FREQUENTLY ASKED QEUSTIONS

[What is the difference between Public Programs and Academy Programs?]

Public Programs are open to everyone, requiring no prerequisites, and focus on general Tai Chi practice. In contrast, Academy Programs are apprenticeship-based, designed for those pursuing instructor certification, with specific prerequisites and a commitment to Chen Family Taijiquan standards.

[Are there Public Programs for Beginners?]

Yes, our beginner-friendly Public Programs—including Tai Chi 100, 101, 102, and 103—are designed to cater to both beginners and intermediate practitioners. These programs provide a solid foundation in Tai Chi principles, meeting the needs of a wide range of students.

[I am a cancer patient. What is the best suitable Tai Chi class for me?]

Our Tai Chi for Cancer program is ideal for cancer patients and survivors. To fully benefit from this specialized class, participants should have the ability to perform Tai Chi 103: Tai Chi for Longevity: Blue Dragon 8 Form as a prerequisite. Beginners are encouraged to start with Public Programs to build the necessary foundation.

[What is Tai Chi, Taiji, or Taijiquan?]

Tai Chi, or Taijiquan (太極拳, tài jí quán), is a martial art rooted in Chinese philosophy. While "Tai Chi" is the widely-used English transliteration, "Taijiquan" accurately reflects its origins and essence.

[What sets Chen Family Taijiquan apart from modern and other Tai Chi styles?]

Chen Family Taijiquan, as the original Tai Chi style, incorporates 25 key disciplines essential for internal practice, blending slowness and softness with fastness and hardness. Modern Tai Chi often emphasizes aesthetics, while other traditional styles may lack certain principles or focus solely on specific aspects of Tai Chi.

[What makes Chen Bing Taiji Academy unique?]

Our academy emphasizes Fang Song (Relaxation), a foundational practice developed by Master Chen Bing, essential for spine alignment, relaxation, and deeper energy cultivation. Combined with personalized corrections and a focus on the fundamentals, this approach ensures practitioners develop a strong foundation for advanced skills.

[Is Taiji considered a form of Qigong?]

While Taiji integrates Qigong principles such as breathwork and energy cultivation, it focuses on whole-body coordination and martial applications, distinguishing it from Qigong’s broader, health-focused practices.

[How does Taiji compare to Yoga?]

While both Taiji and Yoga promote physical and mental well-being, they differ significantly in their methods and focus:

• · Yoga: Yoga primarily uses static poses, or asanas, that stretch and stimulate specific body parts. To achieve full-body engagement, practitioners must combine multiple poses into sequences, with each pose targeting a particular area. Yoga emphasizes holding positions to improve flexibility, strength, and alignment while incorporating breath control (pranayama) and mindfulness.
• · Taiji (Tai Chi): Taiji, on the other hand, is a continuous, dynamic practice where every movement engages the entire body simultaneously. Initiated from the Dantian (the body's energy center), Taiji movements flow seamlessly, coordinating all joints and muscles to function as a single, unified system. This interconnected approach not only stimulates all body parts in harmony but also enhances balance, energy circulation, and structural alignment with each motion.

Moreover, Taiji emphasizes spiral movements (Reeling Silk)that promote internal energy flow (Qi) and integrate the mind, breath, and body into one cohesive practice. Unlike Yoga’s segmented engagement through separate poses, Taiji’s movements are holistic, ensuring simultaneous stimulation of every part of the body with a focus on continuous, flowing energy.

In essence, Taiji offers a unique, dynamic approach to whole-body engagement, where the body moves as one harmonious unit, enhancing energy flow, structural integrity, and internal balance.

[Do you teach Push-Hands, applications, or sparring?]

Yes, advanced training in Push-Hands (Tui Shou) and martial applications is a core component of our Academy Programs, specifically designed for dedicated practitioners seeking to deepen their understanding of Chen Family Taijiquan. This training explores both the internal principles and practical combat techniques of Taijiquan, offering two distinct types of Push-Hands practice:

1. Fixed-Step Push-Hands (Wuzhong Tuishou 五种推手): 

This foundational practice develops the eight essential energies of Taijiquan—Peng (Ward-off), Lu (Roll-back), Ji (Press), An (Push), Cai      (Pluck), Lie (Split), Zhou (Elbow), and Kao (Shoulder).                    

• Practitioners enhance alignment, sensitivity, and energy flow without complicated stepping.
• Though non-combative, it establishes the critical internal skills needed for advanced Taiji practices and applications.

2. Free-Style Push-Hands Applications (Tuishou Yongfa 推手用法):
Derived from the First and Second Roads (Cannon Fist) of Old and New Frame, this dynamic practice integrates martial techniques, including:

• Explosive power (Fajin) for effective strikes.
• Defensive maneuvers and self-defense strategies.
• Standing grappling with free movement to demonstrate the practical       combat effectiveness of Chen Family Taijiquan.

Commitment and Dedication:
Both types of Push-Hands demand readiness, dedication, and a solid understanding of Taijiquan’s foundational principles. While these practices are optional, they offer unparalleled opportunities to:

• Refine martial skills.
• Experience Taijiquan as a sophisticated internal art and a      practical martial system.

For those seeking to elevate their training, Push-Hands and applications provide a profound gateway into the deeper martial essence of Chen Family Taijiquan.