Learning Taiji is to solve a set of contradictions.
Neither over-extended, nor deficient.
Anything that exists is the resolution of a contradiction. Therefore, when you see a contradiction in a matter, you have not resolved the issue. When you have, you will not see the contradiction any more.
In taiji, you must reach a stage when you create movements without moving; you don’t push but your opponent is pushed out; etc. When you still cannot do this, you are still not at the level yet.
Some clips of master Chen Zhonghua’s push hand teaching sessions of Daqingshan in the summer of 2012. These are extracted from the 7 volumes of the Daqingshan 2012 push hands training videos. This video is also available at: http://chenzhonghua.cn/2012/11/陈中华老师2012年大青山推手训练精选视频花絮/ Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 8 min. In: Chinese Year: 2012 Difficulty:4/5 At:Daqingshan
Master Chen and to those on this web site, I have a question I would like to get your input on. In the taichi classics there is an expression, “Stillness in Motion, Motion in Stillness”. I’ve always had this explained to me that it relates to the mind being still while the body is in motion and vice versa. This has always perplexed me somewhat and didn’t seem like a thorough answer. Read more
During the recent Chen Taiji Seminar in early Mar 2012 conducted by Master Chen Zhong Hua, he used an analogy of how striking in Taiji is like being “struck by a bullet.” Read more
Thank you to everyone who attended the intro to Practical Method event this past Sunday. We had a very good turnout. Taiji classes will continue at Bend Yoga and Movement Studio after Thanksgiving, Read more
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
Michael Koh was accepted as Master Chen Zhonghua’s disciple in the Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method system. The ceremony was attended by Master Hong Sen and Master Xu Jinge. Other disciples present at the event: Tim Duehring and Nicholas Fung.
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
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
My disciple Michael Calandra will be in London from November 23 to the 28, 2012. Anyone interested in learning the Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method, please contact him. oikddojo@aol.com He will be officially teaching Karate on this tour. His website: http://www.seishinkanonline.com/
Here is a short video that we filmed in my class last night. In the gym where I teach, we found an exercise device that can illustrate the importance of the alternating fixed point in the Practical Method. The explanation is not as precise as I would have wanted, but we filmed this on the spur of the moment.
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
Figure 1.
Figure 2.
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.
This time we are joined by Ernest from Holland, Kim from Florida, Bruce from Denver and Carmen from Sacramento. Master Chen cover many topics but focused on detail of Six Sealing Four Closing foundation action.
The unique feature of Practical Method is embodied in this move as it uses the grinding of two cylinders to generate power. Master Chen Read more
A mini lesson on push hand application during workshop. Stretch to match incoming push, then add one to unbalance opponent. Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 8 min. In: English Year: 2012 Difficulty:3/5 At:Maple Ridge, B.C. Canada
1. positive circle: elbow in.
2. Yin yang separation in push hands.
3. The concept of “settle” (sink).
4. The use of primitive language.
5. How to stretch. Front must move forward. Back must move backward. Middle must stay “non moving”.
6. Separated movements. Incremental movements. Read more
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
Which part of the body moves;The right feedback is whent there isn’t any; Eyes fixed on one direction; 3 vertical lines on the body; What is loose; Magic number 3; Procedure: rigid then relaxed; Twist Towel Fetch Water detail; Two-person exercise; Climb and go over
Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 76 min. In: English Year: 2009 Difficulty:1/5 At:Toronto
Wang Long, Su Lei of Rizhao, Shandong Province, and Chen Xu of Yiyuan, Shandong Province, became master Chen Zhonghua’s disciples at a simple ceremony on Daqingshan on Oct. 4, 2012. The ceremony was chaired by master Hong Sen and attended by all participants of the 7th Daqingshan International Taijiquan Seminar. Read more
Ketong Lin correction; set the line then split from the center; first ground oncoming power, then act; shoulder rotation; two halves of the circle; power connected to the ground; what is solid
Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 33 min. In: English & Chinese Year: 2012 Difficulty:1/5 At:Hong Kong
Master Chen taught the two main taiji energies: push and pull. Every push must be a pull. Showed and did an exercise on how to turn the body into a rotation spool to create power.
Newly uploaded, covering 20 topics among them: Separation of Yin Yang; Aim: alignment, 3-directions in the circle; Sequence of movement; Don’t Follow: separation; What to move, what not to move; Push is a stretch
Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 68 min. In: English Year: 2009 Difficulty:2/5
Clip of Master Chen instructing chinese student and explanation of importance of having stretch in yilu
Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 13 min. In: Chinese Year: 2012 Difficulty:3/5 At:Daqingshan Mountain Resort
In this workshop many deep Taiji concepts were explained and practically demonstrated by Shifu, Chen Zhonghua. Videos recorded during this workshop include the following: “Body Structure”, “Differential 2”, “Space and Time”, and “Rotation 1.” Shifu, please correct any incorrect statement that may be found in my notes. As time allows, I will continue to transcribe and publish the rest of my notes: Read more
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
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
This time we are joined by Ernest from Holland, Kim from Florida, Bruce from Denver and Carmen from Sacramento. Master Chen cover many topics but focused on detail of Six Sealing Four Closing foundation action.
A mini lesson on push hand application during workshop. Stretch to match incoming push, then add one to unbalance opponent. Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 8 min. In: English Year: 2012 Difficulty:3/5 At:Maple Ridge, B.C. Canada
Clip of Master Chen instructing chinese student and explanation of importance of having stretch in 
