Chen Taijiquan Festival Phildadelphia - Second Road
Description
We will get together and focus on demonstrations of the Second Road of Chen-Style Taijiquan, talks by experienced practitioners, corrections, and introductions to applications. We will also have ample time for discussion.
The conference is catered to students of Ryan, who teaches in Philadelphia and studies with Nabil, as well as our US students who learn online in our 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
Second Road of Chen-Style Taijiquan (Erlu / Paochui / Cannon Fist)
Partner work
Discussion
This year's gathering focuses on deepening our understanding of the Second Road of Chen-Style Taijiquan, also known as Erlu, Paochui, or Cannon Fist. While the First Road emphasizes foundational principles, structure, and internal development, the Second Road expresses these qualities through more dynamic, explosive, and martial methods. During the festival we will explore the form, its applications, training methods, and its role within the larger Chen Clan Taijiquan curriculum.
If you would like to learn more about the history and characteristics of the Second Road, you can read our article on Chen Taijiquan Second Road (Paochui / Cannon Fist).
The contents of the form are quite rich and detailed, so there will be plenty to work on individually during the festival. The training is part of a larger program designed to develop instructors through a combination of online and in-person training. This approach supports self-reliant practice while fostering teaching skills for coaches. We will also share training experiences and discuss them within our community.
Hosts: Ryan Craig & Nabil Ranné
Date: May 21–24, 2027
Times:
Get Together & Second Road: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Pushhands & Discussion: 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Address: 1816 South 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Festival Preview
The videos below provide an impression of both the material that will be studied during the festival and the atmosphere of previous gatherings in Philadelphia.
Second Road (Erlu Paochui / Cannon Fist)
This trailer, filmed in Berlin, introduces some of the dynamic movements, martial applications, and training methods of the Second Road that will be explored during the festival.
Read more about the history and characteristics of Erlu Paochui
Previous Festivals in Philadelphia
The video below shows impressions from previous gatherings and gives a sense of the training atmosphere, community, and exchange that characterize the Philadelphia Festival.

