Chen Tai Chi Lesson 1
What you will learn?
Thank you for enrolling! This class includes a warm up sequence and covers the first five movements of the routine:
Opening; Buddha's Attendant Pounds the Mortar; Lazy Tying of Coat; Four Sealings & Six Closing; Single Whip
This is a reference video of the first section of the routine. Use this video to practice the movements you've learnt and to pre-view more of the routine.. It starts with a back view so it is easier to follow along. It repeats the sequence with a view from the front to ensure details of each movement are clear.
This lesson covers the following moves:
Buddha's Attendant Pounds the Mortar, White Goose Spreads Wings, Lift Knee and Cross Aligned Stance
This is a reference video of the first section of the routine. Use this video to practice the movements you've learnt and to pre-view more of the routine.. It starts with a back view so it is easier to follow along. It repeats the sequence with a view from the front to ensure details of each movement are clear.
This lesson continues the routine up to the third Buddha's Attendant Pounds the Mortar
This is a reference video of the first section of the routine. Use this video to practice the sequence.. It starts with a back view so it is easier to follow along. It repeats the sequence with a view from the front to ensure details of each movement are clear.
Optional Assignment: Submit video for feed back
Make a recording of yourself holding the standing posture, including the opening movement of the arms. Stand for just four breaths. Then perform the first three movements of the routine: Opening; Buddha’s Attendant Pounds the Mortar; and Lazying Tying of Coat.
Upload the video as an unlisted/private video on youtube.com, vimeo.com, Google Drive, or another free service. Please ensure the video can be streamed! File transfers requiring download will not be accepted.
Send me the streamable link via email: james@eastmountain.ca. I will respond with detailed feedback as soon as I’m able.
Tips for recording video:
• Cell phones or laptops are a convenient way to record video. If using a cell phone, consider having someone film for you or use a stand. Here’s a video on how to make a phone tripod with just a paper towel roll: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCF-uPQ4zzo
• If you have an option for setting the video quality, avoid high quality (makes the file size too large). Medium or low quality settings are typically fine.
• Don’t have bright windows or other bright lights behind you. This will turn you into a silhouette. Try to position yourself so that the camera is between you and main light sources.
• Try to ensure you stay in the frame of the recording. Watch that the left and right edges of the frame don’t cut off hands or feet.
• Ideal is to position the camera so all of you, from head to feet, is recorded. But if you don’t have enough room, then please ensure that your feet, legs, torso and arms are in the picture.
• Review the video before you send it. It doesn’t need to be perfect in terms of recording or performance. Just an accurate reflection of your practice to date.
Recording your practice is an excellent way to see your progress objectively. Often students immediately see details they want to correct. It also serves as a reference point that you can return to, letting you see your improvements over time.
This video covers the following movements of the second section of the Tai Chi routine:
Leaning Body Strike, Green Dragon Emerges from the Water, Double Hand Push and Fist Under Elbow
This is a reference video of sections one and two of the routine. Use this video to practice the sequence and to preview the movements coming up.. It starts with a back view so it is easier to follow along. It repeats the sequence with a view from the front to ensure details of each movement are clear.
Chen Tai Chi Lesson 5
This lesson covers the following moves of the second section::
Rolling Arm Retreat, White Goose Spreads Wings, Cross Aligned Stance, Three Through the Back and Cover Fist and Punch
This is a reference video of sections one and two of the routine. Use this video to practice the sequence and to preview the movements coming up.. It starts with a back view so it is easier to follow along. It repeats the sequence with a view from the front to ensure details of each movement are clear.
Chen Tai Chi Lesson 6
This lesson covers the following movements:
Six Sealings & Four Closings, Single Whip, Wave Hands, High Pat On Horse
Congratulations of completing the first two sections of the routine!
You can now use this video to refine your Tai Chi. It starts with a back view so it is easier to follow along. It repeats the sequence with a view from the front to ensure details of each movement are clear.
Optional Assignment: Submit video for feed back
Make a recording of yourself performing the starting movements of the second section: from the stomp of Buddha’s Attendant to Leaning Body Strike, Black Dragon Emerges from the Water, Double Hand Push and Fist Under Elbow.
Upload the video as an unlisted/private video on youtube.com, vimeo.com, Google Drive, or another free service. Please ensure the video can be streamed! File transfers requiring download will not be accepted.
Send me the streamable link via email: james@eastmountain.ca. I will respond with detailed feedback as soon as I’m able.
Tips for recording video:
• Cell phones or laptops are a convenient way to record video. If using a cell phone, consider having someone film for you or use a stand. Here’s a video on how to make a phone tripod with just a paper towel roll: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCF-uPQ4zzo
• If you have an option for setting the video quality, avoid high quality (makes the file size too large). Medium or low quality settings are typically fine.
• Don’t have bright windows or other bright lights behind you. This will turn you into a silhouette. Try to position yourself so that the camera is between you and main light sources.
• Try to ensure you stay in the frame of the recording. Watch that the left and right edges of the frame don’t cut off hands or feet.
• Ideal is to position the camera so all of you, from head to feet, is recorded. But if you don’t have enough room, then please ensure that your feet, legs, torso and arms are in the picture.
• Review the video before you send it. It doesn’t need to be perfect in terms of recording or performance. Just an accurate reflection of your practice to date.
Recording your practice is an excellent way to see your progress objectively. Often students immediately see details they want to correct. It also serves as a reference point that you can return to, letting you see your improvements over time.
The Last Lesson
Congratulations on completing this course! There is more to learn, but in this short talk I review the key material of the two sections of the routine that we've covered. As well, I discuss the meaing of the term 'internal' in the phrase Interna Martial Art.
Instruction in the remainder of the routine plus conditioning exercises and explanation of more key Tai Chi theories continues in Chen Style Tai Chi - Part Two!
