THE EIGHT BASIC METHODS OF CHEN STYLE TAI CHI CHUAN by Master Cheng Jincai

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An in depth look at Tai Chi theories and principles with reference to the five kinetic movements sometimes referred to as the five elements without which Tai Chi cannot correctly function. Master Cheng quotes Chen Fa-ke, the famous Chen master of the first half of the last century, who said it is first necessary to learn the correct moves and then practice and finally to understand the details.

Learning the correct moves is the first hurdle for new and intermediate students. Practicing is the second hurdle, since it can become a clerical function if it is done routinely without much insight or understanding. Understanding the details, which Cheng discusses in the article, is where the essence of the art is learned.

Cheng as a young man studied with Chen Fa-ke's son, Chen Zhaokui, who taught in the Chen village and whose students included, Chen Xiaowang, Wang Xian and Chen Zhenglei as well as Grandmaster Gou himself.

While Cheng writes about the eight basic methods in the context of the Chen style, they are part of every Tai Chi style and so the article has merit for all practitioners.