这是美国学生詹姆斯参加今年一月二十，二十一日在凤凰城的实用拳法讲座后写的评论。先以原文发表。

Introduction 简介

The following document is a review of the Chen Taiji Practical Method workshop held in Phoenix Arizona on 20-21 January 2018.  The workshop was attended by myself, Jim Riviera, along with 20 other individuals who have interest or are participating in the Chen Taiji Practical Method martial art. The workshop was sponsored by Ping Wei, senior instructor for Chen Taiji Practical Method in Phoenix. The two days of the workshop was taught by Master Chen Zhonghua, current International Director and leader of Chen Taiji Practical Method. The purpose of this review is to report my workshop experience and overall impression of the workshop training.

Summary 摘要

The purpose of the workshop was to train in the  concepts of Chen Taiji Practical method.  This involved the techniques of   foundations, Yilu, practical applications and push hands.  With no formal experience in this style of Chen Taiji, I truly feel that Master Chen’s methods in teaching and demonstration along with the organized structure of the art, successfully conveyed for me a basic understanding of the principles and the combat effectiveness of Chen Taiji Practical Method.

At times during the course, I was amazed at the simplicity of the movements and  the effectiveness against opponents  larger in build and stature. Master Chen has a unique way of explaining and demonstrating  the scientific theories of the techniques as well as the philosophical Chinese origin to many of the movements. This is a great approach in helping to understand the overall history of Chen Taiji but also how Practical Method evolved.

Critique 评述

Reference Note:

This workshop was my first time involvement with Chen Taiji Practical Method. However, I do have a 36 year  background in the martial arts and sciences thru  training in Aikido, Daito Ryu Aikijujitsu, and Krav Maga.  I just recently started studying Chen Taiji three years ago from a senior student and disciple of Master Cheng Jin Cai in Houston Texas. 

Day 1(20 Jan)

• Key teachings and learnings:
  • Alignment of body in performing technique. (Shoulder, Elbow and Kua) . This is a big and key  difference in the traditional Chen Taiji style I have been studying for the past three years. I found this very profound in watching Master Chen coordinating all parts of the body during his strikes and movement. Very powerful. Example:   Master Chen compared the differences of traditional Chen Taiji to Practical Method (Solid rubber ball vs. ball of Cotton) . This is key point in that wavy movements do not work in this style due to lack of power. 

• Master Chen discussed many concepts of the Practical Method .  These were just a few that I thought were key to this style of Chen Taiji

• Lead thru and with energy
• Important: Timing, Position, Maneuvering
• Taiji fighting: Seal up opponent, keep close, and be like water constantly surrounding. 
• Dantien is the engine, and  Kua is the master transmission. In my limited exposure to Chen Taiji, the Kua was always emphasized but I never understood the reasoning behind it. With Master Chen’s description, it made sense and as I found out through most of the workshop, his description and demonstration filled in a lot of missing data that I had in my own mind. This was very beneficial. 
• Head, shoulders , and body are erect and used a diagram of a line as the body with movement around the line. 

This was a good representation to me of how the elbow drove around the erect body as everything else was aligned during the movement.

• Yilu (Steps 1-13)
  • This was my first exposure to the Practical Method Yilu. I have practice a similar old frame form in Chen Taiji . However, I had difficulty with the old frame in memorizing the steps. With the Practical method , the forms were easier to memorize and to prepare to move into the next form. A key to memorizing the form.
  • Key teaching and learnings:
    • The 13 movements should be practiced each day for at least 20-30 minutes to memorize fully.
    • Keep center line always.
    • No shifting of weight ( Difference in traditional Chen Taiji and Practical Method).
    • Transition  of body  through foot work , no raising body or shifting. Push on foot to initiate movement.
    • Do not perform next form until completely centered with Kua expanding out.
    • Kua is rotated in a horizontal and vertical method. Initially buttocks have to come in and up and out to drive arms and turn Kua. This is part of the doing fundamental practice everyday.
    • Kua and Dantien are connected together.

•   Push Hands
  • Maintain contact or the concept of sticky hands. Hand maintains pressure and contact but not a lot of strength.  Note: In traditional Chen Taiji , this concept was taught to me as poang.
  • Hands remain in position but body moves, elbow moves, feet move, Kua moves  but front centerline remains the same.
  • There is a 3 point connection (Elbow – Kua- Ankle)
  • Concepts on combat
    • Feet movement is important. Note:  In traditional Chen Taiji , this concept is the 5 footworks.
    • Master Chen demonstrated footwork in pressing forward toward the opponent and moving out of the opponents range. This was done thru footwork . He then had the class practicing the same movement by having people pair off and work on punching vs. footwork exercises.
  • Master Chen mentioned in other Internal arts such as Baqua, Hsingi head shoulders remain centered and straight. The lower body does the movement.
•   Evening Dinner
  • In the evening , we met at a local Chinese Restaurant in Phoenix and enjoyed an evening of camaraderie and friendship. I enjoyed meeting the other students from across the US with similar backgrounds as myself. I was impressed that everyone was willing to share their thoughts on Practical Method. I was also impressed that everyone  seemed accomplished in other careers and other martial arts.

Day 2 (21 Jan)

• Discipleship Ceremony (Winston and Benjamin)
  • On the second day we participated in a group ceremony  for the discipleship of Winston and Benjamin. Sifu Ping Wei described the process of discipleship (3 years) and the commitment that is required by the disciples once they are inducted. 
  • The ceremony was very inspiring to observe and I could tell that the disciples were very proud of this moment. 
  • Master Chen then asked the disciples to perform the 83 movements of the Chen Taiji Practical Method form . It was inspiration to watch and made me realize that I have a long way to go. Practice Practice Practice.
• Foundations
  • In the AM, class consisted of foundations and Yilu practice. The following notes are quick thoughts and saying from Master Chen that I recorded during the session. 
    • Poang  – Concept and execution is similar to a Chinese broom. The broom bristles are tied together tight at the top and spread out . All moves and techniques are performed with this concept in mind.
    • Body Mechanics and Concepts:
      • Internal movements  consists of 2 opposites forces working together with the centerline (head+center of body) as the post. Similar to two (2) balls moving in opposite directions. This allows for no wiggling or extra body movement.
      • Shoulders should always sink into centerline and never be raised.
      • Kua opens the move causing the dantien and foot to align. Kua moves in and out but center stays posted. This is part of Grandmaster Hong’s definition of scientific method. 
      • Traditional Chen Taiji there is a lot of movement. In Practical Method, there is no movement, no wiggle, hips (Kua) are the wheels for movement. There is no tension in any of the movement. 
      • Taiji mobility is like the quality of water, it flows and attaches to the opponent. The weight and pressure matches the opponent with about a small percentage more that the opponent.
      • Move forward, hands projected out and stay in center of body. Movement is from body with hands centered. Force will come up from center and out . 
      • Master Chen spoke of the concept of Outside Dimension in as a theory in moving against an opponent. From my understanding and notes, I captured:
        • The outside dimension is another point of demarcation outside the touch points of you and your opponent. Penetration of the opponent defenses either pull or push is past the point of demarcation. 
        • This penetration is initiated by Intention (Yi) . For Practical Method, this relates to positioning yourself forward behind the opponent. Noted difference: From what I have learned in traditional Chen Taiji, Yi relates to a concept of the mind having Intention . This is a difference.

• Combat Theory and Techniques 实战理论和技巧
  
  • In the afternoon, Master Chen directed the seminar toward practicing combat techniques and theory.
    • Against an opponent, there is no looking around, no hesitation. Always  moving  forward.
    • Bridge space and move forward quickly.
    • Punch is generated from the feet, to the Kua or hip and then through the arm and fist. Release is short but very powerful and though the opponent. Note: During  demonstration of theory and techniques  by Master Chen ,  he would go around our circle of students and demonstrate the technique to verify the validity. He came to me and threw a short punch to my chest. I have participated in other combative martial arts where receiving punches and kicks to the body are pretty normal and part of the learning of the art. However, the punch that Master Chen connected on me was very unique. After the initial strike, I felt a warm glow in the area where struck me that stayed with me for about 15 min. It did not totally incapacitate me but I continued to feel it for awhile. 
    • Technique: We finished up the day by practicing movement against an opponent. The technique requires the defender to move in close to the opponent and using three points of contact and a brush knee to throw th opponent. The three contact points of the opponent are the chest, hip and knee. Movement of the hips and back of the opponent causes an opening and hole for the opponent to fall into. The knee is the chopping board on this throw. You give the opponent a little more pressure back than he is giving you.   Note: In the years of Aikido that I have studied, there is a similar technique called Kokyu Nage that produces the same results using the three contact points . So I was familiar with this technique and concept. 
    • Combat concept:  In Taiji, the opponent goes straight down and not out. Otherwise the opponent can come back in to kick you or reach you. Note: In my studies of Aikjujitsu , this concept is the same. The end result is to end the conflict and not allow the opponent to get back in.
    • Chen Taiji movements are low which allow kicks and slaps to the knees and the groin area. 
• Final Dinner 最后的晚餐
  
  • That evening we had a final dinner at Sifu Ping Wei ‘s beautiful residence in Phoenix. It was a  great evening of celebrating the discipleship of Winston and Ben. Also, to meet with and discuss further with fellow students , what we learned and our approach to the practical method. Many local students brought family and spouses to attend and I enjoyed the feeling of kinship.  Lastly, we sat around and listened to the latest report from Master Chen on the current  development of the school in China and their curriculum now contains Chen Taiji Practical Method. He also mentioned that he is receiving support from local government officials for Chen Taiji Practical Method which is helping in securing the popularity of Chen Taiji Practical Method. Master Chen also shared his stories and experience with Practical Method. I found this valuable in learning about Practical Method, and how it compares with other forms of martial arts I have studied including current Traditional Chen Taiji. Overall it was a great evening and many kudos to Sifu Ping Wei for hosting this event and opportunity for  training.
    

Final Thoughts and Impressions 最后的想法和印象

• Overall, the seminar in Phoenix was very enjoyable and an opportunity to further my journey in Chen Taiji. The Practical Method is real and it filled in gaps that I had in my traditional Chen training. I feel that the people that I met at the seminar are excellent examples of this style of martial science. Everyone was friendly, willing to share, and very likable. Everyone have success in other areas of their life as well as Taiji..  I attribute this to this  art and the type of people it attracts.  
• As Master Chen stated in the beginning of the seminar, the science has to be real and he convinced me thru his teaching and examples.  Master Chen is very amicable and affable. His teaching manner makes it easy to approach him and ask questions. However, what really hit home with me , is that he is very willing to share his knowledge openly. He is very transparent and it’s refreshing. I have studied other arts including traditional Chen Taiji , where the Sensei or Sifu are not so willing to share their knowledge without years of practice and commitment to them. Even then there is still a sense that you are not accepted. I did not feel that way during the seminar. At times, I felt that he gave us so much information and it was difficult to comprehend in accordance with the technique and foundations. I would have like to seen more practical application.  However, Master Chen shared a lot of the philosophy of Taiji in general which really assisted in understanding the overall concept of Practical Method.
• Master Chen demonstrated numerous times the science and methodology of Practical method , time and time again during the seminar. I saw him utilize the theory against opponents larger in size. They went down no matter what. They could not resist against the theories and technique. I felt  it myself when Master Chen struck  me in the chest with a unique strike. It did not fell me but it definitely left a burning sensation in the area. It was impressive. 
• Finally in retrospect, coming to Phoenix and participating in the Practical Method, brought back memories of my time in the Japanese art of Aikido. As stated earlier in the beginning of the report, I have a 35 year history in other martial arts .  At one time, I step out of a traditional style of Aikido and studied a scientific , harsher style of martial science, Aikijujitsu. As in Practical Method, the theories of Aikijujitsu are based on practicality, alignment of body, and total commitment to Intention of besting an opponent. This experience assisted me in understanding the theories and mindset of Chen Taiji Practical Method. I feel that its very efficient and down to earth methodology to practice the martial science of Chen Taiji. It was a pleasure to have met everyone at the seminar. I am gratefully thankful to Sifu Ping Wei for hosting such an enlightening and fun weekend. I hope to continue to practice on my own here in Central Texas and possibly see everyone again at a seminar soon.
  

作者：吉姆斯・芮玮艾拉

吉姆是退休的HP 公司的信息技术项目经理。他不在他的美国德克萨斯州中部十亩庄园的时候，他追寻他的武术、科学、摄影、自然保护等爱好。可以通过：jim.riviera@outlook.com 联系他。