This is a yilu demonstrated by Master Chen Zhonghua at the annual Taiji Traditions Camp in Victoria, B.C. Canada on Oct. 26, 2009. The demonstration was intended to suit the students at the camp in their learning.
Here is a video on how to maintain your own center while pushing hands and doing the form.
This seminar was attended by three visitors/new students. Nicholas Fung, an old student of mine, is visiting from Hong Kong. Wilkin Ng is from Vancouver and he has joined us. Gino Nasato is from Victoria. He has been an active participant in my Victoria workshops and in local classes there. He is visiting this weekend also.
The main subject this weekend is on how to keep three different lines while pushing hands. This is a very difficult act to perform. I explained and experimented for students the example of how to aim at something or some place. In our push hands or applications, we often don’t push towards where we ACTUALLY intend to push!. This is a question of the mind intent not harmonized with the energy alignment. This question touches upon our basic natural disposition. It is very important for you NOT to believe that you don’t have this problem!
I have been giving this group of people seminars here for the seventh year. We started in Vancouver and moved to Fort Langley and finally settled in Maple Ridge. Currently we have three students from Seattle, one from Denver, CO who joins us occasionally, several from Victoria, and one from Nanaimo. Some have to drive more than three hours to get here; others have to take the ferry for over 5 hours. I fly here from Edmonton early in the morning. All this for Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method!
by: Bill Vanderhall
Well, to start with, the first time we met Master Chen Zhonghua ( we know him as Joseph Chen ) was at a Martial Arts Tournament in Vancouver, about eight years ago, 2001. My friends and I help out with judging the Taiji section, so we had seen quite a lot of good and poor Taiji. At the end of the tournament, Joseph gave us a demonstration of his Chen Taiji and blew us away. Read more
I attended a morning session of the conference at the Yinjian Hotel. The only thing I can remember from the lecture is that we are not born with cancer, we get it.
Went shopping for clothes after the session. Beijing is too cold and I had to buy some clothes. Supper with Sun Zhonghua. He took me to a Shanxi restaurant. He is from Shanxi. Had 4 dishes that I cannot remember the names of. It cost 44 yuan. Very cheap indeed!
Back to the hotel after dinner and burned 14 DVDs for him.
Originally written by: Helen Kita
This is the third year I have taken Master Chen’s workshops. I have enjoyed his teachings and have learned many skills and know I am on a long journey to understand the principles of tai chi. Read more
2010-1-2
1、（腰胯）拉直后，无腰、无跨，此时可以保持腰不断劲。（沉肩、坠纣、头顶、双腿与丹田形成中轴——中正？）。 Read more
Originally written by: Dina Kerr
After 7 years of Maple Ridge workshops once a month, it never gets old. Each workshop is new and exciting. Its like meeting my family, brothers and sisters that I haven not seen for a while. There is joking and laughter intermingled with pushing and shoving, then in comes Daddy Chen, we must behave now. Read more
As every time I receive instructions from my Shifu, Chen Zhonghua, I understand more that what he has always talked about is one principle that is applied in countless ways. Read more
回家的路上。今天要花在路上了。五点离开去机场。。。
一路上在想这个问题：这几年来，我穿梭世界诸大城市推广陈式太极拳实用拳法，已有一点成效，值得吗？当然第一个问题是洪师的拳法值得这么推广吗？第二个问题是我有资格推广这个拳法吗？
洪师的拳很有特点。这点我学拳的时候就知道的，但是，这么多年来，发现这一点比我想像的深刻的很多。真是其小无内。越练越深，好像是一个无底洞。 昨天晚上给学生讲洪师格言“收肘不收手，出手不出肘”时，拉飞亚尔威勒说他没有想到手肘之间是这样的一个感觉，我是指的给他试手后。他的拳已经练的颇得三味，但一搭手，他就有感觉了。“洪师爷是怎么练出来得？难道他比常人聪明？”他不禁问道。
其实，世人都是一样的。有聪明的地方也有愚钝的地方， 有聪明的时候也有愚钝的时候。真正的差别是个顺序问题。也就是说，该聪明的时候就好好动动脑子，不该的时候就要多做该做的事。做到这一点要有起点。我的很多朋友们就是没有找到这个起点。有人说就是那薄薄的一层窗户纸没通破。
但 是就是这么薄薄的一张纸世人却无法捅破。这不是今天我们独有的问题，自古以来这个问题就存在。为什么呢？就是因为人生中的所有事情都是有鉴别的标准的，然 而人却自信没有这样的标准或者错误地规定了这个标准。缺少这个准则，就无法迈出第一步。举例说，很多人就认为只要练上去舒服就是对的。然而还有的认为只要 能赢得对方就是对的。真正的太极拳的标准，是死的，不变的。不以人的好恶而改变。
我学拳的时候，老师说最怕的是“懂”， 不懂才是学习的正道。我到第四个月的时候以为自己已经会划圈了，老师给出了划圈的要求后才名白根本就不会，到今天已经划了30年了还是没划明白。这么多年 的真正收获是明白的一个道理，划圈和人生是一个道理，不可能明白，只不过是一个过程。你在这个过程中有所体会罢了。
那 层纸就在这个圈里。这个圈的标准就是内动外不动。这样你做不到，但要坚持，到了时候就自然开拳了。开了拳，才如了门，才能开始明白为什么练拳，练得什么 拳，怎么练拳。最近有本书介绍一个概念，说世界上所有成功的职业人都是在苦练一万小事后才成功的。钢琴如此、拳击如此、网球也是如此。我个人喜欢的书法也 是这样的。
其实中国古代的智者早就告诫我们了。不是”拳打百遍，身法自然“吗！洪师说坚持3年一小成，7年就能有一个大成。按每天5遍拳，3年就是5475遍，可不是一小成吗？如此算来，7年就是12775遍一路。陈发科当年每天练20趟一路，自然成为大师了。
纽约勒瓜地亚机场飞机晚点一个半小时，到多伦多时误了机，要明早才能回家了。
其实捅破那曾窗户纸也不难。先明白它。窗户纸是贴在窗棱子上的。这就是我说的内动外不动。按照这个准则去练，也用不了多长时间。
1：12 早上。还在飞机上。
周末的讲座顺利完成了，今早睡了个懒觉，八点才起床。早餐去了古城那家我喜欢的地方，新榨的橙汁，烤面包、咖啡。这里的咖啡还说得过去。烤面包很特别。薄薄的，不象面包样，吃起来面味很浓。
Jan Juan, Puerto Rico 2009
上午给拉呜标致私课。他学习很有步骤，每次都给他一点，他会慢慢体会一年，融入他的拳法中去的。这次也不例外。给他讲了怎样把力点在自己身上走动。
午饭后哈维尔圣地亚哥来了，他上午有课，已经读到了医学的第三年，明年就实习了。很快就成大夫了。我们3人一起去了古城堡。又详细讲解、练习了一路头13式。
晚上有学生来，到1点。很热，拉呜冲凉两次，我少出汗，但还是觉得够热。12月的天，开着空调睡觉。
今年2月已经来过了圣胡安。照常理，我在一年内是不去同一城市两次的。这次算是例外了。纽约的警察徒弟正好12约有点时间，就只好择日不如碰日了。既然来了一趟，总得值得，波德里哥就合乎情理了。加拿大的冬天，应该去热带。没有比圣胡安更热的地方！
这里是“冬 天”，一年最冷的季节。到达的那天晚上，零上29度，由于湿度高，觉得像零上38，还更难受。离开埃德蒙顿的时候，家里仅仅是零下的温度，来波德里哥寻找 温暖，像是在说笑话。昨天给家里电话，被告知家里零下36度！我是来对了，可残了老婆孩子！他们要把自己从雪里挖出来！圣胡安阳光明媚，早上和晚上竟然有 点凉风！白天是无人能受得了的烈日！
这此已经是3年内的第四次来波德里哥了。别的先不说，就只凭家里今天零下46度也足以说明这次南下值得了。刚来那天心里还觉得很不得意这里的太热，整天都是汗滋滋的，身上湿呼呼的，一听说家里加风速零下58度，才知是身在福中不知福。
下午在海边给两个徒弟改了一遍一路，完时已经五点多了。我们直接去了晚上练拳的公园。到的时候天已经有点黑暗了。无法拍照。很失望。昨晚的照片也没有拍好。学生们在拉呜标致的带领下先练习基本功，我突然有兴趣在周遍转转。
这 是一个不大的公园，在一个小湖的东边。西边就是圣胡安市。我们经常去吃饭的中餐馆利口福就在湖对岸。从这里看不见饭店，但吃饭的时候从窗户就一定能看见这 个公园。南边友一群人在做健身操。他们在一个漂亮的水泥棚下。依尔哒说那个建筑师一定没有来过这个公园，因为他是唯一的不知道这个棚子不挡雨的人。往西一 点，有三个人在练一种特别的瑜伽，他们都是怀孕的妇女。
午饭我和拉呜标致、哈维尔圣地亚哥一起在满诺林 （Manolin）吃。 外面这么热的天，里面竟然冷的皮肤起鸡皮疙瘩。我坐在空调对面，让冷风吹的直咳唆。这家古城的餐馆很火红，我们等了半天才有位置呢！
拉斐尔威勒和黑苏斯 （Rafeille Veilie and Jesus） 晚饭后来到我下榻的拉呜标致的家。当然东道主在了，还有徒弟哈维尔圣地亚哥，一共四个人。虽然教了一天拳，但看见他们倦意全无了。拉斐尔威勒是吴波拖帕马 来的徒弟，也就是我的徒孙了。身为一家银行分行行长的拉斐尔威勒酷爱陈式太极拳实用拳法。在我们没有见面前就通过DVD 自己先学了一路，打的规规距距，一板一眼，很有本门的气派。无论他有多忙，我每次来波德里哥他总是会设法来学上一招半式。这次正在处理美国金融危机带来的 他所属7个国家的业务，还是晚上来了。
我们一直到了12：35。要不是东道主的提醒，恐怕要通宵达旦了。
今年第二次来纽约。第一次是在2月。这次从多伦多机场进入美国，一帆风顺。美国和加拿大的海关是很特别的。美国的海关设在加拿大境内的边界或机场。这样，进入候机厅，也就算是进入美国了，所以，从加拿大去美国，下飞机时和普通美国人是一样的。海关在加拿大境内已经过了。
Chen Zhonghua in New York 2009
今年第二次来纽约。第一次是在2月。这次从多伦多机场进入美国，一帆风顺。美国和加拿大的海关是很特别的。美国的海关设在加拿大境内的边界或机场。这样，进入候机厅，也就算是进入美国了，所以，从加拿大去美国，下飞机时和普通美国人是一样的。海关在加拿大境内已经过了。
徒弟克兰德拉和杜林已经在行李处等候。克兰德拉是纽约警察，现在给资深民主党国会议员楚马做保镖，空手道黑带7段。杜林早半个小时从米尔瓦基飞来。接着我和夫人，我们驱车前往预定的花园区宾馆。我们和杜林同住一个宾馆。
徒弟克兰德拉和杜林已经在行李处等候。克兰德拉是纽约警察，现在给资深民主党国会议员楚马做保镖，空手道黑带7段。杜林早半个小时从米尔瓦基飞来。接着我和夫人，我们驱车前往预定的花园区宾馆。我们和杜林同住一个宾馆。
Chen Zhonghua New York 2009 Workshop Group Photo
Originally written by: Lyle Little
Subject: comments
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:41:17 -0600
From: Lyle & Bonnie Little Read more
Originally written by: Lyle Little
I would like to thank Norm Magee and his wife for all the hard work and extras that they did on our behalf. Camp Shawnigan is a beautiful location nestled on Vancouver Island. Read more
Originally written by: Andy Hosler
All things considered I would say it was a better venue than camp thunderbird. The food was awsome and the kitchen staff really went the extra mile for us. The dorms were comfortable with lots of room for personal gear, even closets. The only thing lacking was expresso for the italian contingent…..
Originally written by: Mossimo Neresini
Dear Gordon,
first of all thanks again for everything.
I am writing also on behalf of Master Bon and Daniele and we would like to tell you that the Victoria experience met all our expectation; so we learnt a lot from the great Master Chen. Moreover we appreciated a lot Bill’s and your availability and experience in looking after us. As to the Camp accommodation everything was fine: food was excellent and in great quantity, fab fellows and comfortable bedrooms. Read more
Originally written by: Vanessa Hammond
Hi Gord,
I learned a lot and enjoyed my time.
Camp feedback:
The food was good, plentiful and nutritious.
Thanks for moving the evening meal to a later time. Thanks for accommodating for the stronger coffee for those who enjoy a stronger brew.
Rooms and bathrooms clean.
Master Chen Feedback:
I really appreciated the individual attention that Master Chen was able to give during the drills and practice time.
I am looking forward to receiving the DVD and and link to the website to follow up and consolidate the learning from the week.
Originally written by: Daniel Kahn
Hey Gord,
As I said, I had a great time. Even the weather contributed to the focus on taiji 😉
Here are four thoughts that occur to me. All are minor.
1) laundry facilities would have been welcome. Read more
Originally written by: Michael Iverson
Food good.
More ilu for beginners + applications. Could prob. Split some of the teaching up – you, Jay, Ping to give people more one on one time with Master Chen.
That’s about it. Awesome all round experience!
The camp facility is super. The dorm is comfortable, the gym is larger enough to hold 40 plus people, and most important, the food was great, tasty, lots of variety. The staff were very friendly. The lake is beautiful. I wish we could do some canoeing. I’m from Phoenix, AZ. The weather was a bit different. I didn’t mind rain and cold. Really enjoyed the fall vibrant color of Victoria. I’ll come back again in the future. Hope we stay at the same camp. Read more
Originally written by: Jay Smith
I recently spent a week at Camp Shawnigan and I was pleased with my stay there. The overall Facility was clean and well kept with beautiful scenery surrounding it. At one point I noticed a toilet was out of order and within a few hours it was repaired and back in working order.
The food was fantastic, great tasting with a good variety daily. One day I fell asleep and missed lunch by about 1/2 hour and went to the cafeteria to grab a piece of fruit to hold me over till supper time ( fruit is left out for us to help ourselves) one of the cafeteria staff asked me I was hungry I told her I missed lunch and she Quickly offered to get me some leftovers, I told her no thanks and she then offered to make me a sandwich, she seemed genuinely concerned that I had missed lunch, I was impressed.
I found Norm to be very friendly and helpful when we required some supplies for our classes and great to work with.
I hope we are lucky enough to have our annual gathering at Camp Shawnigan next year, looking forward to staying there again.
Regards,
Originally written by: Grace Gentili
If the impressions of a complete novice can be of help, I would like to say that the one day I spent at the Taiji Traditions camp was of great benefit to me. It was an amazing learning experience on many levels.
It was an eye-opening experience to watch Master Chen as he demonstrated applications of the postures and then gave detailed explanations of the moves to clarify what could not be seen at the speed of their execution. His teaching style is very compelling. He explains the concepts with clarity, energy, and intensity and shares such a great volume of information, at a rapid pace, that it required my very focused attention, in order not to miss anything. By the end of the day, I had had as much of a mental workout as a physical one and I loved it.
Furthermore, the friendliness, warmth, encouragement and helpfulness of all the participants that I knew or had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with, made that one day at camp very special. The experience of being surrounded by a gym full of very dedicated, hard-working and focused participants was incredibly energizing. I look forward to going back next year.
As I was only one day at Camp Shawnigan, all I can say is that I very much enjoyed the two meals I had on that day. The food was delicious, the choice of items in the buffet was great and the dining area was welcoming and nicely organized.
Grace Gentili
Originally written by: Bruce van Slyke
Howdy,
I had a great time, I just wish I did not have to leave early. Ironically enough, because of a huge snow storm in Denver, I ended up spending Thursday in Victoria (not a bad thing, a few pints at the Bard and Banker sat rather well with me) but I ended up flying home on Friday after all! Oh well… Read more
3 times a year taught by Master Chen Zhonghua on Hunyuan Qigong, Silk Reeling and Foundations.
Edifice Jules-Desbiens
109, rue Wright – local 002 Gatineau (secteur Hull) – Quebec
I was born with a weak constitution and relied on martial art training for my health recovery. Later on I met Grandmaster Hong Junsheng who transmitted Practical Method to me. Over dozens of years I repeatedly practiced it and benefited from it. I did not dare to take it as my own and vowed to pass it on. Another dozen years made me realize that I did not know enough to be a master. I therefore went to study from Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang by devoting another dozen years to learning. Again, I gained a bit more knowledge and ability in taijiquan.
When I was young I believed that I was smart. Approaching the half mark in my life I realized that I was not. Taijiquan is not made for the average. It is not for smart people; slow people; light-hearted people; nor stubborn people. It is designed for those who are persistent, and focused. One must let go and be enlightened.
Daqingshan Mountain is pretty, picturesque, tranquil, and deep. It is a clear piece of land in crowded China. One can practice and meditate in between land and clouds. I chose this bit of special soil to start my teaching, to make friends with the like minded and to entertain myself. When the art is not perfect, one can continue to learn. When one is not enlightened he can seek.
The rock of Daqingshan, might be jade.
1. 混淆传承和名誉的问题
传承是练拳习武的首要问题，然而给这个问题一点思考的人极少。无论国内国外，崇拜师父是最突出的表现。 Read more
Originally written by: Ian Macrae
Maple Ridge Workshop July 25th and 26th, 2009
(A loose transcription of notes, not an organized article)
This month our workshop was in Pitt Meadows Heritage Hall. Our regular use of Thornhill Hall was preempted by the Disabled Games. What a nice big clean beautiful hall this was, notwithstanding that the A/C wasn’t working and it was almost too hot to do YiLu. Well, actually, it was too hot, so we didn’t work quite as hard as we usually do. Read more
When Master Chen was at my school in April he had us explore emptiness. Emptiness in the leg from the knee downward. Emptiness in the spine from the head down through to the coccyx. It was a challenging process.
He told us that, as human beings, we do all we can not to go there as we experience this as death. This emptiness is a space before muscles get involved.
To help my students move closer to this state as best as possible I spent one evening doing Mentastics. Mentastics means mental gymnastics. It was developed by Dr. Milton Trager, a former American professional acrobatic dancer, boxer, and physician. It is a companion method to the form of massage he also created and that bears his name. To find more about him just google his name. He had a beautiful book that is only available on e-Bay or Amazon as used copies, as far as I could find out. The title is: “Movement As a Way to Agelessness: A Guide to Trager Mentastics,” 1995, 176 pp., Station Hill Press, Barrytown, N.Y., ISBN 0-88268-167-2.
With Mentastics one wants to do as little as possible. Movement is minimal and pleasant. Each time one does a movement, the goal is to do 50% less the next time around, always asking the mind to answer a question that only it would answer in its own way without any need to bring the answer to consciousness.
It goes like this: How could this be free? How could this be freer? How could this be even freer? And even freer than this freer?
Mentastics is an approach. Not a goal. A way towards a state of freedom, wellness, happiness. Towards Oneness.
We explored breathing this way, walking this way, moving our arms this way, shifting from one leg to the other, and then front and back. (In our leg shifting we wanted to stop moving just before our small tight muscles in our spines would engage, relaxing them with the help from our sensors under the soles of our feet.)
We reached a state of “hook-up,” as Trager called it. We were in the zone as others would say. Or as the calligraphy that taiji master Al Chung-liang Huang designed for The Trager Institute says in Chinese, we were a “Dancing Cloud.”
So we danced for an evening. It helped moving closer to where we do not move anymore, yet are more alive than ever. More present than presence itself. Have overcome the fear of death that stops us from being before muscles move.
We have not reached that stage yet. We have just moved closer to not moving. We now have one more tool to help us along. It worked. It laid the ground for the next step that was taken on the first Monday in June. More about this in the next issue.
Some photos of Daqingshan in 2007。大青山照片 Read more
