There are two main long form styles, what is the difference between the old and new frame?
The old frame, called Laojia, came after the ancient Chen Style Tai Chi, which originated around 350 years ago, and was created by General Chen Wangting, who was the 9th generation head of the Chen family. Laojia (old frame) was created around 180 years ago by the 14th generation Master Chen Changxing (Yang Luchan’s Master). Around 30 years later Chen Changxing’s son, 15th generation member of the Chen family, Master Chen Genyun stared to work on his father’s old style and modified it gradually. Master Chen Genyun introduced a lot of Silk Reeling energy movements, and more martial arts applications. These developments continued to be worked on until the 17th generation Grandmaster Chen Fake finalised the new frame, Xinjia, also introducing more Qi Na (catching, grasping, arm-locking) type movements. Laojia is simpler and more straight forward than the new frame, Xinjia, containing fewer twining and circling movements. The old frame, Laojia, is suitable for people who are starting to le
