Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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

At Chen Bing Taiji Academy USA, we offer two distinct paths of study—Public Programs and Academy Programs—each designed to serve different needs and levels of commitment.

[Public Programs]

Public Programs are open to everyone, with no prerequisites required. They are designed for the general public to explore Chen Family Taijiquan in a progressive and approachable manner. Whether you are completely new to Tai Chi or returning after time away, these classes provide a structured, yet accessible entry point into the authentic tradition.

Participants in the Public Programs build foundational skills, experience internal principles, and gradually deepen their understanding of Tai Chi at their own pace. These classes are held year-round and serve as the first step for anyone interested in the art.

[Academy Programs]

In contrast, Academy Programs are advanced, apprenticeship-based training tracks designed for those who aspire to become certified instructors or recognized successors in the Chen Family lineage.

Most Academy participants have already spent two or more years in Public Programs, gaining experience and demonstrating sincere dedication. Some may also come from other Tai Chi backgrounds, seeking to fill gaps in their knowledge or reconnect with the original teachings of Taijiquan as preserved in Chenjiagou.

The Academy is not always open for enrollment. To maintain a high level of instruction and proper mentorship for current members, new Academy cohorts are typically launched every 2–3 years.

This program offers in-depth transmission of the full Chen Family system—forms, weapons, theory, push-hands, internal methods, and lineage-based discipline—and serves those who are ready for a long-term journey of both personal transformation and future teaching responsibility.

[Are there Public Programs for Beginners?]

Yes. At Chen Bing Taiji Academy USA (CBTA USA), our Public Programs (Tai Chi 100–103) are specifically designed for beginners and intermediate-level students. Each course builds progressively, helping students internalize core principles before advancing to more complex movements.

Tai Chi 100: Fang Song – The Foundational Healing Method

This is the must-learn entry practice and the most essential internal method at CBTA USA.
Rather than simply "relaxing," Fang Song helps the body identify tension and pain, heal chronic imbalances, and cultivate deep internal sensitivity. It aligns the spine, opens the joints, regulates breath, and calms the nervous system.

Through slow and deliberate movements, students begin to:

• Heal and connect body, breath, and mind 
• Detect subtle tension patterns and energetic blockages 
• Lay the essential groundwork for all higher-level Tai Chi forms 

Fang Song is more than a warm-up—it is the entry gate to Chen Family Taijiquan’s internal world.

Tai Chi 101: Stepping, Reeling Silk & Explosive Power

Once internal looseness is established, Tai Chi 101 introduces:

• Fundamental stepping drills for stability and mobility 
• Chan Si Gong (Reeling Silk Energy) to coordinate spiral motion through the limbs and core 
• Preliminary Fa Jin (explosive release) training for martial and energetic activation 

This stage helps develop whole-body integration, power transmission, and dynamic control rooted in softness.

Tai Chi 102: Form Preparation – Diamond Pounds Mortar (3 Variations)

Before learning formal routines, students need structure and rhythm.
Tai Chi 102 uses three variations of the traditional movement "Diamond Pounds Mortar (金刚捣碓)" to teach:

• Center control and weight shifting 
• Intent-driven movement 
• Breath-guided form transitions 

It serves as an internal bridge between fundamental drills and the longer routines.

Tai Chi 103: Tai Chi for Longevity – Blue Dragon 8 Form

Tai Chi 103 introduces students to the Blue Dragon 8 Form, a compact yet deeply effective longevity-oriented routine drawn from Chen Family Taijiquan principles.

This form emphasizes:

• Flow, balance, and postural integrity 
• Smooth integration of breath and movement 
• Functional longevity through internal strength and relaxation 

By completing 103, students gain the confidence and internal readiness to transition toward deeper or therapeutic programs such as the Trademarked Tai Chi Series or the Academy Program.

[What is the Trademarked Tai Chi Program at CBTA USA?]

The Trademarked Tai Chi Programs at Chen Bing Taiji Academy USA are specialized therapeutic courses developed and trademarked by Master Bosco Baek, based on clinical experience and Chen Family internal methods. These are not casual drop-in classes, but structured healing courses offered as part of the Public Program track.

Each course typically runs over 10 consecutive weeks, totaling at least 20 hours of guided instruction. A shorter intensive format (20+ hours condensed) may also be available. Consistent participation is required to achieve the intended therapeutic benefits.

Available Trademarked Programs Include:

• Tai Chi for Cancer™
  Designed to support cancer patients and survivors by easing side effects of treatment, restoring energy, and promoting emotional balance through safe, internal exercises. 
• Tai Chi for Spinal Ailments™
  Targets posture, core strength, and spinal decompression. Ideal for those experiencing chronic back pain or recovering from spinal-related issues. 
• Tai Chi for Insomnia™
  Combines breathwork, nervous system regulation, and movement to help improve sleep quality, reduce anxiety, and calm the mind. 
• Tai Chi for Fall Prevention™
  Focuses on balance, body awareness, and joint strength—particularly for seniors or those at risk of falling—to promote safe, confident movement. 

These programs are part of our Public Program offerings, but differ from regular classes in that they follow a therapeutic, results-oriented curriculum and require a special level of commitment.

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

Our Tai Chi for Cancer™ program is specifically designed for cancer patients and survivors. While completion of Tai Chi 103: Tai Chi for Longevity – Blue Dragon 8 Form is not a strict prerequisite, participants will benefit most if they are already familiar with fundamental Tai Chi principles and possess the physical capacity to learn and perform short form sequences.

If you're new to Tai Chi, we recommend starting with our Public Programs to build foundational movement, breathing, and balance skills. This will help ensure a more supportive and enriching experience when you transition into the Tai Chi for Cancer™ program.

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

Tai Chi, also spelled Taiji or Taijiquan (太極拳, tài jí quán), is a Chinese martial art rooted in classical philosophy and internal cultivation. While Taijiquan is the most accurate transliteration of its full name, Tai Chi is the term most widely recognized in English-speaking countries.

The spelling Tai Chi originated from the Wade-Giles romanization system, which was commonly used before the 1950s to help non-Chinese speakers pronounce Mandarin Chinese. This system aimed to represent Chinese phonetics using English spelling conventions. However, it differs significantly from pinyin, the modern phonetic system officially adopted by mainland China.

As a result, while Tai Chi remains popular in the West, it is not commonly understood in China. In mainland China, people recognize the term only as Taiji or Taijiquan — where the letter "q" in pinyin is pronounced similar to "ch" in English (e.g., quan is pronounced "chuan").

For example, when Chen Bing Taiji Academy USA first opened in Los Angeles, it originally displayed a sign using Taiji. However, many Americans were unfamiliar with the term and repeatedly asked whether it was the same as Tai Chi. To avoid confusion, the academy eventually switched to using the spelling Tai Chi on its signage. This decision reflects the cultural adaptation necessary for clarity while maintaining fidelity to the art’s origins.

[Why Do You Say “Chen Family Tai Chi” Instead of “Chen Style Tai Chi”?]

We intentionally use the term “Chen Family Tai Chi” to emphasize the direct, family-based lineage of our tradition. While many schools refer to what they teach as “Chen Style Tai Chi”, the term “Chen Family” is reserved for those who have inherited the art through a direct bloodline or officially sanctioned transmission from the Chen family of Chenjiagou (Chen Village)—the recognized birthplace of Tai Chi.

Our lineage traces directly back to Chen Wangting, the acknowledged creator of Tai Chi, through the generations of the Chen family itself, not simply through imitation of form or style. This means that the art we teach is not just inspired by Chen-style movement—it is the authentic family art, passed down from master to disciple within the original family lineage.

A Key Distinction in Chinese Language

This distinction is also reflected in Chinese terminology:

• 陈氏太极 (Chén Shì Tàijí): “Chen Family Taiji” — implying direct heritage from the Chen bloodline. 
• 陈式太极 (Chén Shì Tàijí): “Chen Style Taiji” — indicating a stylistic resemblance, but not necessarily a connection to the family or village lineage.

For this reason, we deliberately use the term “Chen Family Tai Chi” to distinguish authentic, family-derived lineage from other styles that may appear similar but are not directly transmitted through the Chen family line. 

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

Chen Family Taijiquan is the original and foundational form of Tai Chi—created over 400 years ago in Chenjiagou, China, by the Chen family. Unlike modern Tai Chi, which often emphasizes aesthetics or simplified movements for general wellness, Chen Family Taijiquan preserves the full spectrum of internal martial training. This includes a balance of softness and hardness, slowness and explosiveness (Fajin), structural alignment, breath mechanics, and energy cultivation (Qi Gong) as a unified whole.

Most modern and derivative Tai Chi styles tend to isolate certain features—either focusing solely on health benefits or external forms. While valuable in their own right, they often omit the inner architecture and energetic logic that defines true internal martial arts. In contrast, Chen Family Taijiquan maintains its depth by transmitting these elements through an unbroken lineage.

The 25 Secrets of Tai Chi: Internal Disciplines of the Chen Family

At Chen Bing Taiji Academy USA, we teach not only the outer choreography of the forms, but also the internal disciplines passed down through the Chen family line. Master Bosco Baek has publicly revealed—for the first time outside the family—the 25 Secrets of Tai Chi: a set of internal disciplines traditionally preserved for family members and official lineage successors.

These are not just philosophical ideas, but precise, repeatable training methods that transform Tai Chi from graceful movement into true internal art. Without them, Tai Chi becomes little more than a slow dance.

Each of these 25 principles is essential for awakening structure, energy flow, intent, and martial function. They are the hidden keys that allow students to cultivate Qi, regulate the nervous system, activate the fascia, and ultimately experience the transformative potential of Taijiquan.

Through the transmission of these methods, Chen Bing Taiji Academy USA offers not only access to the external forms, but to the very heart of Chen Family Taijiquan—unfiltered and preserved from its birthplace.

[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.