On a visit to Tai Ji Circle in 2015 and 2016, Master Chen Ziqiang taught the new Chen routines, Big Frames One and Two, Dajia Yī Lu and Er Lu.
These two routines can be practiced by new students at Foundation level, but it is helpful to have attended the Foundation Silk Reeling classes first.
Chen-style Taijiquan Big Frame 1 – Dàjià yī lù
Chen-style Dajia First Routine is a simplified routine based on a combination of several traditional Chen routines. This routine is mostly practiced to cultivate and replenish qi, so as to improve physical constitution and to promote health. This routine uses mind to direct qi and qi to shape the form, resulting in form and breathing in harmony. This routine transforms softness to strength, promotes qi flow, is easy to learn, and suitable for all ages to practice. This is also known as Chen-style Taiji Health Routine.
Dajia Yi Lu movement sequence in Pinyin and English
1. Yu bei shi Preparatory form
2. Jin gang chu miao Buddha’s warrior exit temple
3. Liu feng si bi Six sealing and four closing
4. San huan zhang Changing palms three times
5. Dan bian Single whip
6. Zhuan shen he shou Turn and close hands
7. Bai he liang chi White crane spreads its wings
8. Xie xing Step obliquely
9. Chu shou First closing
10. Qian tang bu Wading forward
11. Shang bu gou shou Step forward hook hand
12. Shen xian yi ba zhua The magnificent grab
13. Lan me chui Blocking the door with fist
14. Hu xin quan Protecting the heart
15. Shi zi jiao The cross feet
16. Dan tui ri yue Single leg support the sun and moon
17. Qian hou zhao Forward and backward trick
18. Chan si shou Silk reeling hands
19. Yun bu he shou Stepping and close hands 2
20. Closing form Shou shi
With many thanks to Lai for the translation to English.
Chen-style Taijiquan Big Frame 2 – Dàjià èr lù
大架二路
Dàjià èr lù, Master Chen Ziqiang’s Big Frame 2nd Form (Er Lu) to the Big Frame 1 routine (Dajia Yi Lu), gives an introduction to the ‘Yang’ aspect of the Chen style, with a vigourous dynamic form that has martial applications in every movement and an opportunity to practice ‘fajin’ or energy releases from different parts of the body.
Dajia Er Lu movement sequence in English, Mandarin and Pinyin
1. Preparation posture / 预备势 yù bèi shì
2. Buddha’s warrior pounds mortar / 金刚捣碓 jīn gāng dǎo duì
3. Single whip / 单鞭 dān biān
4. Dragon on ground / 雀地龙 què dì lóng
5. Step up and intersect / 上步捣叉 shàng bù dǎo chā
6. Three method left and right / 左右三法 zuǒ yòu sān fǎ
7. Wrapping crackers / 裹鞭炮 guǒ biān pào
8. Beast head pose / 兽头勢 shòu tóu shì
9. Hack and turn to pound / 劈手翻捶 pī shǒu fān chuí
10. Hidden fist punch / 掩手肱拳 yǎn shǒu hóng quán
11. Crossed hand / 十字手 shí zì shǒu
12. Crouching tiger posture / 伏虎势 fú hǔ shì
13. Upright elbow / 立门肘 lì mén zhǒu
14. Stand on one leg and spread wings / 单腿展翅 dān tuǐ zhǎn chì
15. Turn the waist and piece palm / 转腰穿掌 zhuǎn yāo chuān zhǎng
16. Facing and chop body cannon / 迎面斩身炮 yíng miàn zhǎn shēn pào
17. Bounce/jump leg block cannon / 弹腿当门炮 tán tuǐ dāng mén pào
18. Sweep back leg / 扫荡腿 sǎo dàng tuǐ
19. Step up and palm strike / 上步推掌 shàng bù tuī zhǎng
20. Closing / 收势 shōu shì
With many thanks to Calvin for the translation to English and Lai for the Pinyin version, this helps us as Shifu Liu teaches the postures using the Chinese names.
©Master Chen Ziqiang