Standardized Chen form

[gnugear]

I learned the Standardized 56 movement Chen form from a Wushu instructor a few years back.

How close is it to the original form? Are the movements simply rearanged or are there other differences as well?

[gnugear]

anyone?

[Kevin Wallbridge]

While its possible to put some real juice into a competative form they are really like "taiji-lite." Theoretically the 56 has elements of both Diyilu and Di-erlu, but its not like the old forms. The arrangement of the moves is for judging competative elements, and shows no relation to the classical breakdown of the various "themes" (advance, retreat, cornering, kicks, etc.). In the long forms the themes are explored in some depth and variation, very different from the 56.

Its not to say you can't get good things from training a form like this. Its like basic vs excellent nutrition. Both sustain you, but you thrive better on the latter.