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Master Chen and students
Master Chen Huixian of Shawnee, KS hosted a second Chen Style Tai Chi Old Frame (Lao Jia) Routine One (Yi Lu) workshop in St. Louis, MO recently. She taught the 3rd and 4th segments of the form, which she considers are the most difficult parts of the form. This form is considered the most fundamental Tai Chi form of all forms.
According to Chen Style Taijiquan, Sword and Broadsword, authored by Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei, Chen Style Lao Jia Yi Lu was created by the 14th generation of the Chen Family Grandmaster Chen Chang-Xing (1771 – 1853). Grandmaster Chen Chang-Xing combined the Chen Wang-Ting’s (the founding father of all modern Tai Chi styles) Long Fist with five other routines and created Old Frame. There are two routines: Routine One (Yi Lu) and Routine Two (Er Lu). The characteristics of Yi Lu include” large movements, light yet steady footwork, naturally erect posture, internal energy governing the movements of the body with the spiraling energy as core, and the waist as the central axis of the movements.” The entire form has six segments and 74 movements.
Born in Chenjiago, the birthplace of Tai Chi, Master Chen trained with many masters and is a formal disciple of Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei. She states that Yi Lu employs all Tai Chi Ba Fa but concentrates more on Ward-off (Peng), Roll-back (Lu), Press (Ji), and Push (An) movements. The first two segments are characterized by fixed steps and slower movements. But the third and the fourth segments have jumping, kicking, and punching along with quick shoulder bumping (Kao) and swift leverage twisting (Cai). The challenge for a practitioner is maintaining calmness after a quick kick and smoothly transitioning to the next movement. Master Chen worked with the students step-by-step methodically and patiently. She told them the key is clearly identifying the solid and empty foot in every movement and not advancing until you solidify body weight. It is extremely crucial to sink the Qi quickly to the foot/feet after an explosive kick to maintain the body balance.
It is very important to return the upper body into an erect position after each quick movement and keep proper body alignment. Master Chen adjusted the student posture with great precision for each posture. Her philosophy is if a student learns the right way the first time, there is less need for correction later on.
Though the third and fourth segments are full of kicking and punching, a practitioner should avoid using brute force. Master Chen emphasizes relaxation of mind and muscle. After practicing the form long enough, one will develop internal energy, which is seemingly soft but hard in essence. The videos shown here were recorded in Chenjiago this spring. You can tell how fast and slow movements are linked to each other and how softness and hardness are embodied in every detail.
Comments
Midwest Taiji practitioners have been so fortunate to have a Chen Village Taiji master/teacher of Master Chen's caliber available to us in this area. In many ways we are more fortunate than those who study with older master/teachers in that Master Chen communicates very well in English and as an independent US resident she is not always havving to teach under someone else's supervision. I find that she is much more forthcomming with information than many of the Old School teachers and really enjoys teaching, answering questions and demonstrating her martial understanding. I would not be suprised if she and her husband Mike don't wind up moving to a bigger City someday. Someone of her background and experience deserves a wider audience. Dan B deserves a lot of credit for bringing her to St. Louis and I would urge all Midwestern Chen Taiji enthusiasts to save themselves the time and expense of trip to the Chen Village and take the opportunity to learn from her while they still can
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