What else you may find on this site, besides the web sources below

1. The home page, i.e. the entry to my Chen style taijiquan notepad
2. Information on a few videos and streams on Chen style taijiquan
3. Information on printed matter relating to Chen style taijiquan
4. Something on conduct and ethics of the Chen family
5. A beginner's glossary for quick reference on Chen style taijiquan
6. Some Chinese characters from the glossary
7. A reference chart on Chen style lineage in case you are looking for teachers
8. A thank you for visiting my page
9. A disclaimer so you won't sue me when you break a leg

Bai he liang chi: The White Crane Spreads its Wings - the Chen style way. Taken from DAO, special edition Taijiquan: p.40, ISSN 0944-9221. Roel Jansen, again, has been as kind as to point out the original source: fig.32, p.82, in Gu Liuxin and Chen Jiazhen's compilation on Chen Style Taijiquan. It shows Chen Zhaokui's presentation of xin jia yi lu.

Web sources on Chen style taijiquan you may find, or not, worthwhile

• As you may imagine, real masters of taijiquan do not have any time to set up websites. That's at least what you may safely deduct if you take a look at Chen Xiaowang's travel schedule (01/2006) which now is available on the website of the Chen Xiaowang World Taijiquan Association. The schedule is very convenient because it contains all of the contact details to the organizers of his worldwide training events, from A like Argentina to not quite Z, but at least to the United States of America in 2005, so you can contact them if you are in the vicinity and want to join. Of course, you can also find some photos and other stuff. But the schedule takes the cake. [top]

• There is no English language source more competent to be found on Chen style taijiquan than the distinguished The Chenstyle Journal, and you can link to this journal online, following the Art of China "Taijiquan" link (10/1999), now also, as of Volume 5, No.1, 1999. Authors of The Chenstyle Journal include renowned grandmasters, masters, teachers, and scholars as Feng Zhiqiang, Ma Hong, Gu Liuxin, Chen Zhenglei, Greg Bissell, Herb Rich, or Stanley Henning - to name a few only. I think there is no more I need to add to get you excited about this journal. Otherwise, the ISSN is 1068-1337. [top]

• The most complete resource page on Chen style taijiquan I have encountered on the web is the (previously updated, as Dave Lull, the "website hunter" behind Scheele's links page was as kind as to point out some time to me; and now again reshaped and relocated, though you can still follow the old link and will be redirected) site made by Herb Rich (01/2005). It includes sections on history (including profiles of masters of Chen taijiquan since Chen Wangting's times), the different styles (lao jia, xin jia, xiao jia, zhaobao jia, and hu lei jia), forms (yi lu, er lu, modern forms), numerous links, adresses, and other sources. While his former page which had not been updated since September 1996 will only refer you to the new one, do not expect to find an identical page. The site is nicely designed, and there are now a number of animated video sequences which you may enjoy. Depending on your hard and software power, opening of the video clips will take considerable time. It is not necessary to wait for the clips, however, to browse thru the site since the rest of the pages build up faster. [top]

• Mike Sigman's new website (07/1999; it seems the old one below is still working) contains an article by Chen Zhaokui on training for sparring which you may wish to read, especially if you are into sparring and self-defense applications of taijiquan. There are also guidelines for training reeling silk exercises by Mike Sigman. [top]

• As far as didactics are concerned, the Chen Taijiquan page of Zheng Yu Xu (02/1999) is a favorite of mine. If you seek straightforward instruction on diverse aspects of Chen style taijiquan in frank style, but modest, and without any mystification, you will like it too. It contains sections on Chinese martial arts, history, techniques, and exercises. The site is well structured, not yet completed, but full of detailed practical hints and information, and written with an idea of what the Western beginner (and even advanced student) may have in mind when asking. Of course, it will not replace a teacher, but it is a good companion, and a valuable antidote to bad practices. What more can you expect from a website? [top]

• In only three months time, since July 1999, Jarek Szymanski (01/2006) had put together a site that is very interesting to visit and has been growing ever since. It contains information not only on Chen style taijiquan, but also on baguazhang, xingyiquan, and the services Jarek offers from his base in Shanghai, e.g. searching for literature and material, or organizing visits to China. Concerning Chen style, Jarek has started translating some texts which will be of interest to readers who cannot speak Chinese. You can find excerpts from Chen Xin's Illustrated Explanation of Chen Family Taijiquan, Cheng Changxing's Important Words on Martial Applications, as well as The Origins and Development of Taijiquan. Jarek promised there was more to come. And he has kept his promise, i.e. you will always find new content. [top]

• If you have not been to Chen family ditch of Wen County of Jiaozuo City of Henan Province of the People's Republic of China yet, the best account I have seen on it has been written by Daniel Poon. Entitled Chenvillage (01/2005), it brings to you not only credible information on the village, but also provides a well-informed and down-to-earth introduction to Chen-style taijiquan. You will find information on kith and kin of the current grandmasters (i.e. potential future grandmasters), training opportunities, styles of practice, attitudes, and some specifics on weapons usage or taijiquan principles and postures. To sum it up, there is a little bit for everyone, be they beginners or advanced students, on this site. For those who have not come to terms with relaxing their hips and sinking elbows, there is a special section which explains such requirements in Western physiological terms. I also like Poon's statement that "the Chen form is just one big reeling silk exercise". By the way, the site may also be found at eclipse. [top]

• For those thinking about spending some time in China to study Chen-style taijiquan, Anthony Fidler's China Tai Chi Guide (08/2016) provides the best possible guidance, especially for beginners, and plenty of detailed practical information for even advanced students that will help your decision making and planning. You may end up going to China although you never thought about it before, or decide to rather not go because your personal dreams of training might not be realistic. The site provides a quick introduction to Chen style, to selected taijiquan schools and teachers in China, particularly in Chenjiagou, the birthplace of (Chen-style) taijiquan. The carefully written sections will, inter alia, help you to understand the differences between commercial and disciple systems of training so you can better manage your expectations for the stay. They are also very useful for apppreciating some of the differences between different styles and sub-styles of taijiquan. [top]

• Andrea Cheng has conducted an interview with Master Ma Hong (01/2005) which is very dense in content, for Hsing-I Journal. Ma Hong (19th generation, instructed by Chen Dao Kuei), assisted by Master Xu Gouming (George Xu), elaborates on how he learned, how he is teaching, and some 20 minimum principles to observe if you want to be complete in Chen taijiquan. [top]

• The Sydney Tai Chi & Qigong Centre's page contains an instructive and didactic essay by Chen Xiaowang, translated to English by Tan Leepeng, on The Five Levels of Skill in Chen Style Taijiquan (01/2006) wherein Xiaowang explains various stages of gongfu one needs to go thru to achieve completeness in skill: 1) Keeping the body straight and head and neck erect with mindfulness at the tip of the head, as well as relaxation of shoulders and sinking of elbows, relaxation of chest, waist and crotch, and bending of knees. 2) Reduction of shortcomings such as stiff force produced while practicing, over- and under-exertion of force, as well as movements not well coordinated. 3) Progressing from mastering big circle to medium circle, 4) from medium circle to small circle, and 5) from the small circle to commanding an invisible circle, i.e. from mastering the form to executing the form invisibly. On top of the reeling silk presentation by Chen Xiaowang that was posted on the previous site in 1999 already, but there is now an interview with Chen Xiaowang available which contains illustrations of the martial application of the movement yv nv chuan suo and the handling of a roundhouse kick. Furthermore, there are other "action" photos of Chen Xiaowang available in the photo galery. [top]

• There is more to learn about Chen Xiaowang and Chen style taijiquan in an article written by C. P. Ong called Chen Xiaowang - Carrying the burden of taiji legacy (01/2006). It provides you with a little lore of taijiquan and Chen Xiaowang experiences from early training to obtaining the Guojia Gaoji Jiaolian recognition by the Chinese government and to spreading taijiquan across the globe, but does not forget to refer back to "The basis of Taiji's Martial Skills" and the diligent practice it takes to develop and refine them: an inspiring article for anyone who wants to know what to strive for in practice. [top]

• There is an abreviated version of an interview with Xu Guoming (George Xu) from Tai Chi International (2). It refers, among others, to how Master Xu began his training and learned, what you should look for in a teacher, and what makes a good student, as well as four powers in tui shou: light cover, heavy cover, match, and suck. My favorite quote from this interview would be: "Remember, martial art, not martial work." For the complete version you will have to buy the issue. [top]

• Ian Young has conducted an interview with Mike Sigman for Tai Chi Chuan Magazine in 1996 which makes nice reading if you wish to begin to really acquaint yourself with the meaning of internal strength and come from the Western world. Mike Sigman clarifies, among others, that reference made to "qi" in numerous translations of texts on martial art from Chinese incorrectly assumes this to be "etheric qi", explains the importance of the fundamentals he stresses in his workshops, and regrets the low level of taijiquan instruction he frequently encounters. If you are not a complete beginner, you may want to check out his simple teacher assessment method. Of course, as you can imagine, this test is being challenged. [top]

• If you are ready for more after reading the interview with Mike Sigman above, you may just as well turn to some of his own articles in issues of Internal Strength Magazine from 1993-94. There is a series of 6 "How to" articles that explain how to develop peng force and connection, tying skill and down-force, and pushing with peng force. Do not stop at the first article: The sixth article still clarifies some of the questions you may have had when reading (and if you did not have any more questions, check the sixth article anyway because it provides additional information). There are also 6 practical training tips that go along with the articles. But, do not forget -- as Mike Sigman does not tire to reiterate it, reading these articles will not develop peng, only many repetitions at low effort to repattern your muscle use. There is a German translation of these articles, by the way. [top]

• Stanley Henning's (05/2008) article on Ignorance, Legend and Taijiquan (01/2005), was originally published in The Chen-Style Taijiquan Journal 2 (3) 1994. He discusses the creation of the myth that Zhang Sanfeng has created taijiquan from the view of a learned scholar of the history of Chinese martial arts, tracing three main phases: (1) prior 1669 when Zhang was considered a taoist immortal, (2) from 1669-1900 when Zhang was considered originator of the internal boxing school, and (3) post 1900 when Zhang was attributed the creation of taijiquan itself. If you wish to find the original Chinese writing of sources quoted, you need to turn to the journal though since they do not show in this hypertext version. [top]

• Wenpei Paul Chou has created a Chen taijiquan site that some refer to as "cool", probably due to its VRML models and other downloadable stuff. While I am not too much into that (and there is little that comes close to watching a real master), I am also convinced that this is not the main point of his site. This dedicated "training site", in fact, is full of information on various aspects of taijiquan: class material, lineage, Chen Fake, Master Pan Wingchow, peng jing, chung chi, etc. It is definitely worth a visit. [top]

• Yang Yang, a student of Feng Zhiqiang who teaches in Champaign and Urbana, Illinois, USA, had published an article written by Marvin Smalheiser, editor of T'ai Chi Magazine, based on an interview with Yang Yang and other inputs, describing how to "build skills with 3 core methods", and which emphasizes the importance of form, push hands, and wuji standing meditation in order to attain higher levels in taijiquan. Since I first ran over this site many years ago, considerable changes have been made, and it is definitely worth revisiting. For example, you can find an excellent article on best practices (07/2007) in training taijiquan; excerpts of an article by Yang Yang and Scott Grubisich on Feng Zhiqiang on Integrating Mind and Body; an article by Jean Van Ryzin on bringing taijiquan to older people; as well as numerous links to health-related research articles on taijiquan as published in medical journals. [top]

• If you are having trouble to purchase the book on Chen Style Taijiquan compiled by Zhaohua Publishing House in Hong Kong and Beijing of 1984, you will find at least the first part written by Gu Liuxin on the origin, evolution and development of shadow boxing. The book itself is real value for money, though, if you are truly interested in Chen style taijiquan. [top]

• The site of the American Chen Style Tai Chi Association (ACT) (05/2003), founded in 1996 by Yan Gaofei through the authority of his teacher Chen Quanzhong (19th Generation Chen Family), which seeks to promote the original large frame of Chen style taijiquan contains a number of illustrated articles you may find worthwhile. Current topics include, inter alia, "Chen Family Stories", "Acupuncture Points Related to Chen Tai Chi Study", "Why is Wuji So Important for Improving Health", "Rooting", and "Pang, Lu, Ji, and An". They are included as images in the webpages which unfortunately increases their loading and printing times. But it is worth taking a look. [top]

• The homepage of the World Chen Taiji Association Germany (WCTAG) (05/2003) is interesting if you want to be on top of Chen taijiquan activities in Germany. WCTAG is headed by Jan Silberstorff (21st generation, instructed by Shen Xijing and Chen Xiaowang). Of the school sites I know, it is the most elaborated one with sections on teachers, classes, seminars, graduation within the system, articles etc. It is all in German language. If you know German, you may like to consider joining a reading circle (against a modest cost recovery fee of ca. USD 10 p.a.) recently created by Jan Silberstorff. You will receive draft articles on various facets of taijiquan and translations of Chinese texts before they are going to be published in the respective martial art magazines. [top]

• Master Tong Yausun's page (10/1999) is an interesting school site to visit because it contains information on different grand masters, as, e.g., Chen Fake, Gu Liuxin, Feng Zhiqiang, and He Bingquan for Chen style taijiquan. It is one of the few school sites I have encountered so far that display some of their own teaching method on the site, in this case based on Gu Liuxin's theory. Besides that, Master Tong offers historical tapes of renowned Chinese taijiquan masters of all major schools. The site has plenty of photographs you may want to take a look (Master Tong enjoys photography, as he told me). What I like, too, is that important terms and names also appear in Chinese characters. Master Tong has studied taijiquan with grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang and Gu Liuxin. [top]

• The International Chen Style Taijiquan Association (05/2003) was founded in 1991 to promote the teaching and practice of Taijiquan as taught by Ren Guangyi, a student of Chen Xiaowang. Page build-up is rather slow, and the site is still heavily under construction. But you can obtain information on Ren Guangyi, the association, seminars, materials that can be ordered already. [top]

• By the way, Martha Burr, has taken the time to document Ren Guangyi's Modern Master's Journey (01/2006) in an article published in Kungfu Magazine. Here's your potential favorite quote about Ren Guangyi's first encounter with Chen Xiaowang: "I was trying to beat him up so I could go to Shaolin, but I couldn't! So then, I wanted to learn that taiji!". [top]

• One of the students of Ren Guangyi is Stephan Berwick. If you have ever watched any of Ren Guangyi's instruction tapes, for example, you will often see him as a sparring partner. I have now run over a website he has created, which puts it very frank: Is your taijiquan true (01/2006)? A challenge to everyone equiped with a browser to study taijiquan, right!?! There are a number of interesting links which lead you to further web resources, and some of Stephen's own publications are made accessible, inter alia, The Chinese Straight Sword & Chen Taijiquan or Chen Taijiquan: The Ultimate Grappling Art? Quem quizer pode tambem consultar a tradução para língua portuguesa do último artigo acima mencionado (Tai Chi Chuan Chen: a mais moderna arte de agarramento?). [top]

• Joseph Chen's website (05/2003) of the Zhiqiang Chen-Taiji Academy of Canada provides an interesting digression into the differences in approach and teaching between Feng Zhiqiang and Hong Junsheng, both of whom studied with Grandmaster Chen Fake, however, during different periods. The site lists Hong's 81 Form, some short articles on taijiquan and some anecdotes on Chen Fake as transmitted by Hong Junsheng as well as, of course, information on the academy and Joseph Chen's teaching. [top]

• "Grandmaster goes business" is what you may think when you hit the site of the Chen Zhenglei Taichi Network (05/2003). The Henan Chen Zhenglei Taichi Culture Co. Ltd. prides itself to have grandmaster Chen Zhenglei as a general advisor and head coach of company which, according to the site, is devoting itself to the publicity, promotion and spread of taijiquan and making it a dominant way for people to keep themselves healthy and fit. Be that as it may, the site does provide interesting information on Chen style taijiquan, including in English language. For example, you will find short biographies of top Chen style practicioners in China such as Wang Haijun, Zhang Dongwu, Chen Juan, Chen Bin, et al. There are articles on practicing Chen style as well as on its origins. On the whole, maybe currently the best English speaking resource page made by Chinese in China to turn to. [top]

• There is another article by Martha Burr which focuses on Chen Zhen Lei - Handing down the family treasure of Chen taijiquan (08/2016). The article seems to be very well researched and brings you as close as can be to Chen Zhenglei's life and his path to becoming one of the most important masters and figures in taijiquan today. [top]

• I am not sure who is behind the Taiji Funs Company (09/2000) of Gao Feng in Beijing, but if you have some space on your harddisk, you could consider downloading complete routines from their Tai Chi Forms Download Center. There is an offer for a free download of the Simplified 18 movement Chen style routine by Chen Zhenglei (55 files, ca. 30 MB total) as well as for the competition form (74 files, ca. 60 MB total). These files are MPV files which you may view with xing or mpeg player programs, and the site offers a possibility to download a file cut program by which you can merge the files to be able to see the whole routines, i.e. as one file. Also the Pao Chui routine by Chen Zhenglei is offered as a download against remittance of a cheque over USD 8.00. [top]

• Jasmine Bu and Chong Sien Long in Singapore have devoted their page to Chenjiagou Taijiquan (01/2005). You will find information on grandmaster Zhu Tiancai and other useful information on Chen style taijiquan. [top]

• Si vous parlez francais, you may have wondered for a long time whether there is any website you might turn to for information on Chen style. I have run across one now which is hosted by the Association de Tai Ji Quan de la Tradition Chen (CFAETCC) (05/2003) which is based in Ivry sur Seine (France). The related school focusses on the small frame (xiao jia) of Chen style and works with Chen Lixian and Chen Peiju as masters. There is a page with a number of interesting links, and you will also find French translations of Chen style material, e.g. by Chen Xin on posture and basic techniques. [top]

• Adam Hsu reminds taijiquan practitioners of the importance of the "second" hand (05/2003) (i.e. not the lead hand) which he feels is frequently enough neglected to the detriment of achievement. The message is: "...there is no such thing as a major hand and a minor hand". [top]

• There is a small website maintained by John Prince on Master Chen Yu (05/2003), a son of Chen Zhaokui who is not very well known outside of Chen style circles. [top]

• Another website by Marin Spivack dedicated to Chen style of the "Chen Zhaokui line" (which appears a little sectarian to me since it is not really a special line, as I see it - but that's for you to decide after browsing it) likewise refers to Chen Yu (01/2006). The site contains a few videos and a photo galery so you can acquaint yourself a little more with Chen Yu. The webmaster also has some wise words to offer with regard to diligent training and etiquette (which many people in Western countries and sometimes even China are not too familiar with anymore), although, I must say, they come in rather plain language. But maybe that's necessary in a world where mega and giga exagerations seem to have become a norm, and fun is all you seek. [top]

• There is a taijiquan page maintained by Peter Lim Tian Tek (05/2003) with information on Chen style taijiquan. It contains sections on the martial arts practiced in the Chen village as well as the development of Chen taijiquan. He endorses the (disputed) view that Chen Wangting had learned part of his art from Jiang Fa, namely the internal part of it, and thereby contests Gu Liuxin's theory that attributes the creation of taijiquan to Chen Wangting. He also traces strong elements of Sung Tai Zhu (chang) quan (First Emperor of Sung's long boxing), hongquan (Shaolin red fist), paoquan (Shaolin cannon fist), and pao chui (cannon pounding) in Chen style taijiquan. Linked pages refer to Jiang Fa's supposed teacher Wang Tsung Yueh (Wang Zongyue). The arguments forwarded appear to have some merit. However, I have no way to judge the reading of the original sources quoted, and have run across many other texts which seem better researched and cannot effectively trace any taijiquan lineage before Chen Wangting (and Jiang Fa). As to the elements of other styles that are traced, I would suppose that it is impossible to create a complete boxing system out of nothing and that the total number of movements that can be created is limited (by body mechanics) anyway. [top]

• Feng Zhiqiang is one of the best indoor students of Chen Fake, and is renowned for his excellent martial skills and the creation of his own Hunyuan style. His disciples in the USA (Feng Zhiqiang Chen Style Taijiquan Academy) (11/2006) have posted a transcript of a workshop held in 2001 with Feng near San Francisco and which goes into considerable detail about diverse aspects of taijiquan practice. No matter whether you are into Hunyuan or not, it is definitely worth a read. Besides this, there are also transcripts of the (Chinese) "Feng Zhi Qiang Taijiquan Series - Volume III: Huan Yuan 24 Form" video (as demonstrated by Zhang Xuexin) which may interest you more if you practice Hunyuan. [top]

• If you are in need for some Chen lore to capture the attention of the juvenile delinquents in your class, and it seems that it is increasingly published, how about "An Anecdotal History of the Chen Style Taijiquan" translated by Bill Tucker in (published in Internal Martial Arts [05/2003], Issue 1, June, 1999). Don't get carried too far away, though -- you might not be able to concentrate during your next training session on what is really important. [top]

• Mark Wasson's article on Chen Xiaowang was published in Kungfu Magazine. It is a description of Chen Xiaowang with the eyes of a person from another martial art system. [top]

• If you want to read of another encounter "of the third kind" with highly evolved taijiquan skill, there is the description of Kenneth Chung meeting Feng Zhiqiang in San Francisco in 1985. Kenneth Chung is from the Wing Chung system. [top]

• If you are interested in an article that explains the usage of Chen style spiral twining and "chan suu jin", you can turn to " The 3-Dimensional Spiral Force" (11/1999) by Master Peter Wu, a student of Hong Junsheng. The site where the article is located also may be of interest if you seek information on the health aspects of taijiquan. For example, you may want to read the article of Paul Lam on " How does Tai Chi Help Arthritis?" (11/1999). Besides videos on special forms developed by Paul Lam, as "Tai Chi for Health", "Tai Chi for Arthritis", and "Tai Chi for Older Adults", you can also purchase a video on the 36 form of Chen style (i.e. the competition routine created by Beijing University professor Kan Guixiang). [top]

• With the long isolation of individuals and families during the Covid-19 pandemic depression and other mental health (01/2024) related problems have gained increasing attention on a worldwide scale. Can taijiquan help here? And can it compete with all of the medication available that is thrown on the market by the pharmacy industries and that seem to offer quick fixes for everything, ...except the opioid crisis (01/2024)? The instructor of a mental health first aid course I participated in kindly suggested the following articles to me to find out, and they are indeed interesting because they check out whether a shorter period practice of specified taijiquan movements may already have some impact. One article reports on a longitudinal study about the effect of taijiquan on stress, anxiety, and self-perception of happiness. There is a second one discussing whether a 12-week 'course' of taijiquan practice is effective for improving different dimensions of interoception which could possibly explain improved emotional health as induced by taijiquan practice. A third one addresses quality of life, mental wellbeing and physical function for people with chronic diseases. So if mental health is one of the concerns in your environment, maybe you would like to have a look too? Interesting stuff -- some good enough even for those who have a sweet tooth for randomized control trials. ;-) [top]

• " The 3-Dimensional Spiral Force" (11/1999) by Master Peter Wu, a student of Hong Junsheng. The site where the article is located also may be of interest if you seek information on the health aspects of taijiquan. For example, you may want to read the article of Paul Lam on " How does Tai Chi Help Arthritis?" (11/1999). Besides videos on special forms developed by Paul Lam, as "Tai Chi for Health", "Tai Chi for Arthritis", and "Tai Chi for Older Adults", you can also purchase a video on the 36 form of Chen style (i.e. the competition routine created by Beijing University professor Kan Guixiang). [top]

• Paul Lam has written another article which may help you better understand the specifics of taijiquan styles by Comparing Chen and Sun Styles (01/2006). While I do not agree that Chen style requires low stances (Chen Xiaowang, in fact, always emphasizes that everyone should practice according to his or her physical ability and can thus choose between high, middle, and low stances.), I do understand, from sparring with other Chen enthusiasts, his following reasoning: "I found that learning Chen style ..., one could easily fall into the trap of becoming fixed with hardness." Yet any good Chen style instructor should make sure you do not fall into that trap, and you also may fall into the trap of being "too soft" or "only soft" when learning from a mediocre teacher of other styles. As to Paul Lam's view that "practitioners of Chen style are more likely injure themselves in training" and "have injured their knee joints", I cannot confirm this from my own experience. If you pay attention to proper posture and the exact execution of each movement in the routine, you should not suffer any injuries at all. What one might concede is that because the propensity for Chen practicioners to participate in push hand and free fighting training and competitions is higher than for other styles, they may be tumbled more often and occasionally injure themselves. On the whole, his conclusions are very pragmatic: Enjoy appreciating the differences, discover the hidden similarities, and work them out to improve your taijiquan skills! [top]

• Anyone who visits China (and gets up early enough in the morning to see them exercising), will admire the flexibility and generally good health of elderly people. That is most likely also one of the reasons why the market for pharmaceuticals in China differs tremendously from the rest of the world. Since this may be difficult to imagine if you have never seen it for yourself, and because the lack of "scientific" proof is always a stumbling stone for promotors of taijiquan in the West, you may find it useful to read into an article posted on the findings of the United States National Institute on Aging (USNIA) regarding reduced falls of older people even only after relatively short training periods in taijiquan, indicating both increased balance and strength. You may find it on Tony Wong's site on Chen style taijiquan. [top]

• You will find a both very complete (some 30 pages) and very well researched introduction to taijiquan (its origin theories, the main styles, masters, etc.) on the homesite of the German Budo Studien Kreis. It is in German language only (although the homepage has an English entry page). [top]

• If you wondered what is meant by the frequently quoted "classic texts" on taijiquan, you can find translations of these on Lee N. Scheele's Page (01/2006). The origin of these texts and their authorship is disputed. But you should at least know what is meant when they are being refered to, and they make nice reading also. Scheele's home page also has numerous links to other taijiquan sites on the web. If you prefer paper to screen, there is also a nice book with translations of classic texts I have recently encountered. [top]

• Charles Tauber's article "Chen-Style Taijiquan: A Lost Art?" is a nice short introductory text for people who want to acquaint themselves with Chen taijiquan (and possibly do not know too much of taijiquan yet). It centers on Master Li Lai Ren's training methods at his school Chen Style Taijiquan Workshop Canada. [top]

• While not on Chen style taijiquan as such, Xiang Kairen's article A Study of Taiji Push-Hands is interesting for any person looking for some written reference on tui shou exercises. It is an account on personal experience in with learning tui shou step by step, and relating this to the so-called classic texts on taijiquan. [top]

• You may say "it's about time", but for a niche martial art one should always have cautious expectations. Anyway, Chen style taijiquan has made its entry into the Wikipedia (07/2007), a web-based, free content encyclopedia, written collaboratively by volunteers from all over. I have not checked who has drafted the entry, but it's a good start. What's nice about Wikipedia is that it is a real internet tool, maximizing the benefits of open internet usage. It's not shiny, but very effective. There are policies and guidelines which are able to guarantee minimum quality standards. So let's hope that we can collaboratively expand our encyclopedic knowledge of Chen style. For the time being, the information is not extensively referenced yet. But there already a number of links even to videos for various forms. [top]