The 6 Stages of Learning Chen Tai Chi - Part 1 of 3

From its beginning, Chen Tai Chi has been divided into 6 Essential Stages of Learning. Each stage lays the necessary groundwork for the stages to come.

Learning Essentials - Stage 1

The Tai Chi student's first stage of learning is called "Learning the Frame" (xue jiazi). "Frame" is the term used for the compliation of movements that make up a Tai Chi routine. In stage one, teaching and learning focus on the shape and the sequence of movements. How to correctly perform fundamental elements of Tai Chi is also practiced, such as relaxed posture, grounded stances, fluid transitioning, and smoothly walking forward, backward, and side-to-side.

Learning Essentials - Stage 2

After having "Learned the Frame" for some time, the second stage takes place. Stage two is known as "Practicing the Frame" (lien jiazi). While incorporating all of the fundamentals of the first stage, the form and sequence of movements are practiced until the student feels extremely familiar with them.

Stages 3 and 4...? 5 and 6...?

The Six Stages of Learning Chen Tai Chi series consists of
Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3