This is the traditional 'dragon park' Chen first form that I learned from Huan Dahai in Shanghai. I will add to this page gradually (in other words, don't hold your breath).
1. Preparation (position of chaos)
Footwork: The feet do not move. Stand with the heels together, toes slightly apart (up to a fist's width) throughout this move.
Overall movement: Stand with the knees unlocked, lower back flat and head raised (ding). Let the arms hang naturally, palm in. Pull the proximal segment of the middle finger slightly into the palm, and touch the middle finger and thumb on the thigh, the middle finger presssing the fengshi point. Pull up the yangmen (anal sphincter) slightly. Place the tongue on the palate, opposite the soft spot on the top of the skull. Relax, keep your attention on the dantian, and look straight forward.
Fighting application: Since you do not move, this position allows you to isolate practice of mental focus and breath control. To be able to react quickly and effectively in a stressful situation - such as fighting - an attentive, detached, and calm focus is needed. Practise this first standing still, then throughout the form, and finally in sparring. Use reverse breathing - as you inhale stop the lower abdomen from bulging and expand instead the lower ribs to the back, then as you exhale press solidly with the diaphragm and lower abdomen without overly bulging out. This type of breathing gives more power to all movements, and especially explosive movements, and is best practised in this posture first before applying it throughout the form.
Internal connections: The beneficial effects of a quiet mind and breath control in basic qigong standing have been shown in many studies. The specific effect that this position adds is the connection of the fingers to the leg. The fengshi is on the middle line on the outside of the thigh, a distance such that with the arm hanging straight, the middle finger will naturally touch it. It is on the foot's lesser-yang gall blader line. Pressing the fengshi will help heal knee joint pain and hemiplegia. The tip of the middle finger accesses the hand's final-yin pericardium line, and the tip of the thumb accesses the hand greater-yin lung line.
Information about the name: Prior to starting the form, you are still unbalanced and disordered. The first task is thus to stand quietly, calm the mind and regulate the breathing, to focus on the upcoming change from chaos to control. In one version of the names, this is called the position of chaos, and the next move is three openings and closings of the dantian. The process is blended smoothly once you stand until you arrive in the taiji posture.
Additional Notes: Take your time in this position. Stand until you feel ready to start. Just for convenience in describing the form, stand facing south. You don't have to do the form facing the same way all the time.