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TAI CHI INFO

Taijiquan, pronounced tai chi chuan, is an ancient Chinese martial art. Since its genesis at the end of the Ming Dynasty, it continues to grow in popularity worldwide, due in great part to its health enhancing qualities. Persistent practitioners of taijiquan report reduced stress levels, greater suppleness, better balance and posture and increased co-ordination and energy levels. Taijiquan is also great fun! Most people wouldn't practice regularly unless this profound skill repeatedly proved itself to be endlessly fascinating, challenging and rewarding.

One of the main principles of Taijiquan is that a movement originates in the feet, travels up the legs, where the energy is directed by the hips and waist to the hands. Every movement is a whole body experience. There are five levels of practice, the first and one of the most important being relaxation. Next comes posture, throwing the right shape, attaining the correct alignments. Bad posture will never lead to good Taijiquan! It's vital to lift the top of the head, sink the lower spine. Then we try to make the legs stronger and the upper body lighter, more responsive. Fourthly we move from the hips and waist, taking care to co-ordinate every movement throughout the body. Lastly we learn to generate fa jing (see below).

Taijiquan has many reported origins, most of them romantic, mythical and totally fictitious. The truth is that the art was created circa 1660 in Chenjiagou, Chen Village, in Henan Province by a retired Army Officer called Chen Wang Ting. Chen fought for the last Emperor of the Ming Dynasty but after the collapse of the empire through war and internal corruption, he retired back to his home village, where he wrote and began to work on his ideas for the martial art we now know as Taijiquan, yang and yin fist.

Julian Wilde with the Chen Temple Statue of Chen Wang Ting

His genius was to combine the existing Chen family style, which had proved a successful combat art and had supplemented his ancestors income through bodyguard duties to travelling traders since the fifteenth century, with breathing exercises and internal energy work. This new blend, featuring sinuous twining movements and a wide combination of martial techniques that emphasised fa jing (sudden explosive energy) and neutralisation of an opponent's strength, proved highly effective in combat and as a means of maintaining health and fitness.

Successive generations added to the Chen Taijiquan repertoire and in the early 19th century, Yang Lu Chan became the first non-Chen family member to learn the skill, from 14th generation master Chen Chan Xing (pronounced Chen Chan Jing). Yang then adapted the style, erasing many difficult movements and making it more suitable for mass teaching. Thus the Yang school and many subsequent styles such as the Sun, Wu and Woo were born.

Two more notable Chen masters are Chen Fake, pronounced Chen Fa Ku, who lived and taught mainly in Beijing until his death in the 1950's, and his grandson Chen Xiao Wang (Chen Jow Wong), the 19th generation standard bearer and current leader of the Chen family. Chen Fake is credited with a further evolution of the Chen family skill, called Xin Jia (new frame) which features even more tightly coiled and dynamic movements than the original form, Lao Jia, old frame. Chen Xiao Wang has been the first Chen master with the opportunity to travel and teach worldwide and he has taken to this role with great thoroughness and dignity, working hard to promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of his ancestors' legacy.

But Chen Taijiquan is still practiced and taught in Chenjiagou. The village, which is, to be honest, is quite shabby and run down, very rural, is nevertheless one of the most inspiring places in the world to be. Taijiquan and its history permeates every inch of the place. Everywhere, the young and the old can be seen practicing, with thoughtfulness and dedication. The main school is run by 19th generation teacher Chen Xiao Xing (Chen Jow Jing), brother to Chen Xiao Wang.

Taijiquan Masters Chen Xiao Xing (left) and Chen Xiao Wang (right)

Among Chen Xiao Wang's indoor students is Tse Wei Jing, or Michael Tse, a world-renowned Wing Chun and Qigong teacher. Michael Tse is the founder of the Tse Qigong Centre, which teaches Qigong, Wing Chun, Chun Yuen, Heavenly River Monastery Hard Qigong and of course Chen style Taijiquan. Michael Tse's reputation as a martial artist, author and expert in qi (chee), internal energy, continues to grow. Julian Wilde, who lives and teaches in the Norwich area, holding classes since 1990, is one of Master Tse's most senior students, and studies and practices Taijiquan, Qigong and Chun Yuen Kung Fu every single day.

training in lao jia old frame form with grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang

Every Chen class in Norwich begins with a special stretch and warm up session, followed by practice of one of the core skills of Taijiquan - Chan Su Gong or "silk reeling" exercises, Peng exercises to root or ground energy and boost correct skeletal posture and Tui Shau (pronounced twee sow), pushing hands, where we begin to learn Taijiquan as a self defence system. Classes are open to men and women of all ages and abilities, and where necessary, movements are adapted to suit the individual. There are no set starting dates and everyone learns at their own pace. There are no gradings in Taijiquan.   

Pushing Hands Practice

Also on offer in Norwich and surrounding district are classes in the 24 Step style of Taijiquan. This relatively modern and simple form of Taijiquan is most suitable for the elderly, unfit or the total beginner. As most of us consider ourselves in this bracket, please remember it's all relative! Most people are capable of learning and practicing the Chen style but it can look difficult and daunting at first glance, so we run the 24 Step classes as a gentler initiation into the wonderful world of Taijiquan. Anyone is welcome to come and watch any of the classes, meet the people and ask questions before committing themselves. 

Inspirational! Chen Village Kids

Practicing The Chen Taiji Walk

Silk Reeling