Master Guo Xi Lin – Chen Tai Ji Quan
 

· Born & Raised in Chen Village

· Training Chen Tai Ji since 1976 with Famous Wang XiAn

· A Director of Chen Village Tai Ji Association

Master Guo was born in the famous Chen Village (Chen Jia Gou), Wen County, Henan Province.  If you want to learn traditional Tai Ji Quan then perhaps there is no one better qualified to teach you. 

Master Guo began learning the Chen style in 1976 direct from the famous Wang Xi an, confirmed recently as one of China’s top ten martial arts masters.  Master Wang himself learned direct from Chen Zhao Pi, the tenth generation lineage holder of the famous Chen family system. 

The first thing that is readily apparent you when you meet Master Guo is the air of vitality and well being that emanate from him.  That, and the calm but all too noticeable aura of power.  Once you spend some time with him however his humble and good natured character are the things you take away with you.
Over 30 years of diligent practice and 25 years of teaching experience, combined with the traditional teachings he has been party to, have produced a highly skilled, competent and a word used too often but in this case very suitable; ‘master’ practitioner in his chosen art form. 

The Chen style teaching is still very much based in its martial roots and the applications are both practical and devastating.  Master Guo himself has been awarded top grade prizes in international level Tai Ji competitions in 1980, 1981 & 2000. 

Presently Master Guo is a director on the committee of the Chen Village Chen Style Tai Ji Association.  His knowledge is complete on the Old frame (Lao Jia) and New frame forms, Chen staff, spear and sword and of course pushing hands/two person sets.

It is true to say that to learn from such a dedicated, patient and knowledgeable person is a real delight and an opportunity of a lifetime.

Chen Style Tai Ji Info

Unlike most of the other styles or variations of Tai Ji Quan taught today, Chen style remains dedicated to its original martial roots. It was created during the end of Ming and the beginning of Qing dynasty of the Chinese history, by Chen Wang ting（1600—1680 A.D）, a native of Chen Village of Wen County in Henan Province in central China.

In his later years, based on the theory on the book “Huang Ting and combining the advancements of the different martial arts forms, he developed the new martial arts system called Tai Ji Quan.  Most major Tai Ji Quan styles i.e. Chen style, Yang style, Wu style, Sun style and Wu/Hao Style, traced their roots to that of Chen Wang ting whose creation earned him the title of Father of Tai Ji Quan.


Master Guo with his Master Wang Xian
Chen Village February 2009

The system consists of new & old (1&2) frames and 18 other essential forms, consisting of the skills of staff, spear and sword, pushing hands, etc.  When studying the old frames, we emphasizes softness with hardness dwelling within. While practicing, you carry yourself with poise and confidence, keeping your footsteps light and steady with your body upright and natural and your vital energy stream flowing all over.  The main movements include ward-off, deflect, push and press with trample, split, and elbow strike. You should move smoothly and apply your force explosively.

During practice let your body/base lead your hands and use circular rotations, with your waist as the axis. Throughout the training you should keep your vital energy flowing continuously. Upon the basis of the old frames, the new ones have been developed using much more exercises of twisting and rotating in a circle with the waist. You are ready to move on to practice of the weapons after the forms or empty hand practice has been developed to a good standard.