Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method Basic Foundations 2009 Victoria Version! In this video Master Chen Zhonghua gave a basic introduction to the foundations of Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method. He also gave a brief history of Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method. Made in the fall colors in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, this 32 minutes video covers both stationery and moving step exercises in: Positive circle; negative circle, twisting the towel, six sealing and four closing, fetch water, shaking the pole.
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I want to ask if in the first half of positive circle the waist descends with an accelerating speed while the part above the chest joint rests , generating a slight elongation between Bai hui and Hui yin through the chest joint .That impulse is sent to the rear foot and comes back for the second half of positive circle which is more difficult to understand.
When the waist descends, the baihui point cannot move down. So in a way we can only say the waist stretches downwards. It does not actually descend. The stretching also helps making the torso/spine line straight.
In the first half of the positive circle the waist turns and the chest does not turn (vertical torsion) to build the wall along the line between right kua and right shoulder, for the incoming force.
In the second half of the positive circle the chest turns a little to the left and push in the rear leg.
Combined with second down of the rear kua it creates the own space on the body.
Those affirmations are correct?
Correct.
I attended Master’s Chen’s 1st Practical Method Workshop in Singapore, much thanks to the host and organizer Michael Koh.
In Master Chen’s workshop, he didn’t run through the Yilu steps with us but instead emphasized a lot of how to do the positive circles properly, correcting our understanding on the principles of Taiji Quan and how the circles are applied which is a real eye opener. Master Chen is considered small built even by Asian size but his martial ability is amazing.
In Master Chen’s mini lessons in Singapore, he continues to refine our positive circle and also covered the exercises shown in this basic foundation video. Again Master Chen explained and showed us the application aspects of these exercises.
As I start to study how to do the Yilu form, I understand why Master Chen places so much emphasis on the foundations. Without the positive circle and negative circle performed correctly till it becomes second nature, one will need more time to correct the “incorrect circles” made in the form. Wrong practice also reinforces the mistakes made.
I recommend all those who are picking up the Practical Method to get this video as a reference and also the Chinese version too even though not all can understand Chinese, as it provides another viewing angle of. I also recommend attending Master Chen’s workshops as there are some things which cannot be learnt or picked up from watching the videos.
Master Chen videos are truly thourogh and gives me a great chaqnce to learn Taiji, thank you for making it available. Are there any others training or teaching this in my country of Sweden?
/Ulf
Landskrona, SWEDEN
As someone who has trained in Chen Taiji in China for 5 years, it is very difficult to find a style as martial as is taught in this video.
Whew! That’s a year’s work ahead of me. Thanks Master Chen for your detailed instructions this is the kind of info I have searched for in vain until now I am looking forward to receiving the dvd and using the slo mo in order to reproduce each detail correctly from the very beginning! Teaching of such real value is a rare thing in this world
Just today I purchased this video. I have to tell you it is the best investment I’ve made relative to martial arts. I’m not going to say everything is crystal clear but everytime I review it I will learn something new. I would highly recommend it to any martial artist. Thank you Master Chen for sharing your vast knowledge with us.
wow! This is amazing stuff.
The beginning of the video is a little rough and there are minor stutters wrt scene transitions and audio, but once the material on the positive and negative circles kicks off, it is *very* impressive. Layering of techniques is clearly demonstrated. First comes stationary single arm circles, then double arm circles of multiple kinds, then foot movement is added.
It would be great if Master Chen or one of his senior disciples could give some guidelines on how many of each exercise a beginner should aim for per day, and at what point to transition to Yilu practice.
Also some more detail about the stance would be nice, since this is something an absolute beginner (like me!) would need help with.
Thank You Master Chen for this lovely video.
I start training tomorrow morning. Wish me luck.
The number of repetitions of each exercise is not important. It is important to be consistent. If you think your legs can stand it, try ten rep of each exercise to start.
Just copy the stance. Stances are very important and at the same time very difficult. There will be more instructions in videos in the future.
Thank You for the clarifications Master Chen.
This video is giving me a completely different perspective on Chen Taiji from what I have seen. These basics just feel right. They adhere to principles I have learned about, which are usually spoken of but not applied. It is a real challenge that I can already tell corrects bad habits and provides body mechanics that actually work. Outstanding.
Master Chen, is there a way I can see an example of “tossing”?
I think I know what it means but not 100% sure.
You may find out more about tossing from this link:
http://practicalmethod.com/2011/07/daqingshan-lesson-clip-dont-move-vs-tossing/
Beautiful. I asked a question about “tossing” before but having watched this video a few times, I understand. I don’t have full access to the internet right now so I have to get in as many views as I can while I’m on. This video is great. Thanks for your explanations and attention to detail on alignment, paying attention to each arm staying in its own half, etc. This will help me with my lower back injury. I feel it working parts I haven’t had good function with… old injuries. Thank you for your endeavors to make Master Hong’s work known to the world.
Thank you for so much information it brings a smile to my heart to see such giving of time and information. I myself having been studying Hung Gar for over thirty years and have always believed that there was something not quite right in the style I have also studied Yang style Taichi under Sifu Wee kee Jin and have always tried to allow my training to be more flexible than hard.
Your video on positive and negative circles was a delight as I have tried to incorporate these movements into my trainings.
Thank you once again for all of these jpegs and information.
For a complete beginner like me in Practical Method Taiji,this video is very helpful!
Now that i try to learn the Yilu form,i see that the correct execution of the “Basic Foundations” exercises,helps a lot in the form!
But i have to say that my most favorite part of this video,is the short demonstration of “Loose step Circles” form Master Chen at the end! More than impressive!!!
Hello Thanos,
I am a beginner in practical method taiji too.
if you are interested in a practice partner in greece,
please contact on orukone@gmail.com
Thank you!
very nice instruction. thanks alot.
can you make the video downloadable so I can upload them into my ipad to watch.
Thank you Sifu for sharing your knowledge
Hey I am new to Taiji. Can I buy this and learn Taiji ? I do understand the extreme difficulty to learn through video though. Please give guidance.
Yes, this is a good start.
You can also sign up for online lessons: https://practicalmethod.com/2020/09/practical-method-online-class-registration/
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