“Lian quan bu lian gong, dao lao yi chang kong”

Seems like I haven’t had much to say over the years, about Chen Xiaowang.  Call it respectful awe, I guess.

I’m not qualified to discuss him.  Maybe a reader of this blog will wonder “who is Chen Xiaowang?”.  Or maybe they’d like to know more.  Here’s a decent article from a well-established publication.  More I cannot say.

http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=380

I include this post under “Yang Style Taiji” because Grandmaster Chen’s family schooled Yang Luchan in martial arts.  Different camps may argue over everything else, but this epochal yuan fen seems widely agreed upon, various interpretations notwithstanding.

 

NICE CHEN!

Just found this on YouTube.  Really good — soft, flowing, strong, elegant.  Don’t know who this is offhand but he’s a real contender at the least.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Fl59-Ky6Bc

 

LEARNING IN CHINA

2007 Chen Zhonghua Photos

After some lovely still shots, Master CZH gives a typically powerful lesson/ explanation of how taiji does a lot with a little. Ties in with numerous new posts on the Practical Method blog.

 

DONG STYLE

Tung Yingchieh (1898-1961)

Here, this is a good one. Dong Yingjie, as I learned the name. As far as I can see, the Dongs took the pure YCF form and amplified its elements, to ensure a strong continued transmission. What do I mean by this? I’m not certain myself, but I want to find out as time unfolds.

 

SHAOLIN / CHEN

I found this while looking on the Web for contemporary Yang style video clips that I like the look of.  I’m about ready to give up.  I have some great historical clips posted here already.

But here’s this Shaolin school in Canada with a highly trained Chinese master in charge, and on this page you can see him doing “Shaolin Chan Tai Chi” (aka Chen Style, as you’ll see).  http://www.shaolintemple.ca/videos.php

Surely I’ve mentioned before that Chen’s resemblance to Shaolin is what got me fired up to learn taichi in the first place?  Great styles all: traditional Shaolin Quan; Chen Taijiquan; Yang Taijiquan.   To name a few.           

 

118 Yang-Style Taiji (fast) – 1

Thanks to Formosa Neijia for finding this. Since I’m trying to learn the Yang long form, I am grabbing this for a good quick visual reference. Wang Yu-sheng’s stance looks very low to me, for Yang style. I have no wish to emulate this. But it is quite a strong, interesting presentation overall.  For more expert commentary, visit the place where I got the info: http://formosaneijia.com/2007/wang-yu-shengs-yang-taiji/

 

陳式太極拳競賽套路 56式 Chen Style traditional 56 form for tournament

Another 56 demo. It’s interesting to me because it’s so extreme. Very overt silk-reeling; stances so low (you’ll see!); yet with an “offhand” bloody fast fajing that I find oddly attractive. Good thing I didn’t see this clip when I was starting up with Chen, it would have messed with my head real bad!

 

MASTER REN GANG

Double Dragon Alliance Masters in China

Can’t resist this, though I need to stay focused on YCF form. But note the intricate hand movements; the height of the hands; the stepping. Previously I would have thought this form to be a bridge between Chen and Yang styles. This is Master Ren Gang (see my post “I Don’t End at My Skin”).

 

Fu Zhongwen (1903-1994) [2of2]

Credit where credit’s due: YouTube is awesome! The modern world hath its benefits.

 

Fu Zhongwen (1903-1994)

Three’s a charm! I hope these heirlooms will help me to join with the river already flowing. Rest in peace, Master Fu.