Thunder Dragon
Neigong and Alchemical Arts
CHEN TAIJIQUAN
The Chen family style of Taijiquan is the oldest extant style today, and is the parent style of all other major styles. It garners its name from the Chen family who traditionally reside in Chen Jiagou (陳家溝), or Chen Village, in Henan Province (河南). It is said that the Chen family originally came from Hong Dong (洪洞) in Shanxi Province (山西). Chen Bu moved to Henan in 1374 and founded the village at that time in a place formerly known as Chang Yang Cun (常陽村). It has since been renowned for its rich martial legacy.
There are multiple accounts of how the Chen family gained their namesake style of martial arts. Some say that Chen Bu himself, who was already an accomplished martialist, began the tradition of martial teaching in the village. In the 1600’s, the ninth generation family head, Chen Wangting (陈王庭), finally collected the teachings of the family and codified them into a formal style.
In other accounts, Taijiquan was introduced to the village by one of two Taoist monks from Wudang Shan (武當山). One was Wang Zongyue (王宗岳), who was a disciple of the legendary father of all Taijiquan, Zhang Sanfeng (張三丰). The other was Jiang Fa (蔣發), who may have brought the Jiang style to the village which was then developed into the Chen style.
Taijiquan is one of the three great neijia (內家) disciplines of China. Neijia is said to have been developed at Wudang Shan, and refers to disciplines focusing on internal training. While many of the well-known styles of martial arts throughout the world focus on external strength and movement training (e.g. Karate, Judo, Taekwon Do, Krav Maga), the neijia disciplines also incorporate internal mechanics and energetics. This internal component not only facilitates a much more complete and profound power, but also actively rejuvenates body systems and tissues to enhance health and longevity. Purely external arts, contrarily, tend to break down the body over time. All this makes the internal arts much more difficult and time-consuming to learn properly, yet all the more valuable and effective for those who commit to the challenge.
Chen Taijiquan in particular is known for its use of two key concepts lacking in many other styles. These are Chan Si Jin (纏絲勁), or “silk reeling” and Fa Jin (發勁). These two components combine to give the Chen style its unique explosive coiling whip-like motions and strikes.
The Chen system has developed many form sets, or taolu (套路), over the years. Most of those in the main lineage nowadays are based on the two primary sets known as the Laojia Yilu (老架 一路), or Old Frame First Form, and the Laojia Erlu (老架 二路), or Old Frame Second Form known also as the Cannon Fist (炮捶), or Pao Chui. The Yilu is learned first in order to train the student in proper movements and conditioning, while the Erlu trains the proper integration of internal and external power in the techniques. There are also multiple weapon forms included in the Chen style.
Since the late 1920’s, Chen Taijiquan has spread abroad and gained more widespread popularity after having been relatively hidden in Chen Village until then. This came as a result of Chen Fake (陈发科) bringing the style to Beijing where he taught and fought in various matches and da lei tai (打擂臺) competitions. Currently, his grandson Chen Xiaowang (陳小旺) is the 19th generation family head and, along with Chen Zhenglei (陈正雷), Wang Xian (王西安), and Zhu Tiancai (朱天才) is one of the grandmasters known as the Four Living Buddhas of Chinese martial arts. It is from the direct lineage of these grandmasters, particularly Chen Xiaowang and Chen Zhenglei, that the Thunder Dragon School takes its approach to the style.
Training Provided in:
Foundational Principles
External and Internal Body Mechanics
Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei's 18 Short Form
Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang's 19 Short Form
Chen 36 Form
Wushu Competition 56 Form
Old Frame First Routine (Lao Jia Yi Lu)
Old Frame Second Routine (Lao Jia Er Lu)
Weapons Forms
Applications for All Techniques
45-minute class - $69