Chenjiagou Taijiquan GB Newsletter June 2014 Volume 4, Issue 2 Sword & Old Frame Workshops with Chen Ziqiang Contents Chen Ziqiang Workshops 1 News 3 Borneo 4 Snowden 5 Masters From China 6 CTGB's Amazing Students 7 Sunday Workshops 8 Recommended reading 9 CTXX-UK Membership 10 Upcoming Events Master Chen Ziqiang s annual visit to the school took place over five days from the 18-22 nd June. The first three days everyone was drilled in the sword form. This took place in Warrington s Chester University campus, which also happens to be the strength training and sports medicine base for the Warrington Wolves rugby league team. As usual his sessions began with a demanding warm up that literally stretched everyone to their limit. The sword form is one of the most technically difficult forms in the Chen Taijiquan syllabus to do correctly. In Chinese martial arts sayings it is often compared to a swimming dragon fluid, graceful and changeable. Chen Ziqiang is a stickler for precision and for understanding the function behind every movement. Lots of time was spent explaining the details of each movement and then repeating them under his demanding eye. Several times during the course of the seminar the whole Warrington Wolves squad came through the training hall on the way to their own sessions. It was pleasing to see their interested looks and the respectful way they conducted themselves. Sunday Sword Workshop - July Grandmaster Chen Xiaoxing Seminar - October
Page 2 of 10 Seminar report continued For the weekend we moved to the Birchwood Tennis & Leisure Centre for two days of Laojia Yilu. As with the sword sessions there were lots of detailed corrections and explanations. Thanks to everyone in the school who supported the workshops. It was great to have support from abroad with participants from Israel and Norway as well as from up and down the country. We were particularly pleased with some of the newer students who attended the seminar for the first time and really got stuck in and gave it their best effort well done! www.chentaijigb.co.uk
Page 3 of 10 News Laojia Latest Finishers! Well done to the latest students to finish the Laojia Yilu form. Traditionally the process of learning Taijiquan is said to go through six stages. The first graduation comes after persevering long enough to get to the end of the form. This is no small achievement in itself. Many schools of Taiji teach shortened simplified versions of the art, but we teach the traditional forms that have been passed down for many generations. So again well done! But don t get complacent the second stage then is to train until you are completely familiar with the sequence and can do it yourself without looking at anyone else so keep up the good work! Dave Cox, Brenda Orcyzk, Tim Holden, Pat Jones, Tom Gothard & Jeanette Duffy. Top: Jeanette Duffy, Dave Cox & Tom Gothard Below: Pat Jones, Tim Holden, Brenda Orcyzk World Tai Chi Day - MediaCityUK On 26 th April CTGB Instructor Allan Aldridge took his group to MediaCityUK in Salford to take part in the 2014 World Tai Chi Day event. Allan who teaches in Atherton, demonstrated Chen style Taijiquan with his students in front of over 200 spectators. Well done to those who took part. Afterwards Allan led some taster sessions so some of those watching could have a chance to try Taijiquan for themselves. Reading Workshop Thank you to Viki Lloyd of Reading Wado Karate & Chen Taijiquan for organising the workshop in Reading on the 4 th May. We had an enjoyable day going through Laojia Yilu fundamentals and applications with her group. www.chentaijigb.co.uk
www.chentaijigb.co.uk Page 4 of 10 Amazing Borneo News A group of CTGB students enjoyed an amazing couple of weeks in exotic Borneo in April. Based in the Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort in Kota Kinabalu, every morning started with Taiji on the beach facing out to the South China Sea. During the stay the group took the opportunity to experience a variety of the local culture, wildlife and food (even eating in a Bruce Lee restaurant one evening) headhunters, longhouses, cruising the Klias River as night fell to see probiscus monkeys and fireflies A few weeks back most of the group met up again to watch a film of the trip directed and recorded by our own Colin Grimes that made us all wish we were still in Borneo.
www.chentaijigb.co.uk Page 5 of 10 Snowdonia Weekend This year s Taiji residential took place at the Trigonos Centre in the foothills of Mount Snowden in North Wales. Taiji has its roots in Daoist philosophy. Daoism itself is built upon the understanding, appreciation and blending with nature. It would be hard to imagine a more fitting location to practise. The group worked through the traditional two handforms of Chen Taijiquan waking up and training the Laojia Yilu before breakfast; then refining the second form or Cannon Fist throughout the day. News Congratulations!!! Congratulations are due to several members of the school. First, well done to Hilary Tucker, one of our newer students in the Lymm class. Hilary has been recognised with an OBE in the recent Queen s birthday honours list! She earned the tribute as chair of Greater Manchester Probation Trust (GMPT) for services to public protection and reducing re-offending. Well done also to Liz Halsey. Liz trains at the Flixton class and has just achieved a First Class degree in Acupuncture from Manchester Metropolitan University. The theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine provide an important cornerstone of the underlying theory of Chen Taijiquan so it s great to see students widening their knowledge of this aspect of Chinese culture.
Page 6 of 10 2014 Masters from China Seminars We started our school with the vision of bringing the traditional village art of Chen Taijiquan to the UK. Today students have training opportunities that we could only dream of when we started training Taijiquan. Grandmaster Chen Xiaoxing to visit our school in October In October Grandmaster Chen Xiaoxing will be returning for his third visit to our school. It is a well known fact that GM Chen is happiest living simply at home in the Chen Village.This is his first visit to Europe for several years and is an invaluable opportunity for all of us to increase our level of understanding. An article in Inside Kungfu magazine described Chen Xiaoxing as "the last village Grandmaster". He is a staunch advocate of the old ways of training and all the members of the school that have travelled to China to train with him know the way he likes to train in the traditional way. Chen Xiaoxing has been responsible for training many students who are now recognised as masters in their own right and while being strict in his requirements is a friendly and approachable teacher. International Advanced Chen Taijiquan Training Camp Slovenia August 2015 Planica Olympic Training Centre The first International Advanced Training camp of Grandmaster Chen Xiaoxing in Europe will be held in the Planica Olympic Training Centre in Slovenia s Julian Alps. He will be assisted by his son Master Chen Ziqiang. The camp consists of 6 days in-depth training of the Xinjia Yilu (New Frame First Routine), to be taught by GM Chen Xiaoxing and assisted by Chen Ziqiang. During this visit he will be teaching the Xinjia Yilu (New Frame First Form) and reviewing the Laojia Erlu (Old Frame Cannon Fist Form). Open to all participants in the evenings (at no extra charge) will be the opportunity for an introduction to the Chen Spear form through the 24 Spear Routine, and to train the Chen 54 Sword Form, with Master Chen Ziqiang. There will also be one evening for Instructors (only) with GM Chen Xiaoxing on Taijiquan theories and movement principles. Full details available in class. www.chentaijigb.co.uk
Page 7 of 10 CTGB s Amazing Students CTGB's Amazing Students - Meet Colin Grimes! Some members of the school are truly remarkable people who have had amazing exploits and achievements in their lives. We often come together to train without ever getting to know who they are and some of their inspiring stories. To put that right we will be featuring some of their stories in the newsletter. This issue we are featuring Colin Grimes, a familiar figure in the Lymm class. Colin is an artist whose work has been exhibited across the world. His most recent exhibition was closer to home here in the Warrington Museum and Art Gallery. The major theme underlying Colin s paintings is reflected images: In his own words, I am fascinated by the complex overlapping images that are created when we look at a subject through a glass window. The series of paintings in the Warrington exhibition were inspired by an exhibition of Canaletto s paintings of Venice at the Queen s Gallery in London. Say hello to Colin when you see him in class! Chenjiagou Taijiquan Museum statue Image Colin Grimes www.chentaijigb.co.uk
www.chentaijigb.co.uk Page 8 of 10 Sunday Workshops Caption Contest!!!! Upcoming Events CTGB Page Newsletter 3 of 7 Sunday Workshops Sunday workshops allow us to go more deeply into parts of the system we don't have the time to cover in as much depth as we would like to in the regular classes. 27 th July 12-4pm Sword Form Birchwood Leisure Centre (in the large sports hall) Send your amusing captions for the picture above of Chen Ziqiang and his youngest child. The one we think is the funniest will win a copy of the book - Asian Martial Arts: Constructive Thoughts & Practical Applications An opportunity to review the sword corrections we went through with Chen Ziqiang during his recent seminar. Also suitable for students interested in learning the sword form for the first time. 23 rd Nov 1-5pm Xinjia Yilu (New Frame First Form) Croft Memorial Hall If you have a query about any aspect of Chen Taijiquan drop us an email at chenjiagoutaijiquangb@gmail.com and we ll try to answer it!
Page 9 of 10 Recommended Reading Chen Style Taijiquan: The Source of Taijiquan The first book by David & Davidine is a comprehensive introduction to Chen Taijiquan. Chapters include: history of Chen Taiji, philosophy, training methods, body requirements & common mistakes; Chen family legends 15.00 soon to be classic book on Chen Taijiquan Noah Lundberg Journal of Asian Martial Arts The Essence of Taijiquan The second book by David and Davidine. Described by the famous record producer Tony Visconti (who also happens to be a committed Chen Taijiquan practitioner) as the best book on Chen Taijiquan. Includes chapters on the recent history that shaped the modern face of Chen Taijiquan; understanding Qi; Taijiquan as a combat system; and a series of interviews with some of today s leading Chen Taijiquan practitioners. 15.00 Record producer Tony Visconti with his copy of The Essence of Taijiquan Asian Martial Arts: Constructive Thoughts & Practical Applications Produced by the acclaimed Journal of Asian Martial Arts. This book consists of 9 articles by leading martial arts scholars covering history, media, healing and spiritual and combative components. Also includes 27 articles by acknowledged practitioners of different arts demonstrating their favourite techniques and offering practice tips. David writes about Chen Taijiquan's method of using softness to neutralise and hardness to emit force. 15.00 Cultural Influences on Taijiquan vol 1: The Art of War by Sunzi This series provides an introduction to some of the most important classic texts to have influenced the creation and development of Chen Taijiquan. How many people realise the extent to which Taijiquan s combat theory was shaped and drew inspiration from Sunzi s Art of War; how its embracement of Yin-Yang theory can be traced back to the ancient Yijing or Book of Changes; and how its philosophy of naturalness and flexibility draws upon the Daoist classic the Daodejing, written by the mysterious Laozi. 10.00 Order your copy in class
www.chentaijigb.co.uk Become a member of the Chenjiagou Taijiquan School Page 10 of 10 Our school is now the official UK branch of the Chenjiagou Taijiquan School. UK students now have the opportunity to become Individual Members of the main school in China. Annual membership costs 35 and besides being linked to Taijiquan's birthplace, you will also receive: Reduced price for UK seminars with Grandmaster Chen Xiaoxing and Master Chen Ziqiang - both will be coming to our school in 2014 Reduced price for regular monthly workshops Bi-monthly e-newsletter with news from the headquarters, training advice etc (this is not the same as the regular club newsletter) Annual Yearbook School t-shirt & Membership card Lots of students have already signed up and we would strongly encourage everyone to join!