We are currently offering Tai Chi class on an irregular basis. You are welcome to call and sign up.
Payment is not refundable, but can be applied to another
workshop if you have a conflict.
What is Chen Tai Chi and Healing Exercise?
Chen's Healing Exercise was developed by Miles Chong Chen as a daily exercise regimen for
people who are interested more in health and wellness than martial arts. It is suitable
for busy professionals, as well as people who are weak due to prolonged illness or
have some form of disability. It consists of stretches, tension reduction (self massage),
slow Tai Chi movements, breathing and meditation.
Daoism Temple in Mount Wuyi, Fujian, China
While working as a farmer in the Mount Wuyi area, Miles Chong Chen observed many
local peasants practicing Daoist folk exercises for wellness.
Wuyi Mountain, the largest and best-preserved sub-tropical forest ecosystem
in China, is also one of the most important Taoist centers. Its temple was listed
as one of the top Taoist Temples in the 10th century (1000 AD). In 1999, Wuyi was
chosen as a United Nations' World Cultural and Natural Heritage site.
The Chen's Way class will be taught by Miles Chong Chen in a small group of students
on a limited basis.
What is Tai Chi Chuan?
Tai Chi has been practiced in China for centuries as a martial art, as exercise,
and as a means of improving the flow of internal Chi energy. Tai Chi emphasizes correct
form and how to feel each movement. It is practiced very slowly, gently, and thoughtfully,
with the emphasis on continuity of movement without break or pause. The Chinese use the
metaphor of pulling silk from a cocoon: pull steadily and the strand unravels; pull too
fast or too slow and it breaks.
In Tai Chi you're always moving, but always under complete control. There's no overextension,
no wasted effort. The whole body moves as one with the body parts balanced in circular movement -
always moving, always rotating, always transforming into the opposite. The weight shifts
continuously, evenly, and under complete control throughout the form, coming to rest briefly, but
completely on one leg or the other as the next element of the form unfolds.
Throughout the form, the body remains soft and relaxed, as if suspended from the top of the
head and the joints like a puppet. The mind is centered on each movement, assessing the
alignment and correctness of the form, focusing on feeling the flow from substantial to
insubstantial in each movement, fending off distractions. Breathing in through the nose
slow and even, inhaling during contractions, and exhaling during expansions of the form.
How can Tai Chi be practiced as a therapeutic exercise?
Tai Chi was developed as a martial arts movement and breathing system that exercised all
the joints and major muscle groups while circulating the Chi - the internal energy.
It is this circulation of the Chi that prevents or mitigates disease and debility.
Completely non-impact, yet involving the entire body, Tai Chi promotes strength, stamina,
and flexibility, while tempering the joints of practitioners. Because the whole body moves
as one, Tai Chi cultivates the link between mind and body enhancing balance and coordination.
Practitioners develop confident ease of movement.
What conditions can Tai Chi exercise treat?
Tai Chi is known to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), bone fragility in osteoporosis,
arthritis, stress-related symptoms, mood disorder, insomnia and anxiety. If Tai Chi
is practiced daily, it will improve joint flexibility, motor coordination,
balance and reflexes. I can also help to prevent senior people from falling.
How does Tai Chi differ from other martial arts?
More than 300 different known martial arts styles are practiced in China. Initially,
Tai Chi was practiced as a fighting form, emphasizing strength, balance, flexibility,
and speed. Through time it has evolved into a soft, slow, and gentle form of exercise
that can be practiced by people of all ages. There are two Chinese Martial Art systems,
the internal and the external systems. The internal system includes Tai Chi, Sheng-I and
Pa-Qua styles. They emphasize stability and have limited jumps and kicks. The external
system includes Shao Lin, Long Fist, Southern Fist and other styles. They emphasize
linear movements and breathing combined with sound, strength, speed and high power
impact jumps and kicks.
How can Tai Chi be used for self-defense?
Originally, Tai Chi was practiced as a fighting form emphasizing strength, balance,
flexibility, and speed. As a martial art, Tai Chi uses the theory of "four ounces of
strength against a ton of force" to repel the opponent without the need of force against force.
Tai Chi uses the opponent's own energy against him/her, while the Tai Chi practitioner exerts
little or no force controlling the opponent. Today, Tai Chi is mostly practiced as a
therapeutic exercise characterized by soft, slow and gentle movements and peaceful meditation.
How many styles does Tai Chi have?
There are many different styles or families of Tai Chi Chuan. The five styles,
which are practiced most commonly today are: Yang, Chen, Wu, Sun, and Woo styles.
All Tai Chi styles however, are derived from the original Chen family style.
What is the history of Chen- and Yang-style Tai Chi?
Tai Chi theory and practice is based on a long history that spans thousands of years.
Tai Chi Chuan originated in Chen Village, which is located in Wenxian county, Henan
Province in China. The history of Chen-style Tai Chi can be traced back to the legendary
founder Chen Bu (born in 1368), a scholar and martial artist.
Miles Chong Chen has studied Chen-style Tai Chi with Master Chen Zhenglei, who was born
in Chen Village and is the 11th direct line successor of Chen-style Tai Chi. He is one of
the "Top Ten Martial Arts Masters" in China today. We teach a simplified, 18-move Chen Tai
Chi developed by Master Chen Zhenglei, which has an optimal balance between difficulty of
movements, flow and breathing.
The style of Tai Chi most practiced today is the Yang Style, which was developed by Yang Lu Chan (1799-1872).
Yang studied and modified the Chen style into a new type of Tai Chi. He eliminated the
difficult jumps and leaps, explosions of strength, vigorous foot stamping and refocused
training on the understanding of internal power.
