Chen Style Tai Chi Chuan

History

Chen Style (Chén Shì 陳氏) Tai Chi Chuan is characterized by silk reeling and bursts of power (Fā Jìn 發勁). It originated in the 17th century (1670s) in the Chen Village of Henan province, China. It was codified by the ninth-generation Chen family leader, Chen Wangting.

Chen Wangting integrated his family's martial arts with other practices, including techniques from General Qi Jiguang's 32 form of boxing, Taoist philosophy, and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Initially, it was kept secret within the village. Chen Style Tai Chi later formed the foundation for other major styles, such as Yang, Wu, and Sun, when it was taught to outsiders.

Founder Chen Wangting

Chen Wangting (1580–1660), a retired Ming dynasty military officer and ninth-generation leader of the Chen family, is credited with developing the art.

Chen Fake

Chen Fake, a great grandson of the celebrated Chen Changxing, had taught the Chen style Tai Chi outside Chen Village. He was of the 17th generation of the Chen family and one of the most highly accomplished and possibly the greatest leader of the Chen style Tai Chi.

Synthesis of Styles

He combined his family's existing martial arts traditions with elements from other systems, including a 32-form boxing routine by General Qi Jiguang.

Integration of Philosophies

Chen Wangting incorporated Taoist principles and Traditional Chinese Medicine, creating a unique internal martial art that unified mental concentration, breathing, and physical movement.

Original Routines

He codified the practice into several routines, including the 108-form Long Fist and a more rigorous form known as Cannon Fist.

Internal Focus

Chen Wangting assimilated the ancient philosophical techniques of Dǎoyǐn and Tuī Ná (推拿) into his martial art routines. These techniques, together with the use of clarity of consciousness, developed with the practice of Taoism.

Dǎoyǐn (導引) is the concentrated exertion of inner force, while Tuī Ná is a set of deep breathing exercises. Tuī Ná has recently developed into the popular Qigong exercises. He also adapt the core philosophical understanding of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

By combining martial art exercises, the practice of Dǎoyǐn and Tuī Ná and Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tai Chi became a complete system of exercise in which the practitioner's mental concentration, breathing and actions are closely connected.

This paved the way for its current use as an ideal form of exercise for all aspects of health.

Characteristics

Chen Style is characterized by its emphasis on spiral force. Its movements are similar to other martial arts. Slow and soft movements intermix with fast and hard ones. It is also characterized by explosive power and low stances. Chen Style is rich with combat techniques that are practical and effective, making it more suitable for younger people.

Secrecy and spread

The art was kept secret within the Chen Village for generations, primarily passed down to daughters-in-law rather than daughters, but eventually began to spread.

Origin of Other Styles

In the 19th century, Chen Changxing taught the art to Yang Luchan, which led to the creation of the Yang style of Tai Chi. Other styles, like Wu and Sun, also trace their roots back to the Chen style.

Modern Recognition

Today, Chen Style Tai Chi is the oldest of the five main Tai Chi styles and is the basis from which other styles developed.