Chen Tai Chi 15 Form

Chen Short Form

Traditional 15 Movement Form for Beginners

The Chen Tai Chi short form is an empty hand form suited to new beginners that combines silk reeling energy movements with deep breathing and mind intent.  It contains the key postures of the style: pound mortar, lazy tying coat, 6 sealings and 4 closings, single whip, diagonal posture and hidden thrust punch. It is also known as the Chen 15 form and is the first section of the Chen 74 form, Laojia Yi Lu (old form first routine).


Chen 15 Form Movements

1. Preparing Form - Opening Posture (Tai ji Qi Shi)
2. Buddha's Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar (Jin Gang Dao Dui)
3. Lazy about Tying Coat (Lan Za Yi)
3. Six Sealing and Four Closing (Liu Feng Si Bi)
5. Single Whip (Dan Bian)
6. Buddha's Warrior Pounds Mortar (Jin Gang Dao Dui)
7. White Crane Spreads its' Wings (Bai He Liang Chi)
8. Diagonal Posture / Diagonal Step (Xie Xing)
9. Brush Knee (Lou Xi or Lou Qi)
10. Step Forwards Three Times / Twisted Step (Ao Bu)
11. Diagonal Posture / Diagonal Step (Xie Xing)
12. Brush Knee (Lou Xi or Lou Qi)
13. Step Forwards Three Times / Twisted Step (Ao Bu or Shang San Bu)
14. Hidden Thrust Punch / Covering Hand Punch (Yan Shou Gong Quan)
15. Buddha's Warrior Pounds Mortar (Jin Gang Dao Dui)
16. Closing Form


Skills to Develop in the 15 Form

Beginner Students - Stages of Awareness

None

  • No body awareness or body sensitivity.
  • Disconnection between the limbs and torso.
  • Postures and choreography likely to be exaggerated with locked limbs, large movements and stiffness.
  • Unable to feel/know where the body is in space without using vision to check.
  • Likelihood of rushing through the form.
  • Left brain learning.
  • May feel overwhelmed at inability to copy.
  • To improve, the way forward is practice.

Awareness after moving - unable to correct

  • Having some body awareness or body sensitivity.
  • Feeling something is not quite right after performing a movement.
  • Unable to correct without input from the instructor.
  • Will typically jump out of the form and say "I've lost it".
  • Likelihood of frustration over memory and feeling disconnected.
  • To improve, the way forward is practice.

Awareness after moving - able to correct

  • Having some body awareness or body sensitivity.
  • Feeling something is not quite right after performing a movement.
  • Able to correct without input from the instructor.
  • Will typically stay in the form when it does not feel right, taking time to pause and feel into the posture.
  • Likely to close eyes and move softly to visually and feelingly recall the movement.
  • Before gently returning to the beginning of that movement and performing correctly.
  • To improve, the way forward is practice.

Awareness before moving

  • Having body awareness and body sensitivity.
  • Knowing how to perform with awareness of each movement.
  • Being able to notice what needs adjusting as you move without judgement.
  • Likelihood of slowing the form down to explore every part with intention.
  • Connection between the limbs and torso.
  • Postures and choreography has a rebounding and smooth quality.
  • Able to feel/know where the body is in space without using vision to check.
  • Right brain learning.
  • Relaxed state.
  • To maintain, the way forward is practice.

Ways to Learn the Chen 15 Form

Instructor Nicola teaches the Chen short form via 121 private tuition on Zoom or by video on demand via Vimeo.  Learn the choreography, posture and alignment, principles of movement and body mechanics. Study at a pace that suits your needs and budget and join our community of Chen Tai Chi students from across the globe.

  1. Private tuition via Zoom.
  2. Purchase the Chen 15 form course on Vimeo, access via video on demand anytime.
  3. Livestream students can access the course anytime in the video library, where any questions you have can be brought into the Tai Chi class in Sundays.

As with all medical conditions, injuries and/or ill-health, please consult with your Doctor prior to starting a class. Tai Chi, Qigong and Meditation are not a replacement for conventional medical treatment. All students will be required to complete a medical history form prior to joining a class.

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