History of Tai Chi -- Historic Sites in the Chen Village
This video shows some historic sites in the Chen Village, in Henan Province, China -- the birthplace of Tai Chi Chuan. Among the sites is the wall where Yang Luchan watched the Chen family perform their art. Eventually, he was taught the art and then went to Beijing to create his style of Tai Chi, Yang style.
The video was taken by my former teacher, the late Mark Wasson, who went on many trips to Chenjiagou to train with the Chen family. On this visit, he was accompanied by Bill Helm of the Taoist Sanctuary in San Diego.
Mark was a pioneer, one of the early Americans to visit and train in the Chen Village. He helped bring some of the Chen family to America for the first time, including Grandmaster Chen Xiaoxing.
Mark, who died in 2013, narrates this video. Chen Village has changed a bit since this was taken in the early 2000s. The government realized there was money to be made, and facilities have sprung up as tourists began coming from around the world to study the amazing art of ...
Chen Bing Gives My Former Teacher A Lesson in Taiji Push Hands
My former Taijiquan teacher, Mark Wasson, spent a lot of time in the Chen Village training with members of the Chen family, including Chen Xiaowang, Chen Xiaoxing, and Chen Bing.
On one visit, the weather was bad so Chen Bing came to Mark's hotel room to practice push hands.
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The Tai Chi Uniform - Should You Wear "Silk Pajamas" or Not?
Have you ever seen some of the snide comments made online by some internal arts people who slam those who wear a uniform when taking photos or videos? They refer to the uniform in a derogatory way as "silk pajamas."
I always wonder why people feel the need to do that. It seems a bit immature, and sometimes comes off simply as mean-spirited. It is not exactly the nature that Taiji is supposed to develop in people, is it?
I wear a uniform when I do photos and instructional videos. When I watch an instructional video by another teacher, it always looks more professional when they are in a uniform than when they are in a Budweiser t-shirt and sweat pants. But that's just my opinion.
In recent years, I have worn a black and white uniform that was inspired by a wonderful documentary called Chen Village, by Jon Braeley. If you haven't seen it, and you are into Taiji, I highly recommend it.Â
In the documenta...
Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone -- A Guided Chaos Workshop
Have you ever emptied your cup and attended a workshop that is outside your comfort zone -- outside the art that you typically practice?
Some of the most valuable instruction I have ever received has been from people who made me feel like a complete beginner. I feel this way when I study with any of the Chen family, and I felt that way when I worked with my best teachers. I also felt that way when I attended a "Guided Chaos" workshop in Cincinnati last weekend and worked with Lt. Col. Al Ridenhour and Kevin Harrell.
I was introduced to Guided Chaos through my friend, Evan Yeung, a few years ago. How can I best describe this art? There are no forms. It is a no-nonsense method of handling the chaos that can happen when you are face-to-face with real-life violence. It is a fighting art.
When I first heard of it, I was skeptical. The world is full of people who "created" their own martial art. Very often, th...
Chen Village Girls Practicing Chen Taiji Straight Sword Form
One of my former Taiji teachers, Mark Wasson, visited the Chen Village many times to train with members of the Chen family.
On one visit, he took some great video of the village, the Chen family, and their students.
This short video shows young girls practicing the Chen Taiji Straight Sword form as Chen Xiaoxing watches.
Mark passed away a year or so ago. He took several Americans to Chen Village, introducing them to the Chen family. I have not been to the Chen Village, but through Mark, I met and trained with Chen Xiaoxing when he visited the United States. In 2006, I sponsored Chen Xiaoxing's visa so he could come to the US for a series of workshops.Â
Is Your Martial Art Preparing You for Real-Life Self-Defense?
What is real-life self-defense? What is real-life self-defense with the internal arts?
Do I need to step into a ring and go full-contact these days to prove myself?
Do you?
There are suddenly a lot of keyboard warriors out there who seem to think so. Personally, I have mixed feelings about it. I have always enjoyed fighting, but as an adult, I believe it is much better to learn how to fight without getting hurt and without hurting someone else.
When my 15-year-old student was grabbed by a drunk step-father who was preparing to punch him out, my student broke the step-father's elbow with chin-na we practiced in class. That's real-life self-defense.
When my student who is a police officer took a fugitive rapist down with Pi Chuan, a Xingyi technique, he didn't ask himself during the encounter if he was using internal energy just right. He simply took down the man who was considered dangerous.
When three drunk guys at a concert wanted to fight me, I remained centered and managed...
Eight Questions to Ask Chi Masters Who Demonstrate Supernatural Powers
Do you know what a skeptic is? The word has been given a bad name by people who want you to believe their crap so they can take your money.
A skeptic is someone who simply asks for evidence -- solid evidence -- before believing an extraordinary claim.
I am a skeptic.Â
If someone wants to sell me a used car, I expect some evidence that the car is not going to break down when I drive it off the lot.
If a doctor wants me to take a medicine, I ask for information on the side effects and exactly why I need the medicine and how it will help me.
If a martial artist or a "chi master" claims that he can knock people down without touching them, or have a push hands partner hopping and bouncing away with the slightest touch, I am going to demand evidence, and video is not evidence.
You will not get evidence from anyone who makes money off of fantasy. You will not get evidence from con artists and swindlers. Here is what you get:
1. Â You are told "you just don't understand."
2. Â You are ...
Boards Don't Hit Back -- Bruce Lee's Famous Line is Only Entertainment
Last Saturday at our practice, we took a few minutes to have fun with board-breaking. We used the black rebreakable board, which is worth a couple of regular wooden boards. We tried different breaks from short range, the idea being if you are in close, can you generate enough power to do some damage to an opponent.
Here is the video that resulted.
When you put a video like this online, you will inevitably have someone reply with "Boards don't hit back." Sometimes a friend will say it in jest, but sometimes it is said by someone who is serious.
"Boards don't hit back" is a line that Bruce Lee said in "Enter the Dragon," when Bob Wall broke a board at the beginning of a fight with Bruce.Â
 Since 1973, some Bruce Lee "purists" and "Real Fighting" macho guys have pretended that board breaking is stupid.
They would be wrong.
Yes, boards don't hit back. Neither do heavy bags. Neither do makiwara boards. And neither does paper.
Did you know that Punching Paper was one of Bruce Le...
Connecting -- The Number One Skill in Tai Chi, Hsing-I or Bagua
Then I connected. I relaxed and got my head out of the match. I waited with a relaxed state of readiness for him to move.
When he attacked, I was already moving. When he arrived, I was already there and planted a hook kick on the side of his face.
When I took my black sash test in 1997, among the many tasks I had to perform was a sparring match with wooden broadswords to show strategy, technique, and skill. My "opponent" was another black sash with a wooden broadsword. He was cocky and considered himself a lot better.
I relaxed and calmed my mind. I centered, and connected with him. We assumed the on guard stance.Â
The instant he moved toward me with ...
Do You Understand the Body Method - "Shen Fa" of Your Martial Art?
What does the term “body method” mean when it comes to Xingyiquan, Taijiquan and Baguazhang? The Chinese term for body method is “Shen Fa.”
Putting it simply, body method is the way you train your body to move in practicing an art so you achieve the result of moving in this same way when you do self-defense. It involves structure, body mechanics, and concepts for receiving and discharging force.
Each art has distinct ways of training, but I have broken some of the key body mechanics down, and I teach those body mechanics as a way to begin developing the body method for effective internal arts.
The six key body mechanics include:
- Establishing and maintaining the ground path at all times.
- Maintaining peng jin at all times.
- Using whole-body movement.
- Silk-reeling energy connected through the entire body.
- Dan T’ien rotation.
- Opening and closing the kua.
When you develop these six body mechanics as you train the various exercises, forms and fighting concepts of the internal...
Author - Instructor
Ken Gullette
I have practiced martial arts since 1973 and began studying the internal arts in 1987. My goal is to cut years off your development time by coaching you in the real skills for high-quality Tai Chi, Xingyi, Bagua. To see more about my bio, click the "About Ken" link on the menu at the top of this page.
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