# what is your view on Chen style TaiChi ?

**URL:** <https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/what-is-your-view-on-chen-style-taichi/36035>\
**Category:** Taijiquan and the Internal Martial Arts\
**Created:** [May 13, 2006, 2:17pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/what-is-your-view-on-chen-style-taichi/36035 "2006-05-13T14:17:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![Nebuchadnezzar](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/nebuchadnezzar/32/715_2.png) [@Nebuchadnezzar](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/Nebuchadnezzar)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2006, 7:38pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/what-is-your-view-on-chen-style-taichi/36035/41 "2006-06-24T19:38:40Z")

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> [@DarinHamel](#):
>
> Chen style classes seem to be the only ones you can count on to have martial applications in them. I have seen no other Taijiquan that is so consistent across the country. Just as Chen usually has fighters Yang style usually doesn’t. Worldwide it might be different but here in North America thats the way it seems to me.
> 
> I teach Yang style btw.

That’s not a valid statement. While there are more Chen stylist who practice the martial aspects of Tai Chi, numerically, there are more Yang Stylists in the world, period. That skews the numbers dramatically. There are just more people practicing Yang Style than Chen, just as there are more people studying Yang than Wu, Wu (Hao Style) Sun style, etc.

There are more people who learn the Cheng Man Ching short forms and then think that they are Tai Chi masters and open a school somewhere saying that they teach Tai Chi.

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**Author:** ![greendragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ce73a5/32.png) [@greendragon](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/greendragon)\
**Post date:** [June 25, 2006, 1:12am UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/what-is-your-view-on-chen-style-taichi/36035/42 "2006-06-25T01:12:08Z")

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as the one who started this thread..

I have come to understand the differences. It is in the silk reeling. Chen uses a more spiraling and complex delivery of power with tan tien more like a spinning orb than a point to be moved in a linear direction. Power is brought up into the back and delivered and grounding is maintained through the Gua (inguinal cut). Direction is more from the waist and less from the hips, this is a subtle difference. Overall it DOES seem less relaxed than Yang, but then I am a beginner. ..and I don’t like the footwork/stances as well as Yang. Just my report from my cross training experience.

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**Author:** ![TaiChiBob](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/taichibob/32/256_2.png) [@TaiChiBob](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/TaiChiBob)\
**Post date:** [June 25, 2006, 5:48pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/what-is-your-view-on-chen-style-taichi/36035/43 "2006-06-25T17:48:24Z")

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Greetings..

Forgive my poor understandings here, but.. whether it be Chen, Yang, Sun, Wu.. whatever, the choreography is just a tool for educating the student.. Indeed, many “teachers” out there never got to any real depth of learning, they learned to dance the family dance.. There is as much combat effectiveness in Yang as there is in Chen, if you find the right teachers.. While the choreography is instrumental in learning, it is only the beginning.. the foundation of Taijiquan..

“Silk-reeling” is not specifically limited to Chen, it benefits all styles.. A well trained and experienced Yang teacher will reveal the internal structure of Yang after a certain level of competence is developed with the basic choreography.. that structure is circular, spiral and linear, it is expansive, not exclusive..

Mastering the choreography is like building a good road.. mastering Taiji is like building a high performance race-car to drive on that road..

At some point, Taiji is “realized”.. the labels fade, and style comparisons become mildly amusing.. they are just different paths up the same mountain.. and, the view from the top is the same.. (or so i hear)…

Be well…

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**Author:** ![tjqg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@tjqg](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/tjqg)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2006, 6:02pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/what-is-your-view-on-chen-style-taichi/36035/44 "2006-07-13T18:02:43Z")

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> [@B-Rad](#):
>
> If I’m not mistaken, they openly train boxing and san shou to go with their taiji. If you look at the CMC form the punching and kicking seems pretty limited. Tiffany Chen is one of the few people I’ve actually seen knock people around in pushands though without resorting to wrestling or brute strength.

people here speak highly about Wcc Chen, Tiffany Chen, i just went to their wevsite to see some pushhand clip, I don’t know why those weird wresting called pushhand.

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**Author:** ![B-Rad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@B-Rad](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/B-Rad)\
**Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 5:04am UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/what-is-your-view-on-chen-style-taichi/36035/45 "2006-07-14T05:04:19Z")

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Got a link? I’ve never seen their website.

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**Author:** ![TaiChiBob](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/taichibob/32/256_2.png) [@TaiChiBob](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/TaiChiBob)\
**Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 12:29pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/what-is-your-view-on-chen-style-taichi/36035/46 "2006-07-14T12:29:20Z")

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Greetings..

> people here speak highly about Wcc Chen, Tiffany Chen, i just went to their wevsite to see some pushhand clip, I don’t know why those weird wresting called pushhand.  
> lol.. this is a common comment from people that haven’t played at that level.. what you see as weird wrestling is a very nuanced and dynamic Taiji skill-set.. these clips are of matches between people of considerable skill, they are listening, adhering, controlling and expressing in “real-time” and under pressure.. they are moving Taiji skills toward the level where it can be effectively used in highly competitive “full-contact” competitions.. A sad commentary for Taiji is that most people see no Taiji in the really harsh environments of “reality” fight games, from which they form the notion that Taiji isn’t that good as a martial art.. Tiffany, Josh, the Childresses, Dan, Chris.. these are people that are willing to take the risks and raise the bar..

Be well…

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**Author:** ![Shaolindynasty](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/shaolindynasty/32/141_2.png) [@Shaolindynasty](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/Shaolindynasty)\
**Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 3:15pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/what-is-your-view-on-chen-style-taichi/36035/47 "2006-07-14T15:15:10Z")

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> Martial arts are called such because they instill a higher learning in the individual for a complete way of life

Thus the “Do” of Ju"do"

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**Author:** ![Zhijian\_Tsui](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/zhijian_tsui/32/726_2.png) [@Zhijian\_Tsui](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/Zhijian_Tsui)\
**Post date:** [July 17, 2006, 10:44pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/what-is-your-view-on-chen-style-taichi/36035/48 "2006-07-17T22:44:42Z")

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Out of Chen Or Yang style,i always go with Chen Style.

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**Author:** ![jack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cc9497/32.png) [@jack](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/jack)\
**Post date:** [July 20, 2006, 5:32pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/what-is-your-view-on-chen-style-taichi/36035/49 "2006-07-20T17:32:55Z")

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My own point of view

Among all the tai ji styles, old traditional cheng style taiji () is the best & it is also the mother of all taiji styles.

Why it is the best also had something to do with its history background.

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**Author:** ![TaiChiBob](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/taichibob/32/256_2.png) [@TaiChiBob](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/TaiChiBob)\
**Post date:** [July 20, 2006, 6:16pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/what-is-your-view-on-chen-style-taichi/36035/50 "2006-07-20T18:16:35Z")

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Greetings..

> Among all the tai ji styles, old traditional cheng style taiji () is the best & it is also the mother of all taiji styles.  
> Hmmm.. How about Lu He Pa Fa? It is easy to make such claims, more difficult to support.. Taiji is a dynamic and living Art, evolving with each successive generation.. lineage and ancestory is valuable but no indicator of current status.. We are here, now, today.. what works today is all that matters..

Be well…

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**Author:** ![jack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cc9497/32.png) [@jack](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/jack)\
**Post date:** [July 20, 2006, 7:41pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/what-is-your-view-on-chen-style-taichi/36035/51 "2006-07-20T19:41:57Z")

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Lu He Pa Fa

()  
:  
[http://hk.geocities.com/tai\_chi\_cchk/wah.htm](http://hk.geocities.com/tai_chi_cchk/wah.htm)

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**Author:** ![jack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cc9497/32.png) [@jack](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/jack)\
**Post date:** [July 20, 2006, 8:07pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/what-is-your-view-on-chen-style-taichi/36035/52 "2006-07-20T20:07:31Z")

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> [@TaiChiBob](#):
>
> Greetings..
> 
> Hmmm.. How about Lu He Pa Fa? It is easy to make such claims, more difficult to support.. Taiji is a dynamic and living Art, evolving with each successive generation.. lineage and ancestory is valuable but no indicator of current status.. We are here, now, today.. what works today is all that matters..
> 
> Be well…

Hi,  
Do you study the history of the Ming dynasty?  
Do you know where did the old traditional cheng style taiji originated from?  
Do you know that old traditional cheng style taiji could be related to shaolin MA?

In order to know the old traditional cheng style taiji better, you have to read up some of Ming dynasty history.

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**Author:** ![scholar](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/scholar/32/366_2.png) [@scholar](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/scholar)\
**Post date:** [July 20, 2006, 8:15pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/what-is-your-view-on-chen-style-taichi/36035/53 "2006-07-20T20:15:14Z")

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Which Ming dynasty histories mention any style of Taijiquan?

I’ve read Chinese history for 30 years, and the earliest usage of the name I can come up with is 1850 or so…

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**Author:** ![TaiChiBob](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/taichibob/32/256_2.png) [@TaiChiBob](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/TaiChiBob)\
**Post date:** [July 20, 2006, 8:21pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/what-is-your-view-on-chen-style-taichi/36035/54 "2006-07-20T20:21:14Z")

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Greetings..

Well, Jack.. a translation might be helpful.. but, aside from that, i am quite familiar with the history of Taiji.. i conclude that beyond verifiable histories, it is speculation and conjecture.. people manipulate the ambiguities to suit their own purposes..

Be well…

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**Author:** ![jack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cc9497/32.png) [@jack](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/jack)\
**Post date:** [July 20, 2006, 9:37pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/what-is-your-view-on-chen-style-taichi/36035/55 "2006-07-20T21:37:30Z")

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Taijiquan was not named taijiquan in the beginning, it had names like“ ”“ ”“ ”“”. It was only called taijiquan at a much later time after it had been created. Why was it called taijiquan? That is because its theory had something to do with Taoism & Yi Jing’s teachings.

Have you ever heard of written by a great Ming dynasty general called & a stroke called in taiji?

Do you know that the creator of old traditional cheng style taiji, was once also a Ming dynasty military officer?

Old traditional cheng style taiji was created in a dynasty full of chaotic.

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**Author:** ![Nebuchadnezzar](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/nebuchadnezzar/32/715_2.png) [@Nebuchadnezzar](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/Nebuchadnezzar)\
**Post date:** [July 21, 2006, 1:23am UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/what-is-your-view-on-chen-style-taichi/36035/56 "2006-07-21T01:23:22Z")

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> [@jack](#):
>
> Taijiquan was not named taijiquan in the beginning, it had names like“ ”“ ”“ ”“”. It was only called taijiquan at a much later time after it had been created. Why was it called taijiquan? That is because its theory had something to do with Taoism & Yi Jing’s teachings.
> 
> Have you ever heard of written by a great Ming dynasty general called & a stroke called in taiji?
> 
> Do you know that the creator of old traditional cheng style taiji, was once also a Ming dynasty military officer?
> 
> Old traditional cheng style taiji was created in a dynasty full of chaotic.

Why are you peppering your posts with Chinese instead of the transliterations? 😕

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**Author:** ![jack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cc9497/32.png) [@jack](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/jack)\
**Post date:** [July 21, 2006, 4:25pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/what-is-your-view-on-chen-style-taichi/36035/57 "2006-07-21T16:25:19Z")

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You can try software like worldlingo but translation could sometime result in giving you the wrong data. With the Chinese words provided, at least you can find out the truth yourself.

There are people who knew how to read & write Chinese in this forum. They will know whether am I providing the correct info or not?

* * *

For those who are learning yang style taiji, please try to learnt the Inner Residence Yang Style TaiJiQuan (). The widely spread yang style taiji, which a lot of people are learning now is not the real yang style taiji.

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**Author:** ![TaiChiBob](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/taichibob/32/256_2.png) [@TaiChiBob](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/TaiChiBob)\
**Post date:** [July 21, 2006, 5:14pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/what-is-your-view-on-chen-style-taichi/36035/58 "2006-07-21T17:14:29Z")

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Greetings..

Jack: So, is it your assertion that you don’t have the skills to adequately explain the concepts you put forth in another language? Or, is it that you enjoy demonstrating a skill of linguistics that others may not have? Forums are places where people come to interact on subjects of mutual interest.. cryptic or disguised messages fail to be classed as effective communication..

Be well..

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**Author:** ![jack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cc9497/32.png) [@jack](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/jack)\
**Post date:** [July 21, 2006, 6:55pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/what-is-your-view-on-chen-style-taichi/36035/59 "2006-07-21T18:55:21Z")

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I guess you must have thought that I am uttering nonsense, right? The histories of old traditional chen style taiji & inner residence yang style taiji are no longer secrets in mainland, Taiwan & Hong Kong anymore.

[http://members.optusnet.com.au/kpcheung79/INTRODUCTION.HTM](http://members.optusnet.com.au/kpcheung79/INTRODUCTION.HTM)

[http://tw.knowledge.yahoo.com/question/?qid=1206060509842](http://tw.knowledge.yahoo.com/question/?qid=1206060509842)

[http://www.gzbeauty.com/product/product.asp](http://www.gzbeauty.com/product/product.asp)

These are some links that will help you to have a better understanding of old traditional chen style taiji & inner residence yang style taiji but too bad they are all in Chinese.

This is the least that I can do for you.

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**Author:** ![jack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cc9497/32.png) [@jack](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/jack)\
**Post date:** [July 21, 2006, 7:19pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/what-is-your-view-on-chen-style-taichi/36035/60 "2006-07-21T19:19:24Z")

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[http://www.gzbeauty.com/product/detail.asp?id=721](http://www.gzbeauty.com/product/detail.asp?id=721)  
[http://www.gzbeauty.com/product/detail.asp?id=720](http://www.gzbeauty.com/product/detail.asp?id=720)  
[http://www.gzbeauty.com/product/detail.asp?id=719](http://www.gzbeauty.com/product/detail.asp?id=719)

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