CHEN-STYLE TAIJIQUAN
The Story of Tai Chi
The most widely accepted view is that Taijiquan originated in Chenjiagou, a village in Wen County, Henan Province, China.
MING DYNASTY (1368–1398)
Chen Bu
The story begins with Chen Bu, the family patriarch, who lived during the reign of the Hongwu Emperor, the first emperor of the Ming dynasty (1368–1398).
THE VILLAGE
Chenjiagou
Chen Bu was highly skilled in martial arts and well respected by the local community. The village where he settled became known as Chen Bu Zhuang — “Chen Bu’s village” — and over time the Chen family gave the village its modern name, Chenjiagou.
18TH AND 19TH CENTURIES
Chen Changxing
Today, Chenjiagou remains an important centre for the study and practice of Chen-style Taijiquan. Over the 18th and 19th centuries, Chen masters continued to develop and refine the forms and training methods of the style. One of the most important forms was developed by Chen Changxing and became known as Lao Jia, meaning “Old Frame”.
Lao Jia, the “Old Frame”
Lao Jia is traditionally one of the first forms studied in Chen-style Tai Chi. Learning the movements gradually and building a good foundation takes time, but reaching the first few sections of the form can be a very satisfying milestone.