Chen Youben (陳有本; 1780–1858) was a 14th-generation descendant and 6th-generation master of the famed Chen family and is considered to be an influential martial artist and teacher of
Chen-style tai chi
The Chen-style tai chi ( zh, s=陳氏太极拳, p=Chén shì tàijíquán) is a Northern Wushu (sport), Chinese martial art and the original form of tai chi. Chen (surname), Chen-style is characterized by silk reeling, alternating fast and slow m ...
.
Chen Youben was the first teacher of
Chen Qingping (1795-1868) and taught Chen Youlun, Chen Fengzhang, Chen Sande, Chen Tingdong, and his late, older brother’s sons, Chen Zhongshen (1809-1891) and Chen Jishen (b. 1809).
He also helped prepare Chen Gengyun to have sufficient martial skills to travel with Chen Changxing’s, his father's caravan escort service.
Chen Youben is credited by some with the creation of what Chen Ziming (1932) called the "''xinjia''" (new frame) as opposed to the "''laojia''" (old frame) referring to the traditional, seven-form system of Chen Wanting.
This "new frame" is now equated with the
"''Xiaojia''" (small frame) within the modern Chen Family routines.
Additionally, a tai chi evolution theory points to Chen Gengyun who learned enlarged movements and emphasized explosive power (''Bao Fa Li'') in order to be prepared to accompany Chen Changxing's caravan escort service.
If the theory is correct, as Gengyun's teacher, Chen Youben was also the creator of the
"''Dajia''" (Large Frame) within the modern Chen Family routines.
Tai chi lineage tree with Chen-style focus
Chen Youben (1780-1858)
References
External links
Chenstyle.com
People from Jiaozuo
1780 births
1858 deaths
{{PRChina-martialart-bio-stub
Tai chi practitioners from Henan