A weekend seminar with Chen Xiaowang
Ken Gullette spent the weekend of Sept. 9,
2000 in Madison, Wisconsin, studying
silk-reeling exercises with Chen Xiaowang, the 19th generation head of Chen
family Tai Chi. "It was amazing to study with someone of Master
Chen's stature and skill," said Ken. The picture at left shows Ken
and Master Chen on Sunday afternoon.
The silk-reeling exercises are the basic exercises of Chen Tai Chi, teaching the spiraling energy and body mechanics, dan t'ien rotation and the visualization of chi movement. "If you do not practice silk-reeling," says Master Chen, "and you do Tai Chi, you will be like a big tree with no leaf and no root."
Master Chen has a great sense of humor, is kind and courteous. As students practiced, he walked around making corrections -- telling people to relax, guiding their hand movements, pressing down on the kua or hips.
Historians who have traced the recorded history of Tai Chi Chuan point to Chen Wangting as the originator. He created Tai Chi after he retired to the Chen village following a distinguished career as a military general during the Ming Dynasty. Chen Wangting was of the 9th generation of the Chen family. All of the major Tai Chi styles recognized today evolved from the Chen style. Ten generations later, Chen Xiaowang grew up in the Chen village and began studying Tai Chi at the age of 8. His grandfather was the famous Master Chen Fake (pronounced "Fah Kay"), who was known for his martial skills and his outstanding character.
At one point during a question and answer period, one student asked Master Chen if Iron Shirt Chi Kung is practiced in the Chen style. Master Chen said no. He explained that taking blows to the body and bending spears on your throat are "for demonstration only. Not good for fighting," he explained. Chen style Tai Chi is known for being a very "martial" style of Tai Chi -- smooth and graceful movements, explosive strikes, effective joint locks and other fighting techniques.
One student asked which was better for health, the Yang style or Chen style. Master Chen asked the student if he had ever studied Yang style. The student said yes, he had studied Yang and a little Chen. "Then you tell me," said Master Chen. "I have not studied Yang style." Everyone laughed, and so did Master Chen.