Chen Zhonghua

[taiji fajin]

Yesterday there was a thread up about a camp being run by him, but now its gone. I think it was in here, but itmay have been in internal arts. What happened to it? I was hoping to talk about him, preferably with someone who has trained under him. I am curious about his teaching style, and about how similar or dissimilar it is to some videos on his website.

[Ted T.]

I posted that topic yesterday and today Patrick very politely informed me I was violating the 'no advertising' rule - I'm on so many forums I do get confused about who allows what...rumours that I'm senile are premature!

Yes, I've been to Master Chen's seminars and I found his teaching style to be quite open and understandable, and paced well for beginners.

I only have one video, his Ji Ban gong or foundations which has a lot of demonstration but little teaching on it.

Look at the links on http://www.chentaichi.org/TaijiTradition.php for my teacher, Gord Muir or try Gord Muir <gmuir@telus.net> for better info.

[taiji fajin]

Ah, thank you, that makes sense. Have you seen the videos on his website at http://www.chentaichi.org/hunyuan/Videos/videos.htm ?

In the first several, he is seen throwing students to the ground. In the last one of McGown performing Yilu, he does many parts of it very quickly. I was wondering if his class / camp normally practicing with full take downs (especially at that speed), and if the form is taught to be practiced at that speed. How much emphasis is placed on nurturing? Is push hands considered "playing," where both people are *trying* to aid the other along with themselves (not just by teaching), or is it more of a thing to "win," after you've done some work to get the movements down? Sorry, I'll cut the interrogation short, I'm just very curious abou this teacher .

[Ted T.]

" I was wondering if his class / camp normally practicing with full take downs (especially at that speed)"

I don't know, no take downs at the seminar I was at tho the style is very martial.

"and if the form is taught to be practiced at that speed."

The speed is fast - the tradition is that in the 1800's when a real tai chi master was the slowest around, that when Chen (Fah kuh, I believe tho I can't spell it) was invited to demo, the audience were told to bring chairs because such a master would take a long time. When he ripped a long form off in less than ten minutes, he cause a consternation but the elders were able to see that he did not break any tai chi principles.

" How much emphasis is placed on nurturing?"

No idea, sorry.

"Is push hands considered "playing," where both people are *trying* to aid the other along with themselves (not just by teaching), or is it more of a thing to "win," after you've done some work to get the movements down? "

I've just been introduced to Chen style push hands so I'm just learning the how of it...I assume that they play on both levels you mention because you learn cooperatively and you contest competatively and I know they are very serious competitors.

Mr. Muir would know much more!

[The Hammer]

Fajin:

Chen Zhonghua will be at a workshop in Vancouver at the end of April. Check his site for details.

[taiji fajin]

I have, but April is packed for me and I am unable to make it.

[Ted T.]

From my teacher Gordon Muir:

Ted

I saw a series of posts concerning Master Chen and his teaching methods.

I'll try to address as many of the issues as I can remember

Master Chens approach is to first teach the circles. These provide the

foundation for everything that follows. The circles are also known as silk

reeling or jibengong (foundation practise).

Master Chens practise of form and partner work varies from slow to medium. I

rarely see people practising fast. The cruel truth is that ones body and

reflexes have to change so fundamentally that one cannot move fast without

making errors for a long time. That is why we focus on the foundation

material and move a bit slow in the beginning.

As people progesss their practise speeds up. Form is eventually done with fa

jing at a fast tempo. Partner drills are eventually done at close to full

speed.

For my impression of why someone should attend an intensive or camp with

Master Chen please see the following.

http://www.chentaichi.org/whycamp.php

Hope this helps.

Gordon Muir