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Tradition, martial arts & culture

Chinese Taijiquan (T'ai Chi Ch'üan) is now practiced all over the world and is becoming increasingly popular with young and old alike. Despite numerous myths and legends, the historically well-documented origins of Taijiquan can be found around 1650 AD in the small farming village of Chenjiagou in Henan province in the east-central part of the People's Republic of China.

It was there that the retired general Chen Wangting (approx. 1600 - 1680) developed the basic system of today's Taijiquan towards the end of the Ming dynasty. He combined his experience and knowledge of the local martial arts with the profound knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine and the philosophical teachings of his time.

Society for the Research and Practice of Small Frame Chen Clan Taijiquan (GCT) e.V. 

About us

The non-profit association "Gesellschaft zur Erforschung und Praxis des Kleinen Rahmen Chen Clan Taijiquan" was founded in fall 2014 by German-speaking members of the International Society of Chen Taijiquan (ISTC) in St. Wendel/Saarland. The main aim of the association is to help preserve, publicize and disseminate the traditional Taijiquan of the Chen Clan Small Frame (Chen Shi Taijiquan Xiaojia). This means, in particular, to develop an understanding of Taijiquan, which understands the essential characteristics of this comprehensive method of health promotion, cultivation of personality and martial arts as an inseparable unit. 

Chair

Chair

Dietmar Stubenbaum, 1st Chairman of the association and head of training for the German-speaking region, has been learning from recognised masters in China and Taiwan for many years. He has been taught the Small Frame Chen Taijiquan directly by the two lineage heads Chen Peishan and Chen Peiju, 20th generation Chen clan. This makes it possible to pass on the art directly, authentically and in its entirety in Germany.

Tradition

The association is part of a living tradition through the ISCT. This is also expressed in the regular international meetings, where taijiquan adepts of the Small Frame from currently 13 countries have the opportunity to be taught directly by Chen Peishan and Chen Peiju.

Together

Those interested in Small Frame Taijiquan have the opportunity to participate in a variety of weekend courses throughout the year, as well as to attend classes taught by regional teachers. All teachers are trained or licensed directly by Dietmar Stubenbaum. All active teachers continue to deepen and expand their skills by regularly attending Dietmar Stubenbaum's seminars.

Knowledge

The association endeavors to establish and maintain contacts with universities and scientific institutes. On the one hand, to give them access to original sources beyond the usual scope within the framework of their own research, and on the other hand, to open up Taijiquan for research with regard to Western scientific criteria. (Example: effectiveness of Taijiquan in evidence-based medicine)

Objective

One of the aims of the association is to research, prepare and make available historical and contemporary source materials on Taijiquan and the Chinese and other martial arts. The successful publication of an instructional DVD on Sizheng Taijiquan by Master Chen Peishan and Chen Pinsan's "Graphic Explanations of the Taijiquan of the Chen Clan", annotated by Chen Peiju, should be mentioned here.

Partners

The association offers itself as a point of contact for health insurance companies, doctors, physiotherapists, alternative practitioners, schools, daycare centers, etc. In addition to the creation and implementation of joint projects in a sporting, educational and therapeutic context, expert assessments of the martial arts and cultural-historical dimension of existing, ongoing or planned projects are also possible.