A Powerful Chen Family Form AND What the Movements Mean

The Chen 38 Form was created by Chen Xiaowang in the 1980s as a condensed routine that preserves the essential characteristics of Chen-style Taijiquan while being much shorter than the traditional Laojia and Xinjia forms. It draws material from both Old Frame (Laojia) and New Frame (Xinjia) training.  

The goal was not to invent a new style, but to create a practical teaching form that could be learned in a reasonable amount of time while still including:

• Silk-reeling energy (chan si jin)
• Changes of speed
• Fajin (explosive release of force)
• Kicks and sweeps
• Traditional Chen body mechanics
• Representative movements from the longer routines

Many Chen practitioners first learn the 19 Form and then the 38 Form before tackling the longer traditional forms. Ken Gullette has studied both forms with Chen Xiaowang and his disciples, including Master Ren Guangyi, Jim and Angela Criscimagna, and Mark Wasson.  

One reason the 38 Form became popular in the West is that it gives students a complete taste of Chen Taiji in about 10–15 minutes, instead of spending months learning the 74- or 75-posture Laojia Yilu.

On these DVDs, you not only get detailed instruction on each movement, including a focus on internal body mechanics -- you also get training in the self-defense applications of each movement in the form. 

Ken focuses on the internal body mechanics that make Chen style Tai Chi a powerful martial art. He believes if you're going to learn a Tai Chi movement, you must know what it means for self-defense or you will never be able to perform the movement with the proper intent.

You will go into a workshop as Ken coaches students through the self-defense applications. You'll see students make mistakes, and that will help you avoid the same mistakes. It is a powerful teaching model.

Since every style of Tai Chi evolved from Chen style, many of the movements will be familiar, even if you don't study Chen style, so you will get a lot out of the self-defense applications. But even if you already study Chen style, you'll gain insights you did not know until now.

What Martial Artists Say About Ken Gullette's DVDs

"I like your way of teaching. You can explain it so easily and lead the student straight to the point." - J. van der Valk - Sweden

"I've never really understood it as well as through your clear instruction and effective demonstration. It's not just understanding it -- it's being quite inspired by it. Your supportive teaching style is encouraging." - B. Gotsch - Oakland, California

"My Chinese "coach" (as he likes to be called) asked me at the end of my lesson last Friday if I had begun practicing with a new coach." - S. Grier - San Diego, California

"I live (and study) in Japan, but the language barrier makes me miss some of the meaning. Your training has filled in the gaps and has been responsible for most of the progress I have made so far." - K. Synnott - Funabashi-Shi, Japan