Chen Tai Chi-Various Teachers and Usage

Many of these VCDs concentrate on USAGE, that is to say, the application of Tai Chi to self defense considerations. They vary in technique and skill level but there is a great deal of information to the aspiring practitioner. Others, like the book and VCD pacakges, provide thorough approaches to the style itself.

Click on pictures to see larger versions.

SC256 Chen style Tai Chi Ball Exercises Book and VCD
$20.95, Chinese / English
97 pages, softbound book with accompanying VCD

Tai Chi Ball is useful in a number of ways. It helps to connect the hands to the waist, and to one another. Its movements encourage tactility on all sides of the form. Its shape is a constant reminder of Tai Chi's most basic principle: circularity. It gives a concrete object to work with and, especially important in Chen Tai Chi, it encourages coiling energy. This is a sequence of relatively simple movements, many of which perfectly correlate with Tai Chi practice. Also, these can be customized to the more advanced student to offer more challenge. Tai Chi Ball has many more uses than what is shown here, yet this is a good introduction to the study. As with many of the others in this en face Chen series, there is a lengthy (67 page) introduction to Chen style and its history at the beginning of this book. Brief introduction to the Chen Jia Gou School.

SC258 Chen style Tai Chi Lao Jia Road #2 Book and VCD
$19.95, Chinese / English
92 pages, softbound book with accompanying VCD

A good, strong, energetic performance of this set (also known as Pao Chui.) The performer on the VCD, Chen Bing, is a National Champion and accurate in his presentation. His jumps are good, his power generation clean, his footwork is fluid, arm work is wide and clear. there have definitely been some additions, such as straight punches, marching moves, and even broom kicks, but the core of the set remains. This is particularly geared towards a performance version of the set, without being contemporary Wushu. Personally, I find it fascinating that the kinds of movements, such as broom kicks, which they eliminated to create Tai Chi, are now finding their way back in.

SC257 Chen style Tai Chi Double Maces Book and VCD
$21.95, Chinese / English
92 pages, softbound book with accompanying VCD

Here is a "double mace" or club set from Taijiquan. It was developed with an aim toward being effective, but also retaining an appreciation for the flavor of Chen Style. Although this does not appear to be a traditional form, its practicality, efficiency and coordination all partake of traditional principles. The "mace" here is practiced as two large clubs, without heads. However, it could be easily transferred to thundering hammers, or a similar weapon. Many of the actions resemble double saber, with body turning, overhead flowers, and crossed-mace fighting position. The whole VCD starts with a nice survey of Chen Taijiquan's history and development. English is narrated. The teacher is a highly awarded and influential member of the Chen family, and nephew of Chen Xiao Wang. Over 65 pages of background history and dynamics of Chen style Taijiquan, including lineage and excerpts from Chan Wang Ting.

SC255 Chen style Tai Chi Eyebrow Staff Book and VCD
plus bonus section
$21.95, Chinese / English
92 pages, softbound book with accompanying VCD

This is a relatively short form of 14 movements for the mid-sized eyebrow stick. Though basic, it is surprising—given how few movements—the range of different actions. For instance, it is rare in a beginning set to see so many one-handed moves, and even behind-the-back passes from one hand to the other. Very few repetitions and, though not a challenging set, certainly of more interest than a basics form with nothing but back and forth marching. Good for an intermediate student, although a solid beginning student could also learn this set. Basic, but not easy. NOTE: This book is accompanied by a routine for Qigong mixed with primary Chen movements. A nice addition to your practice or a way to play with the basic energies and coiling actions.

VCD#1763 Chen Family Long Pole Sparring
VCD pricing, Chinese / English

Son of Chen Xiao Xing, nephew of Chen Xiao Wang, this teacher—Chen ZiQiang—demonstrates many exercises the LONG pole. There are many methods with the Chen partner exercises. Some benefits are that it forces the entire body to utilize Reeling Silk. It changes distance perceptions. It unified and coordinates the hands. It firms up the stances. The small form shown, easy to learn, contains some lesser skills like over head blocking but the key movements such as turning the staff, changing leverage, and sensing through the weapons are all there. This roughly twenty move form is also demonstrated in slow motion. Not difficult to learn but if you are going to play with a partner you will need some space.
Bonus: All information on this VCD, including instruction, is duplicated in English.

VCD#1631 Chen Fa Ke's combined set with applications
Four VCDs, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

Chen style Tai Chi by Wu Shi Jun. To make as many VCDs and DVDs on such a diverse group of styles implies Wu is either a great martial artist or just very prolific. What is the first attribute of a teacher? Skill? Knowledge? Patience? All these are good but first and foremost the teacher wants you to “get” the information. A teacher wants to transfer the information from him to you. And Wu Shi Jun is definitely a teacher. In this form, attributed to Chen Fa Ke, he shows a version Chen which is more martial that much of the belly dancing becoming popular. This was developed by Chen later in life. He is said to have taken Lao Jia as a base, added fighting techniques, and Road #2 to create a form without repetitious movements. Besides the form Wu also shows numerous applications.
A Quadruple VCD.

VCD#1629 Chen Style Tai Chi Saber with applications
Double VCD, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

We are prejudiced when it comes to Taiji saber, but not in our own favor. Though originally Yang stylists we are not great fans of the Yang style use of the weapon. This Chen version, originally assembled by the great Chen Fa Ke is more to our liking and, wonderfully though not too complex, it retains the Chen style emphasis on Coiling Silk. This two disk set is sectioned with the first disk showing the form and the second devoted to applications, mostly against another saber or the ever-threatening spear. Though we liked Wu’s straight sword applications we like his saber usage even more. This set is said to come directly from Chen Fa Ke. A Double VCD.

NEW! VCD#1630 Chen Style Tai Chi Sword with applications
Double VCD, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

Wu Shi Jun, one of the most prolific of our VCD producing instructors comes out with this Chen Tai Chi Straight Sword form. This TWO DISK set basically teaches the entire set on the first disk then devotes the second disk to nothing but applications of the sword. Starting with a quick draw right form the scabbard, he goes on to show many many counters against sword, saber, spear and staff. The Chen style set is intricate with some revolutions and twirls resembling Bagua, another of Wu’s accomplishments. A Double VCD.

VCD#1063 Chen Style San Shou Basics
Double VCD, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

Demonstrator/Teacher: Chen Er Hu.
This is a series of Chin Nah and San Shou movements derived from Chen Style Tai Chi. Every movement is shown from a number of angles. Though this is the "basics" VCD teacher Chen gets right to the heart of the matter showing sweeps, pushes and other take downs. This VCD is more on the lines of the "single actions" needed for the rest of the series. If you are thinking about the series we would suggest this one two since it directly relates.
A Double VCD.

VCD#1064 Chen Style San Shou Basics
Double VCD, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

Demonstrator/Teacher: Chen Er Hu.
This series of self defense applications shows the relationship between Tai Chi Push Hands and Tai Chi San Shou. Principally these should "feed one another" in that the separate applications are aided by Push Hands method of blending them into spontaneous action and, of course, the applications give you some idea of what is happening in Push Hands. Individually there is little to say about the VCDs. Chen is a strong man and he goes through A LOT of applications filmed from different angles. As always much of the Chin Nah is classic but there is more throwing and the flavor of Tai Chi is retained. While the VCDs do graduate somewhat in complexity of movements they are roughly equally in difficulty. Bring a mat.
A Double VCD.

VCD#1065 Chen Style San Shou Basics
Double VCD, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

Demonstrator/Teacher: Chen Er Hu.
See # 1064. A Double VCD.

VCD#1066 Chen Style San Shou Basics
Double VCD, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

Demonstrator/Teacher: Chen Er Hu.
See # 1064.
A Double VCD.

VCD#417 Tai Chi Power Issuance/Chin Nah
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

Demonstrator/Teacher: Wu Shi Jun.
Literally dozens of China Nah moves all with a Tai Chi flavor. Many classical and basic holds, locks and throws are demonstrated. There are also a number of excellent simple patterns such as elbow controlling to teach the student the method of avoiding being locked. Many of the movements are quite simple but done in a quick-catch and repulse manner. There are also a number of "chains", that is to say a movement, its counter and the counter to that. All Chin Nah relates to the basic energies such as Beng and Cai of Tai Chi training.

VCD#418 Tai Chi Self Defense Push Hands
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

Demonstrator/Teacher: Wu Shi Jun.
A breakdown of push hands in reference to the elements of Tai Chi self defense. Some pattern play but mostly brief applications of Tai Chi's moves and energies from the single hand interception. Also the elements of two hand push hand operations with opposing and same legs forward. Some nice back and forth patterns and some pretty clear intermingling of single hand pushing and defensive applications from the forms. Though basically built on the Yang pattern the push hands principles apply to all Tai Chi.

VCD#419 Tai Chi Throwing Applications
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

Demonstrator/Teacher: Wu Shi Jun.
A DVD chock full of applications and usage including drills for body conditioning. Many of the movements are simple Chin Nah and strikes but all are based on the Seven Stars (Head, Shoulder, Elbow, Hand, Hip, Knee and Foot) and the principles of Tai Chi (Beng, Lu, Chi, An, Tsai, Lieh, Chou, Kao). Quite a lot of movements; dozens. Some of the moves are less impressive than others, but we don't have many DVDs with this density of applications inch per inch.

VCD#265 Tai Chi Chen San Shou/Chin Nah
Double VCD, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

Demonstrator/Teacher: Chen Er Hu.
One of the best series we've seen on Chin Nah, especially from the Tai Chi point of view. Also Chen style sets demonstrated with a good level of expertise. Interesting and occasionally very clever Chin Nah applications with little explanation but very definitive applications. Much counter-grappling. A good VCD.
This is a Double VCD.

Zhang Zhi-Jun , is the 11th generation inheritor of Chen style Tai Chi Chuan. He has studied under grand- master Chen Zhao Kui 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.

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."
This is a set of Eight VCDs.