Ren Guangyi's Seminar - Chen Broadsword and Push Hands
By Ken Gullette
Master Ren Guangyi's seminar in Rockford, Illinois was fast-paced and exciting. On Saturday, November 11, 2002 we worked with Master Ren on the Chen broadsword form. This short form (22 movements), usually studied at the Intermediate level, enhances fa jing -- the relaxed, explosive release of force typical to Chen Tai Chi. With an emphasis on speed and power delivered with Chen's unique physical requirements, the broadsword form is a rare example of the ferocity of Chen Tai Chi. It was an intense day but by the end of the day, most students could perform the entire form solo. Learning the basic choreography to a Chen form in one day was exciting and challenging.
On day two, Master Ren led us through the 5 levels of Chen push hands. He punctuated the class with many examples of fighting applications. We worked on the basic movements, and spent some time working on intercepting punches and throwing opponents to the floor. It was a hard day of martial arts training. Push hands ("tui shou") is the method of learning to put what you've learned in the Chen forms into combat practice -- becoming sensitive to your opponent, learning to connect your body and using proper body mechanics and listening skills to unbalance and defeat your opponent.
Master Ren is in his late 30's, with amazing physical power. He is a disciple of Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang. Master Ren is a first place winner in international and U.S. Tai Chi competitions in forms, weapons and push hands. He is based in New York. His students include singer Lou Reed and actor Scott Glenn. Photo shows Ken on the far left in the back row.