Chen Laojia Yi Lu

The Chen Tai Chi 74 form is an empty hand form, a powerful internal martial art routine that combines silk reeling energy spiralling movements and low stances with deep breathing, mind intent and martial spirit. It contains six sections including fajin / energy release in key postures: pound mortar, hidden thrust punch, double cannon fists and a series of kicks. Laojia Yi Lu translates from Chinese to English as old form first routine.

Chen Style Tai Chi Resources

"This isn't your grandmother's Tai Chi" An article by Kate Wingfield.
The importance of silk reeling energy.
A visual guide to the principles in Chen Tai Chi from standing practice to movement principles by www.brisbanechentaichi.weebly.com
Nick Gudge’s articles on Chen style Tai Chi.
Master Wang Hai Jun’s articles on Chen style Tai Chi.
Grand Master Chen Zhenglei’s articles on Chen style Tai Chi.

Chen Laojia Yi Lu - Movement Names

First Section (Known as the Chen 15 form or the Chen short form)

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)

Second Section

16. Hit and Drape Fist Over Body (Pie Shen Quan)
17. Blue Dragon Flying Out of the Water (Qing Long Chu Shui)
18. Pushing with Both Hands (Shuang Tui Shou)
19. Fist under Elbow (Zhou Di Kan Quan)
20. Stepping Backwards with Whirling Arms (Dao Juan Gong)
21. White Crane Spreads its Wings (Bai E Liang Chi)
22. Diagonal Posture / Diagonal Step (Xie Xing)
23. Turning Back with Arms Twining / Flash the Back (Shan Tong Bei)
24. Hidden Thrust Punch / Covering Hand Punch (Yan Shou Gong Quan)
25. Six Sealing and Four Closing (Liu Feng Si Bi)
26. Single Whip (Dan Bian)
27. Wave Hands like Clouds (Yun Shou)
28. High Pat on Horse (Gao Tan Ma)

Third Section

29. Slapping the Right Foot / Brushing the Right Foot (You Ca Jao)
30. Slapping the Left Foot / Brushing the Left Foot (Zuo Ca Jao)
31. Kicking with the Left Heel (Zuo Deng Yi Gen)
32. Walking Forward by Stepping to Both Sides (Qian Tang Ao Bu)
33. Punching Toward the Ground (Ji Di Chui)
34. Turning and Kicking Twice in the Air (Ti Er Qi)
35. Protecting the Heart with the Fist (Hu Xin Quan)
36. Whirlwind Foot (Xuan Feng Jiao)
37. Kicking with the Right Heel (You Deng Yi Gen)
38. Hidden Thrust Punch / Covering Hand Punch (Yan Shou Gong Quan)

Fourth Section

39. Small Capturing and Hitting (Xiao Qin Da)
40. Protecting / Embracing the Head and Pushing the Mountain (Bao Tou Tui Shan)
41. Six Sealing and Four Closing (Liu Feng Si Bi)
42. Single Whip (Dan Bian)
43. Forward Trick (Qian Zhao)
44. Backward Trick (Hou Zhao)
45. Parting the Wild Horse's Mane (Yie Ma Fen Zhong)
46. Six Sealing and Four Closing (Liu Feng Si Bi)
47. Single Whip (Dan Bian)

Fifth Section

48. Jade Maiden Working Her Loom (Yu Nu Chuan Suo)
49. Lazy about Tying Coat (Lan Za Yi)
50. Six Sealing and Four Closing (Liu Feng Si Bi)
51. Single Whip (Dan Bian)
52. Wave Hands like Clouds (Yun Shou)
53. Swing the Foot and Drop Down / Waving Double Lotus Shake Foot and Stretch Down (Bai Jiao Die Cha)
54. Golden Rooster Standing on One Leg (Jin Ji Du Li)
55. Stepping Backwards and Whirling Arms (Dao Juan Gong)
56. White Crane Spreads its Wings (Bai He Liang Chi)
57. Diagonal Posture / Diagonal Step (Xie Xing)
58. Turning Back with Arms Twining / Flashing the Arm (Shan Tong Bei)
59. Hidden Thrust Punch / Covering Hand Punch (Yan Shou Gong Quan)
60. Six Sealing and Four Closing (Liu Feng Si Bi)
61. Single Whip (Dan Bian)
62. Wave Hands like Clouds (Yun Shou)
63. High Pat on Horse (Gao Tan Ma)

Sixth Section

64. Reverse Sweep with Right Leg Crossing / Crossed Feet (Shi Zi Jiao)
65. Punch Toward the Crotch / Groin (Zhi Dang Chui)
66. Ape Picking Fruit (Yuan Hou Tan Guo)
67. Single Whip (Dan Bian)
68. Dragon Rolling Downward (Que Di Long)
69. Stepping Forward into Seven Star Stance (Shang Bu Qi Xing)
70. Stepping Backward into Riding Stance (Xia Bu Kua Gong)
71. Turning Around and Sweeping with Both Legs / Turn Back and Wave Double Lotus (Zhuan Shen Shuang Bai Lian)
72. Cannon Fist to the Head / Head on Blow (Dang Tou Pao)
73. Buddha's Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar (Jin Gang Dao Dui)
74. Closing Form / Closing Posture (Shou Shi)

Instructor Nicola is passionate about sharing Chen style Tai Chi with her students. She provides live online private tuition, group livestream classes via Zoom and video on demand classes on Vimeo. Learn the signature Chen Tai Chi choreography, develop the principles of alignment and body mechanics from the comfort of your own home. Nicola helps students progress through the traditional Chen Tai Chi syllabus, from silk reeling to the empty hand forms, teaching through a hands-on method rather than ‘watch and follow‘.