I've gradually begun to get some idea of what Im learning, and who Im learning it from. It turns out we are studying the competition 56-form of 'chen style' tai chi. My teacher, Xue Qiong, is apparently 5 times Hong Kong women's Tai Chi champion. She is from Shanghai, was a member of the Chinese national wushu team. When I googled her name I found her listed as 2nd in Tai Chi the 1993 World Wushu championships (link). Anyway she is very nice, moves beautifully, and structures the lessons clearly. I can't understand a word she says, but Im doing OK by following the her movements as closely as I can, and receiving occasional summaries of key points from my classmates.
The oldest student in the class is 83, and I believe some of the women in the class participate in competitions and recently won medals at competition in Taiwan. Also Im continually impressed by how welcoming and friendly everyone is.
Chen style is is the oldest and parent form of all traditional Tai Chi family styles. It originally developed as a family martial art in Chen Village (Chenjiagou), Henan Province:
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| Chen Jia Gou |
"The special nature of Tai Chi Chuan practice was attributed to the ninth generation Chen Village leader, Chen Wangting (1580–1660). He codified pre-existing Chen training practice into a corpus of seven routines.... integrated different elements of Chinese philosophy into the martial arts training to create a new approach that we now recognize as the Internal martial arts. He added the principles of Yin-Yang theory, the techniques of Doayin (leading and guiding energy) and Tu-na (expelling and drawing energy), theories encountered in Traditional Chinese Medicine... incorporated the boxing theories from sixteen different martial art styles." (Wiki)
"The Chen family system was only taught within the Chen village region until 1928. The other four contemporary traditional tai chi styles (Yang, Sun, Wu and Woo) all trace their teachings back to Chen village in the early 1800s". The first recorded non-Chen-family disciple to be taught was Yang Luchan (1799–1871). Yang went on to popularize the art throughout China during the second half of the 19th century, as his own family tradition known as Yang-style t'ai chi ch'aun." Thus, 'Yang style' is the best well-known form of Tai Chi, especially outside China.
Chen style was first taught outside the village from 1928 when Chen Zhaopei and later his uncle, Chen Fake (1887-1957) moved from Chen village to teach in Beijing.
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| Chen Fake - Authentic TaChi |
'Lao jia' consists of yi lu (1st routine) and er lu (2nd routine): "Yi lu (the first empty hand form) at the beginner level is mostly done slowly with large motions interrupted by occasional expressions of fast power (Fa jing) that comprise less than 20% of the movements, with the overall purpose of teaching the body to move correctly. At the intermediate level it is practiced in very low stances (low frame) with an exploration of clear directional separation in power changes and in speed tempo. The movements become smaller and the changes in directional force become more subtle. At the advanced level the leg strength built at the previous level allows full relaxation and the potential for Fajing in every movement." (Wiki)
Here is a lovely demonstration of the first half of the Chen 56 Form.
The second empty hand form, "er lu" or "cannon fist" is done faster and is used to add more advanced martial techniques such as advanced sweeping and more advanced fajing methods. Both forms also teach various martial techniques."
Here is a link to a video of the 56-form being performed by a 4 year old girl a HongKong Martial Arts Wushu Assocation event.
And a rather scary demonstration of the martial arts applications of these movements.
56 Set Posture Names (source)
Section 1
1.Commencing Form
2.Buddha's Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar -- Right Style
3.Tuck in Robes
4. Six Sealings and Four Closings -- Right Style
5.Single Whip -- Left Style
6.Parry and Punch with Elbows
7.Protect Heart with Fists
8.White Crane Spreads Its Wings
9.Walk Obliquely and Twist Step
10.Lift Knee, Push and Press Palms
11.Wade Forward and Twist Step
12.Cover Hands and Strike with Arm -- Left Style
13.Parry with Fist
14.Lean and Break with Back
15.Black Dragon Rises from the Water
16.Slice with Palm
17.Turn and Press with Palms
18.Turn Flowers Out from the Bottom of the Sea
19.Cover Hands and Strike with Arm -- Right Style
20.Six Sealings and Four Closings
21.Single Whip -- Right Style
Section 2
22.Wave Hands Like Clouds (rightward)
23.Wave Hands Like Clouds (leftward)
24.Pat High on the Horse
25.Combined Cannons -- Right Style
26.Combined Cannons -- Left Style
27.Deflect Through the Back
Section 3
28.Strike Groin with Fist
29.White Ape Presents Fruit
30.Push with Both Hands
31.Middle Winding
32.Forward Trick
33.Backward Trick
34.Part the Wild Horse's Mane -- Right Style
35.Part the Wild Horse's Mane -- Left Style
36.Lotus Kick and Drop into the Splits
37.Golden Cock Stands on One Leg -- on Both Sides
Section 4
38.Step Backward and Whirl Arms
39.Step Backward and Press Elbow
40.Slap Foot
41.Kick with Outer Edge of Foot
42.Turn Flower Out from the Bottom of the Sea
43.Punch Ground with Fist
44.Turn Body and Front Jump Kick
45.Stamp with Both Feet
46.Kick with Heel
47.Fair Lady Works at the Shuttle
48.Smooth Elbowing
49.Wrap Firecrackers
50.Dragon Dives to the Ground
51.Step Forward with Seven-Star
52.Step Backward and Straddle the Tiger
53.Turn Body and Lotus Kick
54.Strike Face Like Cannon
55.Buddha's Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar -- Left Style
56.Closing Form
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