Chen Taijiquan Instructor Course 2024

November 13, 2024
12:01 pm

Everybody's skill had improved a lot since last year and even if they did not pass the very challenging Lao Jia everyone did very well in their tests and came away with lots to think about and ways to improve and deepen their skill.

The 2024 Chen Instructor course was a 90 percent in person event this year and it was great to see everyone again. The course also followed the new format of testing everyone’s knowledge and understanding of the history, philosophy and theory of Chen Taijiquan as well as the practical knowledge needed to administer and run a class, including how to deal with some situations that can arise. How hard the questions were was something of a lottery but, with six chances each in a round, after two rounds everybody had passed. Some of the questions were quite challenging but they really help to make you think and inspire you to deepen your knowledge. We really appreciate the time that Sifu has spent to create these questions to help us develop and think more like a Sifu, which, after all, is the whole point of being an instructor!

After the first round of questions it was time to watch demonstrations and ask questions about the forms and then we all divided into groups to polish. There were a lot of details to pick up which helped us to look at a familiar movement with new eyes and gain a deeper understanding. Taijiquan has so many layers. Sihing Darryl Moy gave us so many good insights and cleared up a lot of details about Tui Shou and Ba Jin. The Chen Taijiquan syllabus has become much more streamlined towards a practical comprehension of all of the aspects of Taijiquan from the principles of the skill embodied in Lao Jia (Old Form), to using spiral energy both in the form and Tui Shou and an understanding of the different types of energy in theory and in application. Even though everything was explained and demonstrated so clearly it was still a challenge to put it into practice! At the end of the day there was a chance to play a little Tui Shou. By the end of the day we had all worked up a good appetite and were ready to go and have another great meal at the Chinese restaurant… which we did! We were even treated to a piece of Radu’s fine birthday cake for dessert.

After the demonstrations and polishing on Saturday came the inevitable testing on Sunday. Everybody’s skill had improved a lot since last year and even if they did not pass the very challenging Lao Jia everyone did very well in their tests and came away with lots to think about and ways to improve and deepen their skill. As always, thanks to Sihing Darryl’s preparation and hard work the whole course ran very smoothly, including providing a chance for people living on the other side of the world as far as USA and New Zealand to attend the course on Zoom.

Taijiquan is such a fascinating, challenging and rewarding skill. I am sure I speak for all when I say thank you to Sifu Tse for his tireless explaining and sharing of this wonderful skill. See you all next year!

by Peter Andersen

Student Comments

Great weekend. Really enjoyed seeing everyone in person. Big thanks to all the testers and particularly to Moy Siba who took the reins and made everything smooth and clear. Paul Hogg

Wonderful Chen Instructor course this weekend! I really enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere. It was great to see all the forms and polish and push hands with everyone. A big thanks to Sigong, Siba and all the testers. Looking forward to next year already! Tom Hogg

A wonderful Chen instructor course. I always feel my form moves on so much on these weekends. We were literally stewed in tai chi. Everyone was so helpful. Looking forward to next year already. Daniel

My first Chen Instructors course was very enjoyable. I learned so much. It will take the year to absorb. It was especially great to see so many friends in person again and to have a lovely meal together . Thank you to all the testers and those who shared their knowledge with me and taught me so much. Peadar

Really good instructor course, I learned a lot. Thanks to all the seniors and testers for the valuable feedback and corrections. Learning never stops! Marco

Fantastic Chen Instructor Course with great polishing on skill and theory. So nice to train and catch up in person and share a Chinese meal. For those not there- you were missed but with us in spirit! Thanks again and looking forward to next year. -Kay

Thank you Sigong and Siba for a greatly organised course (hybrid) and all the students coming and joining from many different places, it was so great seeing and practising with all of you. Chen taijiquan is a great skill and it is amazing when we can focus and go deep into its principles and improve ourselves. At the end of the two days we have all progressed both in understanding and in motivation to follow the path of our Taijiquan ancestors. Michalis A.

There’s always so much to learn and correct about our basic understanding and it is somehow reassuring to know that we are working on it all together! Even the question session this time felt like a group bonding activity and I was really rooting for everyone in my group to get to the right answer. The course ran so smoothly and it was great to hear how much we’re all changing just from the content of the questions. Thank you Sigong and Sifu for a really great experience. Lee Baylis

This weekend was a great Chen Style Taijiquan instructor course. The theory was challenging and made me think deeper about our skill and the principles. I see now that I need to go even deeper and understand more and more. The corrections we received and the good time spent together was rewarding and made me appreciate even more our skill, our group and the Tse Qigong Centre. Thank you Sifu, Moy Sihing, all senior students and all fellow instructors for this wonderful experience! -Radu

This was an amazingly relaxed yet learning intensive course – many thanks to all and especially leadership of Moy Siba. The ‘on liners’ really appreciated being included as much as possible – and yes, Kay, at the dinner in spirit! I learned a great deal both theory and practice. Such a lovely skill. Lots to work on in the coming months. I’m getting that sword arm going thanks Mike! Cynthia Shaw

Thank you to everyone at the Centre and Sibagong for challenging and learning filled weekend. The polishings and theory I received are already bringing energy to my practice. It would have been wonderful to be their in person, but despite the internet and tech at times. The integration with us online students was very good. My cup is full of gratitude and knowledge and now to integrate it all! As Sibagong was going over the answers and specifically the poems and gave example with “Everything has a connection.” -that summed up the Instructors’ Course for me. From listening to my group answer questions to demonstrations and questions answered, and to the polishings I received (brilliant thank you Peter & Lee)- I have gained so much more awareness of the depth and connections within this amazing skill. -Jennifer

It was a brilliant weekend. I really enjoyed meeting everyone there those that are new and those who have travelled this oath with me. Thank you Sigong, Siba, Sifu for making this a great weekend full of learning and understanding thanks to the testers and brothers and sisters, for imparting some of their experienced skill to me to develop my own, thank you all my family grows each year, look forward to then next one love it. Earl

Great Taijiquan instructor course. Learnt so much from the demonstrations, polishing, testing and corrections. Good to go through the theory as well with the questions and answers. I was enjoying practising so much this weekend that my legs ache now! Thank you Sigong, Siba, Sifu and all the seniors for organising and testing, and thanks everyone else for attending. Alan.

Excellent Instructor’s Course. Special thanks to Sifu Moy for all the instructions, explanations and demonstrations. It was good to immerse in the art for two days. Thanks to everyone who participated and looking forward to the next one. Danny Fajardo