Cloud Hands
Taijiquan and Qigong

Silk Reeling
Chan Szu Chin, Chan Ssu Kung, Chan Si Gong, Chan Si Jing

纏絲功

Research by
Michael P. Garofalo

March 8, 2008

Cloud Hands - Yun Shou

Bibliography and Links
Silk Reeling
Chan Si Gong, Chan Ssu Kung, Chan Si Jing 纏絲功

Breathing Exercises: Links, Bibliography, Resouces, Quotes

Chan Szu Chin Exercise of Master Feng Zhiqiang. By Justin Meehan. Silk reeling exercises described and explained.

Chen Style of Tai Chi Chuan

Chen Style Silk Reeling: Bibliography, Links, Quotes, Notes.

Chen Style Silk Reeling. Instructional videotape. Double Hand Silk Reeling (by Malisa Ng, disciple Grandmaster Zhu Tian Cai).

Chen Style Silk Reeling Energy. By Mark Wasson. Tai Chi, Volume 26, No. 3, June, 2002, pp. 31-38. Photos of Mark Wasson and Chen Xiaowang.

Chen Style Silk Reeling Exercises. Outline notes of workshop by Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang. One principle, 3 techniques. 38Kb.

Chen Style Silk Reeling Practice. By Chen Zheng Lei, and Gao Xiao Hui with De Ru. T'ai Chi, Vol 23, No. 3, June, 1999, pp. 16- 19.

Chen Style Taijiquan: Chan Si Gong - Internal Spiral Energy, Part 1. Instructional videotape by Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang.

Chen Style Taijiquan: Chan Si Gong - Internal Spiral Energy, Part 2. Instructional videotape by Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang.

Chen Style Taijiquan: Links, bibliography, quotes, notes, indexing.

Chen Style Taijiquan Homepage

Chen-Style Taijiquan for Life Enhancement. This book is in Chinese and English. Written by Chen Zhenglei, readable translation by Xu Hailiang, 2002. ISBN 7-5348-2181-9/G.449. Published in Zhengzhou, China by Zhongzhou Classic Publishing House. It covers the content of the health exercise/ silk reeling video, and is a useful reference, giving more detail, especially on theory.

Chen Style Taijiquan: The Source of Taiji Boxing. By Davidine Siaw-Voon Sim and David Gaffney. Berkeley, CA, North Atlantic Books, 2002. Index, charts, 224 pages. ISBN: 1556433778. MGC. Provides an excellent introduction to Chen style Taijiquan
history and legends, outlines the major forms, discusses the philosophy and foundations of the art, and gives very good information on training methods, push hands, and weapons. Very well written, highly informative, and a unique contribution to the field. Essential reading for all learning the Chen style of Tai Chi Chuan. Silk-reeling is discussed on pages 46-52, and at many other places in this informative textbook.

"Cultivating Jing, Qi and Yi." By Paul Lam, M.D.. T'ai Chi: The International Magazine of T'ai Chi Ch'uan. Vol. 27, No. 2, April 2003, pp. 36-38.

Demonstration of Chan Ssu Jing by Chen Yougin. The Quantum Psychology Project. Numerous video clips of demonstrations.

Discussing Chan Ssu Chin 9Kb.

Double Cloud Hands Silk Reeling. Demonstration by Chen Bing. UTube, 2:27 Min.

Double Hand Reeling Silk Exercise. Master Chen Xiaowang. 11 Photographs.

Eighteen Postures Silk Reeling for All Ti Chi Chuan. Instructional videotape by Shifu Jiang Jian-ye. 71 minutes, VHS. Instruction and multiple demonstrations. Capital District Tai Chi and Kung Fun, Albany, New York. Website: Jiang's Tai Chi Videos. CDTKA, 1997. MGC.

Eight Section Brocade Qigong

Five Animal Frolics

The Foundation of Taijiquan. By Ma Hong. Translated by Tu-Ky Lam. 21Kb.

Google: Silk Reeling

How to Develop Spiral Energy. By Dr. Paul Lam. T'ai Chi, Vol. 22, No. 5, October, 1998, pp. 24- 27.

Introduction to Chen Style Taijiquan Silk Reeling Training 5Kb.

Movement with Spiraling, Forward and Backward Silk Reeling. From"Chen Style Tai Chi chuan" by Shen Jiazhen and Gu Liuxin, 1963. Translated by Jerald N. Karin. 35Kb.

Peng Jing FAQ Cross Reference

Reeling Silk. By Mike Sigman. 4Kb.

Reeling Silk Guidelines. By Mike Sigman. 5Kb.

Silk Reeling. By Chen Xin

Silk Reeling Energy - The Soul of T'ai Chi. By Zhang Fuxing. Tai Chi, Vol. 24, No. 6, December, 2000, pp. 42-45.

Silk Reeling Exercises. By Loren Chin. Traditional Chen Style Taijiquan.

Silk-Reeling Exercises. From the Master Feng Zhiqiang Taijiquan Series. Demonstrated by Feng Zhiqiang's senior indoor student Master Zhang Xuexin and his students. VHS, Volume 1. An introduction to Chen-style Taijiquan Silk-reeling training. Ordering Information.

Silk Reeling Exercises. Zhang Xue Xin teaches 25 silk reeling cocoon expercises. Relaxing, non-impact exercises that loosen 18 joints of the body. 60 minutes, VHS.

Silk Reeling Gong: The Key to Improving Your Tai Chi Form. By Brett Wagland.

Silk Reeling Index. A Butterfuly Flaps Its Wings.

Silk-Reeling Training Videotape. Feng Zhiqiang, a leading student of Chen Fake is one of the most famous exponents of Taijiquan in the world. He is also well-known for promoting a complete set of silk-reeling exercises (Chansigong or also occasionally romanized as Chan Ssu Gong) in thirty five postures which form one of the fundamental training exercises for the mastery of Chen-style Taijiquan.

Silk Reeling - Wikipedia

Silk Reeling with Ball. 120 minute videotape. By Jiang Jian-ye. A 15 movement form is demonstrated and taught step by step. Website: Jiang's Tai Chi Videos.

Silk Worms, Silk Moths, and Silk The "real" silk reeling - a photographic study.

Single Hand Silk Reeling. UTube, 3:02 Min.

"Spiral Energy in Chen Style T'ai Chi." Interview with Chen Xiaowang. Interview by Victoria Windholtz. Tai Chi, Vol. 27, No. 4, August, 2003, pp. 31 - 35. Good description, with numerous photographs, of Zhan Zhuang (standing -embrace the one), Zhen Mian Chan Si (one hand reeling silk), and Xiao Chan Si (small spiral techniques).

Standing Exercises, Zhan Zhuang, WuJi, Post Standing: Bibliography, Links, Quotes, Notes

Standing Practice in T'ai Chi, Yiquan and Zingyi. By Tu-Ky Lam. Tai Chi, Vol. 27, No. 3, June, 2003, pp. 27-33.

Subject Index to the Cloud Hands Website

Sun Style of Tai Chi Chuan

Taiji Diagram and Yang Style. By Mei Ying Sheng. Translated by Ted W. Knecht. 18Kb.

The Taiji Sphere of Chen Style Taijiquan Internal Training. By Chen Qingzhou. 8Kb.

Taijiquan Fundamentals, Part 1. Instructional videotape by George Xu. Instruction and multiple demonstrations of power stretching and spiral silk reeling exercises. 72 minutes, VHS.

Terminology: Silk Reeling, Chan Si Gong, Chan Ssu Gong, Chan Si Gong, Chan Szu Chin, Spiraling Power, Chan Ssu, Reeling Silk, Chan Si Jin, Chan Su Jing, chan Ssu Jing, Chan Ssu Chin, Coiling, Winding
Pinyin chánsīgōng, Wade-Giles ch'an² ssu¹ kung¹ 纏絲功), "Winding Silk Power" (chansijing) (纏絲勁),

Testimonials: Silk Reeling Chan Si Gong Exercises for True Freedom of Movement

The Tao of Tai-Chi Chuan: Way to Rejuvenation.   By Jou, Tsung Hwa.   Edited by Shoshana
Shapiro. Warwick, New York, Tai Chi Foundation, 1980. 263 pages. First Edition.
ISBN: 0804813574. An excellent comprehensive textbook. Chan-Ssu Chin is discussed
on pages 151 - 159.

Tantric Yoga

Temple Qigong

Thirteen Treasures Walking Qigong. 40Kb+

Thirty Silk Reeling Exercises List. Center for Taiji Studies. Yang Yang.

Thirty Silk Reeling Qigong Exercises List. Atlanta Taiji Gongfu Association.

Wild Goose Qigong

Yang Style Long 108 Form

Quotations
Silk Reeling
Chan Si Gong, Chan Si Jing, Chan Ssu Gong 纏絲功

"Silk -Reeling Exercises in Taiji are a set of repetitive spiral movement exercises with emphasis
on --- the ground connection, waist connection, knee alignment, kua sinking, opening and closing
of joints and dantian rotation. These continuous spiral movement are the basic components, the
foundational building blocks of Taijiquan. This series of spiral movement exercises are for the
development of the basic strengths and coordination of Chen Taijiquan. These exercises will
increase the mobility of body joints and relax the muscles and tendons of the practitioner. The
spiral movements will open up and exercise the 18 major joints (in sequence from the head
to the ankles) of the body, promote muscle relaxation and flexibility, and reduce physical
tension and strain."
- Tony Wong, Tony Wong Chen Style Tai Chi

"Known as Chan Ssu Gong, these unique spiraling movements loosen the 18 joints and increase range of movement. The key to proper silk reeling is whole body movement originating from the center, the dantien, and a connection to the ground, peng jing. These exercises are particularly rehabilitative for people recovering from physical illness or injury.

Silk Reeling is named for the quality of movement that is practiced. It is said that the movement must be like a spider spinning a web. The spinnerette touches a branch and delicately the silk is drawn out to the next location. If the spider moves too fast or too slow the silk will break and be lost. Movements must be continuous. If an understanding of the body's potential for a natural flow is developed, silk reeling will develop into a deeply satisfying, healing, and beautiful art.

The dantien, or center of the body, must lead all movement. Silk reeling exercises train the body to move as a whole unit lead by the dantien area. This area of the body is generally not recognized by western anatomy. It operates in Taiji as both a physical location and as an energetic center. It is important that the dantien is not associated with any muscular tension or movement. The dantien can be understood within the body several different ways and as the practitioner gains experience their understanding will improve and change many times."
- Chen Xin, Silk Reeling

"Chen Xin's classic book Illustrated Explanation of Chen Family Taijiquan, outlines three
principal benefits of silk-reeling energy in relation to the martial application of the art.
this energy can operate as a revolving energy similar to a tire rebounding any incoming
force. The faster the opponent's energy comes in, the faster it is bounced away. This
requires the body to be full, relaxed and sensitive. Second, silk-reeling energy can be
piercing, like a spiraling bullet. This is a powerful and penetrating energy when applied
during an attacking maneuver, whether it is with the fist, elbow or foot. Third, silk-reeling
energy can act as a neutralizing energy, teaching the practitioner how to lead an incoming
force to emptiness."
- Chen Style Taijiquan: The Source of Taiji Boxing. By Davidine Siaw-Voon Sim and
David Gaffney, 2002, p. 52.

"It is easier to leave a circle than to enter it.
The emphasis is on the hip movement whether front or back.
The difficulty is to maintain the position without shifting the centre.
To analyse and understand the above situation is to do with
    movement and not with a stationary posture.
Advancing and retreating by turning sideways in line with the
    shoulders, one is capable of turning like a millstone, fast or slow,
    as if whirling like a dragon in the clouds or sensing the approach
    of a fierce tiger.
From this, one can learn the usage of the movement of
    the upper torso.
Through long practice, such movement will become natural."
- Yang Family Old Manual, The Coil Incense Kung

"When you are in a matching situation with your opponent, there are three circles
of offensive and defensive domains or territories. These circles are large circle
(Chang Ju, i.e., long range), middle circle (Zhon Ju, i.e., middle range), and short
circle (Duan Ju, i.e., short range). These circles are also called rings. In a battle,
you should not stay in the same rign, which allows your opponent to set up a
strategy against you easily. Your rights should be variable, random and confusing
to your opponent. Not only just the size of the rings, but also the height of defensive
and offensive actions should vary as well. When this happens, you will generate more
confusion for your opponent and this will allow you to execute your techniques
effectively and efficiently."
- Yang, Yu (Ban-Hou) 1837-1892
Translated by Yang, Jiwng-Ming, Tai Chi Secrets of the Yang Style, p. 24

"In order to understand a move you must practice it 10,000 times. This is called The School of Ten Thousand Repetitions. .... The Way is in training."
- Miyamoto Mushashi

"These exercises are great for loosening up the joints, enabling you to enjoy freedom of movement. Ultimately, they will also help to develop spiralling energy within the body. These silk reeling movements benefit the joints, sinews and muscles and improve circulation. The circular movements strengthen the connective tissues and increase the secretion of synovial fluid which lubricates the joints, keeping them supple. People who have been practising these exercises have reported better coordination and an opening up of shoulders, back and waist."
- Chan Si Gong

"Grandmaster Feng Zhi Qiang (1928- ), founder of the Hun Yuan Tai Chi system, states that Tai Chi is chan si (silk reeling). This statement highlights the importance of this aspect of the training. The Tai Chi classics speak of performing Tai Chi movements like reeling silk from a cocoon. The analogy warns us that if the silk is reeled too fast, the thread will break. If it is reeled too slowly, the thread will tangle. The silk reeling exercises teach you to use an adequate amount of force to generate movements efficiently. If you are too forceful, you will lock your joints and will fail to achieve freedom of movement. If you are too limp or empty in Tai Chi terms, you will also fail to circle the joints completely, thus losing the full range of movement.

The Chan Si Gong is an important training method for developing body awareness and coordination. It is a link between building and expressing qi and jin (force). These silk reeling movements work on different joints of the body: neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, chest, abdomen, waist, hips, kuas (inguinal crease), knees and ankles. Grandmaster Feng describes the Chan Si Gong as training the body’s 18 balls. If it is practised well, the body moves like a well oiled machine, each part moving on a series of ball bearings.

The Chan Si Gong gradually builds up power through coordination, linking all the body’s joints like a string of pearls. It teaches you the Tai Chi principle of moving the body as one unit. The Tai Chi classics state that jin starts in the feet and is controlled by the waist and expressed by the hands. This explains the way that Tai Chi generates and releases power. It sounds simple. However, in order to achieve this, each joint has to be strong yet flexible, and be able to listen and work with all other parts of the body. If one joint is weak or tense, the force will be neutralised and the ground force will not be released. What is released will only be a fraction of that potential power."
- Silk Reeling Gong: The Key to Improving Your Tai Chi Form. By Brett Wagland.

"Silk reeling (pinyin chánsīgōng, Wade-Giles ch'an² ssu¹ kung¹ 纏絲功), also called "Winding Silk Power" (chansijing) (纏絲勁), as well as "Foundational Training"(jibengong), refers to a set of neigong exercises frequently used by the Chen style, Wu style and some other styles of T'ai Chi Ch'uan. The name derives from the metaphorical principle of "reeling the silk from a silk worm's cocoon". In order to draw out the silk successfully the action must be smooth and consistent without jerking or changing direction sharply. Too fast, the silk breaks, too slow, it sticks to itself and becomes tangled. Hence, the silk reeling movements are continuous, cyclic patterns performed at constant speed with the "light touch" of drawing silk.

In common with all Qigong exercises, the patterns are performed in a concentrated, meditative state with an emphasis on relaxation. However, rather than being isolated exercises purely for health benefits, the focus is on strengthening and training the whole body coordination (nei jin) and grounded body alignment that is used in the Tai Chi form and pushing hands. Silk reeling is commonly used in Chen style as a warmup before commencing Tai Chi form practice, but its body mechanics are also a requirement of Chen Style Tai Chi throughout the forms. In other styles, silk reeling is only introduced to advanced levels. Many schools, especially those not associated with the orthodox Tai Chi families, don't train it at all."
- Silk Reeling - Wikipedia

"Single movement exercises, known as Chansi Gong, which develop silk reeling energy. These are a series of simple movements which build on the postural alignment and qi circulation developed by standing post exercises. These qualities are now manifested while the body is in motion. The aim is to develop the basic strengths and coordinations of Taijiquan: such as, whole-body power, use of frame and abdomen to initiate movement and generate power, twining energy, the fundamental concepts of opening (kai: expansive power) and closing (he: contracting power)."
- Chen Style

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Silk Reeling

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