Chen Pan Ling's Kung Fu

Some people believe that Chen Pan Ling was one of the greatest martial arts academicians of the last century. He was instrumental in trying to modernize and standardize Wushu to fit our times. His Taiji is a beautiful mixture of Tai Chi, Bagua and Hsing I. It is sometimes known as Nanjing Integrated Tai Chi. Many famous teachers claim to have derived from his school, sometimes erroneously. He started his career with Shaolin boxing. While in Beijing studying construction engineering he practiced Xing Yi, Tai Chi and Yue Linked Boxing. Returning home he opened a Youth Development Club focusing on Wushu practice. In 1931 it became the Henan Wushu House. In 1936 he moved to Wuhan and started teachers training there. From 1940-44 he was the dean of the Wushu Compilation Committee of the Ministry of Education. He also completed his "Wushu Teaching Material". Moving to Taiwan in 1949, he became Chairman of the Board for the China Guoshu Advanced Learning. In 1955 he became dean of the Wushu branch of the Taiwan China Wushu Skills Committee.

Here is the work of Chen, much of it represented by his own son, Chen Yun Ching.

Click pictures.

KC004 Chen Pan-Ling's Original
Tai Chi Chuan Textbook
Chen Pan-Ling, Robert W. Smith, Ann Carruthers (translator),
Raye McGwen, Mike Whalen, Y.W. Chang

Chen is considered by many to be one of the finest teachers and historians of Chinese martial arts of his time. This is a fine book, exhaustive in its text and well illustrated with pictures of Chen Pan Ling himself performing his "integrated" T'ai Chi a style combining the Reeling Silk of Xing Yi with the step patterns of Ba Gua. Probably the best synthesis of the three "internal arts" ever done. Probably the most significant section of the book is that of Chen's commentary on the T'ai Chi classics. Sections include a Chinese glossary and chapters on Push Hands and Da Lu.

Robert Smith has said, in his introduction to the book,
"The style of tai chi chuan taught here is Chen's synthesis of the three major styles - Yang, Wu and Chen - prevalent in China today. Though eclectic, it is grounded in the traditional forms and brimming with the ancient spirit. On the outside it is erect and aesthetically pleasing without being gimmicked by impractical sensationalist movements. Complementing this, he describes what occurs inside one's body during tai chi practice; the connection and interplay of breath (chi) and intrinsic energy (chin)."

On a personal note: one of our staff, Shihfu Mancuso, studied Chen Pan Ling for a while before it's name was widely associated with tai chi in the U.S. In his words,"I quite enjoy the style. It was created by a man acknowledged as one of the top martial historians. It successfully blends the so-called internal arts: deriving structure from T'ai Chi, step from Ba Gua and arm-body rotation from Xing Yi. Chen Pan Ling made an accomplishment rare in this day of everyone creating his own system: he achieved a synthesis that actually works."

A218 Shaolin "Peak" Boxing 32 Manners
by Chen Yun Ching

Pure Yang Sword - A605
by Chen Yun Ching
$12.95 Traditional Chinese Characters, softbound;
105 pages, Photos

This is part of the extensive Chen Pan Ling collection offered by Plum. For some completely unknown reason we omitted this form, The Pure Yang Sword, from the rostrum. This is a particularly graceful piece with a special emphasis on scales (standing on one leg, arms stretched out like a plane). The movements are unusually open with sword placement precise and nicely balanced. As we said, there are a few swords—Pure Yang, Kun Wu, San Cai, Green Duckweed and Wu Dang—that stand out in a three thousand year experimental quest. 

A219 Shaolin "Peak" Boxing 56 Manners
by Chen Yun Ching

This is a clear and well photographed rendition of the Mountain Peak Shaolin set developed by Chen Pan Ling himself and demonstrated here by his son, Yun Ching. Each volume in this series is well done starting with six or more pages of photographs of Chen himself. Charts demonstrate Chen Pan Ling’s martial lineage from Tai Chi Xing Yi Bagua and Shaolin. Short pieces discuss Chen Pan Ling, his son’s work and the form itself. One nice thing the demonstrator (Yun Ching) shows all photos geared to the 56 postures so each posture is broken down with a number like 56-1, 56-2 etc. A nice touch.

A604 Dragon Shaped Sword
by Chen Yun Ching

This 29 movement form was taught to Yun Ching by his father, the famous Chen Pan Ling. It covers important basics and has some nice turns. This is a clean, reasonably sized and classical form. Unavailable in DVD form right now.

A511
Dragon Form BaGua Swimming Body Palms
by Chen Yun Ch'ing

This is by a student/son of the famous teacher and historian CHEN PAN LING, one of the top martial academicians of the last century . Clear illustrations and text with pictures of Chen and his complete lineage in the different arts. This book speaks about Chen Pan Ling's instruction and gives some key points on the practice of BaGua. Changing Palms pictured with directions...

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TC 711 Xing Yi Boxing Instruction -
by Chen Pan Ling & Chen Yun Chao

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TC 632  Tai Chi Teaching Material

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TC 731 Dragon Shaped Bagua Double Swords
by Tian Xiao Lei 天嘯雷

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TC 106 XING YI CHUAN 12 SHAPES
by Tian Xiao Lei 天嘯雷

"Taizhong, Taiwan. Family and students of the late great master and historian Chen Pan-Ling hold this large forms exhibition tournament. Bagua Zhang and Taiji forms are demonstrated for approximately 1 hour. Though this is not a teaching tape it is a wonderful reference collection of Chen's forms. Additionally, Yang style Taiji sword and empty-hand forms are shown. Forms are demonstrated by both adult and children's groups making this both an educational and fun tape to watch. Chen Pan-Ling's Bagua Zhang form is shown by a large group moving in unison and clearly presenting his unique collection of old Bagua postures and movements. Dubbed with traditional Chinese music. It's like watching a dream."

About 55 Minutes Sound is only PA announcements in Chinese - very limited supply      

NEW! DVD#14068  Push/Listening Hands

First, we always try to warn people: this is a perfectly fine DVD but it has NO CHAPTERS so you will have to use that Fast Forward button to navigate.
That understood, this is a well organized presentation showing Push Hands variations in an orderly fashion. It starts with a single hand demonstration of the Eight Basic Energies. Then we witness a number of un-narrated but very clear repetitions of Single Arm Push Hands with emphasis on energies such as the basic one arm circle (they call it Beng/Lu); next, Single Hand Infinity Shape; then Basic Double Hand Routine Swinging; then One Step Swing; Variable Step Four Hands; Circling Step; Propeller Hands; Dynamic Propeller Hands; Advancing and Retreating Four Hands and finally some open hands exchanges in an informal setting. Much information for basic circling. We hope to see more applied Push Hands in the future.

DVD#14067  Shaolin Gung Fu

This DVD records Chen Pan Ling's choice of Shaolin forms. There are three: Crouching Tiger Empty Hand, Shaolin Sword and Shaolin Saber. Of particular note is the straight sword which is fluid, sophisticated and rather handsome. The saber is also good, solid and very traditional. At the end of the disk is a series of Chen's specific basics mostly from Tai Chi and Bagua. Note: this contains a short sequence of Chen Pan Ling himself from Robert Smith's collection (same as 14065).

DVD#14066  Chen Pan Ling convocation

This DVD captures a 10 day workshop in Taiwan of Chen Pan Ling enthusiasts. Many things are covered including: Cane, tai Chi, Xing Yi Linking form, Xing Yi five eleMountainments, Top boxing, interviews, Bagua Changing Palms, Bagua stick, some basic health movements and Qigong, in short a taste of everything. Much convivial practice and many shots of people enjoying themselves in the practice.

DVD#14065  Mountain Top Boxing

The pun here is that Mountain Top also comes from Chen Pan Ling's alternate name which had the character Feng. This is a set created by Chen himself and combines his knowledge of Shaolin, Tai Chi, Xing Yi and Bagua. It is a sophisticated form where each move represents an idea. The movements are not so much connected for continuity as representation of major concepts. The method is cautious, considered and conscious. Aspects of the DVD include: Front and Rear views, breakdown with details pointed out, and interview with two of Chen's sons, sections from a workshop in Taiwan on this subject. Note: this contains a short sequence of Chen Pan Ling himself from Robert Smith's collection (same as 14067).

DVD#14064  Hsing I Chuan

This DVD shows one of Chen Pan Ling's strongest styles: Hsing I. The first part demonstrates the basic elements This is followed by earlier film footage, probably form Taiwan, where his son again shows the five elements. He then demonstrates the linking set. Then, finally, all twelve animals. Though many of the movements are standard Hsing I there are distinctive postural and footwork characteristics we can only associate with Chen Pan Ling's interpretation. No instruction per se, more of a general reference but very clearly shown. We have been told that the money from the sales of this DVD series goes to preservation of the pure teachings of Chen: Chen Pan Ling Foundation Inc.

This DVD actually shows two of Chen Pan Ling's series. The first is a series of Longevity exercises which might be considered healthful Qigong and basic stretching simultaneously. Next is Chen's own Thunder Stick form which, in this case, means a CANE set. This is followed by applications from the set. The form itself is filmed from multiple angles. No instruction per se, more of a general reference but very clearly shown. We have been told that the money from the sales of this DVD series goes to preservation of the pure teachings of Chen: Chen Pan Ling Foundation Inc. 

#14057 Authentic Tai Chi Chuan
$39.95  

We are not sure how we could have missed this from a teacher famous for his Tai Chi Chuan. Here is Chen Pan Ling's special version of Tai Chi, demonstrated by his own son. This DVD has two wings. It comes with a complete rendition of the entire 99 movement Tai Chi form. It also shows functional breakdowns, demonstrated by Mr. Chen's wife and teacher James Sumarac.

This form is graceful and appears to encourage natural, elongated motions. Its sections are easy to identify (assuming some Tai Chi knowledge) and relaxed. The applications follow in the same manner. This form is something of a historical question. Erle Montaigue proposed his style was "Old Yang" fist which he learned from a class mate of Chen Pan Ling. On the other hand, I briefly studied a version taught by Chang I Chong here in America and it was a very technical and sophisticated blend of Tai Chi, Xing Yi and Bagua. For instance, the steps to Cloud Hands were done entirely with Bagua twist stances. The point is that here you have an important contribution from a major teacher. Click the picture to see a few postures.

About 40 Minutes, English translation     

DVD#14061  Bagua Zhang

This DVD is a record both of Chen Pan Ling's style of Bagua Zhang but also a Bagua Stick set. The first half demonstrates the eight palm changes of the style. The second shows the staff set which is based on circle walking like the palm changes. No instruction per se, more of a general reference but very clearly shown. We have been told that the money from the sales of this DVD series goes to preservation of the pure teachings of Chen: Chen Pan Ling Foundation Inc.