The Engine of Internal Movement

What is Silk-Reeling Energy?

Despite the name, silk-reeling energy is not about mystical force. In practical terms, Chan Ssu Jin (Silk-Reeling) is a method of internal movement — a way of training the body to move in coordinated spirals so the legs, kua, waist, torso and arms work together as one connected system.

These exercises help develop the body mechanics behind relaxed power, structural integrity, rooted movement and whole-body connection. In other words, they help transform movement from isolated body parts into integrated movement powered by the entire body.

If you want better Tai Chi, Xingyi or Bagua, you must develop the body mechanics that create whole-body power. One of the most important methods for doing that is Silk-Reeling Energy (Chan Ssu Jin) — the spiraling, connected movement that links the body into one coordinated unit.

Ken Gullette has studied silk-reeling exercises with Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang and Grandmaster Chen Xiaoxing.

Most Tai Chi students spend years learning choreography. Ken Gullette teaches the body mechanics that make the choreography work.

In this detailed instructional DVD, Ken guides you through 19 essential silk-reeling exercises taught by Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang.

Silk-reeling is not some type of invisible "energy" in your body. The word "energy" results from English translations of Chinese language. A more accurate term would be "method." Silk-reeling energy is a method of moving the body  just for Chen-style practitioners. It is a crucial body skill for Taijiquan, Baguazhang, and other internal martial arts, helping practitioners improve structure, connection, balance, power generation and relaxed whole-body movement.

This program goes beyond simply demonstrating movements. Ken gives detailed instruction and coaching to a student while you watch, coaching the student through the body mechanics so you can better understand common mistakes, body alignment and how to make the movements functional.

Bonus Section: Learn the Pole-Shaking Exercise, an excellent method for improving connected power, structure and internal coordination.

Whether your goal is stronger martial power, better body connection, improved movement quality or deeper internal skill, these exercises can dramatically improve the way your body works.

DVD running time is 2 hours 37 minutes.

What Martial Artists Say About This Silk-Reeling Energy DVD

"Your DVD provides clear instructions, rich details on specific movements and postures, a nice learning pace, and the DVD sound and video are good." - M. Garofalo - Vancouver, Washington.

"Thanks for your wonderful work and your excellent DVD segments. I feel I'm learning more from them than I did from my previous experience taking in-person classes many years ago." A. Zemel - Orlando, FL 

"Thanks for the wealth of exciting info that you've made available the way no one else has!" - M. Roberts

"Thanks for your silk-reeling DVD. I am finding this very beneficial for my health in my 60s and I think at last I am beginning to use my Kua properly in various movements. I wish I had learned this many years ago!" - M. Church - United Kingdom