CHANGE CATALYSTS
“We are body and mind change catalysts whose distinct Tai Chi and Qigong programs enlivens and transforms.”
STEPHAN BERWICK
Stephan Berwick is the founder of the Washington, DC-based True Tai Chi™ group – one of the few branch schools of the historic Chen Village Tai Chi Academy from Tai Chi’s birthplace. He’s among the first Americans trained professionally in China and even spent two years as a performer in Hong Kong action films. For over two decades he has devoted his training, research, and promotion of Tai Chi to populations most in need, spanning defense professionals to the physically and mentally challenged.
Berwick conducted Tai Chi-based wellness workshops for Amerihealth’s “Wellness Circle” community, health counseling program and conducted a Tai Chi workshop for Johns Hopkins University Medical School’s ataxia treatment initiative, (ataxia is a degenerative disorder that attacks the mind’s ability to control the limbs). He served as the Tai Chi instructor for the American diplomatic corps for the U.S. Foreign Service Institute.’s ‘Resiliency’ program and led the nearly decade long Tai Chi program to help revive the culture of Washington, DC’s Chinatown for the DC Mayor’s Office of Asian Affairs.
He also created a Tai Chi program to instill teamwork and problem-soling skills for U.S. managers of the multinational French, energy company, ENGIE. Most recently, Berwick conducted Tai Chi classes for the Institute of Defense Analysis. Berwick was hosted by the U.S. Embassy in Indonesia to present a lecture on “Asian Martial Arts Culture in the U.S. and conduct cultural exchange meetings with professional Indonesian martial artists in Jakarta.
In 2000, Berwick completed extensive primary research at the Chen family village, resulting in seminal publications that documented training methods, key personalities, and historical details about Tai Chi never before published in English.
He has published nearly three dozen authoritative articles on Chinese martial arts, co-authoured three books on Tai Chi, and co-poroduced ‘Art of the Straight Line’ – a comprehensive book published by Harper Collins – that details rock music legend, Lou Reed’s love and dedication to Tai Chi.
LEARN MORE
- Different Truths:Gaining my 8 Powers from Martial Art
- Different Truths: Manifesting my 8 Powers from Martial Art
- Internal Fighting Arts Podcast with Ken Gulllette: Stephan Berwick – Part 1
- Internal Fighting Arts Podcast with Ken Gulllette: Stephan Berwick – Part 2
- Stephan Berwick’s Biography in Chinese
PUBLICATIONS
Articles about Stephan Berwick (2007–2009)
- “History is the Best Teacher: Kung Fu Pioneer Stephan Berwick”, Kung Fu Tai Chi, 2008
- “3 Steps to Kung Fu Strength”, Inside Kung Fu, 2009
- “Chen Taiji Combat”, Inside Kung Fu, 2007
- “Stephan Berwick’s Martial Arts Journey”, Journal of Asian Martial Arts, 2006
Articles by Stephan Berwick (1996–2009)
- “Qingping Sword: The Last Remaining Chinese Sword System?”, Journal of Asian Martial Arts, 2009[9]
- “Innovation in Traditional Martial Arts”, Kung Fu Tai Chi, 2008[10]
- “Martial Arts As Performance Art: From Opera to the Olympics”, Kung Fu Tai Chi, 2006
- “Taiji Principles for Business and Life, A Martial Arts Profile of Jonathan Miller, CEO AOL”, Kung Fu Tai Chi, 2006[11]
- “Chen Xiaoxing, The Simple Wisdom of a Village Grandmaster”, Kung Fu Tai Chi, 2005.[12]
- “Chen Village Headmaster Chen Xiaoxing”, Inside Kung Fu, 2005
- “Taiji and Pop Culture, Tony Visconti: Taiji Practitioner & Rock/Pop Producer”, Kung Fu Tai Chi, 2005
- “Book Review: Old Frame Chen Family Taijiquan”; Journal of Asian Martial Arts, 2005
- “Brothers in Kung Fu”, Inside Kung Fu Magazine, June 2005
- “Chen Taiji Chin Na”, Inside Kung Fu, 2004
- “Chen Taijiquan: The Ultimate Grappling Art?”, Kung Fu Tai Chi, 2004
- “Chen Taiji as Avant Garde Performance Art: Lou Reed and Ren Guang Yi’s Kung fu/Rock Brew”, Kung Fu Tai Chi, 2003
- “Analysis of Chen Xin’s Writings, with Commentary by Chen Xiaowang”, Journal of Asian Martial Arts, 2003
- “Chen Taijiquan Broadsword”, Inside Kung Fu, 2003
- “Chen Village Generation X&Y Masters Exposed”, Kung Fu Qigong, 2002
- “The Silk Reeling Underpinnings of Chen Taiji Chin Na”, Internal Martial Arts, 2001
- “Chen Xiaowang on Learning, Teaching, and Practicing Taijiquan”, Journal of Asian Martial Arts, 2001[14]
- “Donnie Yen: A Star on the Rise”, Inside Kung Fu, 2001
- “Chen Village Under the Influence of Chen Xiaoxing”, Journal of Asian Martial Arts, 2001[15]
- “Donnie Yen: The Making of an American Martial Artist”, Kung Fu Qigong, 2000[16]
- “Chen Taijiquan Straight Sword”, Kungfumagazine.com, 2000[17]
- “Chen Taiji 38 Form”, Kung Fu Qigong, 2000
- “Chen Taiji’s Lao Jia & Xin Jia”, Kung Fu Qigong, 1999
- “Discipleship in Chen Taijiquan”, Inside Kung Fu, 1998[18]
- “The 5 Levels of Combat Training in Chen Taijiquan”, Inside Kung Fu, 1997 (also in Contemporary Books’ Ultimate Tai Chi Chuan, 1999)
- “Combat Training in Chen Taijiquan”, Kung Fu Qigong, 1996
Books co-produced by Stephan Berwick (2003–2023)
- Lou Reed’s The Art of the Straight Line (with Laurie Anderson, Scott Richman, Bob Currie), Harper Collins, 2023
- Taijiquan Hand and Sword (with Ren Guangyi, Martin von Hasselberg), TC Media, 2007
- Tai Chi for Kids (w/Jose Figueroa), Tuttle Publishing, August 2005
- Taijiquan: Chen Taiji 38 Form & Applications (with Ren Guangyi & Jose Figueroa), Tuttle Publishing, 2003
INSTRUCTORS
Henry Hsiang
Henry Hsiang is a gold-medalist in traditional Chen Taijiquan forms and long-time Chinese style martial artist. He holds an extensive background in Wing Chun and Chen Taijiquan and taught Taijiquan professionally in Hong Kong, as one of the first to teach the art in the territory. Now at age 60, Henry credits his vibrant health and athletic abilities to his dedicated Taijiquan practice. Henry teaches with Stephan Berwick in Northern Virginia.
Larry Frost
Larry discovered Taijiquan and Qigong during his recovery from illness in 2006, finding his path to Chen style under Stephan Berwick's guidance in 2007. His straightforward approach emphasizes consistent, rigorous training as the key to unlocking both practices' benefits. After 30+ years of U.S. military and federal service, Larry retired to Portugal's Madeira island where he teaches Taijiquan and Qigong.
Frances Phelps
Frances began learning Chen Taijiquan from Stephan Berwick in 2007. After years of dedicated training with Stephan, including private sessions and seminars with the Chen family, she transitioned into teaching. During pregnancy, Tai Chi became her go-to exercise, inspiring her to create a nurturing and gentle Tai Chi for Pregnancy routine. Frances teaches privately and online through Chi Force.
Capturing the energy of rock legend Lou Reed’s worlds of Tai Chi, music, and meditation.
Edited by Laurie Anderson, with Stephan Berwick, Bob Currie, and Scott Richman.
