Zun Gu Chen Style Tai Chi (Respect the Ancients)
with Chen Qing-Zhou

Chen style with Chen Qing-Zhou. Born in 1933 Chen Qing-Zhou became the student of Chen Zhao-Pei. After practicing and teaching for over 20 years in Liberation Cemetary (yes, where he even slept some times) he added the New Frame of Chen ZhaoKui (Chen FaKe's son) to his repetoire. However, on further consideration he REJECTED the New Frame from his teachings. Chen Qingzhou has been head coach of the Chen Family Taijiquan Research and Training Centers as well as vice-secretary general of the Wenxian International Annual Conference on Taijiquan. Chen Qing-Zhou is a true martial artist and has made many sacrifices to preserve true Tai Chi information: hence the name Zun Gu . He has been named one of the top dozen Tai Chi players in China. Having friends who have studied with him we tend to agree.

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VCD#704 ZunGu Chen TC Survey
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

Quantity

An overview of the forms available on the other VCDs in this series. No applications but a good way to see the extent of Chen Qing Zhou's skills and whether you might be interested in his style. Some ball work is included.

A whole series of exercises with the Chen version of the Tai Chi ball which is generally associated with the Yang Family branch. One unique aspect is that Master Chen uses the ball almost as a massage device keeping it tight against his torso and rolling it along the front there. Tossing the ball, turning it, many types of movements which are also shown without the ball directly as self massage moves. Also, as a bonus this VCD ends with a demonstration of PAO CHUI, the second Chen set.

This is Chen Style Tai Chi in an older, more martial form. Structurally this version is straight forward, plain and very functional. This version harkens back to that of Chen FaKe's father's generation. Strong actions, some forceful use of Jings particularly on the elbow strikes. We've seen many versions of Lao Jia. This is probably one of the purest. Chen's movements and clear understanding of the form is evident. Compared to some of the more flimsy versions this is a breath of fresh air.
This is a Triple VCD.

This is a Chen version of the Tai Chi sword which, pretty obviously, harkens back to the martial origins of the weapon. There is a not a lot of overplayed Reeling Silk Energy. In fact the movements are somewhat conservative. But there are unique stomping actions reminding us of Pao Chui many tight movements of the wrist with correctly positioned sword actions. Many of the moves are similar to the Yang style 13 Method sword and may historically show some linkage here. A slightly stilted but perfectly respectable set that will be particularly interesting to the Chen enthusiast or just Tai Chi collector.

The second set of Chen often known as Cannon Fist. As might be expected Chen Qing Zhou's version is definitived and martially oriented.

VCD#709 ZunGu Chen TC Five Tiger Staff
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

The "Five Tigers Capture the Sheep" staff is a classic. Shaolin, Long Fist and many styles share the same set. It's just a good overall staff set known to many teachers often in a few versions. Here is the Chen Five Tiger and it is one of the best sets shown by Master Chen. The general structure is about the same as most five tigers with the distinctive moves of whirling that staff here and there over the head that gives the set its name. For those who want a Tai Chi staff set that is, first and foremost, a good stick set and also partakes of the Tai Chi styles

VCD#710 ZunGu Chen TC Double Sabers
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

As with the other forms in this style, a presentation of a strong, martially oriented double saber set (remember, in double sabers pay attention to the feet). His weapon's presentations always emphasize the issuance of force and this is no exception. Compared to some Chen weapons we've seen this is a notch above.

VCD#711 ZunGu Chen TC Push Hands & "Bang"
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

Without a doubt one of the highlights of this series. Sort of an extension of Tai Chi ruler this "bang" is a short instrument about four inches on each side bent at something less than a 90% angle. Master Chen demonstrates the exercises while holding it and twisting his hands then shows the exact correlative movement for Chin Nah practice. Very interesting. He also shows many principles of Push Hands utilizing the Tai Chi Ball as a concept but in a different way from his solitary Ball practice. Applications.

VCD#712 ZunGu Chen TC Saber & Staff
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

Two sets for the price of one. First is a version of Saber (Broadsword) with a strong martial spirit and some of the Fa Ching practice associated with Chen Tai Chi. Next is something you don't often see, a form with the Long Pole (Chang Gan). This is an excellent series of power issuing moves demonstrated initally by Chen and then each move also shown by an advanced student.

VCD#713 ZunGu Chen TC Double Straight Swords
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

The double sword is traditionally a women's weapon and many sets have been altered to accentuate the talents of female martial stylists. This set lies more in the middle. Master Chen shows, as practitioners of either sex should, some of the characteristic soft actions of the double sword including the "mincing" foot work, the cloud walking, the deep leaning poses. This could easily be altered to show off the skills of a female practitioner but stands, at this point, as a set with strong basic actions and relatively unadorned for performance of any kind. At times it is so conservative and functional it almost appears sketchy. Again, very good material for the Chen enthusiast and for those wanting to see older, more traditional Tai Chi structure.

VCD#714 ZunGu Chen TC Pear Blossom Spear
Double VCD , VCD pricing, Chinese Only

Pear Blossom Spear and White Ape Staff. There is an area where spear and staff meet. Typically this would be, say, in the realm of rolling actions. The theory is borne out here because this set, unlike many spear sets, emphasizes rolling the spear far more than striking with the tip. In this it lives up to the idea that it can double as a staff set. The rolls are not only smooth and continuous but often accompanied by turning of the body, not always an easy action while maintaining a spear roll. A "light" set with accent on continuity rather than power. And just because they ran a little short they gave a bonus: a demonstration of the Lao Jia set is included.
This is a Double VCD.

VCD#816 ZunGu Chen TC Spring Autumn Dao
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

Instructor Chen Qing-Zhou approaches the "Big Knife" with the same integrity as he displays for most of his Kung Fu. In all frankness, most of the war weapons (not straight sword or staff for instance) associated with Tai Chi seem sorely defficient. This traditional set utilizes correct movements which respect the weapon, its weight and shape and historical usage. Beyond that Chen even shows some flavor. After all, Tai Chi should use the slowness of the Da Dao to enhance its own technique. If you are looking for a TC Da Dao you could hardly do better.