Public ProgramS: The Essence of Chen Family Tai Chi

[About the Public Program]

The Public Program at Chen Bing Taiji Academy USA offers foundational Tai Chi training directly from its birthplace, Chenjiagou. Designed to meet modern lifestyles, this program ensures accessibility, adaptability, and a nurturing environment for both beginners and returning practitioners.

Classes are taught based on the Tai Chi 100 Series, a rotating curriculum that addresses therapeutic, technical, and internal development needs. Whether you're exploring Tai Chi for health, meditation, or martial refinement, this program is your gateway to the original art.

[Tai Chi 100 Series Curriculum Overview]

Tai Chi 100: Fang Song

Fang Song (放松) is one of the most essential principles of Tai Chi, yet it is rarely taught in a complete and systematic way.

Recognizing this gap, Master Chen Bing—a direct descendant of Chen Wangting, the creator of Tai Chi—spent many years refining a method that would help modern students, especially those outside of China, understand and experience true Fang Song.

The result is the Fang Song System, the signature introductory practice of Chen Bing Taiji Academy.

Consisting of eight foundational movements, Fang Song helps release the body from head to toe, improve alignment, open the meridians, and awaken awareness of the Elixir Field (Dantian).

By developing sensitivity to the body and breath, students establish the foundation for all future Tai Chi training.

Fang Song is the first and most important practice at our Academy.

Tai Chi 101: Reeling Silk

Reeling Silk (纏絲勁, Chán Sī Jìn), commonly known as Silk Reeling, is one of the most important training methods in Chen Family Taijiquan. However, the term "Silk Reeling" can be misleading. Just as silk must be handled with continuity, sensitivity, and care, Reeling Silk teaches practitioners how to open the body and connect every movement into one continuous whole.

All movements originate from the Elixir Field (Dantian, 丹田) and travel through the body in coordinated spirals. Through consistent practice, students develop whole-body connection, structural alignment, balance, coordination, and internal power.

Reeling Silk serves as the bridge between relaxation and movement. Building upon the foundation established through Fang Song, students learn how to transform relaxation into connected and purposeful motion.

Depending on the instructor and the needs of the class, stepping methods (步法) and explosive power (發勁, Fā Jìn) may also be introduced to help students better understand Chen Family body mechanics and martial principles.

Typical Class Structure

• Fang Song – approximately 15 minutes

• Reeling Silk – approximately 40 minutes

• Explosive Power (Fā Jìn) – approximately 5 minutes

Class content and timing may be adjusted organically based on the level, progress, and needs of the students.

By integrating relaxation, spiraling movement, stepping, and explosive power, Tai Chi 101 develops the essential skills required for authentic Chen Family Tai Chi practice.

Tai Chi 102: Basic 13 Form (Eight Methods & Five Steps)

The Basic 13 Form (基本十三式) is a signature training system developed by Master Chen Bing through decades of dedicated practice, teaching, and reflection on the essential principles of Chen Family Taijiquan.

As a successor to the Harmony 13 Form, this unique curriculum distills the core methods, training principles, and practical wisdom of traditional Tai Chi into a concise and accessible form. It represents Master Chen Bing's effort to help modern practitioners understand the fundamental mechanics and internal requirements that underlie all authentic Chen Family Tai Chi training.

Students are introduced to:

Four Primary Forces (四正勁, Sì Zhèng Jìn) - Ward-off (掤, Péng), Roll-back (捋, Lǚ), Press (擠, Jǐ), and Push (按, Àn)

Four Supporting Forces (四隅勁, Sì Yú Jìn) - Pull-down (採, Cǎi), Split (挒, Liè), Elbow Strike (肘, Zhǒu), and Leaning Strike (靠, Kào)

Five Steps (五步, Wǔ Bù) - Advance (進, Jìn), Retreat (退, Tuì), Look Left (顧, Gù), Look Right (盼, Pàn), and Central Equilibrium (定, Dìng)

Through systematic study of these principles, students learn how structure, balance, direction, intention, and whole-body coordination function together as a unified system.

More than a form, the Basic 13 Form serves as a practical guide to understanding the essence of Chen Family Tai Chi and provides a strong bridge between foundational training and deeper study within the tradition.

Available exclusively through Chen Bing Taiji Academy, this curriculum represents one of Master Chen Bing's most important contributions to the modern transmission of Chen Family Taijiquan.

[Class Schedule Overview]

Our classes follow a 10-week quarterly rotation, ensuring progressive learning and topic variety. 

Course topics rotate each quarter, with the following consistent time slots:

• Monday 
  • 07:00 PM – 08:00 PM 
  • 08:00 PM – 09:00 PM 
• Wednesday 
  • 07:00 PM – 08:00 PM 
  • 08:00 PM – 09:00 PM 
• Saturday 
  • 01:00 PM – 02:00 PM (Donation-Based Community Class) 

For updated topics per quarter, please refer to the Live Class Schedule on Mindbody software.

[Quarterly Rotation]

• Winter: January – March 
• Spring: April – June 
• Summer: July – September 
• Fall: October – December 

This structure allows participants to progress gradually while integrating core Chen Family Taijiquan principles.

[Participation Guidelines]

• No Walk-ins: Advance booking is required for liability and safety. 
• Progressive Learning: Students build skills week to week. New students after Week 3 may need pre-approval. 
• Attire & Cleanliness: Comfortable movement attire. Clean socks or indoor-only shoes required. 
• Punctuality: Arrive on time to minimize disruption. 

[Venue Locations]

• Los Feliz: 2724 Griffith Park Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90027 (2nd floor, above Starbucks) 
• San Gabriel: [Note: Discontinued in November 2024] 
• Koreatown: [Location pending]