Excerpts: Notes from Daqingshan, 2007, May 5

May 5

Centered Action and Activation of Spatial Relationships in Push Hands

Principle: Taiji Push Hands is always about my mind, body, structure, angle, space, timing, etc. It is not an emphasis on responding to my opponent. It is always about

Excerpt: Notes from Daqingshan, 2007, May 4

May 4

The Principle of Separation of Yin and Yang, as applied in Internal Action and External Movement

In Chen Style Practical Method, we always distinguish between movement, which is used for positioning, and action which facilitates rotation. We use the term “movement” in reference to horizontal repositioning of the whole body in its external location in space, forward or backward, left or right.

Rotation involves internal vertical adjustments and repositioning of inner space, engaging in any actions required for directing power outwards, from a stable structure.

Actions for the maintenance of a centered and balanced structure are constantly engaged when there is external pressure from an attacking opponent. We exercise patience. “I allow them to approach my most vulnerable point, then I connect, as they have committed their own central core.

“I engage, then apply energy through my actions and movement. Following attachment, my action/rotation is employed with great effect”.

Excerpt: Notes from Daqingshan, 2007

May 3

Separation of Yin and Yang, as applied to parts of the body interacting while engaged in rotations of the various joints

Create points in the feet: Left heel to ball in right foot, right heel to ball in left foot. We always put pressure on a point in each foot, to generate the appropriate spiral through ankle, lower leg, knee and upper legs, kwa, and then waist, torso, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands.

Stance should promote an active coiling energy which separates each part of the legs, upper body, and limbs from its adjacent segment, stretching in the opposite direction. So in a horse stance the feet coil inward from the heel toward the toes. Then the lower leg coils outward from the ankles up towards the knee. Then the upper leg coils inward and upward through the inner thighs and buttocks. Then the kwa coils outwards from the inside, so that the front of the kwa section is opening and stretching outwards. This alternating coiling of adjacent body parts creates a ‘desynchronizing” effect from joint rotation, like gears rotating in place. The result is a fully expanded structure, a Taiji skill conveyed by the term “peng”.

Chen Fake and Hong Junsheng, Lineage and Transmission (Tai Chi Magazine Article)

Readers might enjoy a revealing historical consideration, now appearing in the current issue of Tai Chi Magazine (“A History of Chen Fake and Hong Junsheng”, Vol 33, No.2, Summer, 2009).

The author, Gordon Muir, and co-editor, Todd Elihu, report some very significant findings based on first hand interviews with He Shugan, who  trained for many years with both Hong and Chen Fake. This historical perspective might have important implications,

Milwaukee Workshop

We attended Chen Zhonghua’s workshop in Milwaukee, March 13-15. Since this venue replaced Fairfield as the Heartland host for this spring, my perspective was somewhat different as a traveler/attendee, rather than host and organizer. In this and subsequent posts, 

Chen Zhonghua Workshops

Please note the recent addition to our blog, in the left column: Chen Zhonghua Workshop Schedule. Currently Master Chen is making his Spring Tour of the US, providing the opportunity to attend his workshops in Arkansas, Tulsa, Milwaukee, and New York, as well as the annual Hunyuan World event in Georgia. More events are offered in Canada as well. Click on the links for further information as to the locations, times and other details. More information can also be found at Chenzhonghua.com

Paul’s Review: Fairfield, Iowa Workshop, July 29, 30

Paul, from Des Moines, has attended Master Chen’s workshops in Iowa for the past few years. This time around he took advantage of the opportunity by signing up for multiple private sessions. Listen to his comments with the following clips, as he conveys his appreciation of the experience.

Reviews: Fairfield Workshop, July 29 and 30

Attendees were most enthusiastic in their appreciation of the experience with Chen Zhonghua, at the workshop, July 29 and 30, in Fairfield , Iowa.  Following the video below, read on to hear from others who attended.

Read more:

Chen Zhonghua: Workshop in Fairfield, Iowa, July 29, 30

Chen Zhonghua will be visiting Fairfield on July 29 and 30. The event will be open to the public, offering Southeastern Iowa the unique opportunity to study with a world class master of Taijiquan. Master Chen’s last visit was a memorable experience for all who attended. (For a review of that workshop Fairfield Workshop Review, Dec 10, 2007)

For details on the July workshop please go to the following:

Chen Style Practical Method Demonstration at Iowa City Riverfest Fitness Fair

Review by Gene Hess

Every year, on the last weekend in April, the University of Iowa has a weekend long festival. Attracting a crowd of several thousands, the highlight of the weekend

Chen Zhongua’s Online Workshops

At  chenzhonghua.org, you can check out a very innovative new program, offering “Online Workshops”. It will include direct contact with Master Chen, via video clips, online video with written instructions, mini lessons on concepts and techniques, and various other communications to enhance your progress. Right now, there is an offer to take advantage of the program for free. Some description of details follows

Fairfield Workshop Review

Gene Hess attended the Fairfield workshop, and collaborated with the organizers to compile a detailed summary of the weekend’s activities:

Chen Zhonghua: Workshop in Fairfield, Iowa, November 10, 11

Iowa will be the venue for a rare opportunity to learn from Chen Zhonghua, the second weekend in November.

Read on for details:

Daqingshan Full Time Program Video

OK. Here we go again, after almost three months training in China with Master Chen, in the full time Taiji program, and some time getting used to the Western world again. Here is some nice video footage, giving a flavor for what we enjoyed this summer, on Daqingshan Mountain, Shandong Province, China.

Followup:”Matching Power”, Where is the Center

Our last post, “Practical Application of Matching Power”, gave rise to the following comments and discussion with an astute observer, who appreciated the content. He raised some very interesting points which

Practical Application of “Matching Power”

The following clip, appearing on Practicalmethod, March 19, offers a glimpse of typical “indoor” secrets, often revealed by Chen Zhonghua, in his open teaching of the internal principles of Chen Taiji. The famous concept of “4 ounces” controlling 1000 pounds, the ideas of sensitivity, neutralizing, redirecting force—- all these are common ideas, often expressed in language which conveys something “mysterious”, or vague, or philosophical. Teachers often seem to portray “internal” as something “mental”, “spiritual”, etc., as if “separate” from the skill of applying mechanical and functional requirements of high level Taiji. Here it becomes apparent how Chen Zhonghua bridges this gap, in his lucid concrete demonstration of the truly internal nature of Hong’s Practical Method. Of special interest, the instructions shed some brilliant practical light on the function of balance, and how to establish center in practice with opponents.

On Gong

The following article is reprinted here with permission from Chen Zhonghua. It was first published on January 8, 2007, when Chen Zhonhua formally presented the material at the Premier Hunyuan Taiji International Symposium, in Beijing, China. In this presentation he offers some unique angles on the importance of practices for the specific cultivation of skill involved in co ordinated joint rotation. This perspective also adds a new dimension to the understanding of the concept of “gong”.

Chen Zhonghua Offers Full Time Taiji Training at Daqingshan, China

Chen Zhonghua has announced the dates and details of his upcoming full time training program, at Daqingshan Mountain, in China, from May 10 through August 11, 2007. This opportunity is available in one week increments, or monthly, as well as the for the full 3 month program. For further details,

Chen Zhonghua Interview on Hong Book, Part 2

Part 2 of the interview, with more video footage of Grandmaster Hong pushing hands, as he was approaching 90 years of age.

Chen Zhonghua: Interview on Hong Jungsheng’s “Chen Style Practical Method”

Very iluminating interview with master Chen Zhonghua about his translation of Hong Junsheng’s book “Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method” volume one on theory.

Chen Zhonghua Clip from “Basic Silk Reeling” Video

As a disciple of Feng Zhiqiang, Chen Zhonghua has also recorded instructional material such as his “Basic Silk Reeling” DVD and VCD. This is a clip from that instructional video for Taiji warmup silk reeling exercises.

Jet Li- Fearless Opening Fight Sequence

Jet Li in Fearless- Inner Peace

Naruto- Transcending Love Video Clip

Chen Zhonghua Course Offerings

For your information, opportunities for instruction from Chen Zhonghua:

1. There will be a full time taijiquan training course on Daqingshan Mountain in China from May 1, 2007 to July 30, 2007. For more information please go to: www.daqingshan.org

2. Master Chen Zhonghua’s 2007 workshop schedule is posted here for those who are interested:

http://142.179.193.231/Lists/Events/MyItems.aspx

Following are listings of items on sale, from the instructional catalog: