Sunday 10am saw a dozen keen starters for our "Easy Chen for Busy People" Workshop for Beginners. The workshop was devoted to learning the Silk-Reeling Exercises and the complete Chen Four Step.

As explained elsewhere the secret to doing well in the internal aspects of energetic Chen style TaiChi is a solid foundation in the "Old Frame One" routine. However this 74 step routine is a difficult ask for beginners so world leading chen stylist Master Zhu TianCai (Malisa Ng's Master) distilled out the 13 most effective movements after careful thought to make a complete Thirteen Step Routine. The complete Four Step Routine taught at this workshop is a prelude to learning the whole 13 Steps.

Malisa Ng explaining

The Thirteen Step Routine makes generous use of ChanSiGong (Silk-Reeling) energy so the separate Silk Reeling Exercises were taught first. This Routine proved very popular with participants due to the first stirrings of internal forces within the dantian (lower abdomen) area of the body under the influence of the synchronised footwork of the legs, the spacious circular movements of the arms and the gentle spiralling of the hips and torso.

The Four Step Routine is actually a set of 16 moves where four are repeated at each quarter of the compass until one is back to the start position. These outward movements can be learnt relatively quickly giving a good sense of accomplishment. They provide students with the wherewithall to start practicing continuously at home inbetween classes wich are necessary for the inevitable corrections, ongoing learning of the martial applications and the more difficult task of drawing out a sensitivity for eventually training in the "internal form."

First taste of snow.

It was a curious thing to see the snow begin falling outside as we collectively got into stride with the Chen Four Step. Malisa's friendly but deft attention to individuals was well received. The day finished with us having to demonstrate to Malisa without her assistance. First the women did a shaky but creditable group performance and the men finished with a passable bluff!

Due to the snow people had to rush off before roads closed but it was clear that particpants thoroughly enjoyed themselves and wanted more.

Malisa intends to visit the Club every two months or so for fine-tuning, deeper teaching and further Workshops on the 13 Step and Zhuan Zhong exercises etc.