Chen Style Tai Chi

Chen Tai Chi

Movement and Stillness for Life-Long Health

Encouraging Daily Practice of the Classical Chinese Arts

Chen Tai Chi is an internal martial art, where the body moves in a relaxed yet powerful way, using coiling movements, an aligned structure and body mechanics to generate, absorb and redirect power.  The style includes fajin, known as energy release, with some movements being performed fast. The signature of Chen Tai Chi is the silk reeling spirals, the foundation of every movement. These are practised in drills and exercises unilaterally on each side of the body, before being applied to the empty hand forms, weapons and push hands.

Chen style Tai Chi originates from the Chen Village (Chen Jia Gou) in China, dating from around 600 years ago. Chen is a family name in Chinese, with the style of Tai Chi belonging to the Chen family.  It is seen as the mother of contemporary Tai Chi, with the styles Yang, Wu and Sun drawing influence from the Chen family. Find out more about the historical lineage of Chen style Tai Chi.

Health Benefits

  • expansion & compression of the joints
  • loosen the joint spaces
  • lengthen & elasticise the connective tissue
  • soften & release muscular tension
  • relaxation of the nervous system
  • align the posture & structure
  • whole body coordination
  • focused concentration
  • boost brain health
  • mind intent
  • develop body sensitivity
  • healthy distraction
  • focus on the present
  • strengthen through integrated muscle contraction
  • develop balance & stability
  • improve knee & lower back health
  • reduce strain on the body
  • flush toxins
  • diaphragmatic breathing
  • increase blood flow
  • learn a life long skill
  • open the meridian channels
  • balance yin yang

Our Classes

Instructor Nicola studies and teaches the forms of Grand Master Chen Zhenglei. Her teachers have studied within the lineage or are lineage holders. Nicola helps students progress through the traditional principles of Chen style silk reeling and the empty hand forms, teaching through a hands-on method rather than ‘watch and follow‘. Lessons start with traditional Chen warm up exercises that loosen every major joint in the body. Next a Qigong breathing session, focusing on relaxation, softening the body, lowering the heart rate and slowing the breath. Progressing to ‘Standing Practice’ (Zhan Zhuang), a static Qigong posture as a meditation and stillness exercise. Moving onto Silk Reeling Drills, the signature movement of Chen style and then the main content of her lessons covers the empty hand form. Study in private tuition or in group classes. Find out more by clicking the graphics below.


Meet Rich and follow his Chen Tai Chi journey


Our Chen Syllabus


Chen Principles

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