Chen Village Museum

Posted by On Filed under Tai chi
Chen Village Museum

During our visit to Chen Village, we spent a few hours exploring the 2800 square meters of the Chen Village Museum.  Being the birthplace of Tai Chi, the museum is a wonderful collection of art, sculptures and information about the history and theory of this martial arts.  The museum also has a way of introducing you to the tai chi Masters and their life stories.

In this video, about half way through, you will see the painting of a master with numerous hands.  It is said that when a practitioner of tai chi reaches a very high level, his skill is like that of ‘a man with a thousand hands’.  He can thus achieve a lot by doing a little, as in if he gets hit by someone, that pressure will bounce back to the assailant.

Most people in Chenjiagou Village, or Chen Village, practice tai chi.  Hence there is a widespread saying:

“After drinking the water in Chenjiagou Village, you will know how to perform one or two movements of Tai chi.”

 

Sifu Leo’s reflection of visiting this museum is:

“Well, I have read up for years on the history and the various masters and how they passed their knowledge on. It is only when you get there, to Chen Village, that it becomes a reality as you stand on the grounds where the Master’s actually trained. The museum made real the theory that I read in the books.  I recommend students of tai chi to visit the museum, as when you are physically at Chenjiagou , the teachings that you have learned in your taiji class get placed into a real perspective.”

 

> Next China Trip blog:  Shanghai and Zhujiajiao

During our visit to Chen Village, we spent a few hours exploring the 2800 square meters of the Chen Village Museum.  Being the birthplace of Tai Chi, the museum is a wonderful collection of art, sculptures and information about the history and theory of this martial arts.  The museum also has a way of introducing …

History of the tai chi short and long yang form

Posted by On Filed under Benefits, Tai chi
History of the tai chi short and long yang form

Cheng Man Ching’s yang short form, of the 108 tai chi long form, has huge benefits to one’s health.  It is relatively easy to learn compared to chen and wu style’s and is the basic entry level form into the tai ji syllabus at Sifu Leo Low Ming’s school.

History

As a physician professor, Cheng used taiji training to add to his patients program for quicker recovery, as he himself was cured from disease using taiji.

The 108 is a lengthy form , so Professor Cheng shortened and summarized the key points of the 108 form to produce what we know as the short form or 37 posture. He eliminated repetitive moves and adjusted the sequence.

It is a great form for the young and the mature to learn and has a good energetic feel, creates calm and internal balance.

Professor Cheng was approached by the Kuomintang government to help create a formal fitness program for Chinese school children.

This form is practiced world wide today. It also is not as tedious in repetition as the 108, and thus makes it easy to absorb.

 

Here is old footage, from the 1900’s , of Chen Manching practicing this tai chi yang form.

Tai Chi Classes in Johannesburg

To learn this tai chi form and others, try a complimentary first session at Mings Martial Arts.  Our classes are in Parkview.

For more info contact your Sifu, Leo Low Ming, on 0833780468.

Cheng Man Ching’s yang short form, of the 108 tai chi long form, has huge benefits to one’s health.  It is relatively easy to learn compared to chen and wu style’s and is the basic entry level form into the tai ji syllabus at Sifu Leo Low Ming’s school. History As a physician professor, Cheng used …