Bibliography
List of Chen 19 Movements
Instructions
and Comments
Key Learning Resources for the Chen 19 Form Videos Links Quotations
Chen Taijiquan 38 Form Chen Taijiquan 18 Form Sifu Ken Gullette
©
Green Way Research, Michael P.
Garofalo, Valley
Spirit Center, Fir Grove, Vancouver, Washington,
2018-2023. September 29, 2022.
Bibliography, Links, Resources, Research
Chen Style Taijiquan
Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang's
Short Chen Taijiquan Form of 19 Movements, Released in 1995
Short Chen Taijiquan Form of 38 Movements, Released in 1996
The 19 Short Chen Taijiquan Form was created by Grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang in 1995.
Achieving Success in Your Taijiquan Training
Ancestral Chen Tia Chi Posture 19 Forms. Teaching by Chen Xiaowang.
Instructional DVD.
Beginning the Study of Chen Taijiquan
Cane, Short Staff, and Staff Weapons of Chen Style
Taijiquan Chen Staff Forms
I practice the lively Chen Broadsword (Dao, Saber)
Routine with my cane.
Chen: Living Taijiquan in the Classical Style. By Master Jan
Silberstorff. Jessica Kingsley Publications, 1st Edition, June, 2009.
320 pages. ISBN: 1848190212. "Chen style Taijiquan is the oldest of
the five main Taijiquan styles. In this book, Master Jan Silberstorff, a leading
Chen practitioner, student of Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang, shares his expertise and insights. He explains the background
to Taijiquan, and its key principles, and gives the reader a true insight into
the Chen system. Master Silberstorff sets this within the historical context of
Taijiquan in China, its country of origin, and explains the martial, health and
spiritual aspects of traditional Chen Taijiquan. He discusses the different Chen
forms and the importance of each, as well as the place of competition and the
effect on participants. The book also contains the complete sequences for both
the empty hand and weapon forms. This accessible and comprehensive guide to Chen
style Taijiquan is ideal for beginners and will also be useful to advanced
practitioners wanting to deepen their practice." VSCL.
Chen 19 Form, Description by Madison Chen Style Taijiquan School An excellent resource! Be sure to download and save their detailed 12 page PDF file.
Chen Style T'ai Chi Ch'uan, Wikipedia
Chen Style Tai Chi Collection: Taijiquan Posture 19. Instruction by Grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang. DVD. Verbal Instruction in Chinese Mandarian with Chinese Characters. Suptitles in English. Very slow and detailed performances of the 19 Form by Chen Xiao Wang. East to study and follow. Instructionsl DVD on the Chen 19, 62 Minutes. $35.00. VSCL. I did not find this DVD very useful. The picture is often out of focus. The master never says anything. The entire DVD is in the Chinese language with Chinese chracters on the side. The few brief English subtitles are the bottom. Chen Xiao Wang demonstrates by moving very very very slowly. He appears stiff and stern.
"The 19-posture form is a form created by Chen Xiao Wang as to facilitate the access to Chen Taijiquan for a larger audience of practitioners. It will aso provide an excellent tool to build up a solid basis before starting the more advanced Laojia Yilu Form.
Mostly in softness, movements will change into hardness within the course of softness. The movements are large, continuously flowing, mostly favorable for "silk reeling" deployment, requiring mind quietness and body stability. This form is excellent for health. Each movement involves any part of the body. In each static posture each bone requested reaches its perfect alignment.
Waist is the origin of explosive strength. By mastering the dynamics of waist, you'll integrate in any movement the spiral twisting power. Dominating (static adverse) form by another(superior dynamic) form. Breath naturally. Substantial and unsubstantial are clearly separated. Withdraw chest and drop hips. Condensing and expansing. Slow and fast. All dynamic properties of Yin Yang Law applied in movements are explored here. The Simplified 19-posturefForm is a perfect form for beginners while providing them the authentic flavor of Chen style Taijiquan. Artist: Chen Xiao Wang Media: 1 (one) x DVDs converted into 1 (one) mp4 video file without quality loss. Soundtrack: Chinese Subtitle: English Duration: approx. 62 mins."
- Chen Xiao Wang Instructional DVDs
Chen Xiao Wang's DVDs from Plum Publications
Chen Style Tai Chi Old
Frame Routine One. Lao Jia Yi Lu, Old Frame, First Form. Demonstration and instruction by Master Jesse Tsao.
2 instructional DVDs or VHS videotapes, 60 minutes each DVD.
All instruction is in the English language. Includes a good Menu system on the DVD that works. The instruction is a
bit rushed and lacks the good detailed instruction found on other DVDs by Master Tsao that I own. Master Tsao speaks as he moves, and the audio is clear.
The background is an outdoor scene, with shrubbery as a background, in color,
and good clear footage. Front and back views of each movement are provided, with
summary performances of sections with a ocean shoreline background view. "The original Chen style Tai Chi is the oldest
style practiced today and is widely acknowledged to be the ancestor of all other
styles. It is characterized by whole-body twining, coiling movements, and
occasionally explosive releases of power. It is an ancient form which fully
encompasses the Tai Chi principles – from stillness via soft relaxed movements
to fast & dynamic applications, which can be performed vigorously or gently
according to the condition of one’s body. This DVD video teaches the Old Frame
Routine One posture by posture in both front view and back view with review and
explanations by Master Tsao. There are also self-healing and self-defense
applications explained throughout the teaching."
Produced by Tai Chi Healthways,
San Diego, California.
Master Tsao told me that "Yes, my DVD on the Old Frame First Routine was
based on Chen Zhenglei's teaching. He has come to me [in San Diego] for
the last five years." Complete demonstration on Tape 2, rear view,
11:03 minutes, by Jesse Tsao. VSCL.
Chen
Style Taijiquan. Written and compiled by
Feng Zhiqiang and Feng Dabiao. Hong
Kong, Hai Feng Publishing Co., Zhaohua Publishing House, 1984. 227 pages. ISBN: 9622380166.
Overview,
profiles of teachers, review of 83 movement form, and a very informative
review of attack and defense using the Chen style movements. One of the
first books in English on Chen Style Taijiquan. VSCL.
The Chen Style Taijiquan
for Life Enhancement. Written by Chen Zhenglei and translated by Xu
Hailing. Zhongzhou Classic Publishing House, Zhengzhou, China, 2002.
Text in English and Chinese. ISBN: 7534821819. 149 pages.
"Describes the principles of Chen style for life enhancement, basic training,
Taiji Skills for Preserving Energy and The 18 Forms of the Chen Style. Many
photos of Chen Zhenglei doing Exercises and forms. Chen Zhenglei is one of the
top Chen stylists in China. Paperback.149 pp. 5 1/2' by 8'. $19.00." -
Wayfarer Publications
"It covers the content of the health exercise silk reeling video,
and is a useful reference, giving more detail, especially on theory."
-
Wushu Center. VSCL
Chen Style Taijiquan: Bibliography, Guides, Links,
Lessons, Forms, Weapons
Chen Style Taijiquan Notepad.
By Christopher David Weinmann. Comprehensive index of resources on
Chen Taijiquan.
Chen Style
Taijiquan, Old Frame First Form, Lao Jia Yi Lu. By Michael P.
Garofalo.
Detailed bibliography of books, media, and articles. Extensive selection
of Internet links. List of movement names in English,
Chinese characters, Chinese Pinyin, French, German, and Spanish; and citations
for sources of the movement names. Detailed
list of videos available Online Extensive notes on the author's learning the Old Frame, First
Routine, Lao
Jia Yi Lu; and on learning Chen Taijiquan. Record of performance time of this form by many masters.
Breakdown by sections, with separate lists for each section. General
information, history, facts, information, pointers, and quotations.
An exquisite performance of the Chen 19 Form by Lady Wang Bo.
Her skill, power, and precision were impressive to me.
Excellent photography! Set in a lovely classical garden and wood balcony.
Chen
Style Taijiquan: The Source of Taiji Boxing. By Davidine Siaw-Voon Sim
and
David Gaffney. Berkeley, CA, North Atlantic Books, 2002. Index,
charts, 224 pages.
ISBN: 1556433778. Provides an excellent introduction to
Chen style Taijiquan history and legends, outlines the major forms, discusses
the philosophy and foundations of the art, and gives very good information on
training methods, push hands, and weapons.
Very well written, highly informative, and a unique contribution to the
field. Essential reading for all learning the Chen style of Tai Chi Chuan. The
Hand Forms (Taolu) are described on pp. 110-141. VSCL.
Chen Tai Chi Chuan, Old Frame First Form
, Lao Jia Yi Lu, 74 Movements
Chen Tai Chi Fighting Applications. Instructional DVD by Sifu Ken Gullette.
3 DVD discs. Sifu Gullette explores Laojia Yilu, a 75-movement Chen
Taijiquan form and
the first major form in Chen Tai Chi. In this one form, he uncovers over 400
realistic and powerful fighting techniques, and and no movements are repeated.
Sifu Gullette goes even deeper than just the fighting applications. He explains
and demonstrates the internal body mechanics that give these techniques their
power.
The fighting techniques in this form involve punches, palm strikes, kicks, knee
strokes, shoulder and elbow strikes, chin-na, throws and takedowns. It's a
complete fighting art in one form.
These DVDs have been praised even by disciples of Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang. Since some movements are similar to those of other tai chi styles, any tai chi
student and teacher will get insights into their art by watching the principles
and techniques in these DVDs." VSCL.
Chen Tai Chi Laojia Yilu. By Ken Gullette. Instructional DVD, 2
Disc Set, 5 hours and 3 minutes of Instruction, NTSC Format. Moline,
Illinois, Internal Fighting Arts, 2015. In-depth coaching on internal body
dynamics. Internal Fighting
Arts of Ken Gullette, copyright 2015. Sifu Ken Gullette was
certified in 2005 as an instructor through Grandmaster Chen Xiaoxing's school in
the Chen Village, China. Sifu Gullette demonstrates the complete form
from both a front and back view. Detailed and informative verbal
instructions and precise physical demonstrations are provided by Sifu Gullette
for each of the 75 movements in this traditional form. A strong emphasis
on internal body mechanics. Spiraling methods are given for the arms and
hands. Martial applications are shown. Excellent coaching by Sifu
Gullette for beginners learning this form. Instruction is done with front,
side, and rear views to facilitate visual learning. Good English language
is used: direct, explicit, detailed, informative, with a calm and pleasant voice
in a typical practical American style. Very good attention to the legs:
postures, movements, weighting, shifting, stepping angles, and principles.
Five hours of superior instruction for an very affordable DVD at $29.95 in 2016.
This DVD lacks a good menu system - its only drawback. You have to jump
forward section by section to get to where you want to go. Sifu Gullette teaches
Chen Style Taijiquan. VSCL.
Chen T'ai Chi, Volume 1: Traditional Instructions from the Chen Village.
Various authors: Michael DeMarco, Asr Cordes, Stephan Berwich, David Gaffney,
Miriam O'Conner, Dietmar Stubenbaum, Jiaxiang Wong. Via Media Publishing
Company, 2015. 132 pages. ISBN: 978-1893765085. "When we think
of martial arts in “old China,” we get visions of violent convulsions of
dynastic change, devastating rebellions, civil wars, and banditry. Throughout
the centuries there was a need for masters who possessed highly effective
martial skills for positions in the military, protection services, and law
enforcement. Out of this historical reality emerged a national treasure we call
taijiquan. Chen t’ai chi's mystique remains fundamentally a true fighting art,
including bare-handed forms and applications, plus an arsenal of weapons that
includes the spear, straight sword, broadsword, and halberd. Then there are the
associated training methods used to master this complete system, such as qigong,
push-hands, and standing post. All of these practices are infused with knowledge
associated with the physical and mental aspects of the human condition. Any
serious taiji practitioner or scholar should have some understanding of the Chen
family roots to get a vision of the whole tree. This two-volume anthology brings
much of the rich heritage conveniently together for your reading. In this first
volume, prepare yourself to sit at the feet of the main representatives of the
Chen Village, including Chen Xiaowang, Chen Xiaoxing, and Wang Xi’an. Perhaps of
greater importance are the clear explanations outlining each step in the
learning process toward mastering Chen-style t’ai chi. Chapters included here
clarify what proper training entails and why much time and effort (gongfu) are
necessary to gain results."
Chen Taijiquan Illustrated. By David Gaffney and Davidine Siaw-Voon Sim. 2022, 215 pages. Paperback. "Explores the techniques, training methods and principles followed by generations of masters, iconic practitioners and high-level Taijiquan martial artists. This resource book synthesizes the habits, tools and philosophies honed over centuries of practical research and real-world application. Designed in an accessible dip-in format filled with notes, bullet points and highlights of the most important aspects needed to bring theory to practical reality. Throughout beautifully illustrated single-line drawings capturing the essential nature of Taijiquan. Chen Taijiquan's training system is a complex inter-connected methodology where each element affects everything else. The book helps ensure all important aspects are incorporated into your practice. It is broadly divided into three sections: Body Rules rules in terms of the physical structure and energetic state of the body; Practical Use/Application - concepts that must be understood if the art is to be used in a realistic way. Foundational Philosophical Concepts - ideas underpinning both the necessary mental attitude and its physical expression." VSCL.
Chen
Taijiquan 19 Form. Instructional DVD by Sifu Ken Gullette. NTSC
format, color, 2 hours and 34 minutes. Internal Fighting Arts, L.L.C.,
Newly revised and expanded, 2017.
Amazon. English language narration with excellent audio track.
Very good video quality. The form is demonstrated in its entirety from
both front and back views. Sifu Gullette provides detailed instructions
for each movement and some coaching of a student. His descriptions are
clear, accurate, and very informative. This is the
instructional DVD that I study each day, and therefore, my standard or model or
exemplar for this Chen 19 Form. VSCL.
Chen Taijiquan 19 Form: A
Detailed Step-by-Step Reference for the Short Beginner's Form of Chen Tai Chi.
EBook by Sifu Ken Gullette. Internal Fighting Arts, 2013, 250 pages, more
than 200 photographs.
Promotional review of EBook. VSCL.
Chen Taijiquan 19 Short Form A PDF file that includes detailed
descriptions of each movement, 12 pages, 2011. From Madison Chen Style
Taijiquan Studio. An excellent resource! You MUST download this PDF file and save to your hard drive.
Chen Taijiquan, Old Frame First Form
, Lao Jia Yi Lu, 74 Movements
Chen Taijiquan 38 Form. Instructional DVD from Master Ren Guangyi.
Instructional DVD, 2 Disc Set, NTSC. 120 minutes. 2007.
Chen Taijiquan: The Theory and Practice of a Daoist Internal Martial Art: Volume
1, Basics and Short 18 Form. By Thomas Hayes and Wang Hai Jun.
London, Mirador Pub., 2016. 471 pages. No index. ISBN: 978-1911473480. Oversized paperback. "In this volume you will learn from a Daoist perspective; and, it includes the practical aspects of silk-reeling energy, standing meditation, and the Chen Zhenglei 18 Form Beginners routine. It also gives you an insight into the language and history of China.
Chen Style Taijiquan is the oldest of the taiji styles. In this original form it retains its explosive martial arts aspects, while providing the many associated health benefits. Various other Tai Chi styles are based on this traditional form. Thomas Hayes is a leading Daoist scholar and practitioner. Grandmaster Wang Hai Jun was the first non-Chen family student in modern times to be traditionally trained in Chen Village in Henan. He is one of the foremost masters of Chen style with students throughout the world. His teacher, Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei, is one of the "Four Golden Tigers" of Chen style Taijiquan.“This is an extraordinary book. Whether you are a novice or an experienced martial arts practitioner of any style, you will find something of value tucked away in these rich pages.” David Luddington, 5th Dan Wado Karate." Thorough coverage of the Taoist philosophy and principles underlying the practice of Chen Taijiquan. VSCL.
Chen Taiji Self-Defense, Fighting Applications of the Chen Family Tai Chi 19
Form. By Sifu Ken Gullette. Kindle E Book, 2013. 202 pages. VSCL.
Chen Village. Documentary DVD, 80 Minutes . Featuring Chen
Xiaowang and Chen Xiaoxing. Directed by Jon Braeley.
ReviewTrailer
Chen Xiao Wang's DVDs from Plum Publications
Chi Kung: Valley Spirit Qigong. Chinese Health and Longevity Exercise Routines. Extensive collection of varied routines with instructions and commentary. By Michael P. Garofalo .
Classics of Chen Tai Chi Chuan: Quotations, Lore, Wisdom, Principles, Insights, Summaries
Cloud Hands Website: T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Ch'i Kung By
Michael P. Garofalo.
Cloud Hands (Taijiquan and Qigong) Website - Subject Index
Comparison of Movements of Chen Short 19 Form and Chen Old
Frame First Form (Laojia Yilu)
Cultivating the Civil and Mastering the Martial: The Yin and Yang of Taijiquan.
By Andrew Townsend. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, no
publisher listed on titlepages, 2016. No index, brief bibliography, 424 pages.
Small typefont. This volume is a huge compendia of information,
comprehensive in scope, with good explanations, observations, insights, and
summaries, etc.. This thick book includes some precise and detailed
movement descriptions, sound Taijiquan teaching on many topics, and more than
five hundred photographs and illustrations. A heavy reference volume for
your desktop; ebook versions for your tablet or phone or Kindle. ISBN: 978-1523258536. "Andrew Townsend has
been practicing martial arts for more than forty years and began practicing taijiquan in 1990. Mr. Townsend is a certified taijiquan instructor and a
senior student of Grandmaster Jesse Tsao. He is a retired college
professor and has been actively teaching taijiquan for the past ten years.
He lives and teaches in Ormond Beach, Florida." VSCL.
Cultivating Longevity (Yang Sheng Gong)
The Longevity Plan. By John D. Day and Jane Ann Day, wth Matthew LaPlante. 2018, 304 pages. 1. Eat good food. 2. Master your mind-set. 3. Build your place in a positive community. 4. Be in motion. 5. Find your rhythm. 6. Make the most of your environment. 7. Proceed with purpose. John D. Day, M.D., Cardiologist, Electro-physiologist.
Books by Tom Bisio Books by Eva Wong Books by Livia Kohn Books by Hua-Ching Ni
Books by Ken Cohen Books by Yang Jwing-Ming Webpages by Michael Garofalo
The Dantain: A Baffling Fancy. By Michael P. Garofalo. 10/7/2022.
The Dao of Taijiquan: Way to Rejuvenation
Embrace the Moon: School for Taijiquan and Qigong. Kim Ivy, Founder and Chief Instructor. Seattle, Washington.
(206) 789-0993. Blog Excellent resources. Mail: kim@embracethemoon.com. Conducting workshops again in 2022-2023.
Embrace the Moon, Seattle, Kim Ivy
Interview with Kim Ivy
The Essence of Taijiquan
The
Essence of T'ai Chi Ch'uan: The Literary Tradition. Translated and
edited by
Benjamin Pang Jeng Lo; Martin Inn, Robert Amacker, and Susan Foe.
Berkeley,
California, North Atlantic Books, 1979, 1985. 100 pages. ISBN:
0913028630. VSCL.
The Five Levels of Taijiquan
Five Levels of Skill in Chen Style Taijiquan. By Grandmaster Chen Xiao
Wang translated by Tan Lee-Peng, Ph.D.
Ground Path, Grounding, Stabalizing, Balancing, Centering. By Michael P. Garofalo.
The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi: 12 Weeks to a Healthy Body, Strong Heart, and Sharp Mind. By Peter Wayne, Ph.D., and
Mark L. Fuerst. Harvard Health Publications. Shambhala, 2013, 240 pages. VSCL.
The Hidden Song
Taizu Chang Quan Roots of Chen Taiji. By Salvatore Canzonieri. Shaolin Kung Fu Magazine, January/February, 2007, Article #30.
Utube demonstrations of Shaolin Taizu Chang Quan: One, Two.
Instructional DVDs with detailed teaching of the Chen Style Taijiquan 19 Form, Chen Taijiquan 38 Form, and the Chen Style Taijiquan Laojia Yilu 74 Form. Books and ebooks about Chen Style Taijiquan martial arts applications in the 19 Form and 74 Form. Silk Reeling Exercises, Xing Yi, and Baguazhang DVDs. The Internal Fighting Arts Online School (2009-) of Sifu Ken Gullette.
Sifu Ken Gullette has was certified to teach Chen Taijiquan by Master Chen Xiaoxing in Chen Village, China; and he is certified as an instructor with the U.S. Chen Family Chen Jiajou Taiji Quan Federation. Sifu Gullette has over forty years of martial arts training and experience, and has studied with such noted teachers as Chen Xiaoxing, Sin The, Karen Vaughn, Phillip Starr, Mark Wasson, Jim and Angela Criscimagna, and Chen Xiaowang. Sifu Gullette has been teaching internal martial arts since 1997. He and his wife, Nancy, live in Illinois.
I highly recommend Sifu Gullette as a fine Chen Style Taijiquan teacher for his excellent quality instructional DVDs and ebooks. He had a long professional career in broadcasting radio, television, media services, and now with his growing online community of students and video productions. He is a useful, practical, and enthusiastic online resource. Zoom communication options. Three online classes each week for members of his hyperspaced Dojo. Private lessons online can be arranged. He is a skilled and respected teacher of Chen Taijiquan.
His DVDs are filmed indoors. The background is a plain light blue color. The floor color and his uniform provide clear contrasts. The DVDs are clear, focused, and distinct. He shows each movement from different angles and talks clearly and thoroughly about the movement details. The menus work quite well on the latest DVDs. His voice is good and easy to understand for English speaking persons like me. He briefly coaches a student in his videos.
In September, 2022, I began learning the Chen Style Taijiquan 19 Form by the daily detailed study of Sifu Ken Gullette's instructional DVDs, and the books/ebooks listed below:
Chen
Taijiquan 19 Form. Instructional DVD by Sifu Ken Gullette. NTSC
format, color, 2 hours and 34 minutes. Internal Fighting Arts, L.L.C.,
Newly revised and expanded, 2017.
Amazon. English language narration with excellent audio track.
Very good video quality. The form is demonstrated in its entirety from
both front and back views. Sifu Gullette provides detailed instructions
for each movement and some coaching of a student. His descriptions are
clear, accurate, and very informative. This is the
instructional DVD that I study each day, and therefore, my standard or model or
exemplar for this Chen 19 Form. VSCL.
Chen Taijiquan 19 Form: A
Detailed Step-by-Step Reference for the Short Beginner's Form of Chen Tai Chi.
EBook by Sifu Ken Gullette. Internal Fighting Arts, 2013, 250 pages, more
than 200 photographs.
Promotional review of EBook. VSCL.
Chen Taiji Self-Defense, Fighting Applications of the Chen Family Tai Chi 19
Form. By Sifu Ken Gullette. Kindle E Book, 2013. 202 pages. VSCL.
Silk Reeling with Sifu Ken Gullette Instructional DVD, 2 disc set, 150
Minutes. 18 silk reeling exercises with detailed instruction in body
mechanics. Detailed coaching. Includes some information on pole
shaking. VSCL.
The Internal Fighting Arts Online
School (2009-) of Sifu Ken Gullette. Chen Style Taijiquan lessons and
martial applications. I am a dues paying member of this online school. $20.00 per month. VSCL.
Chen Tai Chi Laojia Yilu. By Ken Gullette. Instructional DVD, 2
Disc Set, 5 hours and 3 minutes of Instruction, NTSC Format. Moline,
Illinois, Internal Fighting Arts, 2015. In-depth coaching on internal body
dynamics. Internal Fighting
Arts of Ken Gullette, copyright 2015. Sifu Ken Gullette was
certified in 2005 as an instructor through Grandmaster Chen Xiaoxing's school in
the Chen Villiage, China. Sifu Gullette demonstrates the complete form
from both a front and back view. Detailed and informative verbal
instructions and precise physical demonstrations are provided by Sifu Gullette
for each of the 75 movements in this traditional form. A strong emphasis
on internal body mechanics. Spiraling methods are given for the arms and
hands. Martial applications are shown. Excellent coaching by Sifu
Gullette for beginners learning this form. Instruction is done with front,
side, and rear views to facilitate visual learning. Good English language
is used: direct, explicit, detailed, informative, with a calm and pleasant voice
in a typical practical American style. Very good attention to the legs:
postures, movements, weighting, shifting, stepping angles, and principles.
Five hours of superior instruction for an very affordable DVD at $29.95 in 2016.
This DVD lacks a good menu system - its only drawback. You have to jump
forward section by section to get to where you want to go. Sifu Gullette teaches
Chen Style Taijiquan. VSCL.
Chen Tai Chi Fighting Applications. Instructional DVD by Sifu Ken Gullette. Volume 1. Volume 2. Volume 3. 3 DVD discs. Moline, Illinois, Internal Fighting Arts. Sifu Gullette explores Laojia Yilu, a 75-movement Chen Taijiquan form and the first major form in Chen Tai Chi. In this one form, he uncovers over 400 realistic and powerful fighting techniques, and and no movements are repeated. Sifu Gullette goes even deeper than just the fighting applications. He explains and demonstrates the internal body mechanics that give these techniques their power. The fighting techniques in this form involve punches, palm strikes, kicks, knee strokes, shoulder and elbow strikes, chin-na, throws and takedowns. It's a complete fighting art in one form. These DVDs have been praised even by disciples of Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang. Since some movements are similar to those of other tai chi styles, any tai chi student and teacher will get insights into their art by watching the principles and techniques in these DVDs." VSCL.
Chen Tai Chi Quan, Laojia Yilu, Old Frame, First Form, Chen
Style of Taijiquan
Internal Body Mechanics for Tai Chi, Bagua, and Xingyi: The Key to High Quality Internal Structure and Movement. By Sifu Ken Gullette. Internal Arts, 2018, 194 pages. Paperback, $27.00.
Internal Strength for Tai Chi, Hsing-I, and Bagua. By Sifu Ken Gullette. 2013, 95 pages. Kindle Ebook $4.00. VSCL.
How many minutes will it typically take to perform the
entire Chen Taijiquan, Short 19 Form?
The Internal Athlete: An Interview with Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang.
2016.
The Internal Fighting Arts Online
School (2009-) of Sifu Ken Gullette. Chen Style Taijiquan lessons and
martial applications.
Internal Training in Chen Taijiquan
Interview with Grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang
Here is my list of Key Learning Resources for my personal study of the Chen 19 Form starting in September of 2022.
Lao Jia Yi Lu,
Chen Style
Taijiquan, Old Frame First Form , 74 Movements
Lao Jia Yi Lu (Old Frame, First Form) Insructional DVD by Chen Xiao Wang. "Old Frame. This form of Lao Jia was created by 14th generation holder Chen Chang Xing. It is based on the originator, Chen Wan Ting’s, Routine #5, Canon Boxing Routine #1, and the 108 Long Road Routine #1. This is the cornerstone of the Chen style and this version shown by Chen Xiao Wang is one of the better ones. Unlike many less expert performers he clearly manifests Reeling Silk energy without sacrificing the basic postural requirements of the form. Very good, very informed. Quadruple Disk." - Plum Publications. VSCL.
"Laojia Frames: they were created by Chen Changxing, 14th Inheritor of Chen Taijiquan. From ancestral frames of his ancestor Chen Wanting which include 5th Road (Wulu), Cannon fist, 108-posture Form. Changxing created Laojia Yilu and Erlu. Yilu is mostly based on softness but Erlu has hardness in the the course of softness. Here movements are large, steps agile and steady. Body movements are natural. Internal strength leads all parts of the body. Silk reeling is the core principle, movements are originated from waist then allowing the progressive involvement of all sections of the body. Each movement unifies all parts of body as a whole. In each static posture each bone is requested to reach its perfect alignment. Moving as water, without interrupting silk reeling process, when exploding power you should be like releasing a shaking and stretched elastic force with a body full of "Qi".method. Artist: Chen Xiao Wang Media: 4 (four) x DVDs converted into 2 (four) mp4 video files without quality loss. Soundtrack: Chinese Subtitle: English Duration: approx. 53mins, 56mins, 57mins and 54mins."
- Chen Xiao Wang's VCDs and DVDs
List of
Movements in Grandmaster Chen
Xiaowang's Short 19 Form (1
Page, PDF) English Only. By Mike Garofalo.
List of
Movements in Grandmaster Chen
Xiaowang's Short 19 Form (1
Page, PDF) English and Chinese. By Mike Garofalo.
List of Movements
in Chen Taijiquan, Old Frame, First Form, Laojia Yilu (2
pages, PDF) English and Chinese. By Mike Garofalo.
Magic Pearl
Qigong: A Tai Chi Medicine Ball Exercise Routine and Meditation Technique
Medical Benefits of
Taijiquan Practice
Minutes to Perform the Chen 19?
Notes on Learning Chen Style Taijiquan - A Beginner's Notebook by
Mike Garofalo
Old Frame, First Form, Laojia Yilu, Chen Style Taijiquan,
74 Movements
Old Frame, First Form, Laojia Yilu, Insructional DVD by Chen Xiao Wang
The Origins of Tai
Chi: The Chen Camp Literati Tradition, Xiansheng Bing F. YeYoung
Performance Time for the Chen 19?
Plumb
Publications: Chen Taijiquan
Portland Tai Chi Academy. Portland, Oregon. Chen Taijiquan.
Power and Serenity. By Master Ren Guang Yi. Demonstration Only, No verbal or detailed instruction on this DVD in
NTSC format. The Short 19 Form from Grand Master Chen Xiao-Wang, and Silk Reeling exercises from Grand
Master Chen Xiao Wang. 70 minutes. 2010. VSCL.
Principles and Practice of Taijiquan: Volume One - The Solo Form. By Andrew Townsend. 430 pages, 2013. Paperback and EBook Versions; and I own both. Fifty detailed Chapters cover all the major concepts, skills, somatic exercises, styles, practices, and 'classics' of Tai Chi Chuan; and related Longevity Arts, self-defense applications, fitness conditioning, self-reliance, and psycho-social improvements. One of the best reference tools and introductory textbooks to Taijiquan practice. Great for adults who can read non-fiction text efficiently. VSCL.
Qi Cultivation and the Secrets of
Manipulating Energy: Chen Style Tai Chi Progressive Silk Reeling, Series I.
Instructional DVD by Jose Figueroa, 91 Minutes. Instructional DVD in NTSC
format. Dragon Door Publications, 2008. Shifu Figueroa also offers two other instructional DVDs for Chen Taijiquan
students: The Deeper Secrets of Moving with Strength and Energy, Fa Jin and the
Secrets of Explosive Power. Jose Figueroa studied with Master Ren Guang Yi
and Grand Master Chen Xiao Wang. Also available from
Amazon.
Qigong: Valley Spirit Qigong. Chi Kung, Chinese Health and Longevity Exercise Routines. Extensive collection of varied routines with instructions and commentary. By Michael P. Garofalo .
Quotations about Chen Style Taijiquan
Relaxation, Loosening, Softening. My Michael P. Garofalo.
Ripening Peaches:
Daoist Studies and Practices. Taoist scriptures, bibliography,
Quanzhen Daoism, Neidan, gardening, tea, history, qigong/daoyin, readings, etc.
Resources for the Study of Chen Style Taijiquan
Rooting, Centering, Sinking, Stabalizing. By Michael P. Garofalo.
Saber (Dan Dao), Broadsword, Saber Weapon, Chen Style Taijiquan
The Sage's Way: Teachings and Commentaries. By Ray Grigg.
Trafford Pub., 2004. 172 pages. ISBN: 978-1412021685.
Seattle School of Chen TaijiquanDerryl Willis, Founder and Chief Instructor. Seattle, Washington.
Silk Reeling, Chan Ssu Gong: Links, bibliography, quotes, notes.
Chan Si Gong (Reeling Silk Training): Bibliography, Links,
Resources. Internal Training Exercises Using
Spiraling, Coiling, Twining, Winding, Reeling, or Circling Methods. Chen
Taijiquan Qigong, Internal Training Exercises. By Michael P. Garofalo.
Silk Reeling with Sifu Ken Gullette Instructional DVD, 2 disc set, 150
Minutes. 18 silk reeling exercises with detailed instruction in body
mechanics. Detailed coaching. Includes some information on pole
shaking. VSCL.
Silk Reeling with Master Jesse Tsao, San Diego, CA. Instructional DVDs. Mentor of Andrew Twonsend.
Standing Meditation,
Standing Like a Tree, Isometric Exercises, Post Standing, Zhan Zhuang
Styles of Chinese Martial Arts,
Martial Arts World
Subject Index to the Cloud Hands (Taijiquan and Qigong) Website
Sword (Jian), Double Edged Straight Sword, Chen Style
Taijiquan
Suggestions for Beginning Your Study of Chen Taijiquan
Tai Chi for Health.
By Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei and Master Liming Yue.
Chen Style Tai Chi
Centre, Manchester, U. K, 2005. ISBN: 194719112. 208 pages.
Color photographs. "By Chen Zhenglei and his student, Liming Yue. In
English. Includes principles of Tai Chi for Health, foundation training
exercises, Taji skills for preserving energy, illustrations of the 18 forms,
Comments from Westerners about Tai Chi plus interviews with Tai Chi
practitioners. Many photos. Paperback. 7 1/4 X 10 1/.4. #9.99." -
Wayfarer Publications.
Amazon. Tai
Chi Centre "Tai Chi for Health was officially released at the
International Tai Chi Festival and the third International Exchange Competition
opening ceremony in China in August 2005. This full color book focuses on the
health benefits of Tai Chi, concentrating on the official Chen Style 18 Short
Form, Silk Reeling Energy and Qigong exercises. The book contains detailed
illustrated instructions and in-depth discussion of the theories behind the
practice. The text offers an unprecedented insight into the techniques and
theory of Chen Style Tai Chi. The authors bring together their vast knowledge,
teaching experience and cultural understanding to create a work that is
accessible to western students whilst keeping all the important detail often
lost in translations. The book has been written over a two and a half year
period by Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei and Master Liming Yue with the assistance of
several of Master Liming Yue's senior students. Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei is the
11th Generation head of the Chen Style Tai Chi and 19th generation of the Chen
family. Master Liming Yue is one of Europe's foremost Tai Chi masters and
holds a seventh Duan Wei officially issued by the Chinese Wu Shu Association
China." -
Tai Chi Center, U.K. The Tai Chi Centre offers two free
downloadable sections of this book.
Chen Style Taijiquan Short
18 Form. Performance by Master Chen Zhenglei. UTube, color, 3:38
Minutes, 2007. VSCL.
Tai Chi--The Perfect Exercise: Finding Health, Happiness, Balance, and Strength
The
Taijiquan Classics: An Annotated Translation. Translated by Barbara
Davis.
Commentary by Chen, Wei-ming. San Francisco, North Atlantic Books,
2004. 200 pages. ISBN: 1556434316. VSCL.
Taijiquan: Cultivating Inner Strength
Taijiquan: The Art of Nurturing, The Science of Power
By Yang Yang
with
Scott A. Grubish.
Champaign, Illinois, Zhenwu Publications, Center for Taiji Studies, 2005.
Bibliography, index, notes, glossary, 219 pages.
ISBN: 0974099007.
Emphasis upon the theory and methods of Taijiquan, exercise science, and health
benefits. VSCL.
Talking Chen Tajiquan with
David Gaffney Blog.
Taoism and the
Philosophy of Tai Chi Chuan
The Three Treasures: Body, Mind, Actions. By Michael P. Garofalo.
Training Success Characteristics
Tutorial on the Chen 19
Form by Grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang. UTube, 65 minutes, color.
Chinese music plays in the background throughout. Chinese voice narration
with English language subtitles. Poor visual video quality - a bootleg
copy of his instructional DVD.
25 Secrets of Tai Chi: Chen Family Taijiquan 25 Key Disciplines. By
Bosco Seungchui Baek. Create Space Independent Pub. Platform, 2017.
140 pages. ISBN: 978-1548554552.
Valley Spirit
Taijiquan, Vancouver, Washington. Instructor: Michael P. Garofalo,
M.S.
VSCL =
Valley Spirit Center Library, Red Bluff, California
Yang Style of Taijiquan Bibliography, links, resources, quotes, notes.
Yang Style Taijiquan, Standard 24 Movement Short Form
Zhan Zhuang,
Standing Like a Tree, Post Standing, San Ti Chi, Isometric Exercises, Standing Meditation
The Five Levels of Taijiquan
Chen: Living Taijiquan in the Classical Style. By Master Jan
Silberstorff. 2009
Chen T'ai Chi, Volume 1: Traditional Instructions from the Chen Village. 2015
Here is my list of Key Learning Resources for my personal study of the Chen 19 Form starting in September of 2022.
Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang's Chen Taijiquan 19
Form, 1995
Chen Taijiquan 19 Movements
Routine Performances on UTube
There are many
demonstrations of this Chen 19 Form on UTube. Unfortunately, all
performances by Grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang have very poor quality video.
However, there are some good video quality performances by
Master Ren GuangYi,
Sifu Seiji Hori,
Sifu Oscar M. Galeano,
and others.
The time required to do a complete performance of this form ranges from 3:20 to 4:00 minutes, judging by these UTube performances.
Sifu Oscar Muňoz Galeano performing the Chen Taijiquan 19 Form, 3:51 Minutes, Front View
Master Ren GuangYi performing the Chen Taijiquan 19 Form, 3:41 Minutes, Front View
Sifu Chen Ziaoxing performing the Chen Taijiquan 19 Form, 3:51 Minutes, Front View
Classroom Group performing the Chen Taijiquan 19 Form, 2:52 Minutes, Side View
Grandmaster Chen Xiao-Wang and Group performing the Chen Taijiquan 19 Form, 6:11 Minutes
Other Performances of the Chen Taijiquan 19 Movements Routine on UTube
Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang's Performances of Taijiquan on UTube
Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang performing the Chen Taijiquan 19 Form, 3:38 Minutes, Front View, Rather Unfocused
Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang performing Chen Taijiquan in 2015 at age 70, 5:07 Minutes, Front View
Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang Performing the Chen Taijiquan Old Frame, First Form, Lao Jia Yilu, 20:54 Minutes
Other Performances of Taijiquan on UTube by Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang
Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang's Chen Taijiquan 19 Form, 1995
Chen Tai Chi Chuan: Classics, Quotations, Lore, Wisdom, Principles, Insights, Summaries
"The Chen 19 Form was created by
Grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang in 1995 in response to demand from students around
the world for a short routine suitable for beginners. The form is composed of 19
movements (and so its name) , divided into four sections. The form is easy for
novice to learn, yet offers the experienced practitioner room to express and
develop the basic principles, energies and techniques of the style. The form is
a combination of postures from the three traditional Chen style taijiquan
routines: Lao Jia (Old Frame), Xin Jia (New Frame), and the Xiao Jia (Small
Frame). It contains several postures from the Xin Jia style, including Shang Bu
Xie Xing, Dao Juan Hong, and Yeh Ma Fen Zhong. These postures are fairly simple,
and avoid the complex coils that are the signature of the style. Also included
are postures from the Xiao Jia style, including Shuang Tui Shou, Shan Tong Bei,
and Liu Feng Si Bi. The remainder of the form (about 2/3) is from the Lao Jia Yi
Lu routine."
-
Madison Chen Style Taijiquan Studio
"This form was developed by Chen Xiao Wang,
19th generation grandmaster of Chen Style Taijiquan. It serves as a good
introduction to important moves in the primary Chen form, lao jia yi lu. It is
an easy form to begin utilizing Chen Xiao Wang's reeling silk principles. It is
also very well balanced with right-side/left side moves. Postures of this form
are derived from Chen “first set” forms as listed below: New Frame First
set (Xin Jia Yi Lu): Step up walk obliquely (Shang bu xie xing), Whirling upper
arms (Dao juan hong), Part wild horse’s mane (Yeh ma fen zhong). Small
Frame First set (Xiao Jia Yi Lu): Push with both hands (Shuang tui shou),
Flashing the back (Shan tong bei), and Six sealing four closing (Liu feng si
bi). Old Frame First Set (Lao Jia Yi Lu) – Remainder of moves. The
form is composed of four sections that run back and forth on a straight line,
with each section primarily running in one direction. Assuming that we start
facing North,
1st section – East to West; 2nd section – West to East; 3rd section – East to
West; 4th section – West to East."
- Rochester Chen Style Tai Chi
Chuan
"The fundamental principles for Chen Style T'ai Chi Ch'uan are summarized as follows:
Keeping the head upright (虚领顶劲, xū ling ding jin)
Keeping the body straight (立身中正, lěshēn zhōngzhčng)
Drop the shoulders and sink the elbow (松肩沉肘, sōng jiān chén zhou)
The chest curve inwards and the waist pressed forward.(含胸塌腰, hán xiōng tā yāo)
Sink the energy to the dantian (心气下降, xīn qě xiŕ jiŕng)
Breathe naturally (呼吸自然, hū xī zě rán)
Relax the hips and keep the knees bent (松胯屈膝 ,sōng kuŕ qū xī)
The crotch is arch shaped (裆劲开圆, dāng jěn kāi yuán)
Keep the mind pure and clear (虚实分明, xū shí fēn míng)
The top and bottom work together (上下相随. shŕng xiŕ xiāng suí)
Adjust hardness and softness (刚柔相济, gāng róu xiāng jě)
Alternate fast and slow (快慢相间, (kuŕi mŕn xiāng jiŕn)
The external shape is curved (外形走弧线, wŕi xíng zou hú xiŕn)
The internal energy travels a spiral path (内劲走螺旋, nči jěn zou luó xuán)
The body leads the hand (以身领手, yi shēn ling shou)
The waist is an axis (以腰为轴, yi yāo wči zhóu)
- Chen Style T'ai Chi Ch'uan, Wikipedia
The Five Most Important Tai Chi Skills for Beginners. By Wang Hai Jun.
1. Fang Song – Loosen the body by relaxing the joints.
2. Peng Jin – an outward supportive strength, the basic skill of taiji
3. Ding Jin – upright and straight
4. Chen - rooted
5. Chan Si Jin – Reeling Silk Skill
Chang San Feng's Movement Principles:
1. When moving the body, it should be light and nimble, with all its parts linked together like pearls in a necklace.
2. Arouse the qi in the body and extend it; mental awareness (shen) is to be gathered internally.
3. Body postures should be aligned properly with no distortions of any kind. Body movements should be continuous without stops and starts.
4. Internal energy (Jin) should be rooted in the feet, generated though the legs, directed by the waist, and expressed through the fingers.
5. If timing and position are defective the movements will be confused and disordered. The problem is to be corrected in the legs and waist.
6. Up and down, forward and back, left and right should be directed by Yi.
7. When attacking up be aware of down; when advancing forward don’t lose sight of retreating; when striking left pay attention to the right. Movements are to be regulated by Yi and not by brute force. By pulling and pushing the foundation of an opponent, he can be uprooted and fall over.
8. Empty and full should be clearly determined. Where there is one there should be the possibility of the other. The body through every joint should be intertwined together without the slightest break.
9. In Long Boxing, the body moves like water flowing in a great river, or like the rolling waves of a large ocean.
10. Ward off, rollback, press, push, pull, split, elbow, and shoulder are the eight powers equated to the Eight Trigrams. Moving forward, backward, left, right, and central balance are the five directions that relate to the Five Elemental Phases of universal Qi (Wu Xing). These Five and Eight together in Taijiquan are called the “Thirteen Postures.”
11. This treatise was left by the patriarch Zhang Sanfeng of Wudang Mountain so that worthy people everywhere may achieve not only the martial skills which are but the shell of this art, but actually achieve longevity.
Master Chang San-Feng: Taoist Grand Master, Circa 1200 CE Quotations, history, lore, legends, information, bibliography, links, by Michael P. Garofalo.
Meetings with Master Chang San-Feng. Poems by Michael P. Garofalo
A Few Highlights of Chen Taijiquan History
"According to the Li Family Genealogy, the early patriarchs of Li, Chen (Chen
Bu), and three other families became sworn brothers on their migration from
Shanxi in the fourteenth century. This event took place in the Qianzai Temple of
Tang Village in Boai County, which is about 30 miles away from the present Chen
Village. By the ninth generation, the Li patriarchs Zhong and Xin, and their
inter-marriage cousin Chen Wangting again swore themselves to be brothers like
their forefathers, and took the abbot Bogong Wudao as their master at the Taiji
Gate of Qianzai Temple. The contents of the papers day that Chen and the Li
brothers created taiji yangshen gong, or "the art of Taiji Cultivating Life,"
and practiced and transmitted wuji yangshen gong, or "the art of Wuji
Cultivating Life," shisanshi tongbei gong , or "the Thirteen Postures Boxing."
"The art of Wuji Cultivating Life" and "the Thirteen Postures Boxing" had been
created by the Qianzai Temple priest Shi Li (614-741), or Li Daozi, according to
stone tablets at the temple, who well studied the Three Teachings, Qianjin
yifang: "Revised Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Pieces of Gold;" daoyin:
"guiding and pulling"; and tunai: "expelling the old breath and drawing the
new." It is said that various martial art postures (from nearby Shaolin and
other sources, such as the Chang Nai Chou’s Nei Jia Quan, from the neighboring
Wen county) were combined with classic Chinese internal health theories of
passages of blood, air flow, and energy. This new art eventually became known as
Chen family boxing. By the 1700's, Chen Wang Ting's style had developed into the
Five Routines of Pao Chuoi and Hong Quan, a 32- and a 108-posture Tai Ji form,
and one Duan Da (short strike) form. Over time many of these forms were said to
have been lost. By the end of the century, the art had been passed to Chen Chang
Xing, 14 th generation, who united and simplified the various routines. It is
said by some that Chen Chang Xing re-introduced Nei Jia Quan into his Chen
family art via teachings from Wang Zong Yue and Jian Fa. According to an
interview (by Yuan Quan Fu) with Li Libing, the present eighteenth generation of
Li family, Wang Zong Yue came from Shanxi, and lived in the Tang village as a
schoolteacher for five or six years. There, Wang studied martial arts with Li
Helin, who was born in 1721, the twelfth generation of the Li Family. (Chen
Chang Xing was also the teacher of Yang Lu-chan, originator of Yang Tai Ji Quan.
What is very interesting is that the Chen linage, Yang Lu Chan, and Wu Yu Xiang
and his brothers, ALL had learned Shaolin Hong Quan in their youth. Many of the
ideas and movements seen in Yang style, but not obvious in Chen style, can be
found in Hong Quan forms, especially the Xiao Hong Quan form. The concept and
movements of Tai Ji Quan’s Push Hands are also found in the Step Forward Push
Palms postures in Xiao Hong Quan, along with the Fair Lady Works at Shuttles
movement.)"
- The Hidden Song
Taizu Chang Quan Roots of Chen Taiji. By Salvatore Canzonieri.
Shaolin Kung Fu Magazine, January/February, 2007, Article #30.
The Origins of Tai Chi: The Chen Camp Literati Tradition, Xiansheng Bing F. YeYoung
Achievieng Succss in Your Taijiquan Training
Chen Wangting, 1600-1680, 9th Generation in Chen Village, Creator of
the original Chen
Taijiquan corpus of Seven Routines.
He is considered the founder of Chen Style Taijiquan.
Chen Wangting (1600-1680)
Chen Changxing, 1771-1853, 陳長興, 14th Generation in Chen Village, utilized the hand forms of the original Seven Routines of Chen Wangting's Taijiquan and consolidated and rearranged them into the Chen Taijiquan Old Frame (Laojia) First Form (Yi Lu) and Second Form (Er Lu).
Chen Changxing (1771-1853)
Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang (1945-)
Chen Tai Chi Chuan: Classics, Quotations, Lore, Wisdom, Principles, Insights, Summaries
By Chen Ziqiang.
Thanks to Randy Chakerian from Corvallis, Oregon, for sending me (6/18/2014) information about this short article by Chen Ziqiang. "The following article by Chen Ziqiang was translated by Davidine Sim for the Chenjiagou Taijiquan GB website, and after reading it I (David Gaffney) thought that some of you guys would enjoy it:
- Chen Ziqiang, "What characteristics do we need to make a success of our Taijiquan training?"
"In order to learn Taiji well, the first requirement must be diligence
and perseverance. Taiji classics state: "Without perseverance there can be
no gain" and "Learning Taiji is like rowing a boat against the flow of water; if
you do not go forward, you will drift back." In order to glimpse the full
wonder of Taiji and to attain a high level of skill, one must possess a will to
carry on despite hardships, setbacks, frustration and boredom. From the
beginning, students must be willing to commit themselves to a long-term goal and
be patient during the process of achieving that goal. The process of
learning takes time, and the necessary length of time must be allowed to
understand the content of the teaching. One will not succeed if focus is
only on the final product."
- Sim and Gaffney,
Chen
Style Taijiquan: The Source of Taiji Boxing,
2002, p. 212
New Additions
Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang's Chen Taijiquan 19 Form, 1995
An exquisite performance of the Chen 19 Form by Lady Wang Bo.
Her skill, power, and precision were impressive to me.
Excellent photography! Set in a lovely classical garden and wood balcony.
|
||
| Time | Performer | Source |
| 6:11 | Chen Xiao Wang | UTube, DVD |
| 4:36 | Lady Wang Bo | UTube |
| 3:41 | Oscar Muňoz Galeano | UTube |
| 3:41 | Ren GuangYi | UTube |
| 3:51 | Chen Ziaoxing | UTube |
| 2:51 | Classrom Group | UTube |
| 3:28 | Chen Xiao Wang | UTube |
| 5:07 | Chen Xiao Wang | Utube |
| 3:52 | Young Man in Park | UTube |
| 5:34 | Chen Ziqiang | Utube |
Other
An exquisite performance of the Chen 19 Form by Lady Wang Bo.
Her skill, power, and precision were impressive to me.
Excellent photography! Set in a lovely classical garden and wood balcony.
Learning the Chen Taijiquan 19 Form
Chen Style Taijiquan
Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang's "Short" 19 Movements Tai Chi Hand Form, 1995
Description, Notes, Comments, Instructions
This hypertext notebook is where I include some of my observations, comments, research findings, tools, reminders, thoughts and experiences while learning to perform this Chen Style Taijiquan 19 Form, created by Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang and released in 1995.
My main method and tool for learning the Chen Style Taijiquan 19 Form is the daily careful study of the instructional DVD featuring instruction by Sifu Ken Gullette in the Chen Taiji 19 Form, and reading the books and ebooks authored by Sifu Ken Gullette. I study, memorize, and then practice.
I also view other performances of the Chen Taiji 19 Form on UTube, and other DVDs. I am also learning about Chen Style Taijiquan as taught by Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang's (19 and 38) Short Forms from the available books and instructional DVDs listed in this hypertext notebook that are available in 2022.
I will frequently give directional information for the postures and movement sequences, because this information is useful to me. When learning, it benefits me and helps me to remember by making notes and doing research. There is usually lots to remember when doing Taijiquan properly.
I like to collect together my thoughts about the possible meanings of the movement names, historical musings, interesting quotes, lore, and interrelations with ideas from other Taijiquan styles. These hypertext notebooks of mine become a hodgepodge of observations, research notes, relevant findings.
How many minutes does it take to complete a performance of the Chen 19 Form?
This webpage is an ongoing project, and will not be a finished product in 2022-2023.
I welcome comments, suggestions, ideas, constructive criticism, and feedback from the readers of this webpage.
I have been practicing Taijiquan and Qigong since 1986, teaching Yang Style Taijiquan and Qigong since 2000, teaching part-time in elementary schools (1999-2016), and teaching Yoga since 2002. However, I retired from my employment as a fitness instructor, teacher, educator, and manager in the summer of 2016, at the age of 70. I am now a senior student (Age 76), practicing to maintain and improve my fitness, well-being, and health. I hope my notebook might be of some value to beginning Taijiquan students.
Practice and study, practice and study, practice and study! Enjoy yourself, play every day.
Here is my list of Key Learning Resources for my personal study of the Chen 19 Form starting in September of 2022.
Achievieng Succss in Your Taijiquan Training
Chen Style Taijiquan
Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang's Short 19 Movements Chen Taijiquan Form, 1995
Chen Taijiquan 19 Form List, English Only, One-Page, PDF format. Prepared by Mike Garofalo.
Chen Taijiquan 19 Form List, English and Chinese, One-Page, PDF format. Prepared by Mike Garofalo.
List of Movements in Chen Taijiquan, Old Frame, First Form, Laojia Yilu (2 pages, PDF) English and Chinese. Prepared by Mike Garofalo.
Comparison of Chen 18 Taijiquan Form with the Chen Taijiquan Old Frame First Form Laojia Yilu.
Madison Tai Chi List of Chen Taiji 19
Rochester Chen Style Taijiquan, List of Chen Taiji 19
Here is my list of Key Learning Resources for my personal study of the Chen 19 Form starting in September of 2022.
The Chen 19 Form is "composed of four Sections. Each Section runs back and forth on a straight line;
with each Section primarily running in one direction.
Assuming that we start facing North N12,
Left Arm W9 = West
Right Arm E3 = East
Backside S6
1st Section (#1-#3) Move to North N12. (#4-#7) Move to West W9.
2nd Section (#8-#11) Move to East E3
3rd Section (#12-#15) Move to West W9
4th Section (#16-#19) Move to East E3
An exquisite performance of the Chen 19 Form by Lady Wang Bo.
Her skill, power, and precision were impressive to me.
Excellent photography! Set in a lovely classical garden and wood balcony.
Begin Facing North
First Section
1. Preparatory Stance (Yu Bei Shi)
Preparing for Taijiquan (Taiji Qi Shi), Starting Form (Qi Shi), Beginning
of Tai Chi
Wuji Then Taiji: Waiting at the Temple Door
2. Buddha's Warrior Attendant Steps Forward from the Temple (Jin
Gang Chu Miao)
The Defenders of the Buddha Dharma Leave the Temple, Buddha's Bodyguard on Alert
3. Lazily Tie Coat (Lan Zha Yi)
Holding the Coat at the Waist
They Gather Their Belongings
4. Step Up and Walk Obliquely, Step Forward with Diagonal Parry (Shang
Bu Xie Xing)
Move to West W9.
5. Step Forward Three Steps (Shang San Bu)
6. Cover Hand Punch, Left; Hidden Punch with Left Fist (Zou Yan Shou Gong Quan)
7. Double Pushing Hands; Double Push Palms (Shuang Tui Zhang)
Second Section
8. Whirling Upper Arms; Stepping Backward with Whirling Arms (Dao Juan
Gong)
Move to East E3
9. Flashing the Back; Flash Turn to the Back (Shan Tong Bei)
10. Cover Hand Punch, Right; Hidden Punch with Right Fist (You Yan Shou
Gong Quan)
11. Six Sealings, Four Closing (Liu Feng Si Bi)
Third Section
12. Cloud Hands; Moving Hands (Yun Shou) Move to West W9
13. High Pat on the Horse; Patting High on a Horse (Gao Tan Ma)
14. Right Heel Kick (You Deng Yi Gen)
15. Left Heel Kick (Zou Deng Yi Gen)
Fourth Section
16. Parting the Wild Horse's Mane (Ye Ma Fen Zong) Move to East E3
17. Jade Maiden Works Shuttles (Yu Nu Chuan Suo)
18. Hammer Fist, Buddha's Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar (Jin Gang Dao Zhui)
19. Close the Form (Shou Shi)
Chen Taijiquan 19 Form List, One-Page, English and Chinese, PDF format. Prepared by Michael P. Garofalo.
Here is my list of Key Learning Resources for my personal study of the Chen 19 Form starting in September of 2022.
"19 Form: The Nineteen Form was created by Grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang in 1995. The form contains four sections and the choreography is based on the Lao Jia Old Frame, Xin Jia New Frame, and the Xiao Jia Small Frame. The Nineteen Form is suitable for any age, all fitness levels, and recommended for those who have completed the Foundations class or for those with little to no experience."
- Seattle School of Chen Taijiquan
1. Preparatory
Stance (Yu Bei Shi) 预 备 式
Wuji Then Taiji
The first Posture or movement sequence is called "Preparatory
Stances" (Yu Bei Shi), o r Preparing for
Taijiquan" (Taiji Qi Shi). This movement consists
of quiet standing for awhile, then stepping left into a shoulder width stance, then raising and lowering both
hands. The movement is found in all the Taijiquan forms I am familiar with
(Yang, Sun, and Chen). This phase of quiet preparation and beginning is
called
"Beginning of Tai-Chi" (Jou 1980), "Preparation Form" (Sim & Gaffney
2002), "Beginning of Taiji" (Chen Zenglei 2005), "Ultimate Infinite Stance"
(Wong 1996), "Preparatory Stance" (Yu Bei Shi) by Chen Xiaowang, "Raise Hands and Lower Hands" (Yang Taijiquan),
"Preparation", or "Stand at Ease."
"Wuji Then Taiji", Stillness Then Flowing, Yin Then Yang, Breathing In Then
Breathing Out, Raising Arms Then Lowering Arms, Earth and Heaven Meeting in a
Person, Stopping Then Starting. Wuji Then Taiji: Waiting at the Temple
Door
1. Description of Movements in Posture 1:
Preparatory Stance, Beginning of Tai Chi, Wuji Then
Taiji: Waiting at the Temple Door
For directional reference purposes, I will assume that the Taijiquan performer will begin facing North (N 12), and that she/he will be looking towards and facing the 12 o'clock position (N 12) in the directional scheme that I will use in when describing movements in this document.
There are two stances in the first Posture movement: Standing tall with feet together, and standing tall in a shoulder width stance.
Stand with feet together (1a). Relax. Shoulders Down.
Head lifted and lively. Chin up. Don't lean. Face towards N12.
Hands are resting along the sides of the hips, arms hanging loosely, both hands gently
touching your pants.
Look forward, keep wide angle of vision, relaxed gaze.
The mind should settle down, reduce thinking, reduce remembering, and reduce
daydreaming.
Breathe softly, gently, fully, comfortably, without straining.
You are Preparing Yourself for doing good Taijiquan.
When you are ready, slowly sink more weight into the right leg.
Then gently lift the left foot, circle in
a forward arc to the left, touch the left toe then the left heel, and settle
downward into a comfortable shoulder width stance. (1b)
Knees are slightly bent, don't tense thighs, shoulders are relaxed, chin is
tucked, posture is upright.
Stay erect, stand upright, don't lean, head up, poised, calm, in control.
(1b) Face N12.
Slowly, gently, begin to raise both arms upward, palms down,
(1c), lift both arms in
a forward arc until arms are at shoulder height (1d). Inhaling.
Draw the hands in towards the chest and then downward until both hands are about
waist height, (1e), palms pressing down. Exhaling.
Imagine both hands pressing down onto the top of a table.
Stay with an upright posture, don't lean, don't tilt the head. Don't rush,
move slowly. (1e)
Here is my list of Key Learning Resources for my personal study of the Chen 19 Form starting in September of 2022.
1. Comments About the Movements in Posture
1:
The Beginning Posture of Taiji (Taiji Qi Shi), Preparatory Stance,
Beginning of Tai Chi
Wuji Then Taiji: Waiting at the Temple Door
At the beginning of the "Beginning Posture of Taiji", your very first posture, Stand tall and relaxed. You are a martial artist. This shows respect to yourself and others. It provides a quiet moment for doing nothing, wu wei, repeating a mantra, motto or poem, saying a prayer, contemplating, building up your self-confidence, practicing the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, or feeling your enthusiasm for training in Tai Chi Chuan. A moment of silence, everyone be quiet. This standing posture, standing post, is commonly used in Qigong and Yoga. In my yoga class, we have two versions: Samasthiti (heels together, hands at side of hips [1a] and Tadasana (heels touching or feet no more than 8 inches apart, hands out fingers open, palm forward. These are a couple of basic standing meditation postures [1a or 1b] used to settle the mind, calm the body, unwind before winding, awaken the Dan Tien and inner body, get in the proper mood for the upcoming Taijiquan activity, opening up to our kinesthic sensorium and the flowing ingress from our five senses, staying still as a discipline of the mind-body, using another tool in the technology of enriching and nourishing our pleasures and happiness, etc.
Some men and women stand for up to 30 minutes or longer in Standing Post [Figure 1a or Figure 1b or Figure 1e]. Step 1, Beginning-Preparing, is all the Qigong they do. They just stand quietly and don't move very much. Yi Quan, Mind Boxing. They don't do Steps 2 to 18 of this Taiji form. Just Stand: Iconoclasts, Unificationists, Returning to the One, Forgetting ... Wu Ji ... Emptiness, Nirvana. Oftentimes, I am an antsy and impatient person; so I just move on to Steps 2 to 19, and do Taiji Quan, Grand Ultimate Boxing.
Figure 1b is a narrow Horse Stance, Ma Bu. It is a narrow horse stance with your feet separated about or less than your shoulders width apart, toes facing forward towards N12, knees only slightly bent, hands at sides of hips. Yang Taiji players take a comfortable easy tall stance in 1b. Some Chen Taiji players step out to much wider and lower Horse Stance postures, knees lower, groin area tucked, feet pointing outward, giving more room for waist-hips-groin-legs-feet silk-reeling skills and connected strength movements. Figure 3e shows this lower squatting wide Horse Stance posture. Squatting is an essential strength building exercise, benefiting the entire body. All bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts do squatting exercises.
Figure 1e shows the person in a narrow Horse Stance bending his knees more, settling lower, thrusting his hips back and engaging the Kwa (groin, anterior musculature in the pelvis), looking forward, with his hands lowered from [1d] to about Dan Tien level (abdominal area around your navel, intestines, kidneys) [1e]. Again ... squatting, lowering, gently bending the knees [1e].
Taiji likes to yin-yang between rising and lowering, up and down, forward and back, pushing and pulling, coiling and uncoiling, spiraling out and spiraling in, rotating clockwise and rotating counter-clockwise, moving left and moving right, using inner and using outer, balance on right leg and balance on left leg, extending muscles and flexing muscles, etc. Good Taiji provides for exercising the legs and hips (muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, skin) and packing up energy, reenergizing and powering up the body. I sometimes refer to doing "Thigh Chi" rather than "Tai Chi" to emphasize leg movements, using the power of the legs and hips to express strength and force, grounding and rooting, and strengthening and conditioning the legs and waist for more successful Taijiquan practice.
Martial Applications of Beginning Posture of Taiji, UTube, 2:02 minutes, Part 1. Part 2, 1:21.
The demeanor of body and mind is relaxed (Sung), alert, calm, without holding tension in the body, ready to respond, dignified, open and free. Taijiquan encourages you to calm and quiet the mind, reduce thinking, be fully present here and now, reflect the Other clearly in the clear calm lake of diminished ego. Standing meditation is a cornerstone of Taijiquan practices, influenced by Taoist and Buddhist practices. In Hatha Yoga, just standing is called the "Mountain Pose" (Tadasana).
Chen Taijiquan 19 Form List, English Only, One-Page, PDF format. Prepared by Mike Garofalo.
Here is my list of Key Learning Resources for my personal study of the Chen 19 Form starting in September of 2022.
Chen Taijiquan 19 Form: A Detailed Step-by-Step Reference for the Short Beginner's Form of Chen Tai Chi. EBook by Sifu Ken Gullette. Internal Fighting Arts, 2013, 250 pages, more than 200 photographs. A must have resource for studying the Chen 19 Form.
2. Buddha's
Warrior Attendant Steps Forward from the Temple
(Jin Gang Chu Miao)
The Defenders of the Buddha Dharma Leave the Temple
The Buddha's Guard Leaves the Temple, The Buddha's Defenders
Leave the Temple
Buddha's Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar
[Chen Zhenglei and Liming Yue 2005]
Pounding the Mortar (Jin Gang Dao Dui)
[Chen Zhenglei 2003]
Diamond King Pounds Mortar (Jin Gang Dao Dui) [Mark Chen]
King-Kong Nailed Fist [Jou Tsung Hwa]
Buddha's Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar (Jin Gang Dao Dui) [Sim &
Gaffney]
Buddha's Warrior Attendant Pounds with Pestle (Jin-gang Dao Dui)
[Chen Xin 1932, 2007]
Buddha's Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar
[Zhaohua]
Hammer Fist
金刚捣碓 : Jin Gang Dao Dui
Scoop Moon from Ocean Bottom (Hai di lao yue), Grasp Hammer (ba
chui), Shaolin
Tai Tzu Chang Quan Yi Lu, from military Hong
Quan, circa 970 CE.
2. Description of Movements in
Movement Sequence (Postures, Forms) #2:
The Buddha's Warrior Attendant Steps Forward from the Temple
The Defenders of the Buddha Dharma Leave the Temple
2a. Starting from (2a), both hands move upwards in a arc to the left
side towards W9. Left hand turns, palm faces out, pushing away, rising to
about shoulder height (2b) . The right hand pushes or grabs, palm faces
out. [Possible martial application: Two hands attack opponent's elbow joint;
lower right hand grabs opponents forearm and pulls in, and upper left palm
pushes out against opponents elbow.] Both arms come up to about chest
height (2b).
Weight shifts more into left leg. Don't lean.
Slowly pivot on the right heel, and turn the right toe to face E3. The
hands turn counter-clockwise, right hand is lower than the left. Both arms
move horizontally to the right side, towards E3, at about chest height.
The bodyweight gradually sinks into the right leg as you lift your left knee
above and close to the right knee.
2. Comments About the Movements in Posture 2: The Buddha's Guard Leaves the Temple
Martial Applications of Buddha's Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar, UTube, 1:49 minutes.
The Buddha's Warriors, Temple Guards, Bodyguards on Staff, Safety and Security Personnel, Temple Staff and Helpers
Keep in mind that the famous Shaolin Buddhist Temple is just a two days
walk from the Chen Village in China. "The bus ride from Chen Village to
Luoyang, and from Luoyang to the Shaolin Temple used to take the best part of 6
hours. Going by taxi shaves a bit of time off this. The new bridge over the
Yellow River cuts the time in half."
"At the entrance to many
Chinese Buddhist Temples, or on the four cardinal directions of the Buddhist Temple, are sculptures of four guardian deities called the Four
Heavenly Kings or Four Diamond Kings. Chinese Buddhist temples consist of
several halls and chapels called by a common name, tien. In the "entering
hall" (sď-i‘ien wang-tien), two colossal wooden statues meet the eye on
each side. These are the Mahârâjas, or "Four great kings of Devas," or
Sď-ta-t‘ien-wang. The Sanskrit names are explained: "Vaishramana" (Pi-sha-men),
"He who has heard much;" "Dhritarashtra" (T‘i-to-lo-to), "Protector of
kingdoms;" "Virudhaka" (Pi-leu-le-cha), "Increased grandeur;" and
Virupaksha (Pi-lieu-pa-cha), "Large Eyes." They are called in Chinese
To-wen, Ch‘ď-kwo, Tseng-chang, and Kwang-mu."
- Chinese Buddhism
and The
Four Heavenly Kings - Wikipedia and Four Heavenly
Kings
"Virudhaka, Guardian of the South Gate,
The Boundless Diamond King,
Tseng-chang Tian, with shimmering
sword in hand,
Blue as the Great Sky,
Spurring growth, increasing grandeur,
Subduing demons, frightening evil ones, cutting through ignorance,
Vowing to help everyone master limitless approaches to Dharma.
Dhritarashtra, Guardian of the East Gate,
The Powerful Diamond King,
Ch‘ď-kwo Tian, in tune with the Wise,
White as the Shining Sun,
Protector, Energizer, Honoring the Three Treasures,
Keeping Treasured Kingdoms whole, Saver of the Earth,
Helping unravel the illusions of self, and freeing the slaves of Mara,
Vowing to aid all who strive to achieve the Supreme Awakening.
Vaishravana, Guardian of the North Gate,
The All Hearing Diamond King, To-wen Tian, listening to the endless sorrows,
Yellow as the Mystic Rose,
Seated and Silent, Compassionate,
Silencing the falsehoods, Singing the Dharma, Preserving the Word,
Vowing the eradicate vexations without end.
Virupaksha,
Guardian of the West Gate,
The All Seeing Diamond King,
Kwang-mu Tian, unblinking in the face of
death,
Red Eyed and Ever Vigilant,
Visionary of the Diamond Kings, Seeing the Unseen,
Subduing serpents of vice, keeping enemies in the dark, holding the Sacred
Vajra,
Vowing to help Enlighten Sentient Beings without number.
These Four Diamond Kings protect all Earthly and Sacred Worlds,
Faithfully Guard the Four Gates to Shambhala's Realm,
Active day and night on Mt. Sumeru and in the Ten Thousand Realms,
Rewarding the good and reforming the evil ones,
Overcoming all obstacles,
Fearless Defenders of the Middle Way,
Bodhisattvas ferrying followers to the Other Shore,
Grinding potions with mortar and pestle to Lessen the Pain,
Sending
Dragons into the deepest seas, riding Tigers to the Mountains,
Moving the Vast Clouds with Their Hands;
Yet, the Four Diamond Kings all bow in deep respect,
Honoring the Great Dharma Lord they forever serve."
- Michael P. Garofalo,
Above the Fog
The Bodhisattva Warriors. The Origin, Inner Philosophy, History and Symbolism of the Buddhist Martial Art within India and China. By Shifu Nagaboshi Tomio (Terence Dukes). Boston, MA, Weiser Books, 1994. Index, bibliography, extensive notes, 527 pages. ISBN: 0877287856. VSCL.
"The phrase Four Buddha Warriors, or Four Tigers refers to the Tai Chi Masters Chen Xiaowang, Chen Zhenlei, Wang Xi'an and Zhu Tiancai. The phrase was coined by a journalist in the early 1980's because the four were all roughly the same age, and all came out looking for trouble at the same time. They were also the top practitioners at that time. Since then, the term has taken on a life of its own."
Chen Taijiquan 19 Form List, One-Page, English and Chinese, PDF format. Prepared by Michael P. Garofalo.
Here is my list of Key Learning Resources for my personal study of the Chen 19 Form starting in September of 2022.
3. Lazily
Tying One's Coat (Lan
Zha Yi)
He Gathers
His Belongings
He Gathers His Belongings, Putting On Your Clothes, Lazily Hanging Up One's
Coat
Lazy About Tying the Coat [Chen Zhenglei and
Liming Yue
2005]
Lazily Tying One's Coat (Lan Zha Yi)
[Chen Zhenglei 2003]
Lazily Tucking Clothes (Lan Zha Yi) [Mark Chen]
Grasp Sparrow's Tail [Jou Tsung Hwa]
Lazily Tying Coat (Lan Zha Yi) [Sim & Gaffney]
Holding One Lap Pull of the Robe (Lan Zha Yi) [Chen Xin,
1932, 2007]
Lazy About Tying Coat [Zhaohua]
Attacher Paresseux Son Manteau
Irgendjemandes Mantel Faul Binden
Perezoso Atar Su Capa
懒扎衣 : Lan Zha Yi
Head-on Wrenching Hand (Ying-mian Ban Shou),
Shaolin
Tai Tzu Chang Quan Yi Lu, from military Hong
Quan, circa 970 CE.
3. Description of Movements in Movement Sequence (Postures, Forms) #3:
Lazily Tying One's Coat, He Gathers His Belongings, Putting On Your Clothes,
Hanging Up Your Coat
3. Comments about Posture #3:
Lazily Tying One's Coat, He Gathers His Belongings, Putting On Your Clothes,
Hanging Up Your Coat
"The
Karate Kid" 2010 Film. Starring Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith.
Hanging up your coat training with Mr. Han. Reminiscent of wax on
and wax off training in 1984 with Mr. Miyagi.
Chen Taijiquan 19 Form List, One-Page, English and Chinese, PDF format. Prepared by Michael P. Garofalo.
Lazily Tying One's Coat
Dingdian, ending posture
Here is my list of Key Learning Resources for my personal study of the Chen 19 Form starting in September of 2022.
Chen Taijiquan 19 Form List, One-Page, English and Chinese, PDF format. Prepared by Michael P. Garofalo.
Chen Taijiquan 19 Form: A
Detailed Step-by-Step Reference for the Short Beginner's Form of Chen Tai Chi.
EBook by Sifu Ken Gullette. Internal Fighting Arts, 2013, 250 pages, more
than 200 photographs. A must have resource for studying the Chen 19 Form.
4. Step Up and Walk Oliquely
Step Forward with Diagonal Parry (Shang Bu Xie Xing)
"In practicing taijiquan, the requirements on the different
parts of the body are: keeping a straight body; keeping the head and neck erect
with mindfulness at the tip of the head as if one is lightly lifted by a string
from above; relaxing the shoulders and sinking the elbows; relaxing the chest
and waist letting them sink down; relaxing the crotch and bending the knees.
When these requirements are met, one's inner energy will naturally sink down to
the dan tian. Beginners may not be able to master all these important points
instantly. However, in their practice they must try to be accurate in terms of
direction, angle, position, and the movements of hands and legs for each
posture. At this stage, one need not place too much emphasis on the requirements
for different parts of the body, appropriate simplications are acceptable. For
example, for the head and upper body, it is required that the head and neck be
kept erect, chest and waist be relaxed downward, but in the first level of kung
fu, it will be sufficient just to ensure that one's head and body are kept
naturally upright and not leaning forward or backward, to the left or right.
This is just like learning calligraphy, at the beginning, one need only to make
sure that the strokes are correct. Therefore, when practicing taijiquan at the
beginning, the body and movements may appear to be stiff; or 'externally solid
but internally empty'. One may find oneself doing things like: hard hitting,
ramming, sudden uplifting and or sudden collapsing of body or trunk. There may
be also be broken or over-exerted force or jin. All these faults are common to
beginners. If one is persistent enough and practices seriously everyday, one can
normally master the forms within half a year. The inner energy, qi, can
gradually be induced to move within the trunk and limbs with refinements in
one's movements. One may then achieve the stage of being able to use external
movements to channel internal energy'. The first level kung fu thus begins with
mastering the postures to gradually being able to detect and understand jin or
force."
- Seattle School of Chen Style Taijiquan
Chen Taijiquan 19 Form List, One-Page, English and Chinese, PDF format. Prepared by Michael P. Garofalo.
Here is my list of Key Learning Resources for my personal study of the Chen 19 Form starting in September of 2022.
5. Step Forward Three Steps (Shang San Bu)
Stepping to Both Sides (Three Steps Forward) (Ao
Bu) [Chen Zhenglei and Liming Yue 2005]
Stepping to Both Sides (Ao Bu) [Chen Zhenglei 2003]
Twist Steps (Ao Bu) [Mark
Chen]
Side Walk and Twist Step [Jou Tsung Hwa]
Stepping Three Steps (Shan San Bu) [Sim & Gaffney]
Brush Knee and Twist Step (Lou Xi Ao-bu) [Chen Xin 1932, 2007]
Wade Forward and Twist Step on Both Sides [Zhaohua]
Progression Aux Deux Côtés
Treten Zu Beiden Seiten
El Caminar a Ambos Lados
拗步 : Ao Bu
Chen Taijiquan 19 Form List, One-Page, English and Chinese, PDF format. Prepared by Michael P. Garofalo.
How many minutes does it take to complete a performance of the Chen 19 Form?
6. Hidden Punch with Left Fist (Zou Yan Shou Gong Quan)
Cover Fist and Punch (Yan Shou Gong Quan) [Chen Zhenglei]
Covered Hand Punch (Yan Shou Hong Quan) [Mark Chen]
Hidden Hand Punch [Jou Tsung Hwa]
Hidden Thrust Punch with Whirling Upper Arms (Yan Shou Hong Quan)
[Sim & Gaffney]
Screen Hand and Punch (Yan Shou Chui) [Chen Xin]
The Fist of Covering Hand and Arm [Zhaohua]
掩手肱拳 : Yan Shou Hong Quan
Chen Taijiquan 19 Form List, One-Page, English and Chinese, PDF format. Prepared by Michael P. Garofalo.
Achievieng Succss in Your Taijiquan Training
7. Double Pushing Hands
Double Push Palms (Shuang Tui Chou)
A note on the directional scheme.
Chen Xiaowang Showing Eight Taijiquan Energies
8. Whirling Arms and Stepping Backward (Dao Juan Gong)
"Movement 8 - Stepping backwards (Dao juan gong) 1) This one has tricky hand and foot coordination. 2) From double push hands, turn your torso to the right and spread your arms out – palms facing up. Form a “T” with arms and body. 3) Circle the right hand upwards and towards the front near the right ear and then push out towards the front. 4) As the same time, rotate the left palm that was facing up to face down and then circle the left hand downwards towards the back. 5) As the left hand passes near or over the left knee, step back with the left foot at an angle away from the right foot and landing on the ball of the foot. The left hand continues to move back until it rest to the side and behind you. Keep weight on the front foot. 6) For the next step, reverse the movements. Always start by turning your palms to face up. 7) Left hand circles up and towards the front passing the left ear. Circle right hand down and towards the back. Weight transfer happens when the elbows start to bend. So when the left elbow starts to bend, weight is shifted from the front (RIGHT) foot to the rear (LEFT) foot. You will be shifting weight from the Chen Style 19 Movement Form Page 6 front foot to the back foot while your hands are circling. It takes some practice. When the right hand is near the right knee, draw the right foot towards the left foot and then place it our back at an angle, landing on the ball of the foot. 8) Keep some space between the left and right heels as you are stepping. Each foot has a crescent movement like a parenthesis “)” for left foot, “(“ for right foot. 9) Draw one foot closer to the other to keep your balance. The closer they get, the more stable you will be. 10) Repeat 2 and 3 again to take 4 steps back. 11) Ending with left hand and left foot forward. Weight on the left leg."
- Chen 19 Form, Description by Madison Chen Style Taijiquan School An excellent resource! Be sure to download and save their detailed 12 page PDF file.
Chen Taijiquan 19 Form List, One-Page, English and Chinese, PDF format. Prepared by Michael P. Garofalo.
Here is my list of Key Learning Resources for my personal study of the Chen 19 Form starting in September of 2022.
9. Flashing the Back; Flash Turn to the Back
(Shan Tong Bei)
10. Hidden Punch with Right Fist
(You Yan Shou Gong Quan)
Cover Hands and Strike with Fist [Chen Zhenglei and
Liming Yue 2005]
Cover Fist and Punch (Yan Shou Gong Quan)
[Chen Zenglei 2003]
Covered Hand Punch (Yan Shou Hong Quan) [Mark Chen]
Hidden Hand Punch [Jou Tsung Hwa]
Hidden Thrust Punch and Whirling Upper Arms (Yan Shou Hong Quan) [Sim
& Gaffney]
Screening Hand Strike with Hidden Forearm (Yan Shou Gong Chui)
[Chen Xin]
The Fist of Covering Hand and Arm [Zhaohua]
Covered Fist Punch [Mike Garofalo]
My Notes on Movement 14
Poinçon Couvert De Poing
Bedeckter Faust-Durchschlag
Sacador Cubierto Del Puńo
掩手肱拳 : Yan Shou Hong Quan
An exquisite performance of the Chen 19 Form by Lady Wang Bo.
Her skill, power, and precision were impressive to me.
Excellent photography! Set in a lovely classical garden and wood balcony.
11. Six Sealings, Four Closing (Liu Feng Si Bi)
Six Sealing and Four Closing
[Chen Zhenglei and Liming Yue 2005]
Sealing Six Avenues of Attack and Closing Four
Sides (Liu Feng Si Bi) [Chen Zhenglei 2003]
Six Sealing, Four Closing (Liu Feng Si Bi) [Mark Chen]
40% Open and 60% Closed [Jou Tsung Hwa]
Six Sealing and Four Closing (Liu Feng Si Bi) [Sim & Gaffney]
Six Sealing and Four Closing [Zhaohua]
Six Scellant et Fermeture Quatre
Sechs Versiegelnd und Vier Schließend
Seises que Sellan y Cuatro que se Cierran
六封四闭 : Liu Feng Si Bi
A note on the source of the illustrations.
Chen Tai Chi Chuan: Classics, Quotations, Lore, Wisdom, Principles, Insights, Summaries
Martial Applications of Six Sealing and Four Closing, UTube, 1:29 minutes.
Troubleshooting "6 Sealing and 4 Closing." Comments on short forms and the left version of this movement and 60%/40%.
"However-- I have to disagree that there is deep meaning in the movements at all, let alone in the Chinese names as opposed to the English translations. This is a martial art; or if it's not really a martial art anymore as it's frequently taught, it still has martial origins. The movements aren't mystical clues a la Dan Brown; they're punches, kicks, throws, blocks, etc. They don't have MEANING, they have PURPOSE. Furthermore, the names for the movements are often misleading, uninformative, or open to interpretation. Chen taiji stylists say "six sealing, four closing"; Yang taiji people say "like sealing, like closing", or shorten the whole thing to "apparently closing". The two phrases sound very similar in Mandarin; they're written with different characters, but the martial artists who originally came up with the names were illiterate, so we don't really know what they had in mind. I'm inclined to think it means six parts sealing, four parts closing, except I don't really understand what the difference is between the two verbs in the first place." - Jerry Larson
I believe that "deep meanings" can be associated with any movement. Philosophers and scholars who practice Taijiquan and Qigong have long been interested in using and connecting Buddhist, Taoist, I Ching, Confucian, Chinese cultural, and Traditional Chinese Medical ideas, theories, practices, and iconography with various internal martial arts and Daoyin mind-body movement arts. Sun Lu Tang, Cheng Man Ching and others helped popularize internal martial arts by making these theoretical, metaphorical, and "mystical" connections. Most people who practice Taijiquan these days know no little or nothing about martial applications, but still greatly enjoy this mind-body art. These days, in the post-firearms era, many persons find the health improving, stress reducing, meditative, spiritual, and mystical aspects of "New Age" Taijiquan more useful, uplifting, and meaningful than thinking about how they might kick someone's butt in a bar fight. We often "think" via associative and metaphorical means, thrive on open interpretations, and cherish imaginative games. We now have a greater need to fight stress, boredom, rigid thinking, literalism, and laziness. Taijiquan can seal us off from these destructive forces. "The training exercises of Taiji, like those from all the
internal martial arts traditions of China, are designed to build gong.
What does it mean to built gong? Physically, the accumulation of gong
refers to constant improvements in balance, coordination, agility, flexibility,
sensitivity, and strength or power. Mentally and spiritually, the
accumulation of gong refers to improved awareness and confidence, and constant
advancements toward realizing tranquility of heart and mind. These
physical, mental and spiritual improvements are the benefits and purpose of
practice. The priority of accumulating gong (as opposed to martial
technique or trickery) is repeatedly emphasized in many of the most famous
sayings from the oral tradition of the Chinese internal martial arts."
- Yang Yang, Taijiquan:
The Art of Nurturing, The Science of Power, 2005, p. 5.
Here is my list of Key Learning Resources for my personal study of the Chen 19 Form starting in September of 2022.
Chen Xiaowang performance of Chen 19, 6:11 minutes
Chen Taijiquan 19 Form List, One-Page, English and Chinese, PDF format. Prepared by Michael P. Garofalo.
12. Cloud Hands, Waving Hands like Clouds (Yun Shou)
Wave Hands (Yun Shou) [Chen Zhenglei
and Liming Yue 2005]
Rolling Hands Through the Clouds (Yun
Shou) [Chen Zhenglei 2003]
Hand Technique (Yun Shou) [Mark Chen]
Waving Hands Like Clouds [Jou Tsung Hwa]
Cloud Hands (Yun Shou) [Sim & Gaffney]
Wave Hands Like Clouds (Xia Yun Shou) [Chen Xin]
Wave Hands [Zhaohua]
雲手 v运手 : Yun Shou
13. High Pat on the Horse (Gao Tan Ma)
High Pat on the Horse (Gao Tan Ma)
[Cheng Zhenglei and Liming Yue 2005]
Patting the Horse's Back (Gao Tan Ma) [Chen Zhenglei 2003]
High Pat on Horse (Gao Tan Ma) [Mark Chen]
High Pat on Horse [Jou Tsung Hwa]
High Pat on Horse (Gao Tan Ma) [Sim & Gaffney]
High Pat on the Horse (Gao Tan Ma) [Chen Xin]
High Pat on Horse [Zhaohua]
高探马 : Gao Tan Ma
It might be helpful to consider each posture from the perspective of the "Sixteen Requirements" set forth by Chen Zhaokui (1928-1981) in his book "Entering the Door of Taijiquan" (Sim and Gaffney 2002: p. 116):
"Chen Zhaokui lists sixteen requirements that must be present
throughout each posture:
Eye movement (the direction of the eyes)
The shape of the hands, and how the hand changes as the movement
is being performed
Footwork (how to execute changes when stepping)
Shun-chan and ni-chan of the legs
Open and closing of the chest and back
Rising and falling of the buttocks
Dantian rotation (waist and lower abdomen)
Shifting weight (the relationship of substantial and
insubstantial)
Beginning and end points, as well as the transition movements of
the upper and lower limbs
How much strength to us, and where the strength should be
concentrated (i.e., where is the attack point)
Position and direction of posture
The rise and fall of spiral movement (top and bottom
coordination)
The change in tempo (alternating slow and fast)
Breathing (coordination of breathing and movement)
Listening."
14. Right Heel Kick (You Deng Yi Gen)
Kicking with the Right Heel (You Deng Yi
Gen) [Chen Zhenglei]
Right Heel Kick (You Deng Yi Gen) [Mark Chen]
Turn Body and Kick [Jou Tsung Hwa]
Kick with the Right Heel (You Deng Gen) [Sim & Gaffney]
Kick with Heel (Deng Yi Gen) [Chen Xin]
Kick with Right Heel [Zhaohua]
右蹬一根 : You Deng Yi Gen
"Movement 14 - Kick with right heel (You deng yi gen) 1) Put both hands out to the right. 2) Bring both hands down in front of you. 3) When the right hand passes the right knee, cross arms and legs at the same time. 4) Left hand crosses over on top of right hand. Both palms face outwards, fingers down. 5) Left leg cross in front of the right leg. Land on the heel and keep weight on the right. 6) Transfer weight to the left foot and then change hands from open palms to fists and draw them to chest level. At the same time, draw up the right leg (you can think of it as just raising the right leg in front of you) 7) Sink into the left leg and kick out to the right. During the kick, look at the foot or where you are kicking. 8) The arms will also push out from the center like you are exploding outwards. The 2 fists will rotate inwards and then outwards and change into open palm before you explode. 9) After the kick, relax arms and leg. 10) Set the right foot down to your right, heels down and right toes towards the wall. Arms in front, fingers point down and relaxed. Weight on the left leg."
- Chen 19 Form, Description by Madison Chen Style Taijiquan School An excellent resource! Be sure to download and save their detailed 12 page PDF file.
Chen Taijiquan 19 Form: A Detailed Step-by-Step Reference for the Short Beginner's Form of Chen Tai Chi. EBook by Sifu Ken Gullette. Internal Fighting Arts, 2013, 250 pages, more than 200 photographs. A must have resource for studying the Chen 19 Form.
15. Left Heel Kick (Zou Deng Yi Gen)
Kick with the Left Heel (Zuo Deng Yi Gen)
[Chen Zhenglei and Liming Yue 2005]
Kicking with the Left Heel (Zuo Deng Yi
Gen) [Chen Zhenglei 2003]
Left Heel Kick (Zuo Deng Yi Gen) [Mark Chen]
Turn Body and Kick [Jou Tsung Hwa]
Kick with the Left Heel (Zuo Deng Gen) [Sim & Gaffney]
Kick with Left Heel [Zhaohua]
左蹬跟 : Zuo Deng Gen
Chen Taijiquan 19 Form: A Detailed Step-by-Step Reference for the Short Beginner's Form of Chen Tai Chi. EBook by Sifu Ken Gullette. Internal Fighting Arts, 2013, 250 pages, more than 200 photographs. A must have resource for studying the Chen 19 Form.
Chen 19 by a young man at a Park, 3:52 minutes
16. Parting the Wild Horse's Mane (Ye Ma Fen Zong)
Parting the Wild Horse's Mane (Ye Ma Fen
Zong) [Chen Zhenglei]
Part the Mustang's Mane (Ye Ma Fen Zong) [Mark Chen]
Mustang Ruffling Its Mane [Jou Tsung Hwa]
Parting the Wild Horse's Mane (Ye Ma Feng Zhong) [Sim & Gaffney]
Wild Horse Shakes Its Mane (Ye Ma Feng Zhong) [Chen Xin]
Part the Wild Horse's Mane on Both Sides
[Zhaohua]
野馬分鬃 : Ye Ma Fen Zong
Chen Ziqiang performance, 5:34 minutes
17. Jade Maiden Works Shuttles (Yu Nu Chuan Suo)
Jade Girl Works the Shuttles (Yu Nu Chuan Suo)
[Chen Zhenglei and Liming Yue 2005]
Jade Maiden Working Her Loom (Yu Nu
Chuan Suo) [Chen Zhenglei 2003]
Jade Maiden Works Shuttles (Yu Nu Chuan Suo) [Mark Chen]
Fair Lady Works at Shuttles [Jou Tsung Hwa]
Jade Girl Works Shuttles (Yu Nu Quan Shou) [Sim & Gaffney]
Fair Lady Works the Shuttles (Yu Nu Chuan Suo) [Chen Xin]
The Jade Girl Works at Shuttles [Zhaohua]
玉女穿梭 : Yu Nu Quan Shou
Chen Taijiquan 19 Form List, One-Page, English and Chinese, PDF format. Prepared by Michael P. Garofalo.
Here is my list of Key Learning Resources for my personal study of the Chen 19 Form starting in September of 2022.
Chen Taijiquan 19 Form: A Detailed Step-by-Step Reference for the Short Beginner's Form of Chen Tai Chi. EBook by Sifu Ken Gullette. Internal Fighting Arts, 2013, 250 pages, more than 200 photographs. A must have resource for studying the Chen 19 Form.
18. Hammer Fist
Buddha's Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar
(Jin Gang Dao Zhui)
Buddha's Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar
[Chen Zhenglei and Liming Yue 2005]
Pounding the Mortar (Jin Gang Dao Dui)
[Chen Zhenglei 2003]
Diamond King Pounds Mortar (Jin Gang Dao Dui) [Mark Chen]
King-Kong Nailed Fist [Jou Tsung Hwa]
Buddha's Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar (Jin Gang Dao Dui) [Sim &
Gaffney]
Buddha's Warrior Attendant Pounds with Pestle (Jin-gang Dao Dui)
[Chen Xin 1932, 2007]
Buddha's Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar [Zhaohua]
Martèlement du Mortier
Zerstoßen des Mörsers
Golpear el Mortero
金刚捣碓 : Jin Gang Dao Dui
"Movement 18 - Buddha's Warrior Bodyguard pounds the mortar (Jin gang dao zhui) 1) Push up with left foot. And land with both feet at the same time. (up down movement) 2) Step out with right leg and right hand at the same time. 3) Take two steps forward. First step out with the left leg and place your foot so that the toes point to the back wall. Your right arm will go up towards your head to protect it. Turn your body at the same time. 4) Then, take a second step with your right leg. Step behind the left leg and land on your toes. Your legs will be crisscrossed at this time. Weight is still on the left leg. 5) When the right leg is moving behind the left leg, push your left hand out (palm facing out) as well. Hand’s and foot’s movement end at the same time. Weight still on the left leg. 6) Then hold your arm position and transfer weight to the right foot so that the left foot can pivot on its heel. Pivot the left foot towards the front. The toes may not be pointing directly at the front wall at this time, and that’s ok. 7) Now transfer weight back to the left foot and while doing that turn your body to face the front wall. At this time, your left foot will continue to pivot and end up with toes facing the front wall as well. 8) Circle the right hand from the top towards the back and down and then to the front again. 9) Bring Left hand in to waist level with palm facing down. Left hand is slightly on the right side of the body. Left hand brushes right elbow at about the same time. 10) Circle the right foot outwards to the right then back to front into an empty stance. Like drawing a clockwise circle. 11) After the left hand and right arm “meets”, turn left hand so palm faces up. Right forearm continues to bend upwards and when the forearm is straight up and down, change right hand into a fist and place it on top of the left hand. Fist on hand is about 2 fingers’ width away from the body. 12) Lift right fist and right leg up. Right forearm is straight up and down. Elbow on top of right knee. Right thigh is horizontal. Ankle relaxed. 13) Drop the entire right side down at the same time to do the Taiji stomp. The left knee will also bend slightly as the right side of the body drops down. This will happen naturally if the body is relaxed. Don’t force it. Note: See below for the footwork."
- Chen 19 Form, Description by Madison Chen Style Taijiquan School An excellent resource! Be sure to download and save their detailed 12 page PDF file.
Performance by Maren Scheible, 9:09 Minutes
19. Close the Form (Shou Shi)
Finishing Form [Chen Zhenglei and Liming Yue 2005]
Closing Posture of Taijiquan (Taiji Shou Shi) [Chen Zhenglei]
Closing Movement (Shou Shi) [Mark Chen]
Conclusion of Tai-Chi [Jou Tsung Hwa]
Closing Form (Taiji Shou Si) [Sim & Gaffney]
Closing Form [Zhaohua]
收式 : Shou Shi
"In order to understand a
move you must practice it 10,000 times.
This is called The School of
Ten Thousand Repetitions.
The Way is in training."
Miyamoto Mushashi
The Essential Concepts of Tai Chi Chuan Practice:
1. Establish and Maintain a Ground Path
2. The Most Important Energy is Peng Energy and It
Must be Maintained at All Times
3. All Movements Must Be Connected Through the Body
4. Silk Reeling Practice and Skills
5. Dan Tien Rotation
6. Opening and Closing the Kua
7. Maintain a Centered Stance
- Sifu Ken Gullette, Signposts on a Martial Arts Journey
Here is my list of Key Learning Resources for my personal study of the Chen 19 Form starting in September of 2022.
How many minutes does it take to complete a performance of the Chen 19 Form?
Chen Style Taijiquan
Suggestions for Beginning Your Practice of Chen Taijiquan
By Mike Garofalo
If you are fortunate enough to have a qualified instructor teaching you the Chen Taijiquan Short 19 form, then just resolve to carefully and diligently learn from that instructor and practice often on your own.
If, like me, you did not have a local Chen Taijiquan instructor (1998-2017) to teach you directly, then you can still proceed to learn and practice the basics on your own using instructional DVDs, books, and Internet resources. I lived in a rural area that was 130 miles noirth of Sacramento, California, where there was one Chen Taijiquan teachers.
The instructional DVDs and books I have used are listed in the bibliography on this webpage. In particular, I used the following Key Resources on a daily basis when first learning the basics of this Chen 19 Form.
I recommend that you choose a qualified teacher who has produced Instructional and Coaching DVDs and books or eBooks with detailed descriptions of the Form you are trying to learn on your own. You can find these essential resources for learning the Chen 18, Chen 19, and the Laojia Yilu 74.
I have given a number of suggestions to beginners about learning Taijiquan in my webpage on the Standard 24 Beijing Short Form in the Yang Style of Taijiquan.
Here is my list of Key Learning Resources for my personal study of the Chen 19 Form starting in September of 2022.
I also post to my Cloud Hands Blog about Chen Taijiquan.
Beginning students need to keep in mind that Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei recommends in his text book Tai Chi for Health a program of study and practice including:
1. Warm up exercises. He provides
an interesting gentle warm up routine, or you can practice a variety of
qigong routines, e.g., especially circling movements,
Eight Section Brocade, Five Animal Frolics, etc.
2. Standing or seated
meditation. The subject of quiet sitting, post standing, and meditation is
quite complex. It is one of the cornerstones of Buddhist and Daoist
practices.
3. Silk Reeling exercises.
These exercises involve twisting, turning, circling, twining, reeling, winding
movements - both externally and internally.
4. Conditioning exercises for strength, stamina, toughness, and overall well-being.
5. Practicing the Chen Tai Chi Short 18 Movement Routine.
All Chen teachers, including Chen Xiaowang follow these general guidlines for a good workout.
Here are some suggestions for attaining success in your Taijiquan practice.
Learning and practicing with a group can always be fun and beneficial. A dedicated Taijiquan practice group does not always need a "leader" to succeed in helping you learn and practice.
I always recommend learning from the Master Teachers of Chen Taijiquan by READING their books and using their instructional DVDs.
Keep looking for Chen
Taijiquan workshops, seminars, and camps that you can attend. Maybe we
will meet at one of these events
in 2023 in the Western USA.
My very best
wishes to you for much success in your study and practice of
the Chen Taijiquan Short 19 Form.
May we all enjoy good health, peace and prosperity in 2022-2023,
Mike Garofalo
September 2022
Valley Spirit Center, Fir Grove, Vancouver, Washington
Green Way Research
How Can You Be Successful in Your Taijiquan Training
By Michael P. Garofalo,
Valley Spirit Taijiquan,
Fir Grove, Vancouver, Washington
September of 2022
1. Get stronger in your legs and waist. I recommend walking for 1.5
hours four days a week at a brisk pace to condition the legs and waist.
Taijiquan requires you to stand and move for 60 to 90 minutes during a typical
Taijiquan practice session or class. "Tai Chi" (Taijiquan) could also be
called "Thigh Chi" because of the demands it makes on the legs and waist.
You need some cardio-vascular (aerobic) training, like long walks, to condition
the heart and lungs and legs to better prepare for the demands of Taijiquan
training. Most Taijiquan Masters recommend practicing
standing postures (Ma
Bu, Trinity, Zhang
Zhuang) to improve concentration. self-discipline, and leg strength.
Standing still and holding some part of a numbered Chen Taijiquan posture, e.g.,
some part of Lazily Tying the Coat; keeping perfectly still, not moving, holding
an isometric posture for 45 seconds, isometric exercises, static discipline ... will indeed
strengthen your legs, hips and waist. How about squats, lunges, squats and leg presses with weights, hatha yoga stretching, sprints,
hiking up hills, long walks on a sandy beach, etc.
2. Practice, Learn, Practice, Learn, Practice, Learn, Practice, Learn .... The daily practice of the Taijiquan Forms and Sets is required for "success" (i.e., achievement, skill, adeptness, facility, superior performance, excellence, advancement, fluency, etc.) in Taijiquan training. You must challenge yourself to learn more each month. Hard work and dedication (Kung Fu) are necessary for integrating the practice of Taijiquan in your life.
3. Listen, observe, imitate, and learn from your Taijiquan teachers. Use the many fine instructional DVDs now available in 2022 to learn more about the Taijiquan forms you are practicing. Read books and magazine articles and web pages, and study UTube demonstrations, to learn more about the Taijiquan forms you are practicing. Learn more about the history and styles of Taijiquan. If you are among the few persons fortunate enough to learn directly from a Taijiquan master or grandmaster, then treasure this unique learning opportunity, and advance accordingly under their tutelage. Give respect to teachers who have earned and deserve respect. Be humble and open-minded so as to properly absorb new information, ideas, and techniques. Don't be overly judgmental of others, but don't be a fawning fool or credulous.
4. Taijiquan has "Principles" that should be embodied and exemplified in your mind-body practice of this ancient Chinese art. Some time must be spent learning these key ideas, concepts and principles so as to integrate them into your practice. For examples, concepts like relaxed, sinking, centering, weighted, balanced, energized, focused, intentions, opponent, forms, styles, grounding, heart-mind, spirit, etc., must be learned. Some understanding and appreciation for the Taoist, Zen (Chan), and Confucian outlooks is valuable and useful for advancement in Taijiquan.
5. Find the Taijiquan style suitable
to your physique, age, temperament, attitude, limitations, and physical
condition. Select an intensity of practice suitable to your energy level
for the day or week, and any physical limitations of a temporary or permanent
nature. Be flexible, explore, adapt, and experiment to find appropriate
solutions to your specific individual circumstances. Cultivate good
self-awareness and realistic views of your personal skill sets. Avoid too
many comparisons with other more advanced Taijiquan players. Follow the reasonable
advice of your physician and health advisor.
6. Be detailed orientated. Be precise in your movements, postures, and sequences. Appreciate the beauty and function of the movements in the tradition of Taijiquan that you practice. Learn the sequence and names (English and Chinese) for all the parts and postures of the Taijiquan forms you are studying.
7. Fight against your real opponents: inactivity, laziness, inflexibility, weakness, inertia, fear, worry, depression, confusion, and sloth. You are training to become stronger, more agile, more balanced, more enlightened, more conditioned. You serious efforts in your Taijiquan training will help to ward of disease, improve your immunity, strengthen you muscles, improve your cardio-vascular functioning, ameliorate existing health problems, brighten your attitude, uplift your spirits, calm your emotions, and boost your confidence. Taijiquan is a self-defense system against poor health habits and sloppy living. Follow the advice in The Longevity Plan! Your final opponents are illness and dying. Fight on, brothers and sisters!!
8. Be patient. Think and act in terms of months, seasons, and years. Persevere through the inevitable stale, boring, plateau periods when progress seems stuck. Consistent practice cultivates will power. Don't give up. Have confidence that your self-discipline will bear fruit in due season, and create the seeds leading to a new and rewarding self-appreciation and self-respect.
9. Accept the fact that you will make mistakes, mistakenly concieve, stumble, incorrectly apply, and lack depth of understanding. You will get to correct, change, and modify how you have learned (incorrectly) to habitually move. You will need to relearn movements. Make the effort and train.
10. Learn more about the Chinese culture, history, and civilization, ancient and modern. Study Taoism, Confucianism, Chan Buddhism, and Chinese Communism post 1940-. Learn something about the I Ching, Tao Te Ching, and other classic texts. There are hundreds of books on these subjects. Use a local library and purchase some used and new books yourself. Don't be afraid of new ideas, arts, customs, etc. Although there is ample textual evidence for a anti-intellectualism, a distrust of intellectual "know-it-alls," and a preference for simple mindedness in ancient Daoism; don't be disuaded from advancing your knowledge.
Here is my list of Key Learning Resources for my personal study of the Chen 19 Form starting in September of 2022.
Chen Taijiquan 19 Form List, One-Page, English and Chinese, PDF format. Prepared by Michael P. Garofalo.
"The space, the distance between the
incorrect and correct execution of the movements, is what we call ‘temporary
mistakes,’ mistakes that occur midway, obstacles so to speak. These mistakes,
these obstacles on the trail are part of the normal course of learning
Taijiquan; they belong to it and are part of the way of learning the Gong, that
is: the artistry.” Chen Taijiquan Short 19 Movements
Routine This short Chen Taijiquan 19 Form was created by Grandmaster Chen
Xiaowang and released in 1995. Chen Taijiquan 19 Form Key Learning Resources for 2023 Chen Style Tai Chi Collection: Taijiquan Posture 19. Instruction by Grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang. DVD. Verbal Instruction in Chinese Mandarian with Chinese Characters. Suptitles in English. Very slow and detailed performances of the 19 Form by Chen Xiao Wang. East to study and follow. Instructionsl DVD on the Chen 19, 62 Minutes. $35.00. VSCL. "The 19-posture form is a form created by Chen Xiao Wang as to facilitate the access to Chen Taijiquan for a larger audience of practitioners. It will aso provide an excellent tool to build up a solid basis before starting the more advanced Laojia Yilu Form. Chen Xiao Wang's DVDs from Plum Publications Oscar Muñoz Galeano, 3:51 Minutes Chen Xiaoxing, 6:41 Minutes The time required to do a complete performance of this form
ranges from 3:45 to 4:15 minutes. Chen Taijiquan 19 Form List, One-Page, English and Chinese, PDF format. Prepared by Michael P. Garofalo. Achievieng Succss in Your Taijiquan Training "The Chen 19 Form was created by
Grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang in 1995 in response to demand from students around
the world for a short routine suitable for beginners. The form is composed of 19
movements (and so its name) , divided into four sections. The form is easy for
novice to learn, yet offers the experienced practitioner room to express and
develop the basic principles, energies and techniques of the style. The form is
a combination of postures from the three traditional Chen style taijiquan
routines: Lao Jia (Old Frame), Xin Jia (New Frame), and the Xiao Jia (Small
Frame). It contains several postures from the Xin Jia style, including Shang Bu
Xie Xing, Dao Juan Hong, and Yeh Ma Fen Zhong. These postures are fairly simple,
and avoid the complex coils that are the signature of the style. Also included
are postures from the Xiao Jia style, including Shuang Tui Shou, Shan Tong Bei,
and Liu Feng Si Bi. The remainder of the form (about 2/3) is from the Lao Jia Yi
Lu routine." "This form was developed by Chen Xiao Wang,
19th generation grandmaster of Chen Style Taijiquan. It serves as a good
introduction to important moves in the primary Chen form, lao jia yi lu. It is
an easy form to begin utilizing Chen Xiao Wang's reeling silk principles. It is
also very well balanced with right-side/left side moves. Postures of this form
are derived from Chen “first set” forms as listed below: New Frame First
set (Xin Jia Yi Lu): Step up walk obliquely (Shang bu xie xing), Whirling upper
arms (Dao juan hong), Part wild horse’s mane (Yeh ma fen zhong). Small
Frame First set (Xiao Jia Yi Lu): Push with both hands (Shuang tui shou),
Flashing the back (Shan tong bei), and Six sealing four closing (Liu feng si
bi). Old Frame First Set (Lao Jia Yi Lu) – Remainder of moves. The
form is composed of four sections that run back and forth on a straight line,
with each section primarily running in one direction. Assuming that we start
facing North, An exquisite performance of the Chen 19 Form by Lady Wang Bo. "In the Hun Yuan Chen Taijiquan Form, each
movement flows into the next in an endless circle of energy. The first stage
of learning involves remembering the individual movements which are all based on
the following Tai Chi principles: 1. Keep the spine straight and
relaxed - not tense. - Brett Wagland, Experiencing
the First Stage of Hun Yuan Tai Chi Chen Taijiquan 38 Movements
Routine The new Chen Taijiquan 38 Movements Form was created by
Grandmaster Chen Xiaowand and released in 1996. It combined movements from the
Laojia Yilu and the New Frame Xin Jia. Chen Taijiquan 38 Form.
Instructional DVD by Sifu Ken Gullette. 2 Disc Set, NTSC, 240 minutes. "38 Form: The 38 movement routine was created by Grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang and is based on the traditional old frame first routine, Lao Jia Yi Lu, and new frame first routine, Xin Jia Yi Lu. Grandmaster Chen deleted repeated movements and simplified a few difficult movements from both forms while preserving the characteristics of traditional Chen style Taijiquan with more silk reeling movements. The 38 Form is suitable for students interested in long form training, specifically Xin Jia." "38-posture form was created for the same purpose of 19-posture by Chen Xiao Wang, giving an additional, more advanced 1. Preparing the Form (Yu Bei Shi) Chen Xiao Wang, 38 Form, 10:41 Minutes Here is my list of Key Learning Resources for my personal study of the Chen 19 Form starting in September of 2022. Endnotes,
Postscript Chen Taijiquan 19 Form List, One-Page, English and Chinese, PDF format. Prepared by Michael P. Garofalo. Here is my list of Key Learning Resources for my personal study of the Chen 19 Form starting in September of 2022.
Here is my list of Key Learning Resources for my personal study of the Chen 19 Form starting in September of 2022. Chen Taijiquan 19 Form List, English Only, One-Page, PDF format. Prepared by Mike Garofalo.
A Note to Readers:
The
Cloud Hands Taijiquan webpages have been online continuously since 2001. In 2009,
for example, over 1,350,000 webpages (excluding graphics), webpage views, were served to readers around the
world from six websites: Cloud Hands
Taijiquan, Valley
Spirit Qigong,
Ways of Walking, Taoism,
Virtues, and
Yoga. Since 2005, I
have also provided information about Body-Mind Arts, Philosophy, and the Eight
Ways at my
Cloud Hands Blog. Since
these hypertext notebooks have been freely available on stable and well
established websites,
they have provided readers with a good and secure starting point for their online
research into topics like Nei Gong, Chi Kung, Taijiquan, Philosophy, Walking, The
Tao Te Ching, Daoism, Inner and Outer Work and Play, Meditation, and Yoga. The Cloud Hands websites are funded entirely by
Green Way Research, with
volunteer efforts by Michael P.
Garofalo.
As I write in 2018, I have been providing
hypertext notebooks on these subjects for over 17 years, and easily over 22
million webpage views have been served to people around the world.
Unfortunately, as everyone knows, many other websites and webpages,
documents, photographs, and videos appear and then disappear from the Internet scene.
Authors do not pay to keep up their web hosting services, loose a "free hosting"
option, change filenames, recode away from HTML, somer authors die, move to a new information
distribution software platform like Drupal or another database application, or decide to remove the webpages for various reasons. Consequently, links to some good webpages or
videos become invalid and the files are no longer found on the Internet. You
may find a some of these "dead links" to nonexistent webpages or videos cited
in my hypertext documents. Unfortunately, there are few ways to to avoid this troublesome situation. For these
reasons, it is important to have a tactic planned for saving files. When
you do find a good and useful webpage or file, be sure to save
the webpage or file to a folder on your hard drive, or server, or Cloud memory.
I've used a hard drive filing system with backup to an external disk drive, AskSam, Microsoft OneNote, Microsoft Word, and Cloud Server services for organized
file saving.
In most of my hypertext
notebooks, books cited in my bibliography on a subject are all arranged in title
order. Links to a WWW Internet webpage, website, resource, or service are
all arranged in title order. Links to books, documents, or online video
files are arranged in title order. Links to books or merchandise are
typically through Amazon.Com. An overall
index to my hypertext
notebooks is available. You can always search any .html document in any browser by using the search box at CTR+F (Control+Find).
I welcome your suggestions for how to improve this webpage. Your comments,
ideas, contributions, and constructive criticism are encouraged. Send your
suggestions to my email box.
© Michael P. Garofalo,
2018-2022, All Rights Reserved. This webpage was last edited, improved, expanded, corrected, modified
or updated on September 24, 2022. This webpage was first
published on the Internet on January 6, 2018.
Cloud Hands Blog of
Michael P. Garofalo
Facebook of
Michael P. Garofalo
Return to
the Alphabetical Index of Mike Garofalo's Hypertext Document
- Chen Xiaowang interview, Chen by Jan Silberstorff, p. 270.
Chen
Taijiquan 19 Form. Instructional DVD by Sifu Ken Gullette. NTSC
format, color, 2 hours and 34 minutes. Internal Fighting Arts, L.L.C.,
Newly revised and expanded, 2017. Amazon. English language narration with excellent audio track.
Very good video quality. The form is demonstrated in its entirety from
both front and back views. Sifu Gullette provides detailed instructions
for each movement and some coaching of a student. His descriptions are
clear, accurate, and very informative. VSCL. This is the
instructional DVD that I study each day, and therefore, my standard or model or
exemplar for this Chen 19 Form.
Chen Taijiquan 19 Form: A
Detailed Step-by-Step Reference for the Short Beginner's Form of Chen Tai Chi.
EBook by Sifu Ken Gullette. Internal Fighting Arts, 2013, 250 pages, more
than 200 photographs. Promotional review of EBook. "With more than 200 photographs and
detailed instruction on body mechanics, this book is unlike any Taiji
instructional book you've ever seen. It provides a detailed, step-by-step,
frame-by-frame reference for the short beginner's form of Chen Tai Chi. A lot of
books show a movement, then the next movement, but sometimes, books do not show
specifically how to get from one movement to the next. In this book, Ken
Gullette shows all the details. The Chen 19 Form takes about 5 minutes to
perform. It was designed in 1995 by Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang, a direct
descendant of Tai Chi's creator, Chen Wangting. Grandmaster Chen designed the 19
Form after being asked by students around the world for a shorter form than the
75-movement Laojia Yilu. He based the 19 Form primarily on the longer form. Ken
Gullette learned the Chen 19 Form beginning in 1998 from his teachers, Jim and
Angela Criscimagna of Rockford, Illinois, and from their teacher, Grandmaster
Chen Xiaowang, who visited Rockford to teach Chen Taiji workshops. This is the
first in a two-part series of e-books. The second volume will teach self-defense
applications of the movements in the Chen 19 Form. In this book, Ken shows the
movements and reminds you of what is happening inside, including the ground
path, spiraling, whole-body movement, peng jin, Dan T'ien rotation, and
opening/closing the kua. The book is a companion and reference for Ken's Chen 19
Form DVD, but the book was designed to stand alone as an instructional tool. Ken
began studying martial arts in 1973 at the age of 20, inspired by Bruce Lee and
the Kung-Fu TV show. It became a way of life. He is a tournament champion,
winning trophies from 1974 to 2013, including two National Titles at the 1990
AAU Kung Fu National Championships, and numerous tournament wins for forms,
weapons, and sparring. Ken began teaching in 1997 and still teaches a small
group of students in the Quad Cities (Iowa and Illinois) plus his membership
website has members around the world, and he teaches through DVDs and ebooks.
Ken is a teacher and a student, always working to get better and passing on what
he learns to those who are not as far along the path of internal kung-fu."
- Amazon Purchase EBook
from Amazon for $4.99.
VSCL.
Chen Taiji Self-Defense, Fighting Applications of the Chen Family Tai Chi 19
Form. By Sifu Ken Gullette. Kindle E Book, 2013. 202 pages.
Chen Taijiquan 19 Short Form A PDF file that includes detailed
descriptions of each movement, 12 pages, 2011. From Madison Chen Style
Taijiquan Studio.
Chen Taijiquan 19 Form List, One-Page, English and Chinese, PDF format. Prepared by Michael P. Garofalo.
Training Success Characteristics
Tutorial on the Chen 19
Form by Grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang. UTube, 65 minutes, color.
Chinese music plays in the background throughout. Chinese voice narration
with English language subtitles. Poor visual video quality - a bootleg
copy of his instructional DVD.
There are many demonstrations of this Chen 19 Form on UTube. Unfortunately, most free online
performances by Grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang are of lower video quality. However, there are some very good video quality performances by Lady Wang Bo, Master Ren GuangYi, Sifu Seiji Hori, Sifu Oscar Galeano,
and others.
Mostly in softness, movements will change into hardness within the course of softness. The movements are large, continuously flowing, mostly favorable for "silk reeling" deployment, requiring mind quietness and body stability. This form is excellent for health. Each movement involves any part of the body. In each static posture each bone requested reaches its perfect alignment.
Waist is the origin of explosive strength. By mastering the dynamics of waist, you'll integrate in any movement the spiral twisting power. Dominating (static adverse) form by another(superior dynamic) form. Breath naturally. Substantial and unsubstantial are clearly separated. Withdraw chest and drop hips. Condensing and expansing. Slow and fast. All dynamic properties of Yin Yang Law applied in movements are explored here. The Simplified 19-posturefForm is a perfect form for beginners while providing them the authentic flavor of Chen style Taijiquan. Artist: Chen Xiao Wang Media: 1 (one) x DVDs converted into 1 (one) mp4 video file without quality loss. Soundtrack: Chinese Subtitle: English Duration: approx. 62 mins."
- Chen Xiao Wang Instructional DVDs
- Madison Chen Style Taijiquan Studio
1st section – East to West; 2nd section – West to East; 3rd section – East to
West; 4th section – West to East."
- Rochester Chen Style Tai Chi
Chuan
Her skill, power, and precision were impressive to me.
Excellent photography! Set in a lovely classical garden and wood balcony.
2. Bend your knees to enable weight transfer.
3. Let your weight sink down to the soles of the feet - not held in the upper
body or the thighs. Develop natural weight transfer – from ground to ground.
4. Legs are the foundation. Each movement starts from the legs, to the
waist (which also enables the spine to rotate) and then to the arms. The waist
controls the upper body.
Avoid leaning with the upper body.
5. Distinguish between empty and solid. Control your centre of gravity.
Step out empty with no weight, so that you may be able to retrieve your step if
necessary.
6. Be aware of relaxing the shoulders.
7. Use minimum amount of strength to move the body. Anything more is
tension. Relax, relax, relax.
8. Coordinate the lower and the upper body.
9. Distinguish between open and close within the movement. Feel your back
and chest. Avoid leaning.
10. Use your mind, that is, your intention, to lead the movement."
Edward Mak, Chen Taijiquan 38 Form, 5:01 Minutes
Chen Taijiquan 38 Form. Instructional DVD from Master Ren Guangyi.
Instructional DVD, 2 Disc Set, NTSC. 120 minutes. 2007.
- Seattle School of Chen Taijiquan
intermediate step before learning Laojia Yilu form, for an easier introduction of Chen style TCC. This form is excellent for health. Each movement involves any part of the body. In each static posture each bone requested reaches its perfect alignment.
Waist is the origin of explosive strength. By mastering the dynamics of waist, you'll integrate in any movement the spiral twisting power. Dominating (static adverse) form by another(superior dynamic) form. Breath naturally. Subtantial and unsubstantial are clearly separated. Withdraw chest and drop hips. Condensing and expansing. Slow and fast. All dynamic properties of Yin Yang Law applied in movements are explored here. The condensed 38-posture Form is the other perfect form for beginners while providing them the authentic flavor of Chen style Taijiquan. Dominating (static adverse) form by another(superior dynamic) form. Breath naturally. Subtantial and unsubstantial are clearly separated. Withdraw your chest and drop hips. Condensing and expansing. Slow and fast. All dynamic properties of Yin Yang Law applied in movements are explored here. Artist: Chen Xiao Wang Media: 2 (two) x DVDs converted into 2 (two) mp4 video files without quality loss.
Soundtrack: Chinese Subtitle: English Duration: approx. 60mins and 58mins."
- Chen Xiao Wang Instructional DVDs 
2. Buddha's Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar (Jin Gang
Dao Dui)
3. The White Crane Spreads Its Wings (Bai He Liang
Chi)
4. Stepping Forward Three Steps (Shang San Bu)
5. Walking Obliquely (Xie Xing)
6. Brush Knee (Lou Xi)
7. Wade Forward Twist Step on Both Sides (Qian Tang Ao
Bu)
8. The Fist of Covering Hand and Arm (Yang Shou Hong
Quan)
9. The Punch of Draping Over Body (Pie Shen Quan)
10. Push with Both Hands (Shuang Tui Shou)
11. Change Palms Three Times (San Huan Zhang)
12. Fist Under Elbow (Zhou Di Chuan)
13. Step Back and Whirl Arms on Both Sides (Dao Juan
Hong)
14. Step Back and Press Elbow (Tui Bu Ya Zhou)
15. Beast Head Pose (Bai She Tu Xin)
16. Flash the Back (Shan Tong Bei)
17. Wade Forward and Twist Step on Both Sides (Qian
Tang Ao Bu)
18. Green Dragon Comes Out of Water (Qing Long Chu
Shi)
19. Punch of Hitting the Ground (Ji Di Chui)
20 Double Raise Foot (Ti Er Qi)
21. The Fist of Protecting Heart (Hu Xin Quan)
22. Forward Trick (Qian Zhao)
23. Backward Trick (Hou Zhao)
24. Kick with Right Heel (You Deng Yi Gen)
25. Kick with Left Heel (Zuo Deng Yi Gen)
26. Jade Girl Works the Shuttles (Yu Nu Chuan Shuo)
27. Lazy About Tying the Coat (Lan Zha Yi)
28. Six Sealing and Four Closings (Liu Feng Si Bi)
29. Single Whip (Dan Bian)
30. Dragon on the Ground (Que Di Long)
31. Step Forward with Seven Stars (Shan Du Qi Xing)
32. Small Catching and Hitting (Xiao Qin Da)
33. Wave Hands Like Clouds (Yun Shou)
34. High Pat on Horse (Gao Tan Ma)
35. Double Wave Lotus (Shuang Bai Lian)
36. The Cannon Right Overhead (Dan Tou Pao)
37. Buddha's Warrior Attendant Pounds the Mortar (Jin
Gang Dao Dui)
38. Close the Form (Shou Shi)
Chen 38 Form, 5:47 Minutes
Directional Nomenclature
Standard Directional Scheme I Use for Describing Directions of Movements
in
Taijiquan Forms
Used By Mike Garofalo
Key
Clock Hour
DirectionCompass
Direction A
N 12
12:00 o'clock
North - Front Side of Body
NE 1
1:30 o'clock
Northeast
E 3
3:00 o'clock
East - Right Side of Body
SE 4
4:30 o'clock
Southeast
S 6
6:00 o'clock
South - Back Side of Body
SW 7
7:30 o'clock
Southwest
W 9
9:00 o'clock
West - Left Side of Body
NW 10
10:30 o'clock
Northwest
