| Book
Review
"Chen Shi Taijiquan, Xie Hui Zhong"
(A Compendum of Taiji Boxing and Weapons)
by Grandmaster Chen Zheng Lei.
Chen Zheng Lei is a 19th generation
master of Chen family Taiji. He studied under the famous 18th generation
masters Chen Zhao Pei and Chen Zhao Kui. He was awarded the title of Grandmaster
in 1995.
This series is an ambitious effort
to present the bulk of the curriculum of the Lao Jia (old frame) style
of Chen family Taiji as it is taught in Chen Village today. The first
volume in the series contains history, theory, basic Chan Ssu Jing exercises,
the I Lu (first road) form, the Chen family straight sword, and the Chen
family single broadsword. Applications for the postures in the barehand
forms are described, and several weapon applications are shown (277 pages).
Volume Two rounds out the barehand
sequences of the style with the Erh Lu form, and continues the weapons
routines with a depiction of the White Ape/Pear Blossom Spear, the Spring
and Autumn Broadsword (Kwan Dao), and the 13 posture stick. The book closes
with a section on Chan Ssu Jing theory, relevant acupuncture points, and
training guides (234 pages).
Volume Three begins with a presentation
of the five methods of Chen style pushing hands. It then continues to
show the traditional double weapon sets of double straight sword, double
broadsword, and double maces (short sticks). The book concludes with two
long weapon two person sets: the "Taiji 8 stick" and the unusual
long stick vs. two section staff (197 pages) |