Chen Style Tai Chi Techniques
Fundamental methods and principles from the Chen family tradition
Eight Methods · Bát Pháp (八法)
The eight fundamental combat methods of Tai Chi, divided into four cardinal (Peng, Lu, Ji, An) and four corner (Cai, Lie, Zhou, Kao) directions.
Peng · 掤 — Ward Off
The fundamental expanding energy, like water supporting a boat. Peng is the root of all Tai Chi energies — an upward and outward expansive force that neutralizes incoming pressure. In Tai Chi theory, Peng Jin is Yang, Lu Jin is Yin.
Lu · 履 — Rollback
Sideways yielding energy that leads the opponent's force into emptiness. Lu follows the incoming force and redirects it laterally without resistance. Lu Jin is the principal expression of sticking, adhering, connecting, and following.
Ji · 擠 — Press
Forward squeezing energy generated from the ground through the legs, directed through the hands. Ji compresses the opponent's space and prepares for the next force.
An · 按 — Push
Downward and forward pressing energy. An settles the opponent's structure and uproots their balance through sinking force.
Cai · 採 — Pluck
Sudden downward jerking energy, like picking fruit. Cai disrupts the opponent's root with a quick, sharp pull.
Lie · 挒 — Split
Spiraling, rending energy that separates connected parts. Lie uses opposing forces to tear the opponent's structure apart.
Zhou · 肘 — Elbow Strike
Close-range striking energy using the elbow. Zhou generates power from the shoulder and back, delivering concentrated force.
Kao · 靠 — Shoulder/Body Strike
Full-body leaning energy. Kao uses the shoulder, back, or hip to unbalance the opponent through body weight transfer.
History & Lineage
Chen Village Origins
Chen Style Tai Chi originated in Chenjiagou (Chen Village), Wen County, Henan Province, China. The art was created by Chen Wangting (1600-1680), 9th generation Chen family member, who synthesized family boxing with Qi cultivation, Daoist philosophy, and military strategy.
Key Generations
- Chen Wangting — Founder, created 7 routines
- Chen Changxing (14th gen) — Taught Yang Luchan
- Chen Fake (17th gen) — Spread art to Beijing
- Chen Xiaowang (19th gen) — Global ambassador
Two Main Forms
Lao Jia (Old Frame) — Large circles, obvious silk reeling, lower stances.
Xin Jia (New Frame) — Smaller circles, more subtle silk reeling, higher stances, more fajin.
La Jin · 拉筋 — Pulling Tendons
Purpose
La Jin stretches the tendons, opens the joints, and lengthens the myofascial chains. It prepares the body for silk reeling (Chan Si) by creating elasticity in the connective tissue.
Key Principles
- Relax (Song) — release unnecessary tension
- Extend (Shen) — lengthen through joints
- Connect (Tong) — link fingers to toes
- Breathe — coordinate with Tu Na
Common Exercises
- Standing La Jin — arms forward, sink and stretch
- Seated La Jin — legs extended, reach forward
- Partner La Jin — mutual stretching
Lu Jin · 捋劲 — Rollback Energy
Definition
Lu Jin (捋劲) is one of the fundamental combat methods of Tai Chi, among the Thirteen Postures and Eight Techniques. Its core is borrowing force to attack — converting the opponent's straight force into rotational force by following their momentum, achieving the effect of using softness to overcome hardness, using four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds (四两拨千斤).
Three Core Elements
- Follow the direction of the opponent's force
- Always apply your own force (even if only light)
- The movement trajectory is along an arc to your body's side
Key Points
- Do not resist — follow the force
- Rotate the waist (Yao) as the axis
- Keep arms in the "Lu" arc — neither collapsing nor pushing
- Sink the weight (Chen) into the rear foot
- The key lies in the waist, legs, and Yi (intent) — NOT in the arms
Two Types of Lu Jin
Sticking-adhering-following Lu: uses the opponent's force to make them slip. The principle is like an ice skate, rolling log, or train rail — itself without power, the power comes from the opponent.
Releasing Lu: the force comes from the waist and legs, usually borrowing the opponent's resistance, trajectory is an arc.
Listening to Force (聽劲)
Listening to force means receiving information about the opponent's attack and defense through hearing, sight, and touch, sensing through the skin and hair of the body. Only when you immediately perceive the intensity and direction of the opponent's power can you quickly and decisively apply appropriate countermeasures.
You must first eliminate all rigid, awkward, and stiff force from the body.
Practical Application
Example: When the opponent throws a left punch or strikes at my face, I lower my posture, stabilize my center of gravity, keep my lower body solid but flexible while my upper body remains relaxed. I raise both hands to my right front, right hand in front, left hand behind, to receive the opponent's strike. Taking advantage of the opponent's forward momentum, I use both hands to gently pull them to my left while simultaneously rotating my waist leftward — causing the opponent to fall. This is Lu Jin.
Precautions
- Avoid using brute strength
- Leverage the opponent's momentum and power — "borrow force to counter-attack"
- The stronger the opponent, the stronger your counter
- Timing is everything — too early or too late, you fail
- The pulling force needs only "four ounces" — not too strong (opponent will detect), not too weak (ineffective)
- "Using force is like shooting an arrow" — focus and speed
Tu Na · 吐納 — Breathing Method
Tu · 吐 — Exhale
Expel stale Qi. Exhale through the mouth during fajin (power release) or when sinking. The exhale drives Qi to the extremities. The deeper, the more the energy sinks.
Na · 納 — Inhale
Gather fresh Qi. Inhale through the nose during opening/upward movements. The inhale draws Qi into the Dantian.
Five Types of Dirty Qi (to expel)
- Horizontal Qi — chest tightness, breathlessness during practice
- Evil Qi — irregular breathing, pallid face
- Rebellious Qi — raising shoulders and elbows without releasing
- Stagnant Qi — Qi blockage, prevents circulation
- Turbid Qi — heavy upper, light lower
Five Types of Pure Qi (to gather)
- Innate Natural Qi — energy at birth
- Heaven-Earth Correct Qi — Yin-Yang, soft and hard
- Great Harmony Qi — Qi of Dantian, Five Qi Return to Origin
- Righteous Spirit Qi — pure, unmixed, one form without breathlessness
- Primordial Qi — when skill is mature, energy concentrated as one
Coordination
- Natural breathing for form practice
- Reverse breathing for Nei Gong
- Breath matches movement — open/inhale, close/exhale
- Never force — let breath follow Yi (intent)
- Practice helps breath become long, slow, even, natural
Nei Gong · 內功 — Internal Work
Three Treasures (San Bao)
- Jing (精) — Essence, stored in kidneys
- Qi (氣) — Vital energy, cultivated in Dantian
- Shen (神) — Spirit, manifested in the eyes/intent
Common Features of Nei Gong
- Focus, regulated breath, complete relaxation. Baihui ↔ Yongquan, whole body relaxed.
- Absorb, adhere, grasp, close to fill the Du Mai.
- Continuous circulation — internal Qi originates from and returns to Yongquan.
- Flexible practice and application — use external force to deepen stance, strengthen arms.
- Adaptive and flexible — when left is heavy, left becomes empty.
Core Practices
- Zhan Zhuang (Standing Post) — build root and Qi
- Chan Si Gong (Silk Reeling) — spiral whole-body connection, reeling energy
- Dantian rotation — internal engine (36 circles clockwise, 24 counter)
- Meridian circulation — Microcosmic Orbit
- Crown Spiritual Inspiration — Baihui + Yintang for combat will
The Essence of Silk Reeling
Chen Wangting wrote: "No one knows the body's expansion and contraction; I rely entirely on the coiling techniques." Chen Xin wrote: "Tai Chi is the method of coiling."
Every movement is spiral and coiling. The silk-reeling energy allows internal Qi to circulate throughout the entire body — achieving the state where "not a feather can be added, not a fly can land".
Sword · 劍 — Chen Style Sword
Chen Style Sword Principles
The sword extends the body's energy. The 49-form Chen Sword combines soft flowing movements with sudden fajin releases. Key: the tip follows the Yi (intent), the body moves as one unit.
Four Major Techniques
- Ci (刺) — Thrust: direct, penetrating
- Pi (劈) — Chop: downward cleaving
- Liao (撩) — Flick: upward wrist snap
- Dian (點) — Point: precise fingertip control
Martial Ethics · 武德 (Wu De)
Five Virtues
- Ren (仁) — Benevolence: protect the weak
- Yi (義) — Righteousness: do what is right
- Li (禮) — Respect: honor teachers, peers, art
- Zhi (智) — Wisdom: discernment in action
- Xin (信) — Trustworthiness: keep your word
Training Principles
- Perseverance (Heng) — daily practice
- Humility (Qian) — empty cup mindset
- Patience (Ren) — Kung Fu takes time
Unified Framework · Khung Thống Nhất
A single coherent progression from 3.0 → 3.5 → 4.0+ — the map that ties all 70 techniques into one curriculum.
New Topics · Chủ Đề Mở Rộng
In-depth technique notes drawn from the 3.0 Beginner Practice Guide — 70 topics across standing, breath, stepping, body, and pitfalls.