Chen-style Taiji

The Chen style Taiji was developed in the 17th century by the Chen family in the village Chenjiagou, China and across generations mainly within the family. Its origin is generally Chen Wang Ting (陳王廷, 1597-1664, 9th generation) attributed to a general of the Ming Dynasty, who devoted himself after the fall of not only martial arts, but also the Daoist traditions.

 

There was a martial art that can serve as a medium of a basic physical, character and spiritual transformation of people simultaneously.

 

Characteristic of the Chen style is the interplay of soft, flowing movements and quick, explosive techniques, as well as the pronounced spiral movements. Regular use will lead to a comprehensive training of mind and body. In addition to a beneficial effect on the health of Chen style is a sophisticated martial art. The traditional forms include a variety of hidden self-defense techniques that can be seen only through the guidance of an experienced teacher.

 

Zhan Zhuang - Standing post

The Zhan Zhuang (站 庄) or the "standing post" is one of the basic exercises. With their help you build up the body vertically and center focused on. Here are detailed postural adjustments by a teacher of high importance. A long standing in getting better aligned structure on the one hand the mind is stilled, on the other hand created the basis for the inner alchemy, the "severity" can fall through down and thus "easy" climbs.

 

Reeling Silk

The "silk thread pulling" or "reeling silk" are also based exercises in the practice of Chen Taiji. The exercises consist of 2 sets of 10 and 9 exercises. You train a hand selected individual Qi-circuits in the body. In simple, constantly repeated movements the practitioner learns the different quality of "yin" (receiving, pulling back principle) and "yang" (expanding, emitting principle). They are also found in various places in the hand forms again.

 

Hand forms

There are several hand forms in Chen Taiji, as Laojia yi lu (the first form of the old frame) and Laojia Erlu (the second form of the old frame, "Pao chui") and Xinjia yi lu (first form new frame) and Xinjia Erlu (second form new framework, "Xinjia Pao chui"). There are also a number of short hand forms, so as the 9s, 19s and the 38s short forms that go back to Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang.

 

Meditation

Within the Chen family also a meditation program is maintained. As this is established, is subject to the respective tradition. Most arm movements are first performed in the seats that are based on the silk exercises. These arm movements offer the restless mind a break point, "replace ten thousand thoughts a thought" according to the Daoist idea.

 

Weapon forms

The weapon forms of the Chen style are: sword, double sword, broad sword, double saber, Stock / spear, halberd, short stick and double stick.

 

Tui shou - Push Hands

"Push Hands" Taiji is for two. There are various exercise routines: single and two-handed Tui shou, with and without steps, in higher or very low stances, with all fixed or freer flows. Push Hands is an essential step on the way to the applicability of Taiji as a martial art.