CHEN Style Taiji with Zhu Tian Cai

Zhu Tian Cai is one of the "Four Tigers" of the Chen Taiji style. The others include Chen Xiao Wong, Wong Xi An and Chen Zhen Lei. Zhu is counted as an 19th inheritor of the Chen style. He has taught many students, such as Fu Chang Hui. Born in Chenjiagou,he started training with Chen Zhao Pi and Chen Zhao Kui when he was very young. His more than fifty years involvement with Taiji has resulted in books, VCDS and also specific teaching methods. He has garnered many official credentials and acknowledgements such as

Deputy Secretary for China National Chen Style Taiji , Deputy Secretary for Henan Chen Style Taiji Annual Association, Director of Chen Village Taiji Training Center, Deputy Director and Senior Instructor of Wenxian Province Taiji Training Institute, Singapore - Singapore Wushu Federation Overseas Instructor & Honorary Consultant for Chen Style Association, Japan - Honorary Consultant for Chen Style Association, Malaysia - Honorary Consultant for Jingwu Chen Style Association, Italy - Honorary Consultant for Wudang Chen Style Association, USA - Honorary Consultant for 7-star Praying Mantis Martial Arts School, Britain - Technical Consultant Zhong Ding International Martial Arts School, Hong Kong - Chief Instructor of Hong Kong Chenjiagou Taiji Association, Czech Republic - Director of Chen Village Taiji Training Center.
Click pictures for larger versions. DVD above is for #24156.

#24151 Taiji with Zhu Tian Cai
Four Basic Patterns

This form takes four famous and important movements: Jin Gang Pounds Pestle; Lazily Donning Robe; Ambush Striking and Single Whip. These highly representative movements capture the essence of the Chen style. The gestures of this sequence include the key actions of fold and expand; round and square; open and close and, of course, reeling silk energy.

64 minutes Single, Mandarin/ English Subtitles

#24152 Taiji with Zhu Tian Cai
13 Pattern Old Frame

From the first routine of Old Frame comes this abstracted form in Chen Taiji. Simple, graceful and relatively easy, this is a short but essentially correct version of the Chen style that will give you a good introduction to this form of boxing.

51 minutes, Single, Mandarin/ English Subtitles

#24153 Taiji with Zhu Tian Cai
13 Pattern New Frame

This form was extracted from Routine #1 of the New Frame. It is characterized by simplicity, ease, and grace. Practicing this form is a relatively effortless way to catch the basic feeling of the Chen Taiji.

53 minutes, Single, Mandarin/ English Subtitles  

#24154 Taiji with Zhu Tian Cai
Old Frame First Routine

This form was created by Chen Chang Xing, the 14th generation inheritor of the Chen Village clan. Chen took former routines Five, Canon Fist #1 and 108 Long Fist #1, all from Chen Wang Yan, amalgamating them into what is now considered Old Frame Routines #1 & #2. This first routine is mostly soft with some hard. It has graceful stances, flexible steps, and a very natural feeling of flowing, even energy. This is not only the pivot form of the Chen style but has been the greatest influence of all forms on the various branches of Taiji.

65,60,57,58 minutes Quadruple DVD Mandarin/ English Subtitles    

#24155 Taiji with Zhu Tian Cai
Old Frame Second Routine

This form was created by Chen Chang Xing, the 14th generation inheritor of the Chen Village clan. Chen took former routines Five, Canon Fist #1 and 108 Long Fist #1, all from Chen Wang Yan, amalgamating them into what is now considered Old Frame Routines #1 & #2. This form runs like flowing water with energy appearing and disappearing at crucial points. It is loose and vivid at the same time. It is a firm cornerstone of the Chen Taiji edifice.

62, 54 minutes Double DVD Mandarin/ English Subtitles    

#24156 Taiji with Zhu Tian Cai
New Frame First Routine

Chen Fa Ke developed this routine. Chen was one of the most famous masters of the 20th century and the 17th generation inheritor of the Chen style mantle. Some of the characteristics are that the body must lead the hand; the waist must revolve like a wheel; the ankle knees and shoulders turn together. The gradual but continual storing of power is evident throughout this complex and well known form.

59, 54, 51, 107 minutes Quadruple DVD Mandarin/ English Subtitles    

#24157 Taiji with Zhu Tian Cai
New Frame Second Routine

New Frame Second Routine is handed down from the famous Chen Fa Ke. It is congruent with Old Frame Second Routine being somewhat forceful with a portion of soft. It takes Old Frame as a basis and adds details in the use of force.

58, 53, 47 minutes Triple DVD Mandarin/ English Subtitles    

#24158 Taiji with Zhu Tian Cai
Chen Style Small Frame

Small Frame is also known as New Frame. This routine is passed down from Chen You Ben, from several hundred years ago. Small frame practice is an important part of mastering the Chen style. While Small Frame can also be practiced larger, its concentrated movements are excellent for teaching the student the proper sequence of Taiji movements.

50, 48, 50 minutes Triple DVD Mandarin/ English Subtitles    

#24159 Taiji with Zhu Tian Cai
Taiji San Shou

San Shou takes the fundamentals of Taiji: mixed slowness and speed; relaxation; reeling energy; softness combined with hardness; as the basis of application self defense. San Shou, which basically means "miscellaneous hands", shows representative techniques for defense by applying the principles of Chen style Taiji.

53, 56 minutes Double Mandarin/ English Subtitles    

#24160 Taiji with Zhu Tian Cai
Taiji Pushing Hands

The are many methods of Push Hands. The Chen tends to emphasize Reeling Silk Energy over anything else. We generally find that this increases the ease of certain types of usage like Chin Na and some throwing techniques. Teacher Zhu gives some detailed instruction on different patterns and movements of Chen’s particular Push Hands method.

53,41 minutes Double Mandarin/ English Subtitles    

#24161 Taiji with Zhu Tian Cai
Taiji Single Broadsword

The broadsword is a precarious combination of fast and slow, left and right hemispheres, tight and large movements. The better the practitioner the more thrilling it is to see these variations handled with grace and power. Though the weapon may be single, the exercise involves both hands. This saber set also shows the feeling of Chen style Taiji

53 minutes, Single, Mandarin/ English Subtitles    

#24162 Taiji with Zhu Tian Cai
Taiji Single Straight Sword

For many people the straight sword is the soul and essence of Taiji, irrespective of style. This set is said to come from Chen Wan Ting, widely regarded as Taiji's creator. That would put its creation somewhere around 1650. The principles of Taiji are completely integrated into the performance and in general the sword will sustain interest for a lifetime. A perfect blending of style and weapon requirements.

57, 54 minutes Double DVD Mandarin/ English Subtitles    

#24163 Taiji with Zhu Tian Cai
Taiji Double Broadswords

With the Single Saber, the left hand: with the Double Saber, the feet. This is the criterion regardless of the particular style. This shows the Double Sabers with the distinct flavor of Chen Taiji. A challenging set for coordination not only of the two hands but for footwork.

52,56 minutes Double DVD Mandarin/ English Subtitles    

#24164 Taiji with Zhu Tian Cai
Taiji Spring and Autumn Big Knife

This on is also called: "Green Dragon Reclining Moon Knife". This is the weight lifting set of the Chen style. The movements are big and controlled with concern not only for the weight of the weapon but for its balanced momentum. Performed slowly and with integrity the Big Knife can be a truly beautiful routine.

52,51 minutes Double DVD, Mandarin/ English Subtitles    

#24165 Taiji with Zhu Tian Cai
Taiji Fan

Taking some movements of the Saber and sword, the fan technique is a favored one especially among older practitioners. The fan is portable but flexible enough to "stand in" for other weapons. The emphasis in fan play should be on grace and control.

47, 57 minutes Double DVD, Mandarin/ English Subtitles    

#24166 Taiji with Zhu Tian Cai
Taiji Spear

This weapon acts double duty and, in Chen style, goes under two different names: the Pear Blossom Spear and the White Ape Staff. The name "Pear Blossom" when applied to spears is a famous historical name and there is no way to tell which "Pear Blossom" spear is the real one. Spear is always important to any style if enough of its key principles are observed. In this case the unity of spear and staff concepts comes from the essential unity of all Taiji theory and of Northern Spear/Staff practice in general.

56,58 minutes Double DVD, Mandarin/ English Subtitles    

#24167 Taiji with Zhu Tian Cai
Chen Appreciation Survey

Many other items in this series are surveyed including the 13 Pattern set, Old Frame, New Frame, routines One and Two, Taiji San Shou, Single Broadsword, Double Broadswords, Straight Sword, White Ape Staff, Taiji Fan, Pear Blossom Spear and more.

DVD 60, 48, 51 minutes Triple DVD, Mandarin/ English Subtitles    

#24168 Taiji with Zhu Tian Cai
Essentials of Boxing

A lecture demonstration outlining the essential points and principles in Chen style Taijiquan. In easy language, Mr. Zhu explores the profound theory and special attributes of Taiji. His goal is to make students understand their goals and the rewards of the study.

61 minutes Single, Mandarin/ English Subtitles    

#24261-4 Tai Chi Lecture series...

This is a series of lectures with some applications, given on many topics of the Tai Chi universe. Each pack is a DOUBLE DVD and there are four packs in the series. The lectures are well done, compiling information from many sources. The subtitles are not perfect with occasional mis-spelling and too-short holds, but everything is understandable.

This second group of talks deals practicing and appplying Chen Tai Chi with emphasis on special methods of training developed by Zhu himself. Topics include: How to practice. What are the fighting arts. Chen style Push Hands.
111 minutes Double, Mandarin/ English Subtitles  

This third group of talks deals cenerns itself with overall theory. There is a session on typical questions, and nomenclature. A section on indentification discusses the fine points of Chen Tai Chi and what to look for in the forms.
101 minutes Double, Mandarin/ English Subtitles  

This fourth group of talks cover theories andapplications of Push Hands and even Free Hands.
99 minutes Double, Mandarin/ English Subtitles  

Each set is #27.95. Order 2 sets for @24.95 each. Three sets for $22.95 each and all four sets for $19.25 each. (Take discount at shopping cart.)