Chen 18 Form

The Chen style 18 form was created by Grand Master Chen Zhenglei, a 19th generation descendant of the Chen family, the 11th generation direct-line successor of Chen family Taijiquan. He is one of the “Four Buddha Warriors of the Chen Village” and is certified as 8th Duan by the Chinese Wushu Association Duan Wei System. The Chen 18 Form is suited to beginner students as a simplified version of the 74 Form, Laojia Yi Lu. It has all of the elements of Chen style Tai Chi, yet takes less time to learn and the sequence is easier to follow.

Chen Tai Chi - 18 Movement Short Form

Preparing form - yu bei shi
Buddha’s warrior attendant pounds mortar - jīn gang dao duì
Lazily tying coat - lan zha yī
Six sealings and four closings - liù fēng sì bì
Single whip - dān biān
White crane spreads its wing - s bái hè liàng chì
Diagonal posture - xié xíng
Brush knee - lōu xī
Step to both sides - qián táng ào bù
Hidden hand thrust punch - yan shou hōng chuí
High pat on the horse - gao tan ma
Left heel kick - zuo deng yi gen
Jade maiden works the shuttle - you nu chuan suō
Cloud hands - yun shou
Turn body, double lotus kick - zhuan shen, bai lian
Double cannon fists overhead - shuang tou pao
Buddha’s warrior attendant pounds mortar - jin gang dao duì
Finishing form - shōu shì

Learn Chen Tai Chi - Live Online via Zoom

Instructor Nicola is passionate about sharing Chen style Tai Chi with her students. She provides live online private tuition and group livestream classes via Zoom. Learn signature Chen Tai Chi choreography, develop the principles of alignment and body mechanics, all from the comfort of your own home. Nicola helps students progress through the traditional Chen Tai Chi syllabus, from silk reeling exercises to the empty hand forms, teaching through a hands-on method rather than ‘watch and follow‘. Lessons start with traditional Chen warm up exercises that loosen every major joint in the body. Next a Qigong breathing session, focusing on relaxation, softening the body, lowering the heart rate and slowing the breath. Progressing to ‘Standing Practice’ (Zhan Zhuang), a static Qigong posture as a meditation and stillness exercise. Moving onto silk reeling drills, the signature movement of Chen style and the main content covers the empty hand form.