Chen Tai Chi 18 form questions?

[Mtal]

I have a chance to learn Chen Style Tai Chi 18 move form (I hope I am saying this right). I was wondering if I should take it. I have done some tai chi. I have taken Yang and Wu style. Now Chen always looked cool and I never tried it. Plus they say it is more martial than the others (well it was the first one, etc.....). Also it is a short form, so that might save practice time (I am pretty busy). Only thing is that since this is the 18 move form, is it too short? I guess I am wondering if too many of the key movements were taken out of it, is it too short to get the health and martial benefits out of it. I guess I am also decide if it would be worth it, or just go back to my other styles and learn the whole form. Well if anyone has any thoughts on this or experience with it, any advice would be great.

[chud]

Sure, I would do it. The 18 form is a good short form, and if you like it then later you can start learning the longer form that it is based on.

[SPJ]

depends on the teachers.

Yang has 8 and 13 short forms that has most essential postures containing Peng Lu Ji An.

Chen 18 forms may be the first 18 moves of the long forms.

we practiced mostly Chen Chang Xing Lao Jia.

if you take away repeats,

we may condense into 37 forms.

Chen Xiao Wan has shorter forms.

ours is different.

heck. personally we practice short sets of each posture over and over.

length or number of postures is not the issue.

just get every move in each posture right over and over.

--

[SPJ]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTKyG47CBIw

chen 18 forms.

[SPJ]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBCLz...elated&search=

chen xiao wan short forms.

[NewToChen]

It may be short, but it's plenty challenging.

It's what I am learning atm, it is both enjoyable and ...uh...challenging. If you think it's too short, you can always learn a long form.

[DDG]

The Chen 18 form is from Chen Zhenglei and he considers it the 18 essential forms of Chen style that should be introduced before moving on to the other forms

It is a good form and I would recommend it if you are interested in CHen and particullarly if you are going to train with Chen Zhenglei or one of his students.

One of the links that SPJ posted is Chen Zhenglei doing the 18 form.