What To Expect
We invite all who join us to approach each class session with "beginner's mind". Through deep listening the experience is enriched, opening the path to a more profound practice.
It is best to arrive about 10 minutes before class begins to warm up or to take care of any administrative business. It is encouraged to begin your class time with Standing Meditation, a time to physically align the body, calm the mind and prepare to bring full focus to each lesson. Following this, instruction includes a combination of group practice, demonstration, individual corrections and question and answer time. Physical strength is gained through holding postures while the body learns to find each position.
Each class closes with a traditional salute, embodying the concepts inherent in this discipline:
- There is no number one.
- We honor all tribes on the planet.
- We don't believe in fighting, we do martial arts on the inside.
- We send our salute from the heart.
Students are encouraged to deepen their skills through daily practice. The atmosphere is welcoming and supportive and the curriculum is appropriate for all fitness and experience levels. Individual capabilities and goals are respected and each student is encouraged to work to the best of his/her ability.
Class Descriptions
Chen Foundations: Foundations classes are suitable for all ages and fitness levels. These classes are designed to explore the necessary principles needed in order to create a safe and strong foundation. The movement exercises focus on the Silk Reeling or Chan Si techniques specific to Chen Style practice.
Chan Si Gong: Chan Si Gong, or Silk Reeling Exercises, is an essential practice technique in Taijiquan. Its goal is the smooth unification of the entire body, joint by joint, coordinated through the dan tien center. The practitioner will, through repetition, recognize the spiraling qualities of proper Silk Reeling and, overtime, may experience improved health, well-being, and Taiji power. These techniques are embedded in all forms, weapons training, and Taiji applications, and must be understood by the body in order to gain maximum benefit.
9 Form: The 9 Form was created by Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang as an introduction, warm-up or short demonstration Form. Embedded are the principles of Chen style Taijiquan, notably those of the Dantien and Silk Reeling (Chan Si) techniques. This form is suitable for all levels.
19 Form: The Nineteen Form was created by Grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang in 1995. The form contains four sections and the choreography is based on the Lao Jia Old Frame, Xin Jia New Frame, and the Xiao Jia Small Frame. The Nineteen Form is suitable for any age, all fitness levels, and recommended for those who have completed the Foundations class or for those with little to no experience.
38 Form: The 38 movement routine was created by Grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang and is based on the traditional old frame first routine, Lao Jia Yi Lu, and new frame first routine, Xin Jia Yi Lu. Grandmaster Chen deleted repeated movements and simplified a few difficult movements from both forms while preserving the characteristics of traditional Chen style Taijiquan with more silk reeling movements. The 38 Form is suitable for students interested in long form training, specifically Xin Jia.
Xin Jia Yi Lu (New Frame First Road): Xin Jia requires a firm grasp of the foundations along with an understanding of the Silk Reeling – spiraling (Chan Si) techniques. This class is by permission only.
Lao Jia Yi Lu (Old Frame First Road): Created in the late 1600's by Chen Wanting, Lao Jia Yi Lu is the oldest form of Taijiquan from which all the other forms emerged. Comprised of 75 postures, this form contains fast and slow, hard and soft, high and low movements, all connected through the Chan Si (Silk Reeling) techniques. Lao Jia Yi Lu is a balanced and important conditioning and training method for the dedicated and serious student.
Lao Jia Er Lu - Pao Chui (Old Frame Second Road): This is a dynamic form requiring a strong grasp of the foundations along with an understanding of Lao Jia Yi Lu, or Old Frame-First Routine. The fitness requirements are more demanding and a full understanding of principles is important. This class is by permission only.
Registration & Pricing
- All classes available in studio at $20 per class.
- To reserve a spot, please contact Derryl directly: Cell/Text 206-261-8387.
- The preferred method of payment is via Zelle. Please contact Derryl directly.
- Class Schedule
Zoom Classes
- We currently offer a Zoom attendance option during our Saturday, Chen Foundations class at 9:00 AM. Cost for Zoom attendance is $10 / class. Your Zoom invitation will be sent once payment is received.
