Vol. 3 Issue 4 - November 2013

Chenjiagou Taijiquan GB Newsletter
N o ve mb er 2013
V o lu me 3 , Is su e 4
China Trip & International Branch ceremony
Contents
2013 China Trip
1
Training with Chen Xiaoxing 2
International Ceremony
3
Individual Membership
4
Salute to Lee Davis-Conchie
5
Upcoming Events
6
Recommended Reading
7
Upcoming
Events



Spear Workshop
Taiji in Snowdonia
European Camp
We just got back from another great trip
to Chenjiagou training with GM Chen
Xiaoxing. This year's group was a strong
one, most of the group being instructors
or senior students. Andrew Hesketh, Ian
Whittaker,
David
Murray,
Darren
Ranasinghe and Mary Johnston from our
school were joined by Viki Lloyd who
teaches in Reading and Rob Sidwell who
teaches in Hereford. The party took on
an international flavour with the addition
of two of our friends from America Allison Helm from the Taoist Sanctuary of
San Diego and Kimberley Ivy from the
Embrace the Moon Taijiquan and Qigong
Studio in Seattle.
The part of the journey that is most
exciting is boarding the minibus from
Zhengzhou airport to our final destination
- Chenjiagou. Driving past the two large
stone lions that stand guard at the
entrance of the Taijiquan school is like
the point of no return! The old-timers
know that they're in for a challenging few
weeks. The first-timers not quite sure
what they've let themselves if for.
We trained in the main hall of the school,
resplendent with a row of new heavy
bags, put up in the build up to last
months challenge match where the young
instructors of the school faced a
challenge from five Thai Boxing
champions from Thailand. As most of
you are probably aware by now the
result was a close win for the lads
from Chenjiagou. It was nice to see a
few of them back leading classes of
younger students.
The following morning training began
with Chen Xiaoxing focusing upon the
development of "frame". Taijiquan
uses the qualities of softness, pliancy
and slowness allied to correct body
structure. The time-honoured way of
training is to gradually eliminate
deviations for the optimum body
alignment. Most people have a default
position that is less than perfect - eg.
leaning forwards or backwards, hips
may not be level, chests lifted too
high, sticking the buttocks out too
much…any of a million and one
different postural mistakes.
CTGB Newsletter
Training with GM Chen Xiaoxing
Usually these mistakes are not specific
to any one posture. If a student has a
tendency to lean to the left when they
are in one posture, it is almost
inevitable that they will do this in every
posture. The essence of Taijiquan lies in
correcting these deviations. For this
reason, if you listen to any experienced
Chenjiagou practitioner speaking, they
will rarely say they are going to "train
their form". They usually say they are
going to "train their frame".
In every session Chen Xiaoxing corrected
the group in Standing Pole, Reeling Silk
Exercises and then slowly worked
through the Laojia Yilu routine.
Everybody in the group is familiar with
the form, so the emphasis was not on
learning the routine, but on deepening
the group's understanding. Each person
was adjusted according to their
individual level and mistakes. Chen
Xiaoxing sets a very high standard, but
as anyone who has trained with him
knows, is always approachable and
good-humoured.
Throughout
the
training he stressed the importance of
paying attention to detail. Whether a
person's main interest is in the health
benefits of Taijiquan, developing it's
martial arts capacities or in training
their minds - all benefits and skills come
from realising the rules of Taijiquan.
That is understanding AND physically
putting into practice the requirements
for each part of the body and using the
correct movement principles.
www.chentaijigb.co.uk
Page 2 of 7
CTGB Newsletter
International Branch Ceremony
At the end of our training camp in the
Chenjiagou Taijiquan School, Chen Xiaoxing
presented us with a plaque recognising our
school as the official UK branch of the school in
China. This follows the signing ceremony that
took place in July when his son Chen Ziqiang was
in UK during his annual seminar. The ceremony
was quite an event, with the presentation, some
great demonstrations by instructors and
students of the school, photo sessions etc.
The event and photos of it have been posted on
the Chenjiagou Taijiquan School website at the
following link:
http://www.tjqxx.com/bencandy.php?fid=41&id
=1036
Following is a translation of their report under
the heading - Ceremony and Presentation of
Plaques for International Branches:
"On the 22nd October 2013, 19th
Generation inheritor Grandmaster
Chen Xiaoxing represented the
Chenjiagou Taijiquan School in
holding a ceremony and the
presentation of plaques to England's
David Gaffney and Davidine Sim,
Seattle's Kim Ivy and San Diego's
Allison Helm. This follows the
establishment Italy's branch. The
school has now established branches
in England and America. With the
establishment of the branches we aim
for more standardisation of Chen
Taijiquan and stricter management in
order to promote and propagate the
pure essence of traditional Chen style
Taijiquan".
We can't over-emphasise what a great honour
this is for our school. It follows a long and
deepening relationship with the main
headquarter in China. For newer students who
do not understand the significance of this Chen style Taijiquan has a history of almost
400 years and is the oldest form of Taijiquan
from which all the other major styles evolved.
The Chenjiagou Taijiquan School is the most
famous Taiji school in China. The ceremony
recognises our school as the official UK branch
in the UK. All of you who've joined the training
trips to China, attended the workshops with
the teachers from China and supported the
regular classes have helped to make this
possible. It is now up to all of us to live up to
it!
www.chentaijigb.co.uk
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CTGB Newsletter
Become a member of the Chenjiagou Taijiquan School
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As you have read in this newsletter, our
school is now the official UK branch of the
Chenjiagou Taijiquan School. UK students
now have the opportunity to become Individual
Members of the main school in China. Annual
membership costs £35 and besides being
linked to Taijiquan's birthplace, you will also
receive:

Reduced price for UK seminars with
Grandmaster Chen Xiaoxing and
Master Chen Ziqiang - both will be
coming to our school in 2014

Reduced price for regular monthly
workshops

Bi-monthly e-newsletter with news from
the headquarters, training advice etc
(this is not the same as the regular club
newsletter)

Annual Yearbook

School t-shirt & Membership card
Lots of students have already signed up and
we would strongly encourage everyone to join!
Check out the school's online
resources:
Facebook:
"Chenjiagou Taijiquan GB
Blog:
Talking Chen Taijiquan
www.chentaijiquanworld.blogspot.co.u
k/
Squidoo:
http://www.squidoo.com/chentaijiquan
www.chentaijigb.co.uk
CTGB Newsletter
Lee Davis-Conchie
A Farewell Salute to Lee Davis-Conchie
Lee Davis-Conchie, instructor of our
Blackpool branch, died on the 12th October.
As we arrived in Beijing and turned our
phones back on we received the sad news
that he passed away while we were in the air
en-route to China. Regretfully we were not
able to go to his funeral, but the school was
represented by a large contingent of 12 who
went to pay their respects. We held a small
remembrance for Lee at the Chen Family
temple. Lee was a big character who will be
sorely missed in the school. The last blog
post outlined Lee's courageous battle with
leukemia over the last few years and his
great spirit. Anyone who hasn't seen it can
read it at:
http://chentaijiquanworld.blogspot.co.uk/2013/
10/lee-davis-conchie-life-well-run_15.html
www.chentaijigb.co.uk
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CTGB Newsletter
Upcoming Events
Page 6 of 7
Sunday Workshop - Spear Form
In traditional Chinese martial arts it is said that we must
train four aspects - hands, eyes, body and footwork. In
Chen Taijiquan the essence of the system's footwork is
found not in the hand form but in the Spear form. This is
one of the original forms devised by Chen Wangting when he
created Taijiquan. As well as training upper and lower body
co-ordination and strengthening the arms and back, the
main feature of the spear form is its fast intricate footwork
patterns. These are called the "full martial flower" and the
"half martial flower". As one becomes familiar with the
routine the footwork can be gradually speeded up until the
form is performed dynamically with no loss of coordination.
The next Sunday workshop will be held on 24th November at
Birchwood Leisure Centre (12-4pm) and will focus on the
Spear Form.
Cost: £28 CTXX-UK Members
£30 Regular students
£35 Non-members
Taiji in Snowdonia
On the weekend of May 30-June 1 2014 there will be a
residential weekend studying and training Taijiquan in
the beautiful Nantlle Valley in Snowdonia, with views
across the Nantlle Ridge and upwards to Snowdon. Work
hard and then relax and explore the tranquil surrounding
with its lake, waterfall and magnificent mountain. Single
and twin bedrooms. Home-made meals with local homegrown organic ingredients.
The weekend will focus on the core principles of Chen
Taijiquan and will include Standing Pole, Reeling Silk and
Laojia Yilu. Training starts with Taiji Zhaung Gong
(leading and guiding energy methods of Chen Taijiquan)
on the evening of arrival. Register early for a place (and
a £30 deposit).
2015 European Taiji Camp in Slovenia
We are in the early stages of organising a week-long European Taiji
training camp in the beautiful mountains of Slovenia in the first week of
August 2015. We are extremely fortunate to have both Chen Xiaoxing and
Chen Ziqiang leading the camp. After teaching in Ljubljana at the
beginning of October David checked out the Planica Olympic Sports
Centre, the chosen venue, a stunning purpose built sports venue with
training halls, accommodation and restaurants. The place is decorated
with inspirational images of successful Slovenian sportsmen and women.
Apparently 6 medallists from the London Olympics prepared here. Within
the centre's grounds 2 frightening looking ski jump launch pads are being
constructed. Provisional programme is Chen Xiaoxing teaching Xinjia Yilu
and Chen Ziqiang teaching tuishou. Put the date in your diaries and state
your interest early as places are limited.
www.chentaijigb.co.uk
CTGB Newsletter
CTGB Newsletter
Recommended Reading
News
Sunday
Workshops
News
Upcoming
News
Events
Portugal
In class the main focus of teaching is reviewing the forms,
basic exercises etc, and there is often not enough time to
cover the theoretical aspect and background knowledge that
can really enhance your understanding and grasp of
Taijiquan. The following are a few recommended books:
Chen Style Taijiquan: The Source of Taiji Boxing
by Davidine Sim & David Gaffney
£15
This is the first book by Davidine and David, published in
2001. It presents an overview of Chen Taijiquan's history,
training methods, body requirements and common mistakes,
important acupoints and legends of some of the most
renowned past Chen Taijiquan figures. This book is used as
required reading in a number of Taijiquan schools in various
countries.
The Essence of Taijiquan
by David Gaffney and Davidine Sim
£15
Building upon the book above, The Essence of Taijiquan is a
more advanced book. It looks at the recent history that has
shaped the Taiji we practice today, Taiji philosophy and
theory, understanding Qi in a practical way, Taijiquan as a
combat art. The final chapter offers insights from a number
of today's most renowned practitioners. The Essence of
Taijiquan is used as one of the core texts California's
Institute of Pacific and Oriental Medicine study programme.
Sunzi: The Art of War
CTGB - Cultural Influences on Taijiquan Vol. 1
£10
People often talk about the influence of Daoism on
Taijiquan, quoting philosophers such as Laozi. Many are less
familiar with the influence that Sunzi, China's most revered
military strategist, had on many of the central theories of
Taijiquan.
Asian Martial Arts: constructive thoughts & practical
applications
Edited by Journal of Asian Martial Arts
£15
For many years the Journal of Asian Martial Arts was
considered to be one of the foremost serious magazines
covering the many different Oriental fighting systems. In this
commemorative book XX leading contemporary teachers of
Asian martial arts offer an insight into the theory behind
their particular art. David writes on Chen Taijiquan's method
of using softness to neutralise and hardness to attack.
Chen Style Taijiquan Sword and Broadsword
by Chen Zhenglei
£15
Step-by-step pictures and descriptions of the Laojia Yilu
form we do in class and the sword and broadsword forms.
While you cannot learn Taijiquan from a book, this book
does provide an excellent memory aid.
www.chentaijigb.co.uk
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CTGB Newsletter
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