DVDs: CHEN TAI CHI

(Old 108 Style) Demonstrator/Teacher: Yun Fu Chen, Coach and Committee member of Xian Wushu Association, also Vice-Chairman of Xian ChuaHua Wushu School.

This Chen Style Long Fist is said to have been created by Chen WanTing. Some people believe that it was the foundation of when we now know as Chen Tai Chi. Certainly records indicate that there were more Chen style sets than in existence today. As with a number of other recorded sets this one was lost to the Chen Family in its 13th generation, because the sole 12th generation inheritor left out of Chen JiaGou (Chen Village). This Chen BuFu is believed to have committed a crime while aiding other people. He relocated to ShanXi region and changing his name to Guo YungFu. In 1975 Chen LiQing, from ChenJizGuo, visited master Hsu FongQin Hsu in ShanXi and recovered the form which is presented here spanning 4 sets in its entirety.

Check also for a number of other Chen style teachers here including Zhang ZhiJun and a WuTan Chen style version with very interesting lineage and taught by Tony Yang.

Click on pictures to see larger versions.

DVD#10227  Tai Chi 24 Move Set/Push Hands
TWO DVDs, Some English subtitles
$39.95 
Purchase with DVD #10230 below for a 10% discount on both (shown in cart)

The first half of this VCD is an introduction to the first half of the 24 movement Tai Chi compiled by Master Feng himself. Standard movement is shown along with some combat applications. The second half shows the theories and basic skills of Pushing Hands. There is also some information about higher Push Hands levels.

This DVD plays well on standalone DVD players, and will also play on a computer — although with some breakup — using a slightly extended set of instructions

DVD#10230  Hun Yuan Taiji Quan Cannon Fist 71
Wang Fengming
One DVD, Some English voiceover, 70 minutes
$39.95 
Purchase with DVD #10227 above for a 10% discount on both (shown in cart)

Chen Style Hun Yuan Taijiquan Cannon Fist (Pao Chui) is an advanced form for deepening your skills and practice. The Cannon fist combines Yang and Yin (hardness and softness), fast and slow, as well as Springing, Shaking, Dodging, and Quick Jumping. It is especially noted for its issuance of Jing.

This DVD has almost no speaking at all; the initial introduction, mostly concerning Sifu Wang, has an englidh-language voiceover. But there is no speaking for instruction. Sifu Wang breaks down the set and demonstrates each move at least three times, including at a slow pace. The demo is very clear. Remember, this is an advanced set, and we suppose the moves themselves and their demonstration are information enough.

NEW! DVD#24965  Taiji Quan Chen Old Fist
1 hour 48 minutes +, One DVD, English subtitles
$49.95 

Chen is considered the “mother” of Tai Chi. Over the last half-century the presentation of Chen Tai Chi on the mainland has become more consistent and, in some cases, less functional. The Chen Tai Chi that was scattered by war and circumstance has kept alive certain flavors that help us see Chen from a different angle. Fist, and most obvious, is a no-nonsense martial carriage. You would need to go out of your way to really believe that this is NOT a martial arts. Secondly the vast amount of Chan Si Jin (reeling silk) evident in any Chen performance is here kept strictly as a boost to the functional. Some versions of Chen have started to suffer from what one might call “flourish.” The body mechanics shown in this version’s applications is powerful and sophisticated often wedding Chin Na with some form of striking. Sifu Jou’s instructions show his originality and decades of experience.

See more from this instructor.

#24365  Chen Abstracted Form
with Tony Yang

This is a nice short form combining moves from Lao Jia and Xiao Jia and arrives through the lineage of Liu Yun Chiao, one of the best martial artists ever to live in Taiwan. Liu had met the famous master Chen Fa Ke years ago 1928 in Beijing. The two men were both impressed with the similarity of their styles, ostensibly the Chen Tai Chi and the Baji and met in closed door secrecy to trade knowledge. Years later he made the acquaitance of Du Yi Tzu who had studied not only under Chen Fa Ke but also his father, Chen Yan Xi. Wang Lang Bi also learned from Chen Fa Ke. Both of these men influenced this set. Liu Yun Chiao also studied with a master of Zhao Bao during the 1940’s, a time when it was very rare and difficult to find. The form retains the integrated and spiraling aspects of the best Chen style. The movements are not dumbed down and tasteless. Important to note that this is re-release of an earlier "basement" film so color and quality not top of the line. Additionally, fighting applications, TC warms ups and Qigong are shown. There is also an entertaining little film at the end entitled "The Challenge," the kind of fun piece every school should try.

Note: “Abstracted” is a scholastic term meaning reduced to key points. Some movements may have been dropped out but the essence of the subject is retained. An abstract of a scientific publication tells you all the key points of the article.    

#10186  Chen New Frame Road #1

Zhang Zhi-Jun , is the 11th generation inheritor of Chen style Tai Chi Chuan. He has studied under grand- master Chen ZhaoKui since 1974. This program teaches New Frame 1st Routine in exquisite detail. It also introduces 's new theories on Tai Chi Chuan including rotating, body-division, and weight distribution theories.This is one of the most impressive and structurally sound representations of Chen style we have seen. A large set of VCD's it goes into great detail. Also, many of the excesses of some current performers are avoided such as over-arched spine, excessive wrist spiraling and insubstantial stances. A really good performance and expert instruction with the aid of Zhang Peng.

Here's what a recent customer just wrote ," I received the discs today. They're amazing! I've never see a Chen style form like this, it gives me a new appreciation for the art."

Six DVDs (from 8 VCDs) Mandarin/ English Subtitles       

#10469  Chen New Frame Road #2

Zhang Zhi-Jun , is the 11th generation inheritor of Chen style Tai Chi Chuan. He has studied under grand- master Chen ZhaoKui since 1974. This program teaches New Frame 2nd Routine in exquisite detail. This is one of the most impressive and structurally sound representations of Chen style we have seen. Also, many of the excesses of some current performers are avoided such as over-arched spine, excessive wrist spiraling and insubstantial stances. Routine #2 is called Cannon Hammer. The structure of the routine is sophisticated. Movements are quick, compact, swift and violent. It takes the four "other" energies of Tai Chi: Pull down, Split, Elbow and Shoulder as its themes. Peng, Lu, Ji and An are its auxiliary forces. There is particular stress on "springiness." Cannon Hammer stresses the combat techniques of Tai Chi. The forms demonstration by Zhang Peng is powerful and well presented.

Four DVDs Mandarin/ English Subtitles      

#10308 Chen Tai Chi Old 108 Form

This is a series of Chen Style Tai Chi DVD's showing an older, longer form and its constituent weapons and hand sets. Yun is a student of the esteemed Chen LiQing one of the last of her generation of Chen stylists.

This is the complete version, in SEVEN DVDs, of the "long" 108 set which is said to be one of the historically fundamental sets of the Chen style. (And, in our opinion probably is...)
Seven DVDs Mandarin/ Cantonese/ English Subtitles       

#10312 Chen Tai Chi Small Frame (Xiao Jia) Form

This is a series of Chen Style Tai Chi DVD's showing an older, longer form and its constituent weapons and hand sets. Yun is a student of the esteemed Chen LiQing one of the last of her generation of Chen stylists.

This is a TRIPLE DVD showing a version of Lao Jia in the smaller frame. This obviously older version has many "loops" of hand motions with strong emphasis on - to our eyes - a more correct application of Reeling Silk Movement. Explosive but controlled actions also spice up the form. Definitely related to older forms of Chen's famous Lao Jia.
Triple DVD Mandarin/ English Subtitles      

#10361 Chen Tai Chi Road #2 Cannon Fist

This is a Double DVD showing a version of Cannon Fist also known as Road #2. This obviously older version has a nice mixture of the soft with the explosive often associated with this set. There is also a great deal of Reeling Silk Movement. Definitely related to older forms of Chen's famous form.

Double DVD Mandarin/ English Subtitles       

#10314 Chen Tai Chi Old Chen Survey

This is a series of Chen Style Tai Chi DVDs showing an older, longer form and its constituent weapons and hand sets. Yun is a student of the esteemed Chen LiQing one of the last of her generation of Chen stylists. A survey of some forms in this version of Chen. Road #1, Road #2, Double Sabers, Straight Sword and Big Knife are all represented with introductory sections scrolled with overlaid narration. This is an old, more martial form of Chen some of which was "lost" for a period of time.
60+ Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles      

#10313 Chen Tai Chi Chen Sword

This is a series of Chen Style Tai Chi DVDs showing an older, longer form and its constituent weapons and hand sets. Yun is a student of the esteemed Chen LiQing one of the last of her generation of Chen stylists.

This is the complete version, a Double DVD, of the "long" 108 set which is said to be one of the historically fundamental sets of the Chen style.
Double DVD Mandarin/ English Subtitles      

#10315 Chen style Tai Chi Chen Double Sabers

The old saying is, "When watching Single Saber look at the hand; when watching Double Saber regard the feet." This is a solid double weapon that is well chosen for this style since it relies on fluid yet punctuated action. Double sabers, when well done, are beautiful and challenging instruments that reward the practitioner with more than just weapons usage.

60+ Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles      

#10748 Chen Tai Chi Spring Autumn Knife

A fluid representation of one of the classic "heavy" weapons. A more traditional and solid interpretation.

Double DVD Mandarin/ English Subtitles