What is tai chi
Tai Chi is a sequence of dynamic movements that combine soft and hard actions with fast and slow actions in a balanced and natural way that adheres to the philosophical Taoist principles of yin and yang from the "yijing" (Book of Changes). Contained within its framework are spiralling, twisting, and unique silk reeling energy movements, jumps, leaps and explosive energy releases.
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During practice the body remains relaxed with the practitioners' consciousness, breathing and actions all closely connected. These unique features enhance benefits to health, fitness, and weight-loss and are just a few of the reasons why so many people, regardless of age and level of fitness, regularly practice Chen Style Tai Chi throughout the world today.
Chen Style Tai Chi continues to remain true to its original meaning and application since its creation - with the current head of the Chen Family, Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei, internationally recognised as one of the highest level masters within the art.
Chen Style Tai Chi continues to remain true to its original meaning and application since its creation - with the current head of the Chen Family, Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei, internationally recognised as one of the highest level masters within the art.
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Tai Chi and Health
Tai Chi exercises regulate all systems within the body improving digestion, respiration and circulation. As the movements are performed in a relaxed manner this can also lead to a reduction in stress-related disorders. The low-impact nature of the routines improves the condition of bones, joints and muscles without strain whilst encouraging balance, focus, flexibility and co-ordination to promote health and vitality within the individual. Tai Chi is recognised by the Chinese Government and many Health Institutes around the world as the form of exercise that offers one of the greatest all-round benefits to health. |
Who can practice Tai Chi?
Tai Chi is suitable for people of all ages and levels of physical fitness. The movements can be performed slowly and gently for health and relaxation, or faster and more powerfully for fitness and self defence applications.
Tai Chi is suitable for people of all ages and levels of physical fitness. The movements can be performed slowly and gently for health and relaxation, or faster and more powerfully for fitness and self defence applications.
What is Chen Style Tai Chi?
Chen Style Tai Chi (Taijiquan) was created in Chenjiagou Village, Wenxian County, Henan Province, China in the late Ming Dynasty, almost 400 years ago, by the 9th generation Chen family member, General Chen Wangtin. Following a decorated military career General Chen retired to Chenjiagou where he began formulating an internal martial art that incorporated the wisdom of the ancient Taoist philosophy of Yin and Yang, with specialised breathing techniques, and a profound understanding of the internal energy meridians, "jingluo", used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Such was its intrinsic power that the art was only passed from master to student in great secrecy and remained hidden for almost 300 years within the village. It was not until the 14th generation of the Chen family (around 120 years ago) that Grandmaster Chen Changxing taught the art to Yang Luchan, a household servant. Yang Luchan (founder of Yang Style Tai Chi) was the first to take the art away from the village and quickly his reputation spread throughout China as an unbeatable Kungfu master using this fascinating art. During the popularisation of Yang Style, Chen Style remained within Chenjiagou, with its village members dedicated to the advancement of all aspects of their tradition, just as their ancestors had done for almost 400 years. Chen Style Tai Chi has only recently made its appearance on the world scene and is fast becoming the most popular form of Tai Chi in the world today. Both old and young Tai Chi practitioners are beginning to appreciate why generations of the Chen family were determined to maintain their sacred art in its purest form so that everyone may experience the maximum benefits under their guidance. |
What does Chen Style Tai Chi consist of:
Chen Tai Chi practice consists of standing meditation, Silk Reeling, Qigong, Forms and Weapons.
Zhan Zhuang:
Zhan Zhuang literally means standing like a post, also known as standing meditation. It is a training method in which static postures are held to develop correct structural alignment, to develop efficiency in movement and maximal strength for martial applications. When combined with tu-na (qigong breathing exercises) it also helps to develop deep levels of relaxation and body awareness and helps remove blockages and increase circulation of internal energy (qi). This practice is known to have many health benefits such as improving posture, calming the mind and to improve breathing patterns.
Silk Reeling:
Silk Reeling, also known as Chansujin, is the principle method of movement within Tai Chi. Silk reeling is considered the essence of Tai Chi and helps develop the health and relaxation aspects associated with Tai Chi.
Silk reeling exercises involve simple continuous rounded and spiral movements utilising the whole body. The continuous movements loosen the joints, developing relaxation, efficiency of movement and whole body power.
The key to practicing silk reeling correctly is to allow the whole body to move with the movement originating from the centre of the body (the dantien). The attributes gained from silk reeling practice should be incorporated into all aspects of Tai Chi practice.
Forms:
Short Forms are ideal for those seeking the health and relaxation benefits of Tai Chi. They were developed as they can be learnt in a much shorter time, need less space to practice in, in comparison to the long forms which take longer and are complicated to learn. We teach the 8 & 11 Form developed by Master Liming Yue and the 18 Form created by Grand Master Chen Zhenglei. These forms contain the essential elements of Tai Chi, yet despite their simplicity they do not compromise Tai Chi principles.
Long Forms: Lao Jia (old frame) contains two routines, Yi Lu (first routine) and Er Lu (Second routine).
The first routine contains 74 movements and emphasises softness with an element of hardness. This routine contains large movements with light but steady footwork, a naturally erect posture and all movements are governed by the silk reeling principles.
The second routine is also known as Cannon fist (Pao Chui) and comprises of 43 movements. It is considered an advanced routine and consists of fast, explosive movements known as fajing. The routine expresses hardness with an element of softness with all movements initiated with the principles of silk reeling.
Both routines compliment each other and hardness and softness are combined harmoniously.
Xin Jia (new frame) is comprised of two routines; Yi lu (first routine), sometimes referred to as the 83 form due to the number of movements contained in its framework and Er Lu (second routine) also known as Cannon fist (Pao Chui), due to its fast and powerful movements and consist of 71 movements.
Xin Jia was created by the legendary Grand Master Chen Fake who feared the martial abilities of Tai Chi were being lost due to the subtle nature of its practice. He based the movements on Lao Jia adding more detail and length to the routines. Xin Jia contains more physical movements, guided by internal energy such as explosive movements (fajing), jumps, leaps, twisting and spiralling movements, emphasising locking techniques as well as expressing more martial abilities than Lao Jia.
Chen Tai Chi practice consists of standing meditation, Silk Reeling, Qigong, Forms and Weapons.
Zhan Zhuang:
Zhan Zhuang literally means standing like a post, also known as standing meditation. It is a training method in which static postures are held to develop correct structural alignment, to develop efficiency in movement and maximal strength for martial applications. When combined with tu-na (qigong breathing exercises) it also helps to develop deep levels of relaxation and body awareness and helps remove blockages and increase circulation of internal energy (qi). This practice is known to have many health benefits such as improving posture, calming the mind and to improve breathing patterns.
Silk Reeling:
Silk Reeling, also known as Chansujin, is the principle method of movement within Tai Chi. Silk reeling is considered the essence of Tai Chi and helps develop the health and relaxation aspects associated with Tai Chi.
Silk reeling exercises involve simple continuous rounded and spiral movements utilising the whole body. The continuous movements loosen the joints, developing relaxation, efficiency of movement and whole body power.
The key to practicing silk reeling correctly is to allow the whole body to move with the movement originating from the centre of the body (the dantien). The attributes gained from silk reeling practice should be incorporated into all aspects of Tai Chi practice.
Forms:
Short Forms are ideal for those seeking the health and relaxation benefits of Tai Chi. They were developed as they can be learnt in a much shorter time, need less space to practice in, in comparison to the long forms which take longer and are complicated to learn. We teach the 8 & 11 Form developed by Master Liming Yue and the 18 Form created by Grand Master Chen Zhenglei. These forms contain the essential elements of Tai Chi, yet despite their simplicity they do not compromise Tai Chi principles.
Long Forms: Lao Jia (old frame) contains two routines, Yi Lu (first routine) and Er Lu (Second routine).
The first routine contains 74 movements and emphasises softness with an element of hardness. This routine contains large movements with light but steady footwork, a naturally erect posture and all movements are governed by the silk reeling principles.
The second routine is also known as Cannon fist (Pao Chui) and comprises of 43 movements. It is considered an advanced routine and consists of fast, explosive movements known as fajing. The routine expresses hardness with an element of softness with all movements initiated with the principles of silk reeling.
Both routines compliment each other and hardness and softness are combined harmoniously.
Xin Jia (new frame) is comprised of two routines; Yi lu (first routine), sometimes referred to as the 83 form due to the number of movements contained in its framework and Er Lu (second routine) also known as Cannon fist (Pao Chui), due to its fast and powerful movements and consist of 71 movements.
Xin Jia was created by the legendary Grand Master Chen Fake who feared the martial abilities of Tai Chi were being lost due to the subtle nature of its practice. He based the movements on Lao Jia adding more detail and length to the routines. Xin Jia contains more physical movements, guided by internal energy such as explosive movements (fajing), jumps, leaps, twisting and spiralling movements, emphasising locking techniques as well as expressing more martial abilities than Lao Jia.
Push Hands:
Push Hands is considered the first step for students to help understand the martial aspects of Tai Chi. On a basic level it involves two students with their arms in contact. The students practice sticking, twining actions to develop sensitivity, balance and awareness within one's body and the opponent's. It helps develop a sense of how small forces can overcome stronger forces.
In Chen Tai Chi, push hands can be practiced on a number of levels to help develop martial abilities. The exercises can be practiced both soft and hard and fast and slow. There are five levels of push hand exercises which take the student from simple sticking actions to free style grappling. This involves pushing, pulling, throwing, sweeping and locking, and to free style sparring.
The five levels of push hands are:
The fifth method utilises all the attributes gained from the previous methods in a free style manor. It includes two students trying to lock, throw, trip and sweep each other to the floor.
Push Hands is considered the first step for students to help understand the martial aspects of Tai Chi. On a basic level it involves two students with their arms in contact. The students practice sticking, twining actions to develop sensitivity, balance and awareness within one's body and the opponent's. It helps develop a sense of how small forces can overcome stronger forces.
In Chen Tai Chi, push hands can be practiced on a number of levels to help develop martial abilities. The exercises can be practiced both soft and hard and fast and slow. There are five levels of push hand exercises which take the student from simple sticking actions to free style grappling. This involves pushing, pulling, throwing, sweeping and locking, and to free style sparring.
The five levels of push hands are:
- Single hand
- Double hand
- Moving step
- Da Lu (practiced in a low stance to strengthen the legs and increase flexibility and root. Root is the ability to stay grounded in combat and not be thrown or taken down).
- Free style.
The fifth method utilises all the attributes gained from the previous methods in a free style manor. It includes two students trying to lock, throw, trip and sweep each other to the floor.
Martial Applications:
Martial Applications are the attack and defence movements of the Tai Chi form movements. In Chen Tai Chi each movement from the forms has numerous martial applications consisting of blocking, striking, locking and throwing techniques. Each application utilises attributes gained from push hands training.
Weapons:
Sword Form contains forty nine movements and is considered the oldest weapon routine practiced in Chen Tai Chi.
When practicing the sword form the sword is thought of as an extension of your arm and the sword movements all originate and are led by the body. The Sword routine contains thrusting, cutting, scooping, pointing, sweeping, intercepting and pushing movements.
The Tai Chi sword routine is circular, flowing and graceful in its movements combining hardness and softness along with subtly quick and slow movements. Training with the sword helps develop flexibility, fluidity and precision. Performing the sword is likened to an ‘undulating dragon’ or a ‘phoenix soaring and circling the air’.
Sabre Form is made up of twenty two movements and is characterised by long range strikes, cuts, hacking, chopping and sweeping blocks. The sabre form demonstrates Chen Tai Chi’s power and explosiveness. The form is short and easy to learn; it is performed with speed and power and develops Fajing (explosive power). When practicing the sabre it is important to have co-ordinated and balanced footwork and mastery of the weapon involves how well you use your free hand to support the sword wielding hand. It is said, “to know the single sabre, follow the left hand”.
Spear Form also known as the “Pear flower spear and White Ape staff”. The Chen spear contains seventy one movements and contains pole/staff techniques as well as those associated with the spear. In Tai Chi spear training is considered an advanced weapon form and is difficult to learn. In China it is said, “a hundred days to master the broadsword and a thousand days to master the spear." Spear Training helps develop agile footwork, trains upper and lower body co-ordination and develops whole body strength.
Martial Applications are the attack and defence movements of the Tai Chi form movements. In Chen Tai Chi each movement from the forms has numerous martial applications consisting of blocking, striking, locking and throwing techniques. Each application utilises attributes gained from push hands training.
Weapons:
Sword Form contains forty nine movements and is considered the oldest weapon routine practiced in Chen Tai Chi.
When practicing the sword form the sword is thought of as an extension of your arm and the sword movements all originate and are led by the body. The Sword routine contains thrusting, cutting, scooping, pointing, sweeping, intercepting and pushing movements.
The Tai Chi sword routine is circular, flowing and graceful in its movements combining hardness and softness along with subtly quick and slow movements. Training with the sword helps develop flexibility, fluidity and precision. Performing the sword is likened to an ‘undulating dragon’ or a ‘phoenix soaring and circling the air’.
Sabre Form is made up of twenty two movements and is characterised by long range strikes, cuts, hacking, chopping and sweeping blocks. The sabre form demonstrates Chen Tai Chi’s power and explosiveness. The form is short and easy to learn; it is performed with speed and power and develops Fajing (explosive power). When practicing the sabre it is important to have co-ordinated and balanced footwork and mastery of the weapon involves how well you use your free hand to support the sword wielding hand. It is said, “to know the single sabre, follow the left hand”.
Spear Form also known as the “Pear flower spear and White Ape staff”. The Chen spear contains seventy one movements and contains pole/staff techniques as well as those associated with the spear. In Tai Chi spear training is considered an advanced weapon form and is difficult to learn. In China it is said, “a hundred days to master the broadsword and a thousand days to master the spear." Spear Training helps develop agile footwork, trains upper and lower body co-ordination and develops whole body strength.
LocationClasses take place in the UCAA's full time
professionally equipped Martial Arts Centre UCAA Martial Arts Centre Ballybay Road, Monaghan Town (behind The Fitness Habit gym) Tel: 087 277 1602 |