Looking for a Tai Chi class that blends powerful movements with deep relaxation? Chen Style Tai Chi offers you a unique experience. It’s often called the original tai chi. Chen Style Tai Chi Chuan is known for its bursts of energy, slow flowing postures, and low stances. It’s a complete martial art and a profound path to better health, suitable for people of all ages.
Why Choose Chen Style Tai Chi?
Unlike some gentler tai chi forms, chen style tai chi incorporates both slow, meditative movements and fast, explosive power releases. This combination delivers incredible benefits:
- Build Body Strength and Flexibility: The low stances and spiraling movements work your legs, core, and entire body deeply, improving muscle tone and joint mobility far more than everyday activities.
- Boost Your Balance and Coordination: Precise weight shifting and controlled movements sharpen your sense of balance and body awareness, helping prevent falls.
- Reduce Stress and Find Calm: The focus on deep, rhythmic breathing and mindful movement creates a powerful moving meditation, reducing your stress and anxiety.
- Improve Heart Health and Energy: The varied pace—slow flow with bursts of energy—provides excellent cardiovascular exercise, boosting circulation and your overall energy levels.
- Learn Self Defense: It rooted in martial arts. Chen style tai chi chuan teaches effective self-defense principles within its graceful forms.
What Is Chen Style Tai Chi?
Chen Style Tai Chi Chuan has a rich history dating back over 300 years to Chen Village in Henan Province, China. Created by the Chen family, it’s recognized as the original style from which other major Tai Chi styles like Yang, Wu, and Sun later developed. The Chen family preserved and passed down the art through generations, maintaining its unique softness and hardness.
Chen Style Tai Chi Class
Shen Jiangfei International Martial Arts School is one of the authentic Tai Chi training camps in China, especially the professional coach Shen Jiangfei, who is the 31st generation inheritor of Chen Tai Chi. Mr. Shen’s Tai Chi class includes Chen Tai Chi basic routines, Tai Chi meditation and spirit, and Tai Chi weapon training.
- Qi Gong: Chen style tai chi classes start with exercises to awaken your body, loosen joints, and focusing your mind and breath.
- Basic Stances: You’ll practice essential postures like the “horse stance” and “bow stance,” learning how to move with stability and power from the ground up.
- Learning Tai Chi Forms: This is where you learn the structured movements known as Chen Style Tai Chi Forms. These forms contain all the self-defense applications, health benefits, and energetic principles.
- Tai Chi Beginner Forms: It often starts with shorter moves like “Chen Style Tai Chi 18 Movements” or the “19 Form.”
- Traditional Forms: Progress to the longer, more complex “Lao Jia Yi Lu” and “Lao Jia Er Lu.” These contain the signature fast/slow changes and fajin.
- Martial Aspect: Tai chi instructors often break down movements to show their practical self-defense meaning. This helps you perform the form with correct intention and power.
- Calm Down and Meditation: Tai chi classes usually end with gentle stretching, relaxation, or quiet standing meditation to integrate the benefits.
- Weapons Training: Some schools teach traditional Chen weapons like the straight sword, broadsword, spear, and staff. For example, you might learn a “30 Movement Chen Style Tai Chi Staff” routine from our Shen coach. Weapons training further develops your power, coordination, and understanding of the art’s principles.
Chen Style Tai Chi Core Forms
The Chen Style Tai Chi Forms are the treasure chest of the art. Here are key points:
Lao Jia Yi Lu: It is the foundation. About 74 movements performed slowly with clear fast/slow transitions and bursts of your power. Focuses on opening the joints, developing silk reeling energy, and building a strong root. Chen Style Tai Chi 18 Movements is a simplified form of Chen Tai Chi Quan core.
Lao Jia Er Lu: It’s the second routine. More explosive, athletic, and martial in nature. Lao jia er lu contains more jumps, strikes, and overt fajin expressions.
Xin Jia: Created by Chen Fake in the early 20th century. It features larger, more expansive movements, more obvious coiling and spiraling, and distinct fajin methods while retaining the core principles. It also has Yi Lu and Er Lu routines.
Shorter Forms (like 18 Form, 19 Form, and 38 Form): They conclude movements and principles from the longer traditional forms, making them excellent starting points for those with limited time. Chen Style Tai Chi 18 Movements is the best example.
How to Find Chen Style Tai Chi Class Near You
Ready to learn Chen Style Tai Chi? Finding a qualified instructor is important! Here are the steps to find Chen Style Tai Chi near me:
- Online Search: Use keywords like “Chen Style Tai Chi near me”, “Chen Tai Chi classes [Your City/Town],” or “Tai Chi Chuan Chen Style [Your Area].” Check Google Maps too.
- Check Community Centers and Gyms: Many recreation centers, YMCAs, and health clubs offer Tai Chi classes. Inquire specifically if they teach Chen style.
- Visit Authentic Martial Arts Schools: Tai chi schools specializing in Chinese martial arts (kung fu, wushu) often offer authentic Chen style classes.
- Look for Lineage: Reputable instructors can usually trace their teaching lineage back to Chen Village or a recognized Chen family master.
Try a free tai chi class! Most schools provide beginner classes or trial periods. Observe the teaching style, ask about the instructor’s background, and see if the school feels right for you.
Chen Style vs. Other Styles
While all Tai Chi styles have core principles (mindfulness, breath, flow, Qi cultivation), Chen Style Tai Chi is the most popular.
Chen tai chi martial arts are more visibly integrated into the forms. Unique combination of very slow movements punctuated by clearly defined, fast, explosive releases of power. Chen tai chi form generally employs deeper, more physically demanding stances than Yang or Wu styles. It focuses on continuous, spiraling movements throughout the body, like reeling silk from a cocoon.
FAQs
Q: I’m not very fit or flexible. Can I still learn Chen Style Tai Chi?
A: Absolutely! Our tai chi classes are adaptable. The Shen Jiangfei instructor offers modifications. Chen style itself will gradually and safely improve your fitness and flexibility. Start where you are; we will help you solve everything else
Q: How often should I practice?
A: Attending class 1-2 times per week is common. Practicing even 10-20 minutes daily at home significantly accelerates progress and deepens benefits.
Q: Do I need special clothing or equipment?
A: Just wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows free movement. Flat-soled shoes or barefoot/socks are usually fine. No equipment is needed at the beginner level.
Q: Is Chen Style Tai Chi good for self-defense?
A: Yes. It is a complete martial art. While Chen tai chi classes focus on health, the movements contain effective locks, throws, strikes, and leverage principles. Learning the Chen Tai Chi reveals this.
Q: How long does it take to learn a form?
A: There is a big difference. A short form like the Chen Style Tai Chi 18 Movements might take several months to learn well. Mastering the longer Lao Jia Yi Lu can take years of dedicated practice—the learning journey is continuous.
Q: Are there Chen Style Tai Chi classes suitable for seniors?
A: Sure. Many classes cater specifically to seniors, focusing on the health benefits, balance, and gentle aspects. Tai chi movements can always be adapted to individual capabilities. Always inform the instructor of any health concerns.
Q: What’s the difference between ‘Chen Style Tai Chi’ and ‘Tai Chi Chuan Chen Style’?
A: They mean the same thing! “Tai Chi Chuan” or “Taijiquan” is the full Chinese name, translating roughly to “Grand Ultimate Fist.” “Chen Style” means the particular family tradition. Chen Style Tai Chi is the common name.
