Push hands is an exercise that examines your understanding of the Taiji principle: Separation of Yin and Yang. While form training transforms your body, push hands provides an opportunity for you to apply your Taiji knowledge and skill. It has also become a popular sporting event both in China and abroad. This workshop is suitable for beginners as well as people at different levels of their training. If you have never tried it before, this is a great opportunity for you to do it in a friendly and safe environment.
We are pleased to have Master Chen Zhonghua back for the 4th annual training camp. Once again, the taijiquan training, lodging and dining will be at one location with one cost at the same location as last 3 years. This will be an intensive workshop focused Theory, Foundations, Yilu, Push Hands and Broadsword. Disciples will take part in the instructions. Read more
Today, there was a discussion among some of the North American disciples on intent. What is it? What does it mean?
The discussion allowed me to solidfy a couple of things.
In 2019 Iowa Camp, shifu mentioned:
Spencer’s notes:
The camp’s lessons this time were pervaded by the idea of “intention”. Intention in PM is what we call “to lead”. For example, in the positive circle, the elbow in is the “lead” Intention has no meaning in itself, but it changes everything. I am starting to realize this is one of the reasons Master Chen’s form looks so much different than mine and I can never figure out why. Your eyes can only see movement. The act of leading translates to intention, and when intention is used, the action is different. In with elbow, turn at waist, out with hand… You have to be clear about those intentions. Say them aloud! When the intention is clear, you produce a very thin line. From one large thing, you pull out one dot. This is the concept of silk reeling. Read more
In the weekend of 9 & 10 November Carlotta and Sven from Berlin came to Utrecht in the Netherlands for the Open Dutch Championship and a workshop.
Sven led the workshop and Carlotta the execution of the yilu 13 section. Two of my students in Holland, Lucas and Ester took part in it, together five of us. Read more
Brennan Toh, disciple of Chen Zhonghua, recently visited the Ottawa Branch of the Chen Zhonghua Taiji Academy. Brennan is currently living in Regina, Saskatchewan.
As we know Master Chen Zhonghua does not allow students of Practical Method to socialize. This event became a practical and teaching session!
Pulling instead of pushing … The first time I heard that statement, it made absolutely no sense at all to me. The tenth time I heard that statement, it still made no sense. I remember doing two person floor drills at Master Chen’s workshops where we were supposed to move the drill partner backwards by ‘pulling’, rather than ‘pushing’ them backwards. The only way that I could move them backwards was to push from my back foot. Read more
Push Hands training session of the 2019 Chen Zhonghua Prague Practical Method Workshop. Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 10 min. In: English Year: 2019 Difficulty:1/5 At:Prague
Master Chen showing Rick Pietila how to align the rear elbow with the front hand
Recently at a 2019 Toronto CA workshop hosted by Kevin Ho, Master Chen Zhonghua demonstrated and taught the participants a training drill that requires the starting position to have the rear heel off the floor and both hands in a double push position, chest high. While going over this drill and teaching to the finer more precise details, he offered that we students feel his back leg starting positions with our hands. One hand was to be placed on the ankle while the other on the inside thigh to feel the active tendons and muscles. He suggested that students pull or rake across these two areas to gain a better understanding of the physical requirements for the drill. When I took my turn, pulling across these areas, something registered with me to the feeling of the amount of tension in the leg as well as what precisely for this move was being used to generate such great power, and speed. Read more
Part 5 of Greg Schnabel’s Private Lesson in Toronto in Sept. 2019.
Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 10 min. In: English Year: 2019 Difficulty:2/5 At:Toronto
Part 4 of Greg Schabel’s Private Lesson in Toronto in Sept. 2019.
Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 10 min. In: English Year: 2019 Difficulty:2/5 At:Toronto
Part 3 of Greg Schnabel’s Private Lesson in Toronto in Sept. 2019.
Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 10 min. In: English Year: 2019 Difficulty:2/5 At:Toronto
Practical Method Popsockets for your smartphones are $12 plus shipping. As many of you are aware I teach a group of kids, which several have attended Iowa workshops taught by Master Chen. I was able to work out a fundraising deal with the company so 50% of all the sales will be applied towards tuition for my kid students that have financial need. So an awesome item + good price + great cause = excellent purchase!
For orders email me midwestpracticalmethodtaiji@gmail.com or message me on Facebook.
Gears on either side of spine move in opposite direction
The gears twist on either side of the spine and your intention along with where you are looking can send power in any direction you want. You can also add better control by also changing the percentage of each lever. with straight spine hold with front left kua use right hand across. them Opening kua to right
Power comes from restrictions, stretch to point of rotation, Movement is muscle., no movement is a lever Read more
By Ong, Wen Ming.
Master Chen Zhonghua’s disciple from Bali Island, Indonesia.
On 27, 28 and 29 September 2019, I was honored to teach the chen style taijiquan practical method to a delegations of a multi-national company based in Russia who were holding their annual meeting on the island of Bali, Indonesia. The delegation numbered more than 100 people but there were only about 20 people who participated in taijiquan practice. Taijiquan training in the morning was only a choice of sports activities offered by the event organizer for the delegation members during stay in the hotel.
The training started at 7 in the morning and finished around 8:30 in the morning. I started the exercises with body stretching, practical method foundations, footworks and the 4 initial steps or forms in Yilu. Most participants who took part in the training were from China, southeast asian countries, Russia and Africa. They really liked the practical method of master Chen Zhonghua. I hope they will go further to find and come to the nearest Taijiquan practical method Club in their respective countries or come directly to Daqingshan to practice there. I am very grateful to Master Chen Zhonghua for all his kindness in showing me the way, teaching and instruction in the Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method.
