This is the “ten character dictum” by Grandmaster Hong Junsheng. Read more
Knowledge : Glossary and terms
Don’t move! Don’t move your hands! Don’t move your torso! Don’t move your body! Don’t move your center! Don’t move your knee! Don’t move your feet! Read more
Sit the wrist is a special term used in Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method. It means that the wrist must be stretched open into a curved position and then locked into place. This is also part of the Tile Hand requirement.
The classic mention of this term is “understanding the three joints” (明三节）. Read more
Range of motion refers to the ability to move and the extent of movements in taijiquan. It is NOT the same as flexibility. Read more
There are two types of movements in Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method.
- Primary movements.
- Secondary movements. Read more
- Left hand
- Right hand
- Left foot
- Right foot
- Head
These are considered the five points of the outside of the body. Everything else is considered the inside of the body.
There are 5 stages of practice. We can also call them five stages of learning.
- 1. Choreography. This is the first stage. The student only learns to remember the choreography of the routines. Memory of the movements and names of the moves can be used as a method for learning.
- 2. Coordination. At this stage a sudent tries to put the movements into a logical coherent synthesis.
- 3. Clarity and Energy. The body must be able to clearly show what the practitioner is trying to accomplish.
- 4. Application. The student is applying the movements and techniques in his mind.
- 5. Flow. All movements must flow while keeping all of the above principles.
Note: This is not the 5 levels of gongfu in Taiji. This is just the chronological stages of learning.
- Align
Usually this means three energy points (on your own or counted with the opponent’s body part together) moving on the same straight line.
- Down
Moving downwards with any part of the body without causing any other part of the body to move with it.
- Proportional
Same as to “meter out”. Every move must be compensated or matched by movements of all other parts of the body.
We distinguish between movement, which is used for positioning, and action which facilitates rotation. Movement is horizontal in space, forward or backward, left or right. Rotation involves internal vertical adjustments and repositioning of inner space, actions required for directing power outwards, from a stable structure.
originally published on 2008/03/03
The shape and actions of the kua in Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method. Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 3 min. In: English Year: 2012 Difficulty:3/5 At:Maple Ridge, B.C. Canada
How to produce power in the body. Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 2 min. In: English Year: 2012 Difficulty:2/5 At:Maple Ridge, B.C. Canada
Weight shifting or weight switching is an important technical principle of the Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method. Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 2 min. In: English Year: 2012 Difficulty:3/5 At:Maple Ridge, B.C. Canada
The shape of the hand in Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method. The hand and fingers are shaped like an ancient Chinese roof tile. This ensures that the base is tight and the fingers span out. Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 5 min. In: English Year: 2012 Difficulty:1/5 At:Maple Ridge, B.C. Canada
On the way from China to Vancouver workshop, Master Chen has a free day to talk and demonstrate basic principle often misunderstood in Taijiquan. Using “Six Sealing and Four Closing” to show how to split of yin and yang. Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 3 min. In: English Year: 2012 Difficulty:2/5 At:Stanley Park Vancouver, Canada
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Master Chen says that separation of yin and yang is rotation in today’s terms. He also mentions that stretching is an instance of separation of yin and yang. Today, I came to a realization that when the circle becomes infinitely small, rotation and stretching are really one and the same. The key is that the setup needs 3 points, and one action, which is the rotation, at the centre or the pivoting point or the fixed point. The rotation at the centre is the only thing I can do to ensure that the other 2 points are opposites but of the exact same size. For example, if I just move the hands in opposite directions, since there is no relationship between them (no 3rd point linking the two together), there is no guarantee that their actions are the same in size. At the beginning, I can visualize how the dantian acts the centre and modulates the other 2 points (hand and foot). Hopefully in the future, I can place the centre/fixed point anywhere inside or outside of the body as desired like Master Chen said.
In order to materialize this theory in practice, more training in foundation and yilu will be the way to go.
http://practicalmethod.com/2012/10/yin-yang-split-online-video-trailer/
In stepping, the weight must remain in the center. This ensures balance of the body. Move the body weight to one leg. This does not mean shifting weight as in physical shape. Press the body weight onto that leg until you feel that the weight is solidly on that leg. At the same time, the other leg is empty and is pushed out by the pressing leg. Anchor the leg that steps out. Pull your original leg close to the newly anchored leg. Read more
Twisting the towel is one of the basic foundation exercises of the Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method system. it is also called the four-cardinal yin yang split.