Chen-style Taijiquan boiled down to 18 forms for beginners

[Video provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

To promote and popularize Chen-style Taijiquan, the essential 18 forms were created as a beginner-friendly introduction to this traditional martial art. The Old Frame Routine One, an icon of Chen-style Taijiquan, is renowned for its intricate and dynamic movements, but its complexity can make it difficult for newcomers to master quickly.

To address this, grandmaster Chen Zhenglei, the 19th-generation inheritor of Chen-style Taijiquan, reduced the Old Frame Routine One to the essential 18 forms. This simplified version retains the core principles and spirit of the traditional routine while making it more accessible. This way, more people can experience and appreciate the timeless art of Chen-style Taijiquan. (Edited by Li Qiaoxingzi)