Chen Zhonghua Taiji — Chen Style Taijiquan and Hunyuan Taiji email: practicalmethod@qq.com

“Warping Energy 2” Online Video Class i

by John Upshaw on 2020/04/17

Thus far, the videos I have selected as curriculum have been focused on the functional aspects of using ones own bio-mechanical structure and the structure of the opponent to “take up space” for the gaining of strategic positioning and for martial purposes. The video “Step up to Ji” gave a basic procedure of how to make contact while matching power and move in other body parts that adhere to the Practical Method’s principle of separated and sequential movements. In the following video, “Move into Empty Space”, several lessons were taught by Master Chen in various ways to take up the opponents space and demonstrated a few examples of applications, such as going down and adding a dimension.

In this video, Master Chen teaches additional methods of taking up space by “whatever happens, you fill in the gaps”. It is taking out space, working with space, playing with timing, and/or playing with structure. The information from the previous video online classes come into play. Significant additions are made in this video that further advances ones’ repertoire on how to use ones’ structure and the intentional use of working with space as a means of building martial skills and abilities.

“Changing Direction in Positive Circle” Online Video Class i

by Kelvin Ho on 2020/04/14

In this week’s third episode of our Positive Circle series, Master Chen covers how we create splitting of energy in the three counts of a positive circle, and how switching we learned last week is used to change direction.

See you at 10 am ET on Saturday, April 18, 2020 at http://practicalmethod.com/2014/02/changing-direction-in-positive-circle-online-video-trailer/.

Bees, Bubbles and Taiji 1

by Bhargav on 2020/04/10

Bees, Bubbles and Taiji

What’s common between all the above entities? You guessed it – Emergence!

Observing their behaviour shows how distinctly order emerges out of what looks like chaos when looked at superficially.

From work of bees in beehives and work of ants in colonies to swarming of birds or school of fish almost everything in nature display Emergent behaviour. All these earthly creatures act locally doing simple repetitive activities following a fixed rule but collectively they can overcome problems and perform complex feats.
Read more

“Move into Empty Space” Online Video Class 3

by John Upshaw on 2020/04/09

Move into Empty Space

Various Methods

In this video viewers get to witness Master Chen teaching various methods of how to take up empty space along with a variety of applications. This complex video requires viewers to segment each movement in a number of lessons given. In addition, with the direct examples demonstrated, key principles inherit to practical method are embedded throughout the video.
Read more

Bhargav Khaund Resume i

by Bhargav on 2020/04/07

Bhargav Khaund

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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Switching in the Positive Circle Online Video Class 1

by Kelvin Ho on 2020/04/05

In this video, Master Chen covered the 3 main axes in the body, and how we could switch among them without tossing in the positive circle, and the analogy of a lever with different pivots. We discussed about the shoulder last week at Shoulder Movements in Positive Circle, we will continue this week regarding switching with the lower half of the body.

See you at 10 am ET on Saturday, April 11, 2020 at http://practicalmethod.com/2014/06/switching-in-the-positive-circle-online-video-trailer/

The Magic of Taiji 5

by Bhargav on 2020/04/04

Ever wondered why Taiji is so magical especially at the hands of true masters?
I first experienced that magic when I met Master Zhonghua Chen in Daqingshan on a warm July evening of 2012. Ever since that moment I have developed a fixation of sort to figure out what is behind that magic – it is so ever present in everything Master Chen does, it is impossible to differentiate between the magic and the magician! Read more

Remember My Masters Hong Junsheng and Feng Zhiqiang 2020.04.04 1

by Chen Zhonghua Taiji Academy on 2020/04/04

Remember My Masters Hong Junsheng and Feng Zhiqiang 2020.04.04.

It’s CHINESE Qingming (Memorial Day) in China today. Thinking of my two masters: Hong Junsheng and Feng Zhiqiang.

: Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang

Chen Zhonghua with Grandmaster Hong Junsheng

Chen Zhonghua with Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang

Analysis of “Sink the Waist to Press the Elbow and Whip” i

by Chen Zhonghua Taiji Academy on 2020/04/01

Master Wang Zhanjun uses the video clip “Sink the Waist to Press the Elbow and Whip” to analyze taiji in his teachings. The animation at the end was created by Xu Jingpeng. Master Wang is the son of Grandmaster Wang Xi An, one of the 4 Tigers of the Chen Village. Wang Zhanjun is also. Ten-time National Push-Hands champion in China.

Analysis of “Sink the Waist to Press the Elbow and Whip”

“Step Up To Ji” 9

by John Upshaw on 2020/03/31

We will have an online class based on this video using the comment section of this video at 10:30 am Central Time, 11:30 pm Eastern Time on Saturday, April 4, 2020. On the days that I am teaching, I have selected a series of videos that will be taught in a sequential manner. The primary emphasis will be improving your understanding of how to take an opponent’s space that utilizes the principles that are inherit to Chen Style Practical Method Taijiquan. The video’s include:
Read more

“Shoulder Movements in Positive Circle” Online Video 1

by Kelvin Ho on 2020/03/31

In this video, Master Chen showed us how to prevent an opponent’s incoming force from penetrating into ourselves with the 3rd count of the positive circle. It is a invaluable aspect of the positive circle.

We will have an online class based on this video using the comment section of this video at 10 am Eastern Time on Saturday, April 4, 2020. Come join us!

Practical Method Video Classes i

by admin on 2020/03/29

Spring is here! What’s in a bounce? 9

by James Tam on 2020/03/22

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.

Persevering in Practical Method Method 1

by John Upshaw on 2020/03/21

I started learning practical method on 2005. I had a lesson once a week from one of Master Chen’s disciples. At that time I practiced maybe once per week.
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Conducting an online Practical Method Foundations practice group (Process) 11

by Tinh Thai on 2020/03/15

Online practice groups are a way to support and motivate each other along our Practical Method journey.
Anyone learning Practical Method can conduct an online foundations practice group regardless of where you are in the world.

December 2018 – Sydney Workshop Review i

by Tinh Thai on 2020/03/15

This is a post I found drafted but had not published. I thought I would finally share what I had written two years ago in 2018. It’s now March 2020.

……….

The value that you get from Master Chen Zhonghua’s Practical Method workshop is immeasurable. This is was my fourth workshop and I cannot explain just how much was packed into the two days.

Creating a Community i

by Michael Winkler on 2020/03/13

Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method

Dear fellows,

I also want to announce it here, especially as our Taijiquan is a very central part of our life, that we are up to create a new community within the international township of Auroville, South India.

This should become a self-sustainable project, including training facilities, farming and all sort of arts, music, handcrafts etc. But more than that we want to Read more

Master Chen Workshop notes March 7-11 2020 1

by Mark Hanley on 2020/03/12

Summary

Basically, once again I will combine the 4-day seminar into a summary by grouping what I call related items. It was a great environment to get corrections from others or better understanding of push hand drills. Great bunch of people.
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“Ben Private Lesson 3/3” Online Video Trailer i

by Shopmaster on 2020/03/12

Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 9 min. In: English Year: 2019 Difficulty:1/5

Move the Middle 20300310 i

by Chen Zhonghua Taiji Academy on 2020/03/11

Move the Middle (fix the two end and move the middle). Fixed the thigh contact; fix the hand elbow contact; use the kua movement to complete the action.
The last day of the 2020 March Zhonghua Chen Toronto Practical Method Workshop. By Chen Zhonghua and David Dahms.

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“Ben Private Lesson 2/3” Online Video Trailer i

by Shopmaster on 2020/03/10

Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 9 min. In: English Year: 2019 Difficulty:1/5

Toronto workshop 9 March notes i

by Harshil on 2020/03/09

This is that (concept)

i.e. brush the knees

Step 1

Remove slack

Step 2

Train to lock angle so that

1) hand is shoulder

2) hand is kua

3) hand is foot

Translation is 1:1

Distance and angle cannot change

Distance is in perception, if opponent has no perception there you can cut through distance

Moving steps

Tower crane mounted on truck

Truck can move, tower cannot

Train to be uncomfortable on the line instead of comfortable off the line

Parterner drill

let someone push you till you are about to fall and regain balance, repeat

Train to feed

On the touch get the full, no slack

Old man catching fish – muddy move vs clear move

Rope and stick – are yon and yang, if opponent is stick become rope

Loose the energy through joint

You always use the one behind to use the one forward.

To move your hand you must use your elbow.

To move you outside of elbow, you must use inside of Shoulder.

To move your shoulder you must use your kua.

Tou can only move inside tube – hand is inside tube and can only extend

Touxh point on hand acts as lever and on contact in with elbow move flips the hand like Bird tap

Grind/spear – out with hand is grind

3 way split – hand is stretched from elbow, elbow is stretched towards shoulder and center is aiming from dantian to create vector force

Empty the bag – a heavy bag half filled, you lift and turn full side from one hand to empty it on other side hand

Toronto March Workshop Day 2, March 8, 2020 – Notes i

by Michael Lamberti on 2020/03/08

–I missed a good deal today, especially right after lunch, but these are the notes I took–

Foundation practice and Yilu are to warm up the body. The body must be separated into Yin and Yang, structure and action. The body has to completely lock up with the exception of one piece. Then an action has to move that one piece. The action has to be outside the body, but it’s also in the body. It’s like a hand with a powerful grip on a screwdriver. The hand is not part of the screwdriver, but it is part of the screwdriver. All the action comes from the hand, none from the screwdriver. But they move as one.

We have to learn to get a hold on a line. Ignore the arm or whatever it is and just get a hold on the line. A hold requires being on both sides of the line. Scissors are designed to get a hold, to get on both sides, of something as thin as paper.

The power used to throw a cotton ball at someone is the same as the power used to throw a stone at someone. The difference is the cotton ball absorbs that power on impact, while the stone transfers that power to the person it hits on impact.

To deal with a solid object, use a stick. To deal with an object that’s not solid, use a bow and arrow. These two structures can be seen all throughout the world. They are fundamental.

The highest level of fighting is when someone adds the third dot to a line and finishes the opponent’s move for them. Taiji is unclear in a way that is clear. The three dots are totally independent and unrelated to each other, but they must happen at the same time. It is as though a professor is teaching a large class, and everyone is listening and paying attention at the same time, but they are listening and paying attention independent from each other. Our movements are completely separate from each other, but the opponent feels one move. A qun (large mythical bird) and a gnat cannot understand each other, the qun lives for millions of years, the gnat from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. And yet, their stories are the same: birth, growth, sex, reproduction, decay, death. They cannot relate, but it’s exactly the same. Taiji is everything put together by one thing: time

Toronto workshop 8 March 2020 Morning session notes 1

by Harshil on 2020/03/08

TOFEB20Trailer-1

Yilu and foundations are for warm up

Then one must learn, create yin yang split

Action has movement, physical structure has no movement

Hand and screwdriver analogy —

Screwdriver doesn’t work on its own but is turned by hand

i.e.

Twisting towel

Hand doesn’t move on it’s own,

Kua is responsible for action on hand

Technically

object is yin &

Action is yang –

Fixed for consistency and to avoid confusion

At higher level it doesn’t matter which one is which, just know there are two and can be switched

There has to be a trap to walk in for opponent

Trap doesn’t change shape/size

Trap is designed so that you can have the hold

Hold gives access to ligaments and not muscles, working on muscles is futile

Opponent’s arm is not sufficient to get the hold of the whole body

Body parts are irrelevant for the hold,only think of to hold the line, have a grab from both side of teh line and not just one

Drill-

Sink waist to press elbow

Hand should be complete dead no move on its own, and that is quality like a steel, otherwise it absorbs like cotton

Shoulder rotates on vertical axis and doesn’t get displaced

Two ends have to be related, timing has to be coordinated

Stretch in right shoulder has to be totally matched by stretch in left heel

_____

Only two ways to move opponent .

Lever- lock middle and move the ends (strong opponent)

Anti-lever – lock the ends and move the middle (loose opponent)

Two ends and the middle are independent of one another. However opponent thinks they all happen at same time because the difference in time is so tiny it goes unnoticed.

A nut (micro living that lives only morning to afternoon) can not fathom a qun (mythical bird that lives many years) and for qun a nut did not exist, however they both live same life cycle birth-growing-reproduction-death.

Taiji encapsulates everything – in time.

If one splits that fraction of second when action was done at two ends and middle into million parts, these three actions will be only 3 of those million parts and totally different (although sequential) and they have no relationship to one another but for opponent it feels as if they happened at same time and they have relationship.

“Ben Private Lesson 1/3” Online Video Trailer 1

by Shopmaster on 2020/03/08

Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 9 min. In: English Year: 2019 Difficulty:1/5

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

by John Saw on 2020/03/07

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 – Gambling Days

John Saw – Qigong Days

John Saw with Master Chen Zhonghua at Daqingshan

John Saw with Master Chen Zhonghua at Zhenbudong Rizhao Taiji Acacdemy

John Saw Discipleship Photo in Sydney with Master Chen Zhonghua

Daqingshan Taiji Flame Torch Bearer 2018

Chen Zhonghua Practical Method Workshop Sydney 2020 February

Toronto workshop 7 March 2020 afternoon session notes i

by Harshil on 2020/03/07

Tiger’s back and Bear’s waist (doesn’t have)

Stretch removes indentation and protrusion.

Movements create indentation and protrusion .

Exercise 1

Shoulder as reference and chest goes back or chest is reference and shoulders come forward

(Hands in forward)

Exercise 2

Tear the center of chest (i.e.single whip)

_____

Humanity point(center of the chest in front) and Vitality point (lower back) (ani.al instinct),

Harmony of both is unification of both.

Horizontal relationship and vertical relationship and their controlling mechanism is dot.

Dantian is hub but there’s no crossing (I.e. overpass on road in city)

Positive energy is seen, negative energy can not be seen. They are always pair but only positive is sensed by observer and negative is felt by opponent.

Drills

1) Create a space/hole put opponent in there

2) Bait/blunt/blurred vs. focused/sharp/crisp move

Toronto workshop 7 March 2020 Morning session notes i

by Harshil on 2020/03/07

1) sequence of learning- learn Form (overall structure), stretch (no fight), and how to stretch

2) step in on moving positive circle. Elbow comes in, leg goes out in same direction no deviation

3) bypass/ turning over – there is no direct connection of 2 body parts as if there is you can not connect to ground , can not bypass,

4) How to stretch ,

Remain on track,

When you can bypass you create stretch ,

Adjacent body parts have to give a way in order to stretch

5) real learning is not about something big or important, it’s about looking at something sitting in corner so small that nobody is looking at it

6) taiji is yin yang ,

And for every yin yang ,

Create another yin yang to match

Create ,

2 set of bypass ,

That’s called yin is rooted in yang and yang is rooted in yin

7) stretch , no retreat in move, horizontal to vertical,

8) every body part move 1mm makes 10mm. It’s difficult to move 1 part 10 mm

9) pair exercise , equal vs over. Difference is Only one notch. To go over the Key is rest of body doesn’t move.

10) you need to know when you are over the other side, don’t use power unless you are already on the other side

11) change the dot without touching the dot – switching

“TO1909-Hand-Foot Stretch” Online Video Purchase i

by Shopmaster on 2020/03/07

Chen Zhonghua’s Sept. 2019 Toronto Workshop Video.
Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 10 min. In: English Year: 2019 Difficulty:2/5 At:Toronto

“TO 1909-Q and A 2” Online Video Purchase 1

by Shopmaster on 2020/03/06

Question and Answer part two of the Chen Zhonghua Sept. 2019 Toronto Practical Method Workshop.
Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 10 min. In: English Year: 2019 Difficulty:1/5 At:Toronto

“TO 1909-Q and A 1” Online Video Purchase 1

by Shopmaster on 2020/03/05

Question and Answer session at the Sept. 2019 Chen Zhonghua Toronto Practical Method Workshop.
Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 10 min. In: English Year: 2019 Difficulty:1/5 At:Toronto

“TO 1909-The Three Lines” Online Video Purchase 1

by Shopmaster on 2020/03/03

Master Chen Zhonghua’s Sept. 2019 Toronto Practical Method Workshop Videos.
Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 10 min. In: English Year: 2019 Difficulty:3/5 At:Toronto

Practical Method Yilu 1-13 for beginners – “follow me” mirror view i

by Tomasz Raganowicz on 2020/03/01

The intro, instructions and outro are in Polish, but you can turn on English subtitles.

I am curious about usefulness of this video for PM students around the world – if you think it is helpful enter your city name in the comment (on YouTube).

Enjoy the practice!