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Watch the above clip, featuring Master Jiang Jiajun performing Yilu perhaps in the 1990s. Jiang, a top student of Grand Master Hong Junshen, trained initially under Chen Zhaopei prior to 1964. Through that experience, Jiang found good ties with the Chen Villagers; he was particularly close to Wang Xian and later was to become the godfather of Wang’s eldest son.

Although many would know that chansijing or silkreeling energy is the main element that makes up Chen Style Taiji, those who understand and can apply it is few and far in between. There are those that think silkreeling as spiral force. If that is the case, their often point of view that follows would be correct -  Don’t have to bother as other Taiji styles dwell on spiral and circular energies too. But does silkreeling equates to spiral force? And does their application differ?

According to expert opinion, they are not the same; read on as Master Li Jingwu(李经悟)elaborates further from an extract in his 1964 article:

“Produced through spiral movement, the spiral energy is focused on a single point of the opponent’s body, with the purpose of upsetting his structure or balance. This kind of energy application exists in all forms of Taijiquan, for example Wu Style’s Grasping Bird’s Tail or Brush Knee Push, all which exhibit obvious spiral energy application.

The silkreeling energy however is different.

Firstly, the mechanism to achieve it is more complex. Its uniqueness is marked by the multi-varied rotational movement of the waist and dantian working in tandem. This results from combining the two rotational movements of the waist and dantian, twirling on at least two different axes. With the guidance of the mind intention the silkreeling energy reaches the finger tips through the rotating spine and arms.

Secondly, ‘returning to the source’(归原) must be achieved through the settling of qi in the dantian at the end of each movement with the rounding of the ‘dang’. On the surface it looks as though this energy is the result of the movement and the rotation of the upper limps only. But in actual fact precise co-ordination of the whole body is required, right from the feet to the main focus of the waist and dantian rotation, to the spine and arms and finally to the finger tips, all guided by the mind intention.

Finally however, let’s examine this in terms of application and usage because in it lays the most obvious difference between the two energies. Silkreeling energy does not stop at the finger tips to be focused on a single point if the opponent. Instead, through the multi-axis rotational movement of the finger tips, wrist and arms, the twirling and twisting energy enters the opponent. This energy becomes amplified giving rise to a natural but overwhelming wrapping up or entanglement effect. The opponent will be ‘wrapped up’ or entangled by his own body or limps and thus being subdued that way. This is the essence of Chen Style Taiji, which is truly unique”.

Well, Master Li Jingwu’s (李经悟)above writing may indeed be the most succinct explanation on silkreeling energy to date. Compare it with the clip below and see if you can relate the two or come up with any new insights. The clip shows demonstrations by Li Baoting (李宝廷), a very accomplished student of Master Hong Junsheng. Enjoy.

How do you obtain a taiji ruler?

There really isn’t a need to buy any special equipment. For me, i just used a chinese rolling pin that is about a feet long. Others simply saw a section off an unused curtain rod.

Here are 2 simple steps on how to do the taiji ruler exercise. You may think of more.

1. Hold the ruler so that it is in a vertical position while your arms are like embracing a balloon. Push the ruler in so that it is near your chest and out again. At the same time your wrists must rotate as though you are wringing the ruler.

2. Hold the ruler horizontally in front of your chest with your palms facing your chest. Next,  using your waist , turn left but using your right hand to push your right end of ruler down (At this point, the right end of the ruler moves toward your body ) while your left hand will try to resist the movement. After that, turn back to face the front to the starting position. Repeat this on right side. Remember resistance is the key here.

Well the scanned images may not be of high resolution but it is good enough for research or personal use.

So here it is The Tai-chi Martial Art Digital Archive.

One of the manual in this archive is  by 17th generation xiaojia master, Chen Ziming. His work, The Art of Chen Family Taijiquan Transmitted Through Generations published in 1932.

Well hopefully some of you find this archive useful.

It was said that most of the qinna techniques now taught by the Chen Village folks were taught by the 18th generation master Chen Zhaokui.  His son, Chen Yu now teaching in Beijing is very apt in qinna too.

Little has been wrote about this weapon of Chen Taiji – the double mace 锏. It is considered to be a short weapon with a square cross section. Usually made from copper or iron, it it about 4 feet long. The diagram above is scanned from a 1992 special issue of the shaolin and taichi magazine.

Here is a clip showing the performance of the double mace form by Chen ZiQiang. In this vide, he seems to be using sticks to replace the mace.

In this short clip filmed at an informal setting, we see how he can do the New Frame, XinJia in a smooth and yet aggressive way.

Here is another one on a well designed Japanese site  (as read from Formasa Neijia site)

Have you incorporated other kinds of balls into your training? Let me  know if you have.

Whille we may like to grasp someone knee and destablises him/her, you may like to go for the waist and lift the person up.

Well if you are a collector of Taijiquan DVDs, then this is the set you need to add to your collection. A total of 26 Discs! I wish he skip his 19 and 38 routines and saved 3 discs.

Get it here if you wish to own one.