Stephan Berwick, founder of the trueTAICHI™ program, is an emerging 13th generation Chen Taijiquan expert, widely recognized as an early proponent of mainland Chinese martial arts. An original disciple of Master Ren Guangyi since 1991 and also trained by top Chen family masters, Berwick completed primary research on Chen Taijiquan at Taiji’s birthplace, Chenjiagou in 2000. [...]

What is Chen style Taijiquan? According to available records and extensive research, Chen Taiji is the original form of Taijiquan. It was once quite rare, but is increasing in popularity. Other versions of Taiji, such as Yang and one of the Wu versions, were derived from the Chen family boxing, which later came to be [...]

What is the Chen Taiji curriculum?  Chen Taiji is a pure boxing art that offers a comprehensive, progressive self-defense system, taught in a healthy, well-rounded manner. As standardized in Chenjiagou today, the curriculum comprises: Basics: •    Silk Reeling exercises •    Standing exercises (“zhan zhaung”) •    Supplementary basic technique drills Forms: •    19 Movement Short Form [...]

When are the applications of the techniques taught in Chen Taiji? It is standard practice to expose students to basic applications almost from the beginning to build an understanding of the movement and techniques. If a student seeks fighting ability, his/her training will progress through the aforementioned, levels of development. By about the second level, [...]

Who are the emerging, young Chen family masters? Currently the leading, young Chen family masters of Chenjiagou are Chen Ziqiang (son of Chen Xiaoxing) and Chen Bing (nephew of Chen Xiaoxing and Chen Xiaowang). Chen Ziqiang is a highly regarded fighter and is the head teacher at the main Chenjiagou Taiji academy. Chen Bing is the highly popular teacher [...]