Laojia Yilu

Laojia Yilu (老架一路 lǎo jià yī lù), or Old frame first path, is considered the mainstay of Chen taijiquan forms training in Chen village. Repeatedly practising this form while adhering to the basic requirements of taijiquan is the key mechanism by which the current generation in Chen village have attained their taijiquan skills.

It emphasises softness, pliability and comparatively large spiralling movements. The form contains many slow, smoothly moving movements that highlight silk reeling principles to instil softness, pliability, and relaxation. It also contains some more vigorous movements that require and develop refined strength. The other styles of taijiquan are mainly drawn from this key form.

The video demonstration at the bottom of the page, and in the links of each movement’s name, is by Chen Xiaoxing. Please note that the English names below are sometimes more descriptive than literal translations of the Chinese terms. Youtube only allows cuts down to the nearest second so the timings for some of the clips may be a little off.

First section

  1. Beginning the Form (预备式 Yùbèi shì)
  2. Buddha's Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar (金刚捣碓 Jīngāng dǎo duì)
  3. Lazy About Tying the Coat (揽扎衣 Lǎn zhā yī)
  4. Six Sealings and Four Closings (六封四闭 Liù fēng sì bì)
  5. Single Whip (单鞭 Dān biān)
  6. Buddha's Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar (金刚捣碓 Jīngāng dǎo duì)
  7. The White Goose Spreads its Wings (白鹅亮翅 Bái é liàng chì)
  8. Walking Obliquely (斜行 Xié xíng)
  9. Brush Knee (搂膝 Lǒu xī)
  10. Stepping Forward Three Steps (上三步 Shàng sān bù)
  11. Walking Obliquely (斜行 Xié xíng)
  12. Brush Knee (搂膝 Lǒu xī)
  13. Stepping Forward Three Steps (上三步 Shàng sān bù)
  14. The Fist of Covering Hand and Arm (掩手肱拳 Yǎn shǒu gōng quán)
  15. Buddha's Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar (金刚捣碓 Jīngāng dǎo duì)
  16. The Punch of Draping over Body (撇身拳 Piē shēn quán)
  17. Blue Dragon Comes out of Water (青龙出水 Qīnglóng chūshuǐ)
  18. Push with Both Hands (双推手 Shuāng tuīshǒu)

Second section

  1. Fist Under Elbow (肘低看拳 Zhǒu dī kàn quán)
  2. Step Back and Whirl Arms on Both Sides (倒巻肱 Dào juàn gōng)
  3. The White Goose Spreads its Wings (白鹅亮翅 Bái é liàng chì)
  4. Walking Obliquely (斜行 Xié xíng)
  5. Flash the Back (闪通背 Shǎn tōng bèi)
  6. The Fist of Covering Hand and Arm (掩手肱拳 Yǎn shǒu gōng quán)
  7. Six Sealings and Four Closings (六封四闭 Liù fēng sì bì)
  8. Single Whip (单鞭 Dān biān)
  9. Wave Hands like Clouds (运手 Yùn shǒu)
  10. High Pat on Horse (高探马 Gāo tànmǎ)
  11. Rub with Right Foot (右擦脚 Yòu cā jiǎo)
  12. Rub with Left Foot (左擦脚 Zuǒ cā jiǎo)
  13. Kick with Left Heel (左蹬一根 Zuǒ dēng yī gēn)
  14. Advance Three Steps Forward (上三步 Shàng sān bù)
  15. Punch the Ground (击地锤 Jī de chuí)
  16. Turn Body Round and Double Kick (踢二起 Tī èr qǐ)
  17. Protect the Heart Fist (护心拳 Hù xīn quán)
  18. Tornado Kick (旋风脚 Xuànfēng jiǎo)
  19. Kick with Right Heel (右蹬一根 Yòu dēng yī gēn)
  20. The Fist of Covering Hand and Arm (掩手肱拳 Yǎn shǒu gōng quán)

Third section

  1. Small Catching and Hitting (小擒打 Xiǎo qín dǎ)
  2. Cover Head and Push Mountain (抱头推山 Bào tóu tuī shān)
  3. Six Sealings and Four Closings (六封四闭 Liù fēng sì bì)
  4. Single Whip (单鞭 Dān biān)
  5. Forward Trick (前招 Qián zhāo)
  6. Backward Trick (后招 Hòu zhāo)
  7. Part Wild Horse's Mane (野马分鬃 Yěmǎ fēn zōng)
  8. Six Sealings and Four Closings (六封四闭 Liù fēng sì bì)
  9. Single Whip (单鞭 Dān biān)
  10. Jade Girl Works at Shuttles (玉女穿梭 Yùnǚ chuānsuō)
  11. Lazy About Tying Coat (揽扎衣 Lǎn zhā yī)
  12. Six Sealings and Four Closings (六封四闭 Liù fēng sì bì)
  13. Single Whip (单鞭 Dān biān)
  14. Wave Hands like Clouds (运手 Yùn shǒu)
  15. Waving Double Lotus (双白莲 Shuāng báilián)
  16. Shake Foot and Stretch Down (摆脚跌岔 Bǎi jiǎo diē chà)
  17. Golden Cock Stands on Left and Right Foot (金鸡独立 Jīnjīdúlì)

Fourth section

  1. Step Back and Whirl Arms on Both Sides (倒巻肱 Dào juàn gōng)
  2. The White Goose Spreads its Wings (白鹅亮翅 Bái é liàng chì)
  3. Walking Obliquely (斜行 Xié xíng)
  4. Flash the Back (闪通背 Shǎn tōng bèi)
  5. The Fist of Covering Hand and Arm (掩手肱拳 Yǎn shǒu gōng quán)
  6. Six Sealings and Four Closings (六封四闭 Liù fēng sì bì)
  7. Single Whip (单鞭 Dān biān)
  8. Wave Hands like Clouds (运手 Yùn shǒu)
  9. High Pat on Horse (高探马 Gāo tànmǎ)
  10. Waving Lotus (十字脚 Shízì jiǎo)
  11. Punch the Crotch (指裆锤 Zhǐ dāng chuí)
  12. White Ape Offers Fruit (白猿献果 Bái yuán xiàn guǒ)
  13. Single Whip (单鞭 Dān biān)
  14. Sparrow Dashes Earth Dragon (雀地龙 Què de lóng)
  15. Step up to Seven Stars (上步七星 Shàng bù qīxīng)
  16. Step Back and Mount the Tiger (下步跨肱 Xià bù kuà gōng)
  17. Turn Body and Double Wave Lotus (转身双白莲 Zhuǎnshēn shuāng báilián)
  18. The Cannon Right Overhead (当头炮 Dāngtóu pào)
  19. Buddha's Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar (金刚捣碓 Jīngāng dǎo duì)
  20. Closing the Form (收势 Shōu shì)