VCD Chen style Tai Chi (Chen Zheng Lei) #1

First, be advised that all of these VCD's are IN CHINESE ONLY. In our opinion that doesn't matter much because the instruction is clear and the quality of photography very good. But we will not accept returns just because people didn't read... IN CHINESE ONLY. Given that, these are really tremendous deals for the money. Each of these special VCD's can be played on a computer for full enjoyment. Made for PC's they are also Mac compatible by downloading Quicktime (for free) and any similar VCD player pro gram. Also playable on most DVD players. For less than $10.00? Wow!

CHEN Style TAI CHI with Chen Zheng Lei

The information on these disks is demonstrated by Chen Zheng Lei, one of China's most famous Wushu teachers and 19th generation exponent of Chen style T'ai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan). He is considered by many to be a major representative of Chen Style T'ai Chi not to mention a family lineage holder. Chen has also managed the difficult job of teaching Chen T'ai Chi without falling prey to the overly elaborate and showoff "twining action" so popular now with many players who twist and turn their hands and limbs without concern for correct posture. Author, teacher, demonstrator: though some may disagree with certain approaches, he is a tall figure on the scene and for thousands of players there is no higher authority.

Click on pictures to see larger versions.

Many of the VCDs below are also available in DVD versions, which include English subtitles. Click HERE.

Click HERE for a comprehensive 5 volume book series on Chen Tai Chi, authored by Sifu Chen with excellent English translation by Sifu Jack Yan.

You might also find interesting Sifu Chen's 6 volume DVD series on Chen Tai Chi principles and theory. Click HERE.

Chen Zhen Lei Old Frame Survey VCD#1737 Chen Zheng Lei Survey
Double VCD about 1.5 Hours, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

VCD#376 Chen style Tai Chi Spring & Autumn Knife
Double VCD, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

Here is a weapon not always associated with Chen T'ai Chi, the Spring and Autumn or Big Knife (often referred to as the Kuan Knife and also called Lower Moon Knife). When attended the Chen International T'ai Chi Competition we became familiar with the notable addition to the T'ai Chi heritage. Chen ZhengLei not only demonstrates but manages to show Chen T'ai Chi's distinctive rendition of Chan Ssu Chin (Reeling Silk Energy) throughout the performance. Breakdown into sections. This is a Double VCD.

Chen Zhen Lei Old Frame Survey VCD#383 Chen style Tai Chi Old Frame Survey
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

This is a survey of Chen Style Tai Chi as demonstrated by Chen Zheng Lei. Among the forms shown are: Old Frame Road #1; Old Frame Road #2 (Cannon Fist): Single Sword play ; Single Saber play; 18 Key Forms of Chen style; Five Methods of Push Hands. This is a good over view of Chen's skills and expertise in the art of Chen Tai Chi.

VCD#371 Chen style Tai Chi Xin Jia Survey
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

This VCD surveys Chen-style Tai Chi New Frame forms and weapons. It includes performances of Roads # 1 & 2, single saber, Spring Autumn Knife, Double swords, spear and stick.

Special Note : Each item in the series below is also available in DVD with English subtitles (though sometimes the titles are grouped).

Chen Zhen Lei Old Frame #1 VCD#384 Chen style Tai Chi Old Frame Road #1
Four VCDs, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

This Lao Jia is the cornerstone of much Tai Chi practice. Chen ZhengLei shows the famous form which inspired, among others, the Yang style of Tai Chi. His version is sophisticated and smooth. Many moves are recognizable from any styles such as Repulse Monkey, Single Whip et al. A strong version by a respected teacher.
Basics as well as the set are covered. Demonstration of 18 essential form. Four VCDs

Chen Zhen Lei Old Frame #2

VCD#379 Chen style Tai Chi Old Frame Road #2
Double VCD, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

This is the #2 routine of the Chen style T'ai Chi: the much less frequently seen, Canon Fist, or Pao Chui. It emphasizes hardness with softness at the core. Movements in Cannon Fist are sometimes fast, powerful with strong stomps. This Old Frame Cannon Fist is more conservative in its "envelope" than New Frame style. Chen plays both Cannon Fists with aplomb. Basics as well as the set are covered. If you're interested in seeing Chen T'ai Chi's power then this is the right set. Cannon Fist is famous as a Fa Ching (Power Issuing) exercise and should really be studied by someone who has become pretty familiar with the first set, Lao Jia. This is a Double VCD.

Chen Zhen Lei Qigong VCD#382 Chen style Tai Chi Vitality Exercises
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

For several hundred years, Chen style Tai Chi has been deeply respected for its health-giving benefits. The Internal Exercises (Chi Kung) passed down through Chen's generations have been carefully refined. These are essential practices for the improvement of one's Chen Tai Chi skills. They include Reeling Silk practices and Qing Yao 18 Forms. These patterns are relatively simple and considered effective on chronic diseases such as neurasthenic, high blood pressure, heart disease, dyspepsia and arthritis.

Chen Zhen Lei Puh Hands VCD#381 Chen style Tai Chi Push Hands
Double VCD, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

Push Hands (as if you didn't know) is a martial exercise in which two partners twine each other's hands to train their tactile responses and quickness. While practicing, the partners should comply with each other without being separated, moving freely and flexibly, rotating the body and avoiding forcible contact. The strategy entails increasing sensitivity so one may avoid the opponent's strengths while focusing toward his weak points. Later partners may want to "challenge" each other with pushes and other types of attack. Even if you play Push Hands from another style there will probably be some variations here which you can learn from Chen Zheng Lei's performance. Basics as well as the set are covered. The Chen Push Hands has its own special flavor. As one might expect Reeling Silk Energy (Chan Ssu Chin) is highly emphasized. Softness overcoming hardness is the theme here. Chen Push Hands is particularly good at strengthening the legs and utilizing moves consistent with the Chen way of T'ai Chi. This is a Double VCD.

Chen Zhen Lei Straight Sword VCD#380 Chen style Tai Chi Chen Straight Sword
Double VCD, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

The is often considered the classic short weapon of Tai Chi. This Chen version has 49 key movements. Basic actions and techniques include: stab; chop; upper cut; parry; point; slice; upper block; sweep; cross cut; thrust and push. Sword utilizes T'ai Chi natural grace and poised body positions with flexible and steady footwork. It may be played with hardness one minute then softness the next. Sometimes the sword moves so fast it cannot be seen. The player may stick to his opponent without being separate and then jump high and dodge away. You should move like flying clouds and flowing water. Basics as well as the set are covered and there is some demonstration of the #2 Road hand set.
This is a Double VCD.

Chen Zhen Lei Old Frame #2 VCD#374 Chen style Tai Chi Double Sabers
About an hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

This Double Saber set consists of 35 movements which include: hack; chop; parry; thrust; intercept; press; push; slice; block and swing. The old saying that, "With the saber look to the free hand, with Double Sabers look to the feet," is true since footwork controls the angles of the blades and alterations of this attitude. This is a good, solid Double Saber that, due to the requirements of the weapons, doesn't show any particular tendency toward the Chen or any other style. Just good, comfortable Double Knife work.

Chen Zhen Lei Old Frame #2 VCD#375 Chen style Tai Chi Double Swords
About an hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

Chen Tai Chi's double straight swords is a 39 movement routine. The swords are played as smoothly as running water or tumbling clouds. The special characteristics of Chen Tai Chi Chuan with its combination of hard and soft are demonstrated in this form.

VCD#372 Chen style Single Saber
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

Chen-style Saber is considered a "short" weapon. 13 key movements and energies are exploited thus the name, 13 Method Saber. This is a short form with good, solid saber basics which include: close; thrust; block; chop; cut; intercept; twine; slice; parry and raise. This version shows characteristic Chen timing, reeling, softness and stepping. Played lightly for a saber but within the scope of Tai Chi's flavor.

VCD#373 Chen style 13 Method Staff
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

Tai Chi 13-form Staff is also called 13 form Big Spear. This is what most people would call a "Da Chiang" or big spear. The form is built on 13 key movements (energies) thus the name. Though short this is a workout with carefully chosen movements important to this type of practice such as: stick; twine; sweep; block; ward off; parry; press; chop etc. . Probably not a beginner's form as the rudiments of Chen should have been learned prior to this practice.

Chen Zhen Lei New Frame #1 VCD#378 Chen style New Frame Road #1
Four VCDs, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

Chen style Tai Chi New Frame (Xin Jia) is derived from Chen Chang-Xing's traditional Old Frame (Lao Jia) forms and was created by the famous 17th Generation Master Chen Fa Ke. New Frame is characterized by low and stable movements. Footwork is very distinctive and long while the body is held erect. The Kua (hips) region shows a characteristic timing and turning. Hands are loose and generally held a little wider than Old Frame. Spine is loose. This first form takes the Four Primary Energies: Beng (Ward Off), Lu (Rollback) , Ji (Press) and An (Push) as its basis. It is a very well known form in the Tai Chi world. Four VCD's.

Chen Zhen Lei New Road #2 VCD#377 Chen style New Frame Road #2
Double VCD, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

Chen-style Quan New Frame Road #2 is also called Cannon Fist. In contrast to Road #1 it selects Cai (Pluck), Lieh (Split), Chou (Elbow) and Kao (Lean) as its basis with Beng, Lu Ji and An as ancillary energies. This is a powerful form and you should watch your knees on this one. Tiger-like jumps and forceful stomps. Chen Zen Lei is famous for his Cannon Fist and often exhibits it throughout China. This is a Double VCD.

VCD#385 Chen style Spear
Double VCD, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

As always, the spear is a key weapon in the mastering of Kung Fu. In this case spear work shown by Chen Zheng Lei exemplifies the continuous Reeling Silk Energy of Chen Style Tai Chi. This is a Double VCD.