Master Wang Haijun Tai Chi | Articless Archives

UK Easter Camp – 2026 – Xin Jia Yi Lu

This years UK Easter Camp focused on the Xin Jia Yi Lu form, which often translated as “New Frame First Routine.”

Master Wang leads the group in Xin Jia

This form was developed by Chen Fake and is based on the traditional With 83 postures it was a challenging week both physically and mentally, as there was a lot to learn! However, Master Wang led thirty of this long term students through the process and made sure it was fun as well as a challange.

Xin Jia is one of the most dynamic and expressive systems of movement in the Chen tradition. Developed and refined through the Chen family lineage, the form combines softness and relaxation with explosive power, spiralling energy, and deep internal structure.

Xin Jia Yi Lu is a complex form. The movements coil and unwind continuously, the body rotates through the waist and dantian, and periods of calm slowness are suddenly interrupted by bursts of fajin (explosive release of power). Yet beneath the complexity lies a clear purpose: to train the body to move as one connected unit while cultivating balance, sensitivity, rootedness, and internal force.

Master Wang Correcting Postures

Xin Jia Yi Lu preserves much of the martial DNA of traditional Chen training. Circular silk-reeling energy — known as chan si jin — is present throughout every posture. The practitioner must connect the feet to the legs, the waist to the torso, and the arms to the fingertips in one uninterrupted chain of movement.

A defining characteristic of Xin Jia Yi Lu is the alternation between opening and closing, fast and slow, soft and hard. This reflects a core principle within Daoist internal arts: opposites are not in conflict, but in balance. A posture may begin softly and slowly, then suddenly release energy before returning to stillness again. Over time, the practitioner develops not only physical coordination but also calmness, patience, and heightened body awareness.

As mentioned at the start, training the form is physically demanding. Deep stances strengthen the legs and hips, spiralling motions mobilise the spine and joints, and coordinated breathing encourages relaxation under pressure. Many long-term practitioners describe Xin Jia Yi Lu as a complete system of movement training — simultaneously martial art, meditation, mobility practice, and method of cultivating internal awareness.

Traditionally, students spend years refining the first routine before progressing further, as had the group that attended the camp. The ultimate goal is not merely memorisation of choreography, but embodiment of principles. Every repetition reveals deeper levels of timing, structure, and of course, intent.

Xin Jia Group Photo

Chen Style Tai Chi New Frame – Xin Jia – Link to Video Tutorial

One Routine
List of Movements

第一段( First Section )
1．预备式 Preparation Posture
2. 金刚捣碓. Buddhist Warrior Pounds Mortar
3. 懒扎衣. Lazy about Tucking the Robe
4. 六封四闭 Six Sealing and Four Closing
5. 单鞭 Single Whip
6. 第二金刚捣碓. Second Buddhist Warrior Pounds Mortar
7. 白鹤亮翅. White Crane Spreads Wings
8. 斜行拗步 Twisted Diagonal Step
9. 初收. First Closing
10. 前膛拗步. Twisted Wade Forward
11. 第二斜行拗步. Second Twisted Diagonal Step
12. 再收. Second Closing
13. 前膛拗步. Twisted Wade Forward
14. 掩手肱捶. Covering Hand Punch
15. 第三金刚捣碓. Third Buddhist Warrior Pounds Mortar
第二段 ( Second Section)
16. 撇身捶. Leaning Punch

17. 青龙出水. Black Dragon Emerges from Water
18. 双推手. Push with Both Hands
19. 三换掌. Switch the Palms Three Times
20. 肘底看捶. Fist Under the Elbow
21. 倒卷肱. Roll the Forearms Backwards
22. 退步压肘. Press the Elbow on a Backward Step
23. 中盘. Middle Winding
24. 白鹤亮翅. White Crane Spreads Wings
25. 斜行拗步. Twisted Diagonal Step
26. 闪通背. Fan the Back
27. 掩手肱捶. Covering Hand Punch
28. 大六封四闭. Lage Frame Six Sealing and Four Closing
29. 单鞭. Single Whip
30. 云手. Wave Hands
31. 高探马. High Pat on Horse
第三段（Third Section）
32. 右擦脚. Right Toe Kick
33. 左擦脚. Left Toe Kick
34. 转身左蹬一跟. Turn Around and Stomp Kick
35. 前膛拗步. Wade Forward on Twisted Steps
36. 击地捶. Punching the Ground
37. 二起脚（踢二起）Double Flying Kick

38. 护心捶（兽头式）Protecting Heart Punch
39. 旋风脚. Tornado Kick
40. 右蹬一跟. Right Stomping Kick
41. 掩手肱捶. Covering Hand Punch
第四段 (Fourth Section)
42. 小擒打. Small Posture Grappling Strike
43. 抱头推山. Hold the Head and Push the Mountain
44. 三换掌. Switch the Palms Three Times
45. 六封四闭. Six Sealing and Four Closing
46. 单鞭. Single Whip
47. 前招. Cover the Front
48. 后招. Cover the Back
49. 野马分鬃. Wild Horses Part Mane
50. 大六封四闭. Large Posture Six Sealing and Four Closing
51. 单鞭. Single Whip
第五段 (Fifth Section)
52. 双震脚. Double Stomping
53. 玉女穿梭. Fair Lady Works at Shuttles
54. 懒扎衣. Lazy about Tucking the Robe
55. 六封四闭 Six Sealing and Four Closing
56. 单鞭 Single Whip
57. 云手 Wave Hands

58. 双摆脚. Double Lotus Kick
59. 跌岔. Falling Split
60. 金鸡独立. Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg
61. 倒卷肱. Roll the Forearms Backwards
62. 退步压肘. Press the Elbow on a Backward Step
63. 中盘. Middle Winding
64.白鹤亮翅. White Crane Spreads Wings
65. 斜行拗步. Twisted Diagonal Step
66. 闪通背. Fan the Back
67. 掩手肱捶. Covering Hand Punch
68. 大六封四闭. Large Posture Six Sealing and Four Closing
69. 单鞭. Single Whip
70. 云手. Wave Hands
71. 高探马. High Pat on Horse
第六段 ( Sixth Section)
72. 十字单摆脚. Cross Single Lotus Kick
73. 指裆捶. Pinch the Groin
74. 白猿探果. White Ape Reaches for Fruits
75. 小六封四闭. Small Posture Six Sealing and Four Closing
76. 单鞭. Single Whip
77. 铺地锦. Cover the Ground with Silk
78. 上步七星. Step Up with Seven Star Punch

79. 退步跨虎. Step Back and Mount the Tiger
80. 转身双摆莲. Turn Around with Double Lotus Kick
81. 当头炮. Cannon Fist Right in the Face
82. 金刚捣碓. Buddhist Warrior Pounds Mortar
83. 收势. Closing Posture

Chen Tai Chi Lineage

Introduction

Lineage in Chen Tai Chi isn’t just about tradition or prestige—it’s about accuracy, depth, and integrity of the art. In Chen style especially, lineage plays a much bigger role than in many other martial arts because so much of the system is subtle, internal, and easily lost or diluted.

A true lineage ensures:

Movements are taught as originally intended
Internal principles (not just choreography) are preserved
Key methods like silk reeling (chan si jin) aren’t lost

Although the theory of yin and yang (Tai chi ) is a few thousand years old and as a concept has been applied to everything from traditional Chinese medicine, Taoism, Feng Shui ,etc, the actual martial art we know as Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan) was formulated a few hundred years ago by the Chen family in Henan Province which is today famous for its martial arts schools and is also the birthplace of Shaolin Gongfu.

There are said to be up to 10,000 martial arts schools in Henan alone making it the mecca of Chinese martial arts.

Here is the story of how Tai Chi Chuan began with a family called Chen.

Chen Family History

Chen Bu (陳仆; 陈卜) was a skilled martial artist who started the martial arts tradition within Chen Village. The Chen family were originally from Shanxi, Hong Dong (山西洪洞). Chen Bu, considered to be the founder of the village, moved from Shanxi to Wen County, Henan Province (河南溫县) in 1374.

The new area was originally known as Chang Yang Cun (常陽村) or Sunshine village and grew to include a large number of Chen descendants. Because of the three deep ravines (Gou) beside the village it came to be known as Chen Jia Gou (陳家溝) or Chen Family creek/brook.

For generations onwards, the Chen Village was known for their martial arts. The special nature of Tai Chi Chuan practice was attributed to the ninth generation Chen Village leader, Chen Wang ting (陳王廷; 陈王庭; 1580–1660).

He codified preexisting Chen training practice into of seven routines. This included five routines of Tai chi chuan (太極拳五路), 108 form Long Fist (一百零八勢長拳）and a more rigorous routine known as Cannon Fist (炮捶一路).

Chen Wang ting integrated different elements of Chinese philosophy into the martial arts training to create a new approach that we now recognize as the internal martial arts.

He added the principles of Yin-Yang theory (the universal principle of complementary opposites), the techniques of Doayin (leading and guiding energy) and Tu-na (expelling and drawing energy), theories encountered in Traditional Chinese Medicine and described in such texts as the Huang Di Nei Jing(《黃帝內經》; Yellow Emperor’s Canon of Chinese Medicine).

In addition, Wang ting incorporated the boxing theories from sixteen different martial art styles as described in the classic text, Ji Xiao Xin Shu(繼效新書; “New Book Recording Effective Techniques”; ~ 1559-1561) written by the Ming General Qi Jiguang (戚繼光; 1528–1588).

Chen Changxing (陳長興 Chén Chángxīng, Ch’en Chang-hsing, 1771–1853), 14th generation Chen Village martial artist, synthesized Chen Wangting’s open fist training corpus into two routines that came to be known as “Old Frame” (老架; lao jia).

Those two routines are named individually as the First Form (Yilu; 一路) and the Second Form (Erlu; 二路, more commonly known as the Cannon Fist 炮捶).

Chen Changxing, contrary to Chen family tradition, also took the first recorded non-family member as a disciple, Yang Lu-Chan (1799–1871), who went on to popularize the art throughout China, but as his own family tradition known as Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan.

Chen Zheng Lei

Chen Zheng-Lei was born in May 1949 in Chenjiagou Village. The son of Chen Zhao-Hai (who died a year after his son was born), he has been practicing Chen style Taijiquan for over forty years. His teachers include the famed masters Chen Zhao-Pi (with whom he lived and trained) and Chen Zhao-Kui (both his uncles), masters of the 18th generation in Chenjiagou.

He is known as “Taiji Jingang” – and regarded with Chen Xiao Wang ,his cousin to have the highest level skill of his generation in Chenjiagou. He was twice the Taijiquan Grand Champion at the National Taijiquan Competitions, and has won over 10 gold medals at the Henan Martial Arts Competition.

In 1987 he was selected as a National Martial Arts First Class Judge, and his team won three team first places from 1989 to 1991 at the National and Henan Martial Arts Meets. He has trained many great athletes, among them the celebrated champion Master Wang Hai Jun and Ding Jie. In 1995 he was awarded the title of Da Shi [da shr] or Grand master.

Grand master Chen is the author of Chen Shi Taijiquan Xie Hui Zong (Comprehensive Taijiquan Boxing and Weapons Manual) and, “Taijiquan Nei Qi Qian Tan Yu Jing Luo Xue Shuo” (A Discussion of Internal Energy in Taijiquan and Theory of the Main and Collateral Energy Channels in the Human Body) among others. He is the author of instructional videotapes dealing with Lao jia, Xin jia, Push Hands, Weapons and Qigong.

Grand master Chen is in great demand both in China and abroad as an instructor. He has trained over 15 of the coaches for the Beijing and Wuhan Physical Education Institutes, and is an adviser to Taiji organizations in Japan, France, America, and Italy. Grand master Chen runs a school in Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, China and runs an international summer camp every August there. His first disciple Master Wang Hai Jun also teaches there when he is available and is sought after in great demand.

Grand master Chen continues to teach and lecture even though he has officially retired and is admired for his leadership skills and efforts to make Taiji´s ancient and subtle concepts understood by the Western mind.

Wang Hai Jun

Master Wang Hai-Jun was born Jan. 1972 in Zhengzhou city in Henan province. At the age of nine his father arranged for him to move to Chen Village to live and study with Grand master Chen Zhenglei. Each day before school he would train from five to seven thirty in the morning. After school he would train from four until six, frequently training again in the evening for another two hours before going to bed.

In the autumn of 1988, he gained entry to the Wuhan Physical Culture University, one of the top universities of its kind in China. He competed successfully for his university in many competitions. After graduation Master Wang Hai-Jun was assigned to the post of coach of Pingdingshan Wushu Research and Study College.

He is a senior state Wushu referee, the president and head coach of Zhengzhou Wushu Research and Study College, and coach of Henan Chen Zhenglei Taiji Culture Co., Ltd.

He is an official lineage holder of Chen Style Taiji (12th generation Chen Taiji).

He has an extensive list of accomplishments in competition. In 1992 he won three gold medals in national competition, and won the championship in push-hands at the National Taiji Boxing, Sword and Push-hands Competition. In 1994 he won two gold medals in Taiji boxing and sword at the International Wenxian Taiji Championships, and he won the 80-kilo championship in push-hands at the National Wushu Championships.

He has won 29 gold medals in National and international competitions and is coach of the most national champions of China. His Gong Fu is regarded by many to be of the highest level of the new generation of Chen Style Taiji Masters.

Conclusion

As this article shows, when you are trainging with Master Wang Hai Jun you are trainging in the traditional Chen Tai Chi lineage

This article has been published with thanks to Chen Tai Chi Ireland

Click here for Master Wang’s streaming channel

Seminar in France

Hésingue, France.

It was an international workshop including local students and participants coming from Paris, Germany, England and Portugal.

Master Wang Haijun delighted us with an invigorating workshop of Tui Shou and

movement refinement on Lao Jia Er Lu (Cannon Fist).

The emphasis was heavily biased towards Tuishou (Push Hands)

We all had the opportunity to touch hands with each other under the guidance of Master

Wang.

More excitingly was that everyone had the chance to experience Tuishou with Wang Haijun and feel his softness and power.

The purpose was to focus on ‘listening’

At first through the double hands vertical circle exercise. ‘Give me your arms’ and ‘let me guide you’.

Then by trying to keep elasticity in the double hands opening/closing exercise.

And further going through all the single and double hands fixed step Tuishou exercises focusing on Peng, Lu, Ji, An.

Through this progression in approaching Tuishou everyone improved their ‘perception’and it was highly interesting to ‘feel’ so many different people. We did Tuishou all Saturday afternoon and most of Sunday, of which we overran by half an hour. But Shifu thought it was important that we finish on Cai-Lie-Zhou-Kao training which everyone was more than pleased with.

We are so grateful for Shifu’s high investment and hard work with us. He certainly opened a new interesting door to many students.

It was inspiring!

Heidi

US Seminar

The March, western Massachusetts training included instruction for Pao Chui and for Xinjia Yilu. As in all of Wang Haijun’s trainings warm-ups replicate sections of the focus forms. In this weekend warm-ups there are many hand circles: hands with fingers pointing up or integrated with the arms as if playing with water, or “fish hands” in which the fingers flash like a fish. The purpose of these circles in the new form is to see the circles on the outside of the body. In Laojia circles and changes of direction are not as visible.

Training in the traditional Chinese manner requires many repetitions to acquire body memory and correctness of form, and in our training, we repeat sections again, again, and again. Training is not about how many forms we have completed but rather how well we can execute the patterns on our own, and can we start to feel the form’s intent internally. Do we feel connected?

Throughout the weekend Wang reminds us of the foundational elements of Taiji. And this weekend there was particular emphasis on connection. One of the examples Wang shared is a connection made while breathing. As we breathe in the chest expands forwards and outwards and simultaneously the chest connects to the ming men (the gate at the kidney area in the back) which moves outwards at the same time in connection with the chest. The chest and ming men are connected and this is more noticeable with expansion as we breathe in.

This weekend we heard “the muscles drop, the bones lift-up”. Feel the skeleton lift with erectness as the muscles relax and sink. So many reminders: skeleton and bones lift-up, muscles sink to the earth.

More reminders to focus on “the bottom sinking” without hiking the bottom. The bottom sinks but is not hidden. Drop, “like sitting on a chair”.

Connection, connection: shoulders to hips, knees to elbows, feet to hands. Sides of the body to the centre; chest to the ming men. Again, again, again we are reminded.

We leave exhausted and exhilarated.

Margery

Tai Chi for Entrepreneurs

I recently passed a personal milestone of training in Chen Style Tai Chi for 21 years, pictured above with Sifu Niall O’Floinn and Grandmaster Wang Haijun at the Chen Style Tai Chi Ireland school.

Anyone I mention Tai Chi to thinks the have a vague idea what it is… a bit ‘airy’, waving arms around and it is supposed to be good for old people! There is a bit more too it than that.
There are several well-known styles which have varying degrees of physical difficulty. The style I study – Chen Style, is physically quite demanding, but all styles have significant benefits regardless of your age.

Grandmaster Wang Haijun leading the seminar in Galway

Most articles/blogs you read on Tai Chi focus on the benefits in aging. For me Tai Chi has been a key part of my entrepreneurial life, so on this milestone I thought I’d write a blog on how I felt it has been a benefit in the life of an entrepreneur. Here are some of the key points:

1. Stress Reduction: Every entrepreneur and anyone in business/business owner knows they need to manage stress. It can actually kill you! Tai Chi involves slow, flowing movements and deep breathing, which can help reduce stress and promote relaxation.

2. Improved Focus and Mental Clarity: Practicing Tai Chi can help enhance mental clarity and concentration. This is especially useful for entrepreneurs who are leading a team, building a business, sourcing funding, making critical decisions and at the same time need to stay focused on their business goals.

3. Enhanced Physical Fitness: Tai Chi is a form of low-impact exercise that can improve balance, flexibility, and strength. Although movements are slow, studies have found that thirty minutes of Tai Chi equates to thirty minutes of jogging. For the dedicated desk worker, Tai Chi can be practiced anywhere with no equipment necessary. You only need the space of twice your shoulder width to practice!

4: Increased Energy Levels: Regular Tai Chi practice can boost energy levels and combat fatigue. Entrepreneurs often work long hours and need to maintain their energy to stay productive and alert.

5. Better Posture and Body Awareness: Chen-style Tai Chi emphasizes proper body alignment and balance, which can lead to improved posture. Entrepreneurs who spend a lot of time sitting at a computer may develop poor posture, leading to discomfort and pain.

6. Stress Resilience: As distinct from managing current stress levels, Tai Chi can help individuals develop stress resilience, allowing them to cope with challenging situations more effectively. Entrepreneurs often encounter setbacks and high-pressure situations, and the ability to remain calm and resilient is valuable.

8. Mind-Body Connection: Chen-style Tai Chi emphasizes the mind-body connection, helping individuals become more aware of their bodies and their physical and emotional states. This self-awareness can be valuable for entrepreneurs in managing their emotions and stress.

9. Time for Self-Care: Entrepreneurs often neglect self-care due to their demanding schedules. Practicing Tai Chi provides a dedicated time for self-care and promotes work-life balance.

10. Long-Term Health Benefits: Regular Tai Chi practice has been associated with various long-term health benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, improved bone density, reduced risk of falls in older age (old age eventually came into this blog!), and better overall well-being. Entrepreneurs who invest in their health are likely to have more energy and longevity in their careers.

It’s important to note that the benefits of Chen-style Tai Chi, like any exercise or wellness practice, may vary from person to person. To experience these advantages, consistency and regular practice are key.

For me, I have been extremely lucky in my Tai Chi life. Since my first day I have had two amazing teachers in Galway. Sifu Niall O’Floinn and Grandmaster Wang Haijun with Chen Tai Chi Ireland school.

Niall O’Floinn was my introduction to Tai Chi when I started by doing a ten-week class. I have now been attending that class weekly since 2002! It takes a diligent, knowledgeable and inspirational teacher to inspire students to keep coming to class for decades!

The school has been under the tutelage of Grandmaster Wang Haijun since 2002 and I have been participating in quarterly seminars with him in Galway since just after I started in the school. Grandmaster Wang is one of the worlds leading Chen Style teachers who was three times all China champion himself and has trained ten subsequent All China Champions. That this level of teaching is available in Galway is nothing short of amazing.

When I started, I was going to the weekly class and ‘doing a bit’ now and then outside of class. Now as well as classes and seminars I have my own daily practice.

Entrepreneurs globally interested in incorporating Tai Chi into their routine can consider joining a local class or you can:

Stream instructions here with Grandmaster Wang Haijun

Or book online class with Niall to get started.

For entrepreneurs/business owners/professionals/everyone in Galway or Ireland I highly recommend contacting Chen Tai Chi Ireland and booking a class.

For Tai Chi it is never too late to start. It is also never too early.

Ollie