Chen Taijiquan's Pear Blossom Spear & White Ape Staff

Chen-Style Taijiquan Spear – 1st Section Course

Long Weapon Basics at a Slower Pace

In this course, we will practice the Chen Taijiquan spear and (long) pole. The focus will be on clear, methodical teaching. 

Spear & Staff – Two Worlds in One Form

Chen-Style Taijiquan spear methods (枪法 qiangfa) combine 扎法 (zhafa, thrusting methods) with the coiling and adhering principles of Taijiquan, while staff methods (棍法 gunfa) emphasize 打法 (dafa, striking methods). In the Lihua Qiang, Baiyuan Gun 梨花枪·白猿棍 form, these approaches merge into one system—uniting the spear’s direct, piercing qualities with the staff’s swinging, striking movements.

Core Technical Actions

Training focuses on three primary actions: 拦 (lan, blocking/deflecting), 拿 (na, neutralizing or controlling), and 扎 (zha, thrusting), supported by movements such as 舞花 (wuhua, spinning flower patterns), 点 (dian, dotting/tapping), 崩 (beng, springing strike), 劈 (pi, chopping), and 缠 (chan, spiraling/coiling).

Full Body Training 

These techniques not only improve striking and neutralizing skills but also, through waist-driven movement and full-body coordination, develop explosive power, suppleness, agile 步法 (bufa, footwork), and refined 身法 (shenfa, body method). They strengthen body connections and offer an excellent full-body workout—making them indispensable fundamentals in Taiji spear training.

🧭 Instructor: Nabil Ranné

This course is ideal for those new to long weapon training or anyone wishing to strengthen their foundation.