Description

Beginner Chen Style Taichi – Routine 32

Benefit of Chen style Taichi

Chen Style Taichi is an exercise for the mind and body. Through gentle movements, the burst of power emission movements and deep breathing techniques, it stimulates the meridians and strengthen our body’s immune system. It reduces tension, and ease conditions associated with diseases such as arthritis, asthma, stomach ailments, high blood pressure, and heart problems. The same techniques that were capable of developing internal Qi for martial arts combat, also proved to be effective as life prolonging, healing, and rejuvenating exercises. Today, Taiji is best known by the millions of participants around the world for its health benefits.

Class Introduction

The form we are learning in this course is called Chen Style 32 form, new compulsory routine. It emphasizes on silk reeling power also called spiraling power or coiling power (纏絲勁) and the burst of power emission movements with the techniques of Springing Whipping Energy (彈抖勁)。

On the basis of No 1 routine Yi Lu, No 2 routine Er Lu focuses on utilizing the softness and roundness movements into a burst of power emission (fa jing) movements. Lao Jia Er Lu is most characterized by its explosive, faster paced movements with jumping, kicking, sweeping and power emissions.

All styles of Taichi share the same theories and principles. For example, they all use 13 principles as their foundations. 13 principles refer to 8 energies or techniques plus 5 steps/ directions.

8 energies are

• Peng (Ward off) 掤- An outward expanding kind of energy
• Lu (Roll back)捋 – This energy is to neutralize the attack and redirect to other direction)
• Ji (Press)擠 – Squeezing
• An (Push)按
• Cai (Pulling downward)採
• Lie (Split)挒 – Using energy going in opposite directions to attack
• Zhou (Elbow strike)肘
• Kao (Body leaning strike)靠 – Using shoulders, chest, upper back, legs or hips to strike

5 steps/ directions are 前進 Advancing Forward, 後退 Retrieving Backward, 左顧Gazing or stepping to left and 右盼Looking or stepping to right and stay centered中定.

Lao Jia Er Lu routine uses Cai, Lie, Zhou, and Kao as its main techniques and uses Peng Lu Ji An as it’s assisting techniques. Movements in Er Lu routine are more complex comparing to Yi Lu. It is recommended that students should have a good foundation and understanding of Yi Lu’s training prior to proceed Er Lu’s learning.

There are 32 movements in this routine. In this 6 months course, students will learn the movement step by step in detail. When we encounter difficult movements, we’ll modify it to better suit the beginners and show students how to practice step by step and eventually be able to perform the movements in the standard way as required in the form. As we practice students will gradually come to understand the unique energies characterized by Chen style Taichi, for example, the folding, coiling and springing whipping energy. Before emitting power, your entire body,  including your muscles and joints, need to be relaxed first and then using spring and shaking energy to emit power. In Chen style Taichi this is called 鬆活彈抖。Another saying is restore and build up energy like pulling a bow, and emit power like releasing the string and shooting out the arrow, as it is said in Chinese 蓄勁如張弓，發力如放箭

Instructor Introduction

Master Chenhan Yang is the official disciple of the world renowned Grandmaster Shouyu Liang and the lineage holder of the Shushan Wuji Xiao Yao Pai(蜀山無極逍遥派). Master Yang is the Vice Chairman of the International Wushu Sanshou Dao Association (IWSD) and holds a 8th degree Master Level Black Belt with IWSD, 8th degree level of The World Organization of Wushu Kung Fu Masters. He currently is the president of the SYL Wushu Taiji Qigong Institute in Vancouver Canada, one of the most renowned Chinese Martial Arts School in North America since 1987 and was originally founded by Grandmaster Shouyu Liang. Master Yang has won numerous gold medals in international competitions and grand championship at the World Cup International Martial Arts Championship. He has also served as Wushu and Taiji head judges in many international championships.

Master Chenhan Yang has produced numerous DVDs in Taichi, Bagua, Xingyi etc. He was featured in the book Chinese Martial Arts Elites, Kungfu Elements, Contemporary Famous Chinese Martial Artists and Extraordinary Chinese Martial Artists of the World. He was also featured in many TV programs like CCTV, Fairchild Television and Channel M in Canada.

Here is the list of the published DVDs

1. Chen Tai Chi for Beginner: Demonstration 56 Form
2. Bagua for Beginner 1: Eight Palms
3. Bagua for Beginners 2: Swimming Body
4. Chen Tai Chi First Form (74-Posture Yi Lu)
5. Chen Tai Chi: Cannon Fist (43 Posture Er Lu)
6. Xing Yi 5 Elements Fist
7. Xing Yi Twelve Animals Fist
8. Selection of Traditional Xing Yi Fist Forms
9. Chen Style Old Frame Routine No. 1 (demonstration style)
10. Sun Style Tai Chi 
11. Wu Style Tai Chi