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People in Taijiquan in the past and present: masters, teachers and students.

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Authorized Instructors Chen Fake Chen Zhonghua Disciple List Feng Zhiqiang Hong Junsheng Masters List Resume

Practical Method Sydney – Review of Yilu First 13 Moves i

At our Practical Method class in Sydney, Australia today, we recorded videos of the first 13 moves of Yilu for review. I provided students with the following feedback for training and continued learning. This will benchmark our current ability, and to see whether the body has changed in the future. We are looking forward to seeing Master Chen in Sydney on 7-8th December next month!
 
 

Brian https://youtu.be/ryO4MQxaeMs

  1. #1 Buddha’s Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar. R shoulder is raised causing a corner. Adjust R elbow and stretch armpit open.
  2. #4 Single Whip. Bend the elbows more, open the armpits. R hand hold a firm hook.
  3. #5 Turn Left and Buddha’s Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar. R shoulder was raised. Adjust R elbow and stretch armpit open.
  4. #9 Walk Obliquely in Twist Steps. Lost the stretch while turning.
  5. #11 Wade Forward in Twist Steps. Rear shoulder was raised.
  6. #12 The Fist of Covering Hand. R elbow points to the floor.

 

Bethany https://youtu.be/Nvz9NmKWbtE

  1. #1 Buddha’s Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar. Shovel out step sequence not clear.
  2. #3 Six Sealing Four Closing. Direction of feet is at 45 degrees. Left foot is on the toes, heel up.
  3. #4 Single Whip. Review sequence of moves.
  4. #9 Walk Obliquely in Twist Steps. Fetch Water stretch from front hand to rear shoulder, do not lose it.
  5. #10 Second Closing. Review sequence, elbow in was missed.
  6. #12 The Fist of Covering Hand. R elbow points to the floor, R fist is horizontal, L hand & elbow pulls back.
  7. #13 Buddha’s Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar. Review sequence.

Brian’s Comment: Overall very good. Most moves are clear. Focus on the (1) sequence of moves (2) elbow in, hand out (3)clarity of stepping.

 

James https://youtu.be/UnXgHoV9G-U

  1. #1 Buddha’s Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar. Clarity of shovel out stepping. Sequence, missed a move when stepping R forwards, there must be a stop. Elbow in to 合住, do not disperse.
  2. #3 Six Sealing Four Closing. Direction of feet is at 45 degrees. Left foot is on the toes, heel up.
  3. #5 Turn Left and Buddha’s Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar. Sequence, missed a move when stepping R forwards, there must be a stop. Elbow in to 合住, do not disperse.
  4. #8 First Closing. L hand, L elbow, R hand, R elbow must be on a line.
  5. #10 Second Closing. Do not withdraw the L hand off the line.
  6. #11 Wade Forward in Twist Steps. Make a pause when you pull both elbows and feet in. 合住, do not disperse.
  7. #12 The Fist of Covering Hand. Review sequence, missed double push down.

Brian’s Comment: Good progress. Slow down a little to get each move sequentially clear. Focus on size (so big there is nothing outside of it, so small there is nothing inside of it) and clarity of stepping.

 

Paul https://youtu.be/7ptVlrkyfD8

  1. #2 Block Touching the Coat. When stretching the two hands out, do not allow your shoulder to raise. Sink the chest down.
  2. #3 Six Sealing Four Closing. In positive circle out with hand, do not stand up, and do not allow your shoulder to raise.
  3. #7 Brush The Knee. Review elbow positions.
  4. #10 Second Closing. Throughout all stepping, do not change level. The body must not go up and down.

Brian’s Comment: Very good. You must put a lid on your shoulders. This will force your body to compress and stretch. Do not go up and down when stepping.

 

Francis https://youtu.be/f6xb7KMUXik

  1. #1 Buddha’s Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar. Pull in with L elbow, do not flip your L hand. Do not stand up when R knee comes up.
  2. #3 Six Sealing Four Closing. Maintain Tile Hand when going into Single Whip. L hand must point away from yourself.
  3. #5 Turn Left and Buddha’s Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar. Do not stand up when R knee comes up.
  4. #10 Second Closing. Do not fully straighten the L elbow, always have a bend.
  5. #11 Wade Forward in Twist Steps. Do not withdraw L hand when stepping forwards.

Brian’s Comment: Overall good sequence and clarity. Focus on becoming smaller and holding it (合住) by elbow in, chest down. Maintain a bend in the elbow (never straighten) will allow you to help open the shoulder.

 

John https://youtu.be/EP1Lnczp-ZU

  1. #1 Buddha’s Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar. Stepping of L foot must follow 1-2-3 sequence. Front heel out, shift forward, rear foot pull in.
  2. #2 Block Touching the Coat. Stepping of R foot must follow 1-2-3 sequence.
  3. #7 Brush the Knee in Oblique Stance. Review sequence.
  4. #9 Walk Obliquely in Twist Steps. Fetch Water, maintain the stretch from front hand to rear shoulder.
  5. #10 Second Closing. As L hand grinds out, the chest must sink down to get out of the way. Connection is L hand to rear foot.
  6. #11 Wade Forward in Twist Steps. Review sequence. Pull both elbows and foot in.

Brian’s Comment: Overall very good balance and harmony of the body. Fixing the hand, pulling the elbow and opening the armpit will help open your shoulder.

Chen Zhonghua Student Portraits 3

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Chen Zhonghua Short Yilu Photos at Sinto’s Garden 20231128 1

Chen Zhonghua Short Yilu Photos at Sinto’s Garden 20231128.

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Glenn Hall Discipleship Application 20221020 i

Glenn Hall Discipleship Application 20221020.

Glenn Hall discipleship application photo

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Chandramohan and Martini became Chen Zhonghua’s new disciples 20221015 i

Chandramohan and Martini became Chen Zhonghua’s new disciples 20221015.

In a brief ceremony MCed by Michael Calandra, during the 2022 New York Practical Method Seminar, Chabar Chandramohan and Ed Martini became master Chen Zhonghua’s disciples in the Practical Method lineage of GM Hong Junsheng. They are disciples number 380 and 381, respectively.

Chabar Chandramohan

Ed Martini

Disciples Groups Photo 20221015

Chandramohan and Martini discipleship ceremony 20221015

New York Practical Method workshop group photo 20221015

Barb Stegger Discipleship Application 20221016 i

Barb Stegger Discipleship Application 20221016.

Ben Phillips of Toronto became Chen Zhonghua’s 379th disciple 20221010 i

Ben Phillips of Toronto became Chen Zhonghua’s 379th disciple in a brief ceremony at the Annual Toronto Practical Method Seminar.

Ben Phillips Discipleship Ceremony 20221010

Group Photo of all disciples at the ceremony!

Ben Phillips of Toronto became Chen Zhonghua’s 379th disciple in a brief ceremony at the Annual Toronto Practical Method Seminar

Momentum Force i

Momentum force: A force with inertia. Momentum force is simply the force generated by movement. It is an active power. Sometimes this force is unstoppable. What we usually hear is “it’s hard to gather overwhelmed water”, and “the arrow sent out” is this kind of force. In the simplest terms, we throw a stone out, and once it’s out, although in the air, we are no longer able to change its direction or force. Synonyms: active force, dynamic force. Read more

Soft Inside, Hard Outside i


Being soft inside and hard outside is a movement principle and concept of Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method. Intuitively, the inside is soft, movable and active. The outside must be harder than the inside so that it can wrap things inside. Thus, the outside is fixed, passive, and a manifestation of the inside.
This feature is the opposite of the common sense of softness with rigidity, and needles hidden in cotton. The normal understanding of Taijiquan is that it looks soft like cotton, but there is hard steel hidden inside.
The “softness” of Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method is hardness to the extreme is softness, not softness in the ordinary sense. At this point, it is likely to be different from other Taijiquan cognition. This is also a major feature of Practical Method. Read more

Hardness to the Extreme Is Softness 1


Hardness to the extreme is softness. Once it reaches the end, cannot be any harder, but soft.

This softness is actually very hard, fine and smooth, such as polished jade, polished stone, stainless steel surface, glass screen of mobile phone, etc.

From these examples, it can be seen that the softness of Taiji is not true softness, but an appearance of softness on the outside, it is actually hard and rigid. Read more

A General Discussion on Taiji Inner Strength Hardness and Softness Song (seven words and ten sentences) – Chen Xin i

Chen Xin (1849-1929)The 16th generation of Chen Style Taijiquan, author of “Illustration of Chen Style Taijiquan”


Pure yin without yang is soft hand, pure yang without yin is hard hand;
One yin and nine yang is a stick, two yin and eight yang is Sanshou;
Three yin and seven yang still feels hard, four yin and six yang shows a good hand; Read more

Mutually Rooted Relationship i

Chen Zhonghua Zhuanyong-Chen Zhonghua Block Touching Coat


Taijiquan has the saying that “yin and yang are mutually rooted”.
Wang Zongyue said, “Yin does not depart from yang, yang does not depart from yin. Yin and yang benefit mutually and this is the comprehension of energy”.
Zhou Dunyi of the Song Dynasty said in Taiji Illustration, “Wuji then taiji. Taiji moves and produces yang. Move to the extreme generates stillness, stillness produces yin, and stillness to the extreme generates moves again. Movement and stillness are the roots of each other. Once yin and yang are split, then there are two elementary parts.” Read more

Structural Force and Indirect Power i

John Hudson-Silk reeling。


Structural force and indirect power are two different things, and at the same time two things that are not in one [dimension]. Read more

True Knowing i

Chen Zhonghua in Sedona 2012


True knowing
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Understanding the Energy (part one) 5

In push hands, the first thing we need to do is to have peng energy. What does this mean? It requires us to be able to lock the opponent on the touch, confront him, without showing any disadvantages. We mustn’t show any weakness at the first place. Only like this, we will have the confidence to win.
What is confidence? Confidence is real gong fu. Without it, there is no use if you just feel good about yourself. How to gain real gong fu? Of course it is through years of training.

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Jojo Juarsa Taiji Track Records 蔡学超 太极简历 与 拜师帖 (Latest Updates / 2021版） i

Jojo Juarsa Taiji Track Records 蔡学超 太极简历 与 拜师帖:

Name / 姓名: Jojo Johari Juarsa (蔡学超)
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The “Relationship” in Taiji i

Chen Zhonghua Zhuanyong-Punch Cover Hand

Master Chen Zhonghua demonstrates Punch Covering Hand in front of Yulan Pavilion. Observe again and again the relationship between the fist, kua, knees, head, shoulders etc. and dantian shown in the picture. Read more

Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang Chen Style Taijiquan Routines in the 1980s i

This is a personal video from one of his students. Taken on a street at an impromptu demonstration in the early 1980s.

Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang Push Hands Instructions i

Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang Push Hands Instructions. This is part of an instructional video made in the Tiantan Park in Beijing with the assistance of Wang Fengming. It was made in the 1980s.

Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang Hunyuan Applications at Tiantan Park 1

Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang Hunyuan Applications at Tiantan Park. This is an earlier video of his teaching.

Ami Ganiel discipleship application 20201024 i

Dear Master Chen Zhonghua,
I started following you and Taiji practical method in the middle of 2016, after my friend and teacher Ong Wenming, who we practiced together deferent styles of  kongfu, introduced me to your school. Read more

One Year Notes from Mike Menzies New Zealand 2

A few days ago my Tai Chi Practical Method teacher here in Queenstown, NZ took this video of me to mark exactly one year of practice for me in the Practical Method. I am one of Yuxins foundation members. Prior to starting on the Practical method my only Tai Chi experience was approximately one year of Yang style. Read more

GM is asking for an attitude change… 2

…one of the messages I hear, daily, from GM Zhonghua Chen is that he wants us to use our head as much as we use our body…

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Observations of GM, teaching / Sept.29, 20 i

25.4x60cm 200张-出照片文件

…in my experience, great teachers are the ones that do certain things…

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Sooyeon Zacharias Became Chen Zhonghua’s 372nd Disciple i

Sooyeon Zachrias discipleship Group 2020.09.13

Sooyeon Zachrias discipleship Group 2020.09.13

On Sept. 13, 2020, Sooyeon Zacharias became Master Chen Zhonghua’s 372nd disciple in the Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method lineage..

Sooyeon Zachrias discipleship Sitting 2020.09.13

Sooyeon Zachrias discipleship Sitting 2020.09.13

Because of various reason including Covid-19, her discipleship ceremony was postponed several times. Finally on Sept. 12, she drove 14 hours from Litton, BC. to Edmonton, Alberta. The next day, she was inducted as Master Chen Zhonghua’s 372nd disciple in a simple ceremony in Master Chen Zhonghua’s Headquater in Edmonton.

Sooyeon Zachrias discipleship Certificate 2020.09.13

Sooyeon Zachrias discipleship Certificate 2020.09.13

Sooyeon started learning the Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method system in 2018, joining the Maple Ridge practice group. She has not missed one single workshop since then. In 2019, she participated at the 7th Annual Daqingshan International Taiji Competition.

 

Naomi Ishii Resume i

Start learning first Practical Method form in Jan 2020.(Foundations from October 2019)
47 years old, Japanese, Living with Kiwi husband and 2 kids in Arrowtown New Zealand last 20 years.
4 years ago I started learning Yang style Tai Chi at local class, as I felt a Qi strongly and looking for the way to introduce it to my family.
I like been in the high alpine in 4 season, surfing and sailing in the sea with the family.

Sandy Kong Resume i

Sandy Kong
Age 49
Queenstown

Started Practical Method 11 months ago
Tai Chi for 10 months before that
And chi gong for 1 year when I was 36

Mike Menzies Resume 2

Michael Roger Menzies. Age 76. Queenstown. Have practiced Practical Method for 9 months. Before Practical Method practiced Yang Style for 10 months. Total Tai Chi experience 19 months starting January 2019.

Mary Jowett Resume 1

My name is Mary Jowett. I’m in my early 50’s and I live in Queenstown, New Zealand. I’ve been practicing Practical Method for 4 months with no previous Taiji experience.

Janelle Barker Grant Resume 1

Born in Lower Hutt, Wellington. Currently living in Queenstown. Age range:45-50.

Started Practical Method October 2019, love it (but not good at it! find it challenging for my brain and body -which is awesome!) have never done any martial arts or Taiji before (wish i had tho!) I do a bit of skiing, mountain biking, swimming, the odd jog like to be active (when i get round to it!)

 

Bhargav Khaund Resume i

Bhargav Khaund

BHARGAV-KHAOND-INDIA

I am an engineer by training, and I work in an energy and chemical company in a senior managerial role within the Supply Chain and business development function covering the Asian region.
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Spring is here! What’s in a bounce? 9

Master Chen Zhonghua always amazes me, whether it is at the next workshop (there is always something new and amazing) or looking back — such as in this video captured during a workshop in Ottawa ten years ago… an easy, seemingly simple, and clean bounce:

What do you see in the video?

John Upshaw:  Everything is on a line. He added the right leg to the line…left arm to right leg…

Lou Sacharske: Watch his right shoulder, as he adds the right leg, there is zero deviation to telegraph the execution.

James Tam: I believe the rotation axis is the one joining Shifu’s left shoulder and front foot. And, the stick (effective energy pathway) is from his back foot to Steve’s upper back.

John Saw – My journey from a hotelier, gambler and Qigong Master to a faithful and loyal disciple of Master Chen Zhonghua 6

John Saw at Sydney Chen Zhonghua Taiji Academy - 8 March 2020

John Saw at Sydney Chen Zhonghua Taiji Academy – 8 March 2020

John Saw – My journey from a hotelier, gambler and Qigong Master to a faithful and loyal disciple of Master Chen Zhonghua.
I was born in Burma in 1935. I lived there till I was 29, had to leave everything behind as the country was taken over by the military. I swam across the Mekong river to Thailand in 1964. Started work at the Bangkok Hilton and after 6 years, decided to migrate to Australia.
In June 1970, I arrived Sydney with my wife and infant son and started work in a motel. In no time I got involved in gambling. Life was easy and had so much fun that by the time I was 60, I suffered a stroke due to smoking, bad diet and not enough sleep.  My left side of the body was affected, my speech was slurred and I lost my balance.  Through Qigong, I gained back my health, and I recovered fully after years of hard work.
After 20 years traveling around the world spreading our Qigong system, I felt restless, something missing. Even though I was an International Master of Lohan Qigong, I just couldn’t figure out what’s missing in my life.
Throughout my travels, I’ve met many great Masters and practitioners in Qigong and Taiji, and became friends but nothing really impressed me.
Then in December 2014, I was invited to attend a lecture by Taiji Master Chen Zhonghua at the UTS. I went along as I was free at that time and also curious as to what’s there for me to see. The first time I saw Master Chen, I was impressed by his demeanor, he was a humble man with twinkling eyes.  When he started talking about his style called Chen Style Taiji Practical Method, I was a bit hesitant. I thought another Master promoting their style. The minute he explained the technique and showed us why it’s called Practical Method, I was blown away.
Mind you, I’ve travelled a fair bit and met many skillful Masters, but what Master Chen did with one slight movement of his body was incredible, seeing is believing I should say. He let people touch him and let them feel that he didn’t move his muscle. I was very impressed and decided to join his workshop that weekend. There again, I was amazed with his skill but most importantly, it’s his willingness to share his knowledge without withholding anything, thats got me hooked.
Since then, I’ve been to Daqingshan many times and attended his seminars yearly without fail.
I was accepted as a disciple in 2017 and my number is 257.
I went to Bali last Nov 2019 to join his workshop and again in February 2020 in Sydney. Master Chen never stop to amaze me with his willingness to share and spread this wonderful system.
The last day of the workshop in Sydney was my 85th birthday. Master Chen was kind enough to join my family and friends with some disciples to celebrate this special occasion with me.
Thank you Shifu.
Your disciple,
John Saw #257
John Saw - Burma Days

John Saw – Burma Days

John Saw - Burma Days

John Saw – Burma Days

John Saw - Gambling Days

John Saw – Gambling Days

John Saw - Qigong Days

John Saw – Qigong Days

John Saw with Master Chen Zhonghua at Daqingshan

John Saw with Master Chen Zhonghua at Daqingshan

John Saw with Master Chen Zhonghua at Zhenbudong Rizhao Taiji Acacdemy

John Saw with Master Chen Zhonghua at Zhenbudong Rizhao Taiji Acacdemy

John Saw Discipleship Photo in Sydney with Master Chen Zhonghua

John Saw Discipleship Photo in Sydney with Master Chen Zhonghua

Daqingshan Competition Torch Bearer

Daqingshan Taiji Flame Torch Bearer 2018

Chen Zhonghua Practical Method Workshop Sydney 2020 February

Chen Zhonghua Practical Method Workshop Sydney 2020 February

Sun Yang wins Muay Thai Gold Belt 2019.02.22 i

Sun Yang wins Muay Thai Gold Belt 20190222

Top New:News just came from Thailand that Sun Yang has won the 67 kg Golden Belt after many rounds of hard fights at the Golden Belt Finals under the auspice of the Thailand Muay Thai Federation. Sun Yang is a disciple of Master Chen Zhonghua, International Standard Bearer of the Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method system and Dean of the Qingshan Taijiquan and Cultural Research Institute of the Rizhao Politechnic. Read more

Sydney Classes – Brian Chung i

Sydney Chen Zhonghua Taiji Academy

Practical Method Sydney 澳洲悉尼實用拳法

Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method 陈氏太极拳实用拳法
Classes: Sunday 8:00am to 9:30am – Brian Chung
No classes on all public holidays or long weekends
Curriculum: Chen Stye Taijiquan Practical Method
Foundations, Yilu (First Routine), Erlu (Second Routine), Theory, Push Hands
Location Details: Bradfield Plaza, Broughton St at Pitt St, Kirribilli NSW 2061
Instructor: Brian Chung
Fee: $310 per term.

Payment link: https://square.link/u/FC9Cmfop

Schedule 2025:

Term 1: 12 Jan to 30 Mar

Term 2: 6 Apr to 6 Jul

Term 3: 13 Jul to 28 Sep

Term 4: 12 Oct to 21 Dec

Privates are also available.
Contact: For more information and registration, please contact:
Brian Chung
practicalmethodau@gmail.com
+61 423 035 857
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/practicalmethodsydney

Tinh Thai – Sydney, Australia i

Tinh Thai and disciple Brian Chung (June 2018)

Tinh Thai and disciple Brian Chung (June 2018)

Isn’t it incredible how life gives you the things that you need when you need it?

I wanted to learn Chinese martial arts since I was a little girl. Read more

Nicholas Fung’s Resume i

While tumbling to the ground, I have made up my mind to study from Master Chen.

Back in 2003, after watching Master Chen’s Youtube videos, I sent him an email asking if I could observe his class. Among the videos, his demonstration with Michael sticks out. Despite a much more petite statue, tossing Michael around seemed effortless for Master. Later on, I found out that Michael isn’t only a 9th-degree black belt, but he is also a cop who has caught over 200 thieves. Simply put, he is no slouch.

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Edward Liaw – introduction and resume i

eliaw_disciple

My name is Edward Liaw; I currently reside in San Diego, California.  I was accepted as Master Chen’s 283rd disciple during the 2018 North American Practical Method Training Camp in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, alongside Nathan Heintz and Spencer Jones.  Every day, I am grateful for being a part of a passionate and supportive community of practitioners, students, and teachers. Read more

Benjamin Benefiel- introduction and resume i

circleMy name is Benjamin Benefiel and I live in Phoenix, Arizona, USA with my wife and two young daughters. On January 21, 2018, I became Master Chen Zhonghua’s 259th disciple along with taiji brother Winston Wang. I grew up near Chicago, Illinois before moving to Phoenix area for graduate school in 1999. My appreciation of martial arts began as a child with karate lessons and a love of ‘kung fu cinema’. During my 20s and early 30s, I studied various styles of martial arts intermittently (including Baguazhang, Xingyiquan, and Deng family Sengmenquan, as well as a very small amount of experience with Yang style Taiji which was taught only as a health exercise). Chen style Taijiquan always held a strong fascination for me, but I was never fortunate enough to find a teacher. Read more

Nathan Heintz Accepted as Master Chen Zhonghua’s Disciple on July 28, 2018 i

Heintz DiscipleNathan Heintz was accepted as Master Chen Zhonghua’s disciple on July 28, 2018 at the North American Practical Method Training Camp in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The discipleship ceremony also welcomed Spencer Jones and Edward Liaw as disciples. Read more

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