Student of Chen Zhaokui, on Chen style.

Contributor Links

• ChenStyle.com - Comprehensive Chen Style Tai Chi resource
• International Society of Chen Taijiquan - ISCT Homepage headed by Chen Peishan and Chen Peiju (20th generation Chen family descendants)
• Taichichen.org - Chen Tai Chi Resources (e.g. videos/explanations of all Chen open fist forms)
• The World of Taijiquan - Website maintained by Jasmine Bu and Chong Sien Long (both disciples of 19th generation Grandmaster Zhu Tian Cai).

Video Examples:

Laojia (Old Form)

• Lao Jia YiLu by Chen Xiaoxing
• Laojia ErLu (Cannon Fist) by Chen Bing

Xinjia (New Form)

• Xinjia YiLu by 10 year old student of Wang Xian
• Erlu (Cannon Fist) by Wang Hai Jun

Chen Style Xin Yi Hun Yuan

• 48 Form by Feng Zhiqiang, founder of the system.

Xiaojia (Small Form)

• Xiaojia by Zhu Tiancai

Push Hands and Applications

• Wang Xian demonstrating push hands practice methods
• Tai Chi lecture by Chen Xiaowang
• Chen Village school push hands lecture by Chen Bing

Weapons

• Straight Sword Routine by Chen Xiaowang
• Broad Sword Routine by Chen Zhengle