中 文  / English

Generally many people who have heard of  'taichi' (太極) would probably tell you that it is a series of slow exercise routine meant only for the old folks. Its not true! Taichi, a form of internal chinese martial art is a self- healing system of slow flowing graceful movements. It combines with meditation and rhythmic breathing, culturing the flow of 'chi' that will prevent illness and improve well-being. Practicing taichi reduces stress, lower blood pressure and helps to correct posture, balance, flexibility, mind alertness...

There are many forms (school of thought) of taichi. In the early 80', popular taichi styles practiced in Singapore are the Yang(杨), Wu (吴), Sun(孙), Wu(武) (martial) .  Chen ( 陳式) taichiquan was  introduced into Singapore in the mid 80's when Grand Master Zhu Tiancai was invited by Singapore Martial Art Association to teach the Chan style taichi in Singapore..

Chen taichiquan is the traditional taichiquan which is characterized by its graceful movement alternating between fast and slow,  incorporating the silk reeling (chan si jing) movement. Every move begins from 'yi' (awareness of the internal sensations of the body) which leads the 'chi' and eventually the body movement.

Constant practice of Chen taichiquan  improves one's  health and mind alertness.

For those who are interested to learn Chen Taichi, do come down and join us in the practice session and find out more.

Taichiquan( 太極拳) commonly also known as shadow boxing in the Western, is one famous branch of internal chinese martial arts.

Tang Hao (1897 - 1959), a chinese martial art master, and others who have done research on the evolution of taichiquan in the 1930s determined  that taichiquan was originated by Chen Wangting.

Beginning with Chen Bu, the first generation who was originally from Shanxi province.  Nearing the end of the  Ming dynasty, over 500 years ago, Chen Bu migrated to Henan province and moved his family to the present-day Chenjiagou Village located in Wenxian, China. At that time, Chenjiagou was also known as the ChenYang Village as it consist of people with the surnames Chen and Yang.  The village was later rename Chenjiagou as the Chen populations increase. ChenBu was an accomplished martial art exponent and the village people learns and practice kungfu under his guidance. 

It was  the 9th generation of the Chen family, Chen Wanting, an outstanding scholar and martial exponent who became famous in Chan style taichiquan. He was once known in Shangdong province as a master of martial art defeating more then a thousand bandits. 

Chen Wanting  was then the originator of the bare-handed and armed combat boxing of the Chen school.  Chen Wangting withdrew from public life and retired to live in Chenjiagou after the downfall of the Ming dynasty. Life style consists in creating actions of boxing when feeling depressed, doing field work when the season comes, and spending the leisure time teaching disciples and children so they can be worthy members of the society. Because Chen Wanting has fought in many battles and has traveled and read widely, he was able to combine many good points from other schools of martial art, and from his past experience, and build upon what was passed down by Chen Bu to create a unique system of martial arts. Many form of boxing was synthesized into one system, utilizing the theory of Yin and Yang, combining medical theories, breathing techniques. Chanxi (silk reeling) techniques was invented together with the technique of pushing-hand.

Until the 14th generation, Chen ChangXing (1771-1853) condenses all the fist forms into two sets namely LaoJia (old family), to distinguish from the Xinjia (new family) that was later created by Chen Fake(1887-1957)  Chen ChangXing was also credited with having clarified, codified, separated Chen taichiquan into Yilu (big frame) and Er Lu (Cannon fist)

The Old-style shadow boxing of the Chen family was brought to Beijing from Chenjiagou Village in 1928 by Chen Fake (1887 - 1957) and taken up by both old people having practiced various forms of taichiquan for many years and young men with physical strength. It is also generally acknowledged that later new routines of the traditional taichiquan are the result of repeated revisions by the predecessors after hard practice and serious study.

The new style of the Chen family, the Zhaobao Style, the Yang Style, the Wu Style, the Wu style (martial), and the Sun Style are all resulted from the revision of the First set of the Chen family's

Old Style taichiquan.  Different though in style, they are the same in structure and routines. In the new form, vigorous actions such as leaping and stamping in the First Set of the Old Style taichiquan were discarded in the new form.

However the Second set of the Chen Style, which still involve vigorous and swift actions such as stamping, leaping and dodging, is markedly different in style form the other forms of taichiquan.

Awarded Year 2009 : World Martial Art Famous Person Qualification

Grand Master Chen Xiaowang teaching Master Foo Shang Wee

1987年，在陈氏太极拳十九代传人陈小旺大师门下，学习三十八式陈式太极拳学习三十八式陈式太
极拳，太极枪，太极刀及推手。

1988年，他跟随陈式太极十八代传人冯志强老师学习四十八式陈式太极炮拳《二路》推手，气功，大架
陈氏太极拳，尽得冯老师心得。

1989年，他向李承祥老师学习陈式竞赛套路，四十二式国际竞赛套路， 六合梅花螳螂单剑。

1990年，他跟随萧长根老师学习太极对练。

1991年，当上海武式太极拳，刘积顺大师来新加坡，他想刘老师学习武式太极拳及推手。

1992年，他向中国广东六合八法传人卢桂耀老师《华岳心意六合八法拳术研究会》学习。

1993年，他向周树生，潘淑仪老师学习四十二式太极拳，剑法，六合八法拳，八卦拳，少林罗汉拳，双
手剑，八卦剑，岳飞枪，梅花双刀，春秋大刀，奇门剑，青龙拳，毒蛇攔路拳 等至今还在学习。现 在，符师傅在新加坡各联络所教授太极拳，他是英国中定传统武术协会及马来西亚吉兰丹陈式太
极协会，华中及华初的武术顾问。他在凤山加东勿落南北，淡滨尼等民众俱乐部教太极拳。

1996年, 符师傅赢得中国陈家沟国际太极拳年会太极剑第三名及套路优秀奖。

1997年, 符师傅赢得马来西亚太极拳观摩会太极拳金牌。

1996年，到英国各地传授太极拳。

 2005年，又在回英国各地教授。

2006年，受邀出席韩国国庆州界世界武术节表演太极及推手。符老师在新加坡各地教授太极
拳。他是英国中定传统武术协会及马来西亚吉兰丹陈式太极拳协会，华中及华初的武术顾问，光
武武术团武术顾问。

Master Foo teaches the following courses:
Chi Men Jian (奇門劍)
Shuang Shou Jia (双手劍)
Fang Moh Pole (防魔棍)
Yue Fei Spear (岳飛枪)
Seven Star Praying Mantis(七星螳螂拳)
Yen Chin Dan Dao(燕青单刀 )
Taichi Push-hand Technique(太極推手技术)

New class on Friday night at Waterloo Centre!! Enrol Now.

Chen Taijiquan Demonstration by Master Foo Shang Wee (Korea)

Those interested please contact Master Foo to make arrangement and booking.

For those who prefers personal coaching for Chen taichiquan and other forms of martial art,, please contact Master Foo at :

Tel (Resident) : +65 448 5359

Mobile : +65 9 8276654

Email : foosw@taichi-one.com

Yen Chin Dan Dao(燕青单刀 )Demonstration By Master Foo (Malaysia)

The 2 foundation ROUTINES of Chen taichiquan is presented here in English follow by Chinese.

First Sets of routines      : Laojia Yi Lu

Second Sets of routines : Laojia Erlu

The unique characteristic of Chen taichiquan is the spiral-like spinning and twisting movements called Chan Si Jing (silk reeling)

The first routine of the Chen taichiquan LaoJia Yilu is the oldest form past down from earlier generation which all other forms of taichiquan have been derived.  It comprises of smooth flowing movements which is more softness and less firmness or 'Far Jing' where students can be train to know and feel the 'qi'. It is also the foundation for further learning of the art.Upon mastering and laying down a good foundation of the LaoJia Yilu, then can the practitioner move on to learn the  second routine LaoJia ErLU

LaoJia Erlu also known as Pao Cui (cannon fist) which is the second routine comprises of many fast and vigorous movements with jumps and fajing. ErLu should be learn under the proper guidance from your Sifu or Master in order to fully master the form.

The Yilu  routine presented here is documented and taught by Grand Master Zhu Tianci in his book " Original Chen taichiquan" Zheng Zhong Tai Ji Quan

Practitioner is to learn to forego all external forces which is characteristics of sll external martial art, and work towards softness. Yilu is predominant by  softness and is the characteristic of this routine. Practitioner also learn about the unique silk reeling skill

•   1.  Preparing Form (Tai Ji Qi Shi)
•   2.  Buddha's Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar (Jin Gang Dao Dui)
•   3.  Lazily Tying Coat (Lan Zha Yi)
•   4.  Six Sealing and Four Closing (Liu Feng Si Bi)
•   5.  Single Whip (Dan Bian)
•   6.  Buddha's Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar (Jin Gung Dao Zhui)
•   7.  White Crane Spreads Wings (Bai He Liang Chi)
•   8.  Walking Obliquely (Xie Xing)
•   9.  Brushing Knees (Lou Xi)
• 10.  Stepping Three Steps (Shang San Bu)
• 11. Walking Obliquely (Xie Xing)
• 12. Brushing Knees (Lou Qi)
• 13. Stepping Three Steps (Shang San Bu)
• 14. Hidden Thrust Punch and Whirling Upper Arms (Yan Shou Hong Quan)
• 15. Buddha's Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar (Jin Gang Dao Zhui)
• 16. Flinging Body (Pie Sen Quan)
• 17. Green Dragon Comes Out of Water (Qing Long Chu Shui)
• 18. Double Pushing Hands (Shuang Tua Shou)
• 19. Fist Under Elbow (Zhou Di Kan Quan)
• 20. Whirling Upper Arms (Dao Juan Hong)
• 21. White Crane Spreads Wings (Bai He Liang Chi)
• 22. Walking Obliquely (Xie Xing)
• 23. Flashing the Arm (Shan Tong Bei)
• 24. Hidden Thrust Punch and Whirling Upper Arms (Yan Shou Hong Quan)
• 25. Six Sealing and Four Closing (Liu Feng Shi Bi)
• 26. Single Whip (Dan Pien)
• 27.Cloud Hands (Yun Shou)
• 28. High Pat on Horse (Gao Tan Ma)
• 29. Brushing the Right Foot (You Pai Jiao)
• 30. Brushing the Left Foot (Zuo Pai Jiao)
• 31. Kicking With the Right Heel  (Zuo Deng Gen)
• 32. Forward Twist Step (Qian Tang Ao Bu)
• 33. Punch the Ground (Zhi Di Chi)
• 34. Kicking with Two Heels (Ti Er Qi)
• 35. Protecting the Heart (Hu Xing Quan)
• 36. Whirlwind Foot (Xuan Feng Jiao)
• 37. Kicking with the Right Heel and Following (You Deng Gen)

• 1.  Preparing Form (Tai Ji Qi Shi)
• 2.  Buddha's Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar (Jin Gang Dao Dui)
• 3.  Lazily Tying Coat (Lan Zha Yi)
• 4.  Six Sealing and Four Closing (Liu Feng Si Bi) 
• 5.  Single Whip (Dan Bian)
• 6.  Protecting the Heart (Hu Xing Quan)
• 7.  Step Forward and Walk Obliquely (Jin Bu Xie Xing)
• 8.  Turn Back Buddha's Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar (Hui Tou Jin Gung Dao Zhui)
• 9.  Flinging Body (Pie Sen Quan)
• 10.  Punching the Groin (Zhi Dang Chui
• 11.  Cutting Hands (Zhan Shou)
• 12.  Turn Flowers Out and Brandish Sleeves (Fan Hua Wu Xiu) 
• 13. Hidden Thrust Punch and Whirling Upper Arms (Yan Shou Hong Quan)
• 14. Move and Hinder with Elbow (Yao Lan Zhou)
• 15. Front Cloud Hands (QianYun Shou)
• 16. Back Cloud Hands (Hou Yun Shou)
• 17. Jade Lady Works Shuttles (Yu Nu Chuan Shou)
• 18. Ride Animal in the Reverse Direction (Dao Qi Long)
• 19. Hidden Thrust Punch and Whirling Upper Arms (Yan Shou Hong Quan)
• 20. Left Wrap Crackers  (Zuo Guo Bian Pow)
• 21. Right Wrap Crackers (You Guo Bian Pow)
• 22. Beast's Head Pose (Shou Tou Shi)
• 23  Left Splitting Pose ( Zuo Pia Jia Zhi)
• 24. Right Splitting Pose (You Pia Jia Zhi)
• 25. Hidden Thrust Punch and Whirling Upper Arms (Yan Shou Hong Quan)
• 26. Taming the tiger (Fu Hu)

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