Chen Taijiquan Festival Phildadelphia - First Road

We will get together for an intensive seminar on the First Road of Chen-Style Taijiquan (Yilu), combining form training, detailed corrections, body methods, martial ideas, and discussion.

The seminar is open to different levels of experience, including newer students. However, we highly recommend having learned Sections 1 and 2 of the First Road before the seminar. These sections provide the foundation for the material we will build on during the four days.

From there, we plan to work intensively through approximately one additional section of the form each day. This means there will be plenty of new material even for participants who already know part or all of the form. Those who currently know only Sections 1 and 2 can use the seminar as an intensive introduction to the following sections, while more experienced practitioners can focus on corrections, details, body methods, applications, and deeper understanding.

Newcomers are also welcome, but should be aware that the seminar will cover a considerable amount of material. Familiarity with Sections 1 and 2 will make it much easier to follow the progression and get the most out of the training.

The seminar is especially intended for students of Ryan, who teaches in Philadelphia and studies with Nabil, as well as our US students who learn through our online academy. If you are not yet learning with us but are interested in participating, please contact us beforehand.

The contents of the event:

Welcome Get Together

First Road of Chen-Style Taijiquan (Yilu)

Intensive form training – approximately one section per day

Corrections, principles, and body methods

Limited partner work, applications, and pushhands

Discussion and exchange

This year's gathering focuses on the First Road of Chen-Style Taijiquan, commonly known as Yilu. The First Road forms the core of our practice and provides the foundation for structure, coordination, relaxation, whole-body movement, internal work, and martial methods.

Rather than simply running through the form, we will use the individual sections to explore how these principles develop from one movement to the next. Participants who already know the form can work on refinement and correction, while those who know Sections 1 and 2 can gradually add new material throughout the seminar.

Because the main emphasis will be on intensive work on the form, partner exercises, applications, and pushhands will be included where useful, but will play a smaller role during this seminar.

The form is rich in detail, so there will be plenty to work on individually as well as together. The seminar is part of our larger training approach, combining online study with intensive in-person practice. This supports independent training while also creating opportunities to exchange experiences, ask questions, and develop teaching skills within the community.

Hosts: Ryan Craig & Nabil Ranné

Date: May 21–24, 2027

Times:

Yilu Intensive Training: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Additional Training & Discussion: 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Address: 1816 South 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148